The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 37 (Evangeline)

I’m already doubting that my father will behave this week, but he did agree to have Jaxon join us for dinner.

“It’ll be fine, Eve. He’s your father. Yes, he’s being a bit overprotective, but that’s his job. You’re his first-born child, he’s going to be more strict with you and I.”

“How are you so calm about this?”

“I’m calm because he’s not actively trying to keep me away from you. If that changes, so will my attitude. I’m just saying, if he’s trying, let’s give him a chance. And….I may have called in the big guns.”

“Big guns? What do you mean?” I ask him as we walk into the dining room together. “I asked my mother to sit with us,” he says smugly.

“Why, Alpha Jaxon, how very conniving of you,” I say to him, already seeing Luna Jara seated at our table talking to my parents.

As we get closer, Luna Jara stands. “Jaxon, sweetheart, you didn’t even come say hello to me when you arrived home.”

“Sorry mom, Eve and I went outside to show everyone what we learned from Ezekiel last week.”

“I heard it was impressive,” she says, turning to me. “Alpha Evangeline, how lovely to see you. I look forward to getting to know you better this week. I hope you’ll enjoy your time in our pack.”

“I’m sure I will, Luna, thank you.”

I nod at my parents and siblings before sitting down in between Luna Jara and Jaxon. I know he seated me here on purpose. It’s a way for Luna Jara to say she supports our relationship.

“I do want to hear all about Ezekiel, but first, how are Jonas and Melinda doing? I miss Melinda now that she refuses to visit.”

I’m not sure if the conversation is intentional, or if Luna Jara really does miss Melinda since she originally came from this pack.

“She’s good. She’s pregnant with her third child.”

rift between Melinda and her mother. I hope they can work it

that I lost a

territories in the contest was the pack

right. She died without ever having a child,” Luna Jara smiles sadly. “And then, I lost

turn back to her. “I didn’t know that.” I

your mother yet. But a young Melinda came to me in my darkest hour. She told me that my sister had come to her in a dream and wanted her to thank me for giving her the child she never had. Melinda was maybe two or three at the time, young as I said. She insisted that Brynn allow her to tell me what she needed to say because my sister came to

Melinda. I’ll definitely have to go see her soon. I haven’t even met her

I say. “Grandma Isabella adores

just like Melinda.

Jara smiles. “Now, I’m sure we all want to hear more about Ezekiel. Your sister has him

is a bunch of bravado and good-natured ribbing, but last week was

this week to be equally as difficult. The difference is that both of you have a bit of an advantage over the rest of us, having started your intensity training a week

realize that it was having such an impact. Truly, it was so exhausting that it was all we could to get through the days. At night, we’d just collapse and fall

has morning training with the pack and afternoon training with anyone who

says. “I should hope so,”

the same, as do Mason and I. I’d like to see if I can

laughing. “That’s pretty much

can’t exactly speak for you, Luna Jara, but I know my mother has never stopped training and you look like you’re still in pretty good fighting shape yourself. I know I’m

not unusual when there are a bunch of us at

goes to the front of the dining room, whistling loudly to get everyone’s

this week. Nolan will be having two training sessions a day for the next seven days. The first one will be open to everyone in the morning from 5am – 7am. Then there will be another one in the evening from 5pm – 7pm. This one is available for everyone but will be more intense than the morning class and will be specifically geared toward those individuals participating in the contest. I recommend that all warriors plan to attend the morning sessions, and anyone

done, Jaxon

this next grueling week starts, I also know that my siblings will probably be as excited as I am to see another

around the pack lands. Does anyone want to join

up. “I

like to as well,”

too,”

see if Nolan and Jordan want to join us. I’ll be right back,”

his teeth

Jara stands. “Thank you for letting me join you for dinner. It was nice to catch up, Katerina, Luke. If you or your family need anything at all while you’re here, please don’

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