The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 43 (Evangeline)

When I arrive back at my pack, everyone seems happy to see me, as if they all missed me.

“Of course, they missed you,” Makayla says when I mention it. “You’re the heart of this pack.”

“Makie, that’s not true. Mom is the heart of this pack,” I tell her.

“Yes, she is, and you’ll hopefully forgive me for saying this Evie, but you’re just as much of the heart of the pack as she is,” Alejandro says.

“Why do I need to forgive you for saying that?” I ask.

“Because it means you were meant to be a great Luna, or at least you would make a great Luna,” Lazio says.

I frown at them. “Alphas have a heart.”

Both of them look at me.

“No, Evie. The Alphas are meant to be the hard ones in the pack, the ones that make the hard decisions and the ones that lay down the law and hold people accountable when someone doesn’t follow that law. The Luna is the heart, the gentleness, the kindness that counters the Alpha’s dominance of their pack.” Al says.

“And you’re damn good at it, Evie. The pack adores you, as they should…if you were going to be a Luna.” Lazio says.

“So, you’re saying I need to be a bitch if I want to be Alpha?”

“No, Alpha Jordan is finding a middle ground, sort of. I’m just saying, the pack responds to you in a way that they respond to mom, not in the way that they respond to dad.” Al says.

think about that as I head to my room, wondering what it means long-term for

thrilled to have all my clothes again. It was rough living off of a few pairs of clothes for

where my father has Alpha

Beta floor. Alpha Jaxon is

“Let me guess, he’s as far away from this side

that’s correct,

show me which room will

course, Alpha, I can

knowing that this is very purposeful on my father’s part. He’s allowing Jaxon

Alpha by giving him a terrible room. The room itself has a great

it’s stocked and checking to make sure that everything else is

Rowan’s rooms are the

said, they are on the Beta’s

I

Teagan and Rowan arrive. “Welcome to our home,” Alejandro says,

her eyes meet mine, I just raise an eyebrow at her. She presses her lips together and I see the barest of head nods. Finally, I think she’s realizing that we can feel

hours later and Alejandro, Makayla and I take them on

is really good for the packs and our alliances, isn’t it?” Makayla

you mean?” I

if we’re working together, supporting each other, pooling our resources so everyone has an equal chance to win, it can only strengthen all of our packs, right? And now that I’ve become friends with Teagan and Rowen, wherever

beauty and brains! You’re absolutely correct, Makayla. I think these weeks together, bonding over our pain and suffering will be bonds that will last

her,” Al

through Jaxon’s. “I like him, he’ll make an excellent brother once he and Evie can finally mark

sister, will make one hell of a Luna when the time comes,” Jaxon says to her making Al and I

get used it,”