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.

head to my room, wondering what it

rough living off of a few pairs of clothes for the past

I find our lead omega. “Do you know where my father has Alpha Jaxon

sisters are staying on the Beta floor.

at her a long moment. “Let me guess, he’s as far

yes, that’s correct, Alpha

or someone else show me which

I

lead omega, knowing that this is very purposeful on my father’s part. He’s allowing Jaxon on our pack lands, but he’s obviously not

Alpha by giving him a terrible room. The room itself has a great view of the training fields and

sure that it’s stocked and

Rowan’s

like 1 said, they are on

I tell

walk back and get to the entrance of the packhouse just as Teagan and Rowan

mine, I just raise an eyebrow at her. She presses her lips together and I see the barest

later and Alejandro, Makayla and I take them on

really good for the packs

you mean?”

equal chance to win, it can only strengthen all of our packs, right? And now that I’ve become friends with Teagan

weeks together, bonding over our pain and suffering will be bonds that will last a lifetime. And obviously,

her,” Al

to put her arm through Jaxon’s. “I like him, he’ll make

a Luna when the time comes,”

get used it,”