The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 45 (Jordan)

I stand on the stage looking out over my pack and all of the visiting Alphas that are here to watch me take my oath. I didn’t think it would impact me as much as it is. My cousin Griffin had tried to warn me. He had taken over the pack from my Uncle Seth last month. He said that no matter how much you think you’re ready for it. You’re not.

He was right.

As I stand here in front of my pack, I know I can’t show even the slightest bit of weakness. No matter how overwhelmed I feel, no matter how tight my throat gets or how much my eyes burn from unshed tears, I can’t let it show. Everyone is watching me, waiting for a weakness they won’t see today.

My voice rings out strong and true as I take my oath as Alpha, swear my loyalty, strength and compassion to the pack. As I look out, I make eye contact with my family, my brother winking at me, giving me strength.

I slice my hand, letting my blood pour into the ceremonial cup. My father, as the exiting Alpha, is the first to drink, to claim me as his Alpha. As he does, I feel the swell of power, so much stronger than before, and right behind it, the weight of my responsibility, the weight of the pack which now rests squarely on my shoulders.

My mother is next, followed by my siblings, then my father’s Beta, Elijah, and his family and then Jace. Jace makes a point of watching me as he drinks my blood. I’ve been avoiding him this week. It hasn’t been hard, we’ve both had a lot to do, but I can tell by the look in his eyes that he’s done waiting.

As he moves on, I refocus, and one by one the entire pack conies and swears their loyalty to me. When the ceremony is over, we all go inside for the celebration dinner.

The pack link that I’ve had since I got my wolf is now stronger. I can identify each individual pack member just by their mind link, even if they are all talking at once, as they are now. And that’s why I know it’s him.

‘You can’t avoid me forever, Jordan.’ I ignore it and continue to talk and mingle with my pack members. I’ve always been an Alpha, always been the Alpha heir, but even so, the pack’s interactions with me are suddenly different. Everyone is more formal, more deferential.

My family gathers around, congratulating me, along with Uncle Seth and Aunt Hana’s family. I’ll admit, I was surprised that Taylor wasn’t sitting with Jace during the ceremony today. It wouldn’t have been odd. She’s part of our family and he’s a ranked member. Instead, Jace was sitting with Jaxon and Evangeline.

“I was right, wasn’t I?” Griffin says, coming to stand beside me as people come and go.

“You didn’t mention the power swell or the weight of responsibility,” I tell him.

“Some things you have to feel for yourself to truly understand.”

I nod, saying hello to Alpha Antonio, Luna Annabel and their son, the next Alpha, Giovanni.

“Alpha Giovanni, I heard your sister Noelle dropped out of the contest.” I say to him. I’m keeping track of Jaxon’s competition for him.

“She did, she found her mate, Alpha Paolo and since he has now taken over as Alpha, she is a Luna and has no reason to compete.”

congratulations to her,” I

he says distractedly. “Might I ask, do

he’s looking. Harper and Teagan are standing

and the other is Alpha Jordan’s. Is there a reason you are

I’m asking about the one with long brown hair, but they both have that. I take it they

say. “Are you looking at the one on the left

“The right,” he says.

Harper. So, I’ll ask again, why

my mate. I just wanted to know her

him. “You aren’t 18

tell him. “Evangeline isn’t 18 either, yet she and Jaxon are confident

going to be family, you and I should spend some time together soon,”

taking my oath as Alpha in the next few months. I’ll make sure your entire family gets an invitation,” Griffin says, watching Harper. She looks up and their eyes

my

have an Alpha and Luna ceremony together,” he says

I’m guessing she’ll be dropping out of

“Definitely,” he says.

on and by the end, I’m tired and my mouth hurts

to bed, I kick off my shoes and begin walking toward the stairwell. As I pass one of our conference rooms, a hand

I smell it, eucalyptus.

do you want,

Jordan. I want you to talk to

you like to talk about, Jace?” I ask him. I’m

I want to

is no ‘us’, Jace. You made sure of that.” Anger from months of pain and frustration wells

with Taylor, knowing that I was

at him. “Do you know how many times you’ve

Jordan. Our relationship wasn’t like that, I

The mate bond doesn’t lie, and I felt it. Every. Single,

had no idea that you could feel it if it was only a kiss. I would never have kissed her if I’d known you could feel

Why? I’d really like to know why, Jace? Why did you choose

and foolish and….” he releases me and begins pacing in front

to climb to get where you are. I thought you needed