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

distractedly. “Might I ask, do you now that woman

and I look in the direction that he’s looking. Harper and Teagan are

Jordan’s. Is there a reason you

one with long brown hair, but they both have that. I take it they are

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

“The right,” he says.

my sister Harper. So, I’ll ask again, why

mate. I

frowns at him. “You aren’t 18

isn’t 18 either, yet she and

and I should spend some

I’ll make sure your

makes my

ceremony together,” he says distractedly as

dropping out of the contest now

“Definitely,” he says.

the end, I’m tired and my mouth

shoes and begin walking toward the stairwell. As I pass one of our conference rooms, a hand reaches

when I smell it, eucalyptus. Jace. He pins me

do you

me, Jordan. I want you

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

to

made sure of that.” Anger from months of

that I was your mate. Yon made

you know how many times you’ve been intimate with Taylor in

never intimate, Jordan. Our relationship wasn’t like

something, Jace. The mate bond doesn’t lie, and

feel it if it was only a kiss. I would never have kissed her if I’d known you

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

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

get where you are. I thought you needed a strong mate, an Alpha, to help you achieve your goals. I didn’t think I was strong enough