The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 50 (Jordan)

I’ve been training in Alpha Jonas’s pack for a week, taking advantage of the opportunity to spend a bit of time with Nolan. However, he offered individual training to Alpha Jonas, just as he did for me, and Jonas took him up on it.

So, rather than spending time with Nolan in the afternoons, I’ve been spending time with Melinda and her children.

“I still can’t believe you’re pregnant again,” I say for the umpteenth time.

She shrugs. “When you find your mate, you want nothing but them. After being kept apart, I can’t get enough of him. And I don’t care what anyone says about our age difference, my mate is a fine, s*exy specimen.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about you describing me like a piece of meat,” Alpha Jonas says, walking up behind us. Nolan is with him, and he comes to sit beside me.

“How was Alpha training?” I ask Jonas.

“Brutal, but apparently, I have an image of a fine, s*exy specimen that I need to uphold,” he says, smirking at Melinda, making her giggle.

He looks around. “Where are the kids?”

“Napping,” she says and even I see his eyes darken.

I look away, my heart still hurting to see other mates interacting this way. “Want to get up close and personal with a fine, s*exy specimen, Luna?” Jonas purrs at her.

She stands. “Always, Alpha.” She turns to me. “I’ll see you two later.”

“Have fun!” I say, waving at them.

When they’re gone, I turn to Nolan. “So, how was training?”

“Alpha Jonas may be older than I am, but the man is strong and he’s a quick learner,” he says appreciatively. “How did you get into this, anyway? How did you end up packless, becoming a lethal warrior?” I ask him. He’s quiet, not answering and I turn to see him staring out into the forest.

none of my business,” I say

half-hearted smile, not turning away from the forest. “Do you know, I can’t remember

he turns to look at me, smiling. “I got into this because I realized that when the females of the species started dying out, that we needed to strengthen our women. Women like you are underestimated,

at him. “I do, but I’m surprised that you do,” I tell

comes to women, or in this case the one

might take offense to that,” I say

Your mother and the others in her generation made sure of it. So, that

no other Alpha and Luna from their time made. So, of course, everyone is

turns and looks at me. “I, for one, don’t think you will fail, and I intend to do everything that

a lethal weapon?” I ask

looks at me a long

assume that both of them win. You will be without a Beta or a Gamma, although I’m sure your current Beta, Elijah, will stay in his position until you choose someone from the Beta trials. But even then, that person will be new. You will be tested, Jordan. The moment anyone feels that you are vulnerable, that you show the slightest bit of weakness, they will attack. You, more than any other Alpha in this generation, will have to prove herself. If I had to bet, I’d

attack my pack?” I ask, shocked that he thinks that and wondering

come from within your own pack and also

true, then I do need to make sure that I’m lethal. I need to be able to take on and defeat any enemy, any fighter who comes for me. I turn, looking at

watch as a smile spreads across his face. “I see

defeat every one of the elite warriors

do that, then no one will challenge

head in

to do it, you’re definitely smart enough to do it. It’s just a matter of taking

forward, putting his head in line with mine. “How many

making him smile. “Then, before the

styles are different, but of those three, Ezekiel is the toughest. Plan to put in extra time that week, show at least your pack members that you are the incredible fighter

him. “You think I hold back?” I

might consider that a weakness. I consider it a generosity that only the strong can afford to give. You don’t even try to defeat me because I’m the expert. I’m there to teach

the elite fighting team and in the next breath you’re saying I

you are that strong, that good. I see it, now I want to make sure everyone else does as

standing up and walking

about this?” he

your mind, Nolan? Or,” I look at him, “is it too soon after your session with Alpha Jonas. I