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.

of

from the forest. “Do you know, I can’t remember the last time someone asked me

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, Jordan.

do, but I’m surprised that you do,” I tell

comes to women, or in

take offense to that,” I

Your mother and the others in her generation

other Alpha and Luna from their time made. So, of course,

and looks at me. “I, for one, don’t think you will fail, and I intend

me a lethal

me a

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

ask, shocked that he thinks that and wondering what

right to lead your pack. I think they will come from within your own pack and also other

what Nolan is saying is 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

a smile spreads across his face.

strong enough to defeat every one of the elite

do that, then no one will challenge you,

my head in my h*ands. “How

being you. You’re strong enough to do it, you’re definitely smart enough to do it. It’s just a

putting his head in line with mine. “How many more of the elite do you have coming to train your

that YOU are next week,” I say, making him smile. “Then, before the competition, I have the last three coming in, Ezekiel,

Plan to put in extra time that week, show at least your pack

frown at him. “You think I hold back?”

know you do. Some 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 you, so you make sure that you don’t. I’m pretty sure that if I fought you right now, if you really tried, you

team and in

that strong, that good. I see it, now I want to make

I say, standing up and walking out into

sure about this?” he asks

I look at him, “is it too soon after your session with Alpha Jonas.