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

turning away from the forest. “Do you know, 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. You’re strong, passionate, caring,

“I do, but I’m surprised that

comes to women, or in

take offense to that,” I

number of females on the council. Your mother and the others in her generation made sure of it. So,

One that no other Alpha and

think you will fail, and I intend to do everything that

a lethal

me

win themselves a pack. Let’s, for a moment, 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

I ask, shocked that he thinks that and wondering what

I think they will challenge you for the right to lead your pack. I think they will come from within

look out over the forest. If 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,

a smile spreads across his face.

one

that, then no one will challenge you, no

lean forward, putting my head in my h*ands. “How

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

“How many more of

him smile. “Then, before the competition, I have the last three coming

is the toughest. Plan to put in extra time that week, show at least your pack members that you are the incredible fighter that I know

“You think I

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

said that you are part of the elite fighting team and in the next breath you’re saying I can defeat you?” I

it, now I want to make

say, standing up and walking out into the

this?”

your session with Alpha Jonas. I can wait until you are feeling more