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.

sorry. It’s none of my business,” I say

forest. “Do you know, I can’t remember

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,

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

attention, especially when it comes to women, or in

take offense to that,” I

to have a certain number of females on the council. Your mother

and Luna from their time

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

making me a lethal weapon?” I ask him,

looks at me

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,

pack?” I ask, shocked that he thinks that and wondering what he’s

will come from within

I need to be able to take on and defeat any enemy,

his face. “I see you understand

strong enough to defeat every one of the

nods. “If you do that, then no one will challenge you, no one will

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

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

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

say, making him smile. “Then, before the competition, I

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 that I know

him. “You think I hold back?” I ask

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

just said that you are part of the elite fighting team and in the next breath

good. I see it, now I want to make sure everyone

this.” I say, standing up

sure about this?” he

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