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.

It’s none of my business,” I

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

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. You’re strong, passionate, caring, and

but I’m surprised

comes to women, or in this case the one woman, in a

council members might take offense to that,”

the council. Your mother and the others in her generation made sure of

was a choice that your parents made. One that no other Alpha and Luna from their time made. So, of course, everyone is expecting you to fail. They are watching for it, waiting for

one, don’t think you will fail, and I intend to do everything that I can

me a lethal

me

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

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

think they will challenge you for the right to lead your pack. I think they will come from within your own pack and also other packs. But that is my assessment

to be able to take on and defeat any enemy, any fighter who comes

a smile spreads across his face.

to become strong enough to defeat every one of the elite warriors that are training

no one will challenge you, no one will

head in my h*ands. “How do I do

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

mine. “How many more of the elite do you have coming to

I say, making him smile. “Then, before the competition, I have the last three coming in, Ezekiel,

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 that I know you are. And next week, when I’m there, don’t

him. “You think

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

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

Jordan, because you are that strong, that good. I see it,

I say, standing up and walking out into

about this?” he asks

too soon after your session with Alpha Jonas. I