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 my business,”

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

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, Jordan. You’re strong, passionate,

but I’m surprised

attention, especially when it comes to women, or in this case the one woman, in a leadership

take offense

a requirement to have a certain number of females on the council. Your mother and the others in her generation made sure of it. So, that is

different. That 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

don’t think you will fail, and I intend to

me a lethal

me

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

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

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

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

his face. “I see you understand now,”

to defeat every one of the elite warriors that are training the

that, then no one will challenge you, no

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

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

“How many more of the elite do

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

time that week, show at least your pack members that you are the incredible

“You think I hold back?” I

defeat me because I’m the expert. I’m there to teach you, so you make sure that

are part of the elite fighting team and in the

strong, that good. I see it, now

standing up

this?” he asks

session with