The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 51 (Evangeline)

A week before the second contest, my parents have a party for my birthday. I’ m so excited. I know that Jaxon is my mate, but now, I’ll finally, finally be able to tell my father, without a doubt that he is truly my mate.

This week, my father had Ezekiel and once again, we thought it would be an easy week, but Ezekiel raised the bar again. So, while I’ve been excited about my birthday, I knew that this week would be a tough one. Add to that, Jaxon decided that this week, of all weeks, he wanted to make a big entrance for my birthday.

I know that Jaxon hasn’t had a chance to get me something for my birthday. I’ ve heard him on the phone, secretly talking to people. If I had to guess, I’d say he and Jordan are coming up with some sort of birthday present for me, but so far, I have no clue what he’s getting me.

Last night, for the first time in nearly three months, I slept alone. Jaxon left to go get my birthday present, telling me that he’d be back for the party tonight. I had texted him in the middle of the night, not terribly surprised that he wasn’t asleep.

Me: Are you awake?

Jax: I am, why are you awake?

Me: Can’t sleep. I miss my mate.

Jax: Your mate is stupid. He didn’t think this through.

Me: My mate is not stupid. He’s amazing and I won’t have you disparaging him.

Jax: Really? Well, the man was dumb enough to leave you alone the night before your birthday.

Me: I’m sure he has a good reason.

Jax: I bet tomorrow night at this time, you’ll be wearing his mark.

Me: And he’ll be wearing mine.

Jax: Think of that, my beautiful

I plan to keep you up all

How is that supposed

give you sweet dreams. I

love

you in a couple of hours

Not soon enough

Jax

fall asleep early in the morning and now, I’m trying to get through Ezekiel’s last training

me. “Evangeline, you’ re

my mate isn’t here. He’ll be here later, but

word of advice, Alpha. Push through. If you expect to become an Alpha to a pack, you’ll need to be able to fight even when you’re exhausted. Dig

“Yes, Ezekiel.”

rest of the morning, I focus, fighting and actually taking down my opponents. I see Ezekiel nodding at me several times and I feel good that I

ready for the party. Maggie comes to sit with me, helping me to get ready. Caleb is here, too. Dad has allowed them to go back and forth to train and even he has to see that Maggie is stronger than she was before. Caleb’s influence has been good for Maggie, just as Jaxon’s

holding her h*ands out to me. “My beautiful girl, my

cry. She is the rock of

walking to her

going to live?” she asks, and I can tell that she is hoping that we’ve decided to live here. We’ve talked about it a lot and gone back and forth, until finally we decided to split our time between our packs. It has worked during the training for this next contest and until we

live part time here and part time in Alpha Jordan’s pack until one or both of us wins our

both of you winning. You’re both strong, powerful Alphas and deserve your own

“Thanks Mom.”

I’d better be getting downstairs to welcome our guests…and

That makes me smile.

I say, walking her to the door. When she’s gone, I turn back to my bedroom, this room that has been mine for as long as I can remember will tonight become the room where my mate makes me his own, where

the stairs, the scent of sandalwood fills my nose, so much

on the group of people, waiting for me to join the party and there he is, looking up at me, a bouquet of flowers in

I say, as the rest of the

confirms as he walks to the bottom of the stairs.

bottom, he takes my h*and, k*issing

“Happy birthday, my love.”