The Claiming by Cooper

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 54 (Jace)

I finish packing to go to the next contest. I’ll be away from the pack for the four days. I’ve been training hard and other than the times when Jordan was with Nolan, I feel like I’m getting stronger. I’m feeling pretty confident that I will be able to defeat my opponent this weekend and move to the next level in the competition.

I grit my teeth thinking of the times when the pain has ripped through me. I know that Jordan hasn’t gone all the way with Nolan as I know that would have seriously weakened me, but that hasn’t stopped her from at least k*issing him.

When I’m done, I head down to Jordan’ s office, knocking on the door. I wait until she calls for me to come in before opening the door.

“Hey, Alpha. I wanted to see if there is anything you need from me before I head out to the competition.”

She looks up at me and clasps her hands in front of her on the desk.

“Come in and have a seat, Jace,” she says.

I know there is nothing special about the request, but I can’t help the little flip in my heart at her request. I close the door and come to sit in front of her, dropping my bag beside me on the floor.

She looks at me a moment and I wait her out. “Jace, you need you to accept my rejection.”

I grit my teeth. Definitely nothing special about this conversation. “Listen to me, you entered this contest to win your own pack. I know that you can feel the times when I’m with Nolan. You’re allowing yourself to get weak when you need to be getting stronger.”

“It’s my choice and I refuse to accept your rejection.”

need to stop this. I won’t be held hostage by you or anyone. I’ve held back with Nolan because I know it impacts you, but I won’t continue to do that. You’re not being fair to me. You had your chance, Jace. You chose someone else. Now, I choose someone else. I’m asking you to

“And I say no.”

up quickly, her chair flying out from behind her. She turns, walking away before coming back and slamming her hands down on the desk, leaning towards

now have you decided

more time,

my rejection so you’ll at least have a chance of becoming an Alpha. I don’t want to feel like

you need to do, Alpha,” I say standing. “Are we done here? I wanted to know if there was

and in my face in an instant. “Yes, there

snarl, leaning over her. In true Alpha fashion, she doesn’t back

“Do it!” she snarls.

if it’s her passion, her scent or the desperation that I see in her eyes, but something in me snaps and I grab her by the hair with one hand,

grunts, opening her m*outh, most likely to yell at me, but I plunge my tongue into her sweet peppermint taste. I feel her hands fist against my chest as her tongue begins fighting mine for dominance. At first, there’s a battle for control, Jordan trying to gain the upper hand and end our k*iss. But I refuse to back down and

that was holding her to me relaxes into a softer hold as her fists unfold and her arms slide around

when she jerks out of my arms. She steps back,

you do that?” she

a year ago, the moment you turned 18. But it wasn’t my time then and it still isn’t now. But my time is coming Jordan, and

heading for the door, but I stop as I put my hand on the knob, turning back to her. She’s still staring after me. “I hope to see you at the contest this weekend. If not for me, I know the pack would love to have you there rooting for them,” I say, turning and walking out before she can

Jaxon POV

former claiming territory the night before the next contest. Being newly mated, it’s so hard to be away from her, even for short periods of time. Her family began teasing us that we were attached at

I’d rather be attached to,” I said, smiling at my mate. I was rewarded with a fantastic

last time, only this time, we’ve called ahead to let them know we’re mates, and we need one room. Thankfully, there aren’t as many