The Claiming by Cooper

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 57 (Jaxon)

When we walk up, Alpha Antonio is giving Valentina some last-minute pointers. I’m surprised when I don’t see Jordan here giving Jace pointers.

I’ll be right back,” I tell Eve and walk over to Jace.

“Hey man, you got this?”

“I feel pretty good about it,” he says turning to me. “I heard that both you and Tobias forfeited because you got paired with your mates. Be careful tomorrow if you get him. He’s tough, really tough.”

“I have all day to worry about that. Get your head into this match. What’s your strategy?” I ask, just as Jordan comes running up.

“Hey, I’m here. Sorry I’m late. I was helping some of the others in our pack,” she says, looking over and assessing Valentina the way I’ve seen our parents do before a sparring match. They ingrained it in us to size up our opponent and start the match before you ever walk into the ring.

I watch as Jace noticeably relaxes and begins to finally focus. “I’ll leave you to it, then,” I say, turning and walking back to Eve.

I watch as Jace turns, taking in everything that Jordan is telling him. I haven’t talked to either one of them about their situation in months.

I can see that there is still something there between them, at least on

Jace to focus and when he enters the ring, he’s in a different headspace than he was only moments ago. He’s focused

just as Alpha Antonio is doing with Valentina but in

go around her, and I notice the moment she realizes what she’s

congratulate Jace and hear Jordan say she needs

leave. “Of course, Jace. I know this is important to you.” I’m not sure

One down, and one to go,” I say to

at you,” he says, giving

to where Lazio is getting ready for his battle. I see Reid is already talking to Ainsley, getting her mentally prepared for the fight. We

size on his side. However, once the battle starts, we can see that Ainsley is quick and very agile. She’s a good fighter and Lazlo has to use all his skill to defeat her. In the end, he wins,

competitor, but my sister is too. I notice that Enzo is here, cheering her on and my dad is giving her pointers from the sidelines. Their match goes on for nearly the full hour, but

her battle. I look across the ring as Eve goes to hug Magdalena. Collin looks like an Alpha, ready for battle. He’s calm, composed and he’s assessing his opponent. It’s what Magdalena should be doing, but I can

back, she tells me that Collin won

battle?”

“A warrior.”

different than battling another Alpha,”