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.

something there between them, at least on Jace’s side. I

enters the ring, he’s in a different headspace than

Jordan guides him from the sidelines, just as Alpha Antonio is doing with Valentina but in less than 30 minutes,

arms go around her, and I notice

up to congratulate Jace and hear Jordan say she needs to go

course, Jace. I know this is important to you.” I’m not

job, man! One down, and one to go,” I

you,” he says, giving me a slap

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

it’s time to fight, the two walk into the ring. Ainsley is a bit older than Lazlo, but she’s small and Lazlo definitely has 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

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 Cillian finally takes Rowan down,

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

back, she tells me that Collin won his

battle?”

“A warrior.”

different than