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.

least on Jace’s side. I also know that Jordan has been seeing Nolan and that their relationship has

he’s in a different headspace than

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

in his arms and hugging him. His arms go around her, and I notice the moment she realizes what she’s done. Her body goes stiff, and she steps

Jace and hear Jordan say she

says to her as she turns to leave. “Of course, Jace. I know

job, man! One down, and one to go,” I say

he says, giving me a

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 Alpha Luke

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

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, pinning her. Both of them will have to

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 tell she’s nervous and the nerves are

comes back, she tells me that Collin won his battle yesterday

did he battle?” I

“A warrior.”

different than battling