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.

is still something there between them, at least on Jace’s side. I also know that Jordan has been

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

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

her, and I notice the moment she realizes what

walk up to congratulate Jace and hear Jordan say she needs to go check on the

Jordan,” he says to her as she turns to leave. “Of course, Jace. I know this is important to you.” I’m not

one to go,”

says, giving me

saying our goodbyes, Eve and I head over 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 hang back as Alpha Luke

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.

Rowan’s battle with Cillian. Cillian lost his battle yesterday, so he has to win today to stay in the competition. Cillian is a tough 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

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

Eve comes back, she tells me that Collin won

did he battle?” I ask

“A warrior.”

than battling