The Claiming by Cooper

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 64 (Jaxon)

“Anything you need to say to Jaxon, you can say in front of me,” Eve says to her father.

I pull her to me, k*issing the side of her head while she glares at her father. My fierce protector. “Go spend some time with your mother, Evangeline. You know she’s dying to hear her grandson’ s heartbeat and hear all about your pregnancy. Your father and I will be fine.”

“Trust me when I tell you that your mother would have my balls if I did anything to upset you in your current condition,” Alpha Luke says to Eve.

“You forgot the part where I’d cook them up and force feed them to you,” Luna Katerina says, her brow arched, looking like she means every word. Both Alpha Luke and I flinch at that visual.

Eve turns to me, her lips twitching at her mother’s words while she k*isses me. When she turns back, she points at her father.

“I’m going to hold mother to that. You’ve been warned.”

We watch as they walk away, Luna Katerina putting her arm around Eve. “Will you walk with me?” Alpha Luke asks me.

I nod and we head toward the claiming territory, away from prying ears.

“First, how is everything with Evie’s pregnancy? She looks healthy and she moved on in the competition, so I’m assuming she and the baby are good?” he asks, looking at me.

“She’s really good. Our son is healthy, Evangeline is having a pretty easy pregnancy so far and she got through the last of the physical challenges in the top 10. Your daughter is amazing, I hope you realize that,” I tell him.

“I do,” he says, sliding his hands into his pockets and stopping by the entrance to the old claiming territory. “I do, and yet, I didn’t choose for her to be my successor, to be my Alpha heir,” he stops, turning to look at me. “I have a lot of regret over that.”

nod, not sure what to say to that. He should be regretful.

has the heart for it, but he also has the ability to hold people accountable. But Evangeline should have been my

didn’t you choose her,” I

Stupidity. Fear for how

only your parents that held fast to that. I see your sister and her struggles because she’s a female Alpha. I know her road is hard, harder than it should be. I didn’t want that for Evangeline. So, I made a decision that should have been hers to make. She should have been able to choose if she wanted

have chosen this path if I hadn’t forced

about being the Alpha, as I do about having your daughter at my side. I told her before, that as long as I had her with me, I’d become a rogue, if needed. I meant it. Your daughter is the most important thing in this world to me.

an apology,” he says and

been putting my guilt for my daughter not being an Alpha on you. It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I just want her to have the chance that I didn’t give her, to be a leader in her own pack. I realize now that you are giving her that chance. I was afraid that you were trying to take it away

make sure your daughter has everything she wants in life. That not only includes a pack, but also

misjudged you, Alpha Jaxon, so I’ll apologize again. And I hope you’ll put in a good word for me with Evie. I really don’t want to be

If I may, Alpha, I wouldn’t make

about time you started calling

are, Luke. So, call

up, looking at me, worry in your

told you that you

her, leaning down and k*issing

you show your mom

asks, holding it like she’s not planning to give it back. “May I?” Luke asks, looking at Eve. She turns and looks at me, asking

down beside her, and I move to sit beside Katerina, across from Eve. “Dad, this is your

Jace POV

competition. I need to get cleaned up and after the announcement tonight, I plan to head back to the pack. Carter didn’t move to the next round, which is good for Jordan, but right now, she’s running the pack on her own.

You’re getting so close to getting your