The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 65 (Evangeline)

After spending a couple of hours talking with my parents, I promise we’ll come visit. I warn my father again about crossing me.

“I’m willing to give you another chance dad, but this is your last one. There won’t be any more chances. You either trust me and Jaxon, or that’s it. I want you in our child’s life, but not at the risk of my mate. He doesn’t deserve the treatment you’ve given him, and I won’t allow it.”

“I’ve been very honest with Jaxon, Evangeline. Someday, when we have more time, I’ll have the same conversation with you, if you’d like. In the meantime, I’ll just be thankful to have you around again and if you decide to give birth in your old dad’s pack, I know your mother and sisters will be thrilled.”

“What about you, dad?”

“I’d be thrilled as well, of course. I can’t wait to meet my grandson,” he says before pulling me into a hug. “I love you, Evangeline.”

“I love you too, Dad.”

It wasn’t much later before the announcement comes for everyone to meet outside to get the information on the next competition.

Nearly everyone has remained to get the information on the next competition. Flavia is the only Alpha that didn’t make it to round 3. Half of the remaining contestants are Alphas, many more are ranked members and then there are a few remaining warriors.

As we walk outside, Jaxon takes my hand.

closer attention to the remaining group of individuals. Ten of us will become Alphas, but after that, we’ll need to choose our Beta and Gamma. I’m not sure the remaining Alphas will compete, but I’d like to start making a list of the other ranked members and these last few warriors. Even if we don’ t choose one of them for a ranked member, we’ll need a Lead Warrior

the stage, seeing Elder Jason walk up the steps and to

all cheer. He waits for the

do not feel that much additional preparation is

us. “In one month’s time, we will complete the sensory portion of the contest. The thirty remaining contestants will arrive the day before the contest begins. You will be randomly selected for your slot in the contest and assigned a flag color. Each day 10 of you will have the opportunity to showcase your sensory skills as well as your speed. You will each have one hour to collect as many flags as you can get from within the old claiming territory. The only clues you will have will be visual,

being pregnant,” I say quietly to

a timed contest to see who can get all 10 flags the fastest. All contestants will run in at the same time and the first ones out will win, depending on how

eliminated

Alphas, and based on the rank in the final contest,

questions?” Councilman

You

walk back inside, taking inventory of those who remain in the competition. “If my math and pack

make a list at dinner. I know there are four of us still from

just the two of us. As I look around, I see what looks like a lot of mate pairings, Maggie and Caleb,

call, tapping the seat

around. “Now that there are fewer of us, the mate bonds are

You’ll find your mate.

her to smell her now, but when the Beta Trials start, you

Lazio up, and he looks at what we’re

all the packs have some