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.

and Gamma. I’m not sure the remaining Alphas will compete, but

Elder Jason walk up the steps and to the

our top 30 contestants!” he announces and we all cheer. He waits for the applause to

much more quickly as we, the council, do not feel that much additional preparation is needed. In these events, you either have

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, auditory and olfactory. You must use your senses to find and collect as many of your colored flags as possible while you are in

I say quietly to Jaxon. “You’ll be great,

be 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,

eliminated in the next contest?” someone

top 10 contestants will become the new Alphas, and

Councilman Jason asks, looking

is adjourned. You will meet back

the competition. “If my

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

are four from my father’s pack too, but I think we’re the only two packs with that many still in the competition.” Dinner is just the two of us. As I look around, I see what looks like a lot of mate pairings, Maggie and Caleb, Reid and Ainsley, Tobias and Flavia, Rowan and Enzo. Lazio looks lost as he gets

call, tapping the seat beside

and looks around. “Now that there are fewer of

arm around his shoulders. “Don’t worry, little bro. You’ll find your mate.

to smell her now, but

up, and he

looks like all the packs have some level of