The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 05 (Jace)

I hate leaving Jordan, not only because I know that Nolan is now staying in our packhouse, but also because I know she’s still unsure of my feelings for Taylor. I could tell she didn’t want to send me, but with Carter out of the picture, at least for now, it was either her or me, and she needs to be here since she just got back.

I race to Taylor’s new pack lands, feeling the change when I cross our borders and begin running in unchartered territory.

I run until I smell her and then I howl, letting her know that I’m coming to see her. She may not know that she’s at risk, but it’s better to announce myself.

When I find her, she’s on the roof of a house, hammering and fixing a hole, I guess. She stands, wiping her hands and smiling before leaping off the roof and landing neatly on her feet.

As I get close to her, I shift, coming to a stop in front of her.

“Jace, what an unexpected surprise,” she says, her eyes taking in my naked body. It’s unexpected and now that I’ve told Jordan that I want her, it’s unwanted. Unfortunately, the head below my waist doesn’t agree with the one above it and he begins to respond to her admiring look.

“Do you have a pair of shorts, Taylor?” I ask.

“Not that will fit you. Besides, you don’t need to put clothes on for my benefit,” she says, taking a step toward me. “Taylor, I have something important to talk with you about.”

She stops, looking at me. “I hope it’s to tell me that you’ve reconsidered my offer.”

Her offer of taking each other as chosen mates.

“I’ve told you I’m trying to make things work with Jordan, Tay. And what I have to talk about is more important than mate bonds, chosen or otherwise.”

that before turning. “Come on, then. I don’t have a lot yet, but I have tea and coffee, and I have a towel if you’re sure you want to cover up,” she says, smirking at me

I tell

on her risk of being out here alone, not knowing which Alpha

need to take extra precautions, Taylor. You can’t be out here on your own,”

their mates, Griffin is running our family’s pack and Caleb is doing exactly what I’m doing, building his own. I haven’t found my mate, we haven’t had the Beta Trials yet, so who do you suggest I have come out here to help me, to keep me safe? It’s just me, Jace. There isn’t anyone else, unless

I can, but we don’t know if she’ s the

is a new Luna to an existing pack. It’s a lot of change all at once for them. I can’t ask them to come babysit me because I’m afraid of an encroaching Alpha. Besides, what sort of Alpha would I be if I walked away from my pack lands because of a threat of another Alpha?

I do know it.

stay with your brother or come stay

just an Alpha threatening you, Taylor. If they get to you and you’re out here alone and this rogue forcibly marks you….I wouldn’t want that to happen to you, Taylor. We may not be

snorts derisively. “As a sister? As a

“Taylor…”

howl. I’m up and ready to fight, but Taylor grabs my arm. “It’s

your father

there’s no way they will

they want to do. Maybe they will establish guards, or patrols, or who knows what,” I say, as Griffin and another

to Taylor, grabbing her arms and looking her over as if expecting to find a forced mate mark on

at Elijah

surprised my son isn’t here,”

later,” I tell him and Elijah’s focus narrows on me a moment before he nods. “Taylor, I’m sending over patrols. I know you won’t want to come back to my pack, although I wish

was planning to do the

talked and have it worked out. We’ II alternate so you’re never alone, Taylor,” Griffin

about not needing help when we hear another howl coming from the