The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 10 (Taylor)

I don’t like feeling as if I need my brother and father’s protection. I’m a true Alpha now, I need to be independent, but neither of them seem to care about that. This rogue Alpha has them both on edge.

In truth, it doesn’t make sense to me that this Alpha would want me. I’ve only just become an Alpha. How would he even know about me? If he’s a rogue, as they say, it makes more sensethat he is referencing Jordan.

However, my father made a good point to me last night when I argued that.

“He may only know about Jordan, Taylor, but what if he and his pack come this way to get to her and here you are, all alone, a female Alpha who is unprotected and easy pickings.”

“I’m not easy pickings, Dad,” I had said. “Taylor, I have never once questioned your strength, determination, or abilities. However, no one, not even me in my prime could stand against an entire pack alone. Packs are strong because we stand together. You are currently a pack of one. And while you are a strong Alpha, my daughter, you are NOT the strongest pack. At least, not yet.”

He was right, of course. It irks me, but he’s right.

It’s early afternoon the next day when Griffin comes racing back into my pack lands.

“Taylor, the council is calling all of the new Alphas to come to the Alpha meeting early. You need to head to Jordan’s pack today.”

“What? Why?” I ask. I still have SO much work to do in this pack and being that it’s only me, it’s taking a long time. I’m hoping to have a decent start on a packhouse before the Beta Trials so I can lure some of those Betas to my pack. I already have my eye on a couple of them.

“The council met with Nolan this morning,” he says as my father joins us. “They are concerned about all of the start-up packs. Apparently, the rogues were living in the decimated packs and are now homeless, roaming around. And, not only that, I hear they’ ve been killing bears.”

me with concern in his eyes. “If they’re

huge leap for them to start killing wolves,”

because I’ m a female Alpha, but also because I have a start-up pack? UGH! I have too much work to deal with this!” I say, turning around and looking at the state of my

you know that. Let’ s get you to the Alpha meeting and see what the council says. It’s not just you whose pack will be impacted. Think of Jaxon and his mate about to have a new pup and I heard their neighbors, Tobias and Flavia just

I can see that he’s ready to fight me on this. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’m a lot like my father, head-strong and determined. But in

before I have my father’s Alpha intelligence?” I

“You already do, you just need the experience that

take

arrive this evening

to do with that pretty

smiles. “I’ll take every opportunity I have to spend time

me to Jordan’s pack. “Thanks

sister and she already knows I hug

out of his reach when he tries to grab me. My

I make my way inside my small house, collecting my clothes and taking a look around before locking it up. It won’t help if the rogues attack here, but it

to Jordan’s pack,

are your thoughts about the

going to be a problem if we’re not careful. Bears aren’t like wolves. They may live in clans, but they don’t have the same attachments that we do. However, they are stronger than we are. One bear can easily

Trials? Do you think

what the council says about that, too. They may decide to hold off on Beta

I ask, huffing. I really need more people in

giving me a look for interrupting him. “They may increase the security of

in the fighters. They are the best of the best, right? Have them work the Beta Trials. There’s not

side hug. “And that, my darling daughter, is why I say you already have