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.”

and looks at me with concern in his eyes. “If they’re killing

it’s not a huge leap for them to start killing wolves,”

I in danger because I’ m a female Alpha, but also because I have a start-up pack? UGH! I have

Taylor, but you can’t go against the council, 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 had theirs. They won’t want to be out in the wilderness alone with rogue wolves attacking. It’ll be too dangerous,” my

him and I can see that he’s ready to fight me on this. It wouldn’t be the

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

in for a hug. “You already do, you just need the experience that comes with time

and look at Griffin. “I take

this evening as well,” he says, and I

to do with that

opportunity I have to spend

knowing he’ll want to escort me to Jordan’s pack. “Thanks for letting us

it but your sister and she already knows I hug all

brother, skipping out of his reach when he tries to grab me. My siblings

look around before locking it up. It won’t help if

to Jordan’s pack, I look

are your thoughts about the bears?”

the same attachments that we do. However, they are stronger than we are. One bear can easily take out three wolves. So, it’s concerning

Beta Trials? Do you think all of

see what the council says about that, too.

huffing. I really

increase the security of the Trials. Although how that will work, I’m

about it for a minute. “Bring in the fighters. They are the best of the best, right? Have them work the Beta Trials. There’s not enough of them to put one in each pack, but they

wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug. “And that, my darling daughter, is why I say you