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

a huge leap for them

in danger 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

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

on this. It wouldn’t be the first time. I’m a lot like my father, head-strong and determined. But in this, he’s right.

long before I have my father’s Alpha intelligence?” I ask him,

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

look at Griffin. “I take it Jordan

to arrive this evening as well,” he says, and

I’m sure has nothing to do with that pretty blond Beta mate of

I

my father, knowing he’ll want to escort me to Jordan’s pack. “Thanks

sister and she already

over it’ to my brother, skipping out of his reach when he tries to grab me. My siblings and I

clothes and taking a look around before locking it up. It won’t help if the rogues attack here, but it makes me

we walk to Jordan’s pack, I look at

are your thoughts about

don’t have 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 on multiple levels that these rogues are attacking bears. If they decide that we are their enemy, it could become a real problem

the Beta Trials? Do you think all of this will impact

interested to see what the council says about that, too. They may decide to

I ask, huffing. I really need

says, giving me a look for interrupting him. “They may increase the security of the Trials. Although how that will work,

Beta Trials. There’s not enough of them to put one in each pack, but they could oversee and provide protection at the Trials,”

around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug. “And that, my darling daughter,