The Claiming by Cooper

Chapter 286

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 13 (Jace)

It’s late in the evening when I step out back behind the packhouse and see my sister sitting on the patio looking out over the pack pool and the forest.

“Is this seat taken?” I ask Melinda. She’ s nursing Kaiden and I’m assuming that Jonas is upstairs with their other two. “It is if you sit in it,” she says, and I take the seat.

“So, am I getting another niece or another nephew?” I ask her.

“Don’t know yet, it’s too soon. We should find out next week.” I turn and look at her. “I saw dad leave. How was that?”

She shrugs and I smell the salt of her tears. I reach over and lay my hand on her arm.

“It was good to see him,” she says, and I can tell her throat is tight with emotion. She looks down at Kaiden, stroking his head of dark hair. He, like Ryder, is going to look like Jonas.

I stroke her arm, not saying anything. She swipes her face with the back of her hand. “He says mom’s sorry, that she misses me and wants to meet her grandchildren. I just… how do I trust her after what she did? How do I even begin to forgive that? You know?” she says, turning to look at me.

“She kept me from my mate, the father of my children, making us both think that we didn’t want to see the other. Who does that? What kind of person keeps their child away from her mate because you don’t agree with the age difference?”

“I’m probably not the best person to answer that question, Mel,” I say, turning and looking out over the forest.

She’s quiet a moment.

came clean and told Jordan that you know that she’s your

ask how you knew, but you’ve always known things that others

when it comes to you, Jace. I’m glad you finally told

I say and now it’s time for

chuckles. “I bet she did. You DID date her cousin,

tiny person,” I say jokingly, feeling

that she’d really ever be okay

for her,” I say quietly. “Your

Jace, but I remember how closed off you were after your parents’ death. You tried to shut everyone out, and

little girl who wouldn’t let me be,” I say, but I smile at the memory of Melinda, who was like a beacon of sunshine in my dark and stormy

that I see what others don’t. And what I see in you, Jace, is the same thing

I say, taking him and putting him against my chest, rubbing and gently tapping on his back until he burps, then keeping him there, enjoying the quiet calm that always comes from

do, big brother?” she asks, turning to face me, pulling one leg

can be a good mate to her, that I’m worthy

to prove that to

do now. After everything, well, she hasn’t rescinded the rejection and she’s

mate bond to the

do you mean?” I ask, more sharply than I

an eyebrow at me. “I

her a moment. “You’re

“From you, I’ll take

down, k*issing the top of my nephew’s head, smelling

you going to do about mom?” I ask

turns back around in her seat, slouching down and resting her head on the back of

but it would give her a chance

she’d be happy to do

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