The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 16 (Jace)

After lunch, the Alphas began talking about finding the rogues. Now that it is settled that Jordan and I will go to see the bears, their next plan had to incorporate actually finding the rogues and deciding what to do with them. We’ II know more after we talk to Balor, the clan chief of the bears, but Nolan’s intel was that there were two packs.

“While we’re talking about dividing our Alphas up and sending all of you out to search for rogues, might I inquire about the Beta Trials? We’re only about a month away from the start of the trials at this point. Has anyone considered that we would be at high risk for an attack during those challenges?” Jordan asks.

“That’s a valid point, although, I’m surprised that you’re concerned about them, Alpha, being that you already have a Beta. Do you have a lot of individuals entering the Trials?” Alpha Tarik, Tobias’ brother, asks me.

“I do have several individuals who have entered the Beta Trials, but my Beta heir has also thrown his hat into the Trials. So, you I’ll be looking for a Beta just like the new Alphas,” she says, and I watch as Alpha Mason jerks his head at Elijah, who nods subtly, his l*ips pressed tightly together.

“Why would a Beta, with a guaranteed position in a pack, decide to go into the Beta Trials?” Alpha Aiden asks me. “You’d have to ask him,” Jordan says diplomatically.

Taylor, however, isn’t so diplomatic. “It’ s because you’re a female Alpha, isn’t it?”

“He didn’t… specify, in so many words…” Jordan begins, but Taylor snorts.

“Well, there’s one Beta I won’t have to worry about, he’s now eliminated from my list,” she says.

Alpha Caleb looks like he’s just about to say something, when we hear Jordan’s patrols send up the howl of alarm.

Jordan’s up and moving toward me as the patrol mind links us both.

“Jordan?” Jaxon asks.

We both turn to Taylor. “It’s your pack, Taylor. The rogues are attacking your pack.”

I tell her, following Jordan as we race out of the conference room and to the back door of the packhouse. Almost as one, me, Jordan and Taylor leap and shift, racing to her pack.

hear Jaxon and Alpha Mason beginning to bark orders to increase the patrols of our pack and sending out the message to get the elderly and women with young children into the safe rooms. I’m sure Griffin is doing the same for his pack as well, since they are just as

the air and howls to let the others know we’re on

through the clearing that Taylor has created for her packhouse, I see and smell the rogue Alpha. He’s

moves to attack the rogue Alpha, but Taylor snarls a feral snarl, and leaps forward slamming into the rogue Alpha, knocking him off of Nolan. She takes a protective stance in front of him and while I understand her motive, it’s

the female he intends to mate. I have a moment to be thankful that this rogue’s focus is on Taylor, not Jordan, before Nolan’s wolf is on his feet, snarling and snapping at

him in place. I hear the rogue Alpha howl, calling his pack members to him and I hear the sound of multiple paws hitting the ground,

that Nolan shifts, I know that

and repeats the word back to Nolan. Then I watch as Jordan shifts, staring at Nolan. His eyes drift

“Jordan.”

just as Taylor looks back and sees Jordan. Understanding and pain run in rapid succession across her face. Then she turns back to

“You’re Nolan?”

“Yes. And you are?”

“Taylor.”

brows furrow. “The

up to us,

going on?”

are mates,” I

not at all

a step toward Taylor,

can’t be here right now,” she

with that rogue Alpha on

of Griffin’s pack.

like to have your mate dating your cousin. She needs to process this before you speak to her. Trust me,” Jordan

to me. “You?”

I….” I don’t get any more words out before he’s punched me, knocking me

“GRIFFIN!” Jordan shouts.

don’t know if that’s more for Jordan or Taylor, but you better get your s*hit together man,” he snarls at me. “I already have. I broke up

looks back at Nolan. “You don’t step foot on my pack lands

before Griffin turns and races

you okay?” Jordan asks me, pulling my hand away from my face and flinching. I’m sure it’s already bruised from

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