The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 22 (Taylor)

I return to the Alpha conference, but my mind is all over the place. I can’t believe I finally found my mate. When I didn’t find him during the Contest, I figured the Moon Goddess didn’t give me one. But he was here all along, I just didn’t realize it and our paths never crossed.

When I walk back into the conference room, Nolan is up front speaking to Councilman Jason. I take the same seat I was in this morning, not sure how to approach Nolan, or even if I should after everything that has transpired. I told him we’d talk this evening, but now, the anticipation of maybe hearing that he prefers my cousin to me is weighing on me.

I’m looking over the agenda, trying to get my emotions under control, when I smell his scent of fresh cut pines. “Do you mind if I sit here, Alpha?” Nolan asks me.

I look up at him and shake my head. When he sits, I take a deep breath, letting his scent and the warmth emanating from him soothe and calm me.

“Call me Taylor,” I say quietly then turn to him. “You’re my mate, you should call me Taylor.”

“Taylor,” he says, nodding as Jordan and Jace walk in.

He looks up, nodding at the two of them but nothing more. Now that my nerves are calm, the afternoon goes by quickly with Nolan talking about what he knows about Balorto Jace and Jordan, helping them prepare fortheir trip.

Then, Councilmen Jason, Antonio, and Saul begin working with the older Alphas to set up hunts for the rogues. While he does that, Councilwomen Jara and Gia work with the younger Alphas to make sure everyone has a place to go to be safe, and they begin documenting where everyone will be staying.

When they come up to me, I let them know that I’ll be staying in Griffin’s pack until things settle.

meeting to adjourn, Nolan

would you like to talk,

like to go for a walk in the woods?” He raises an eyebrow at

and I let Griffin know that I’ll be heading home

edge of the forest, away from everyone. When we

say at the

I stop and laugh. “Let’s

great view

you know that Alpha Seth and Luna Hana are my parents, but my brother, Griffin, is now Alpha

he stays quiet, looking out over the area in front of us. “We’re you really going to take Jordan as your

me. “Were you really going to take

away. “I didn’t think I had a mate. I assumed that if I did, that

mate. I won’t be held to a double standard, Taylor. I appreciate and respect that you are an Alpha. But I require respect in return. I may not be an Alpha, but I am a fighter, the best in my division. I’ m a man who has wanted to find you, who has searched for you, my mate, for many years. I don’t know if our age difference bothers you, it doesn’t bother me. I want to get to know you, I want to see

in charge of everyone and

to get to know you, to spend time with you, to see your pack and what you’re doing to build it. But your brother has been very clear that I am not welcome onto his pack lands unless you agree to have me there. So, the ball is in your court, Taylor. If and when you’re ready to talk, to spend time getting to know each other better, I’ll be here. You have my number,” he says, before turning and

(Nolan POV)

very different ideas of what it means to have a mate than I do. She’s a new Alpha, trying

Alpha Jaxon and Luna

impose upon your hospitality to stay for a few days, until things are more-settled,” I say and

steps closer to Jordan but he

if I’m not here, Jaxon will let you stay,”

to make you

mean?” I ask him. “You have to help me train these weaklings while Jordan is gone,” he says,