The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 32 (Jace)

I go back to the room and while I wait for Jordan, I get clothes and go bathe in the nearby lake. I’m just getting back when she walks in, looking thoughtful. “Everything okay?” I ask her.

“Yeah, how was today? Did you find anything?”

“We found some well-used trails, hunting trails we think. Their scent is way off, Jordan. They smell unclean, like they never bathe after taking down game and the blood and guts are just on their bodies, rotting. It’s disgusting.

Apollo and the other bears had it worse than we did with their enhanced sense of smell. But at least I know what I’m looking for now. I’ll recognize that stench from now on. Dad wanted to keep hunting, but I told him you ordered us home,” he says, looking at me.

I didn’t actually order them, but Jace was right to use that if needed to get his dad home. Luke hasn’t seen the wolves in action yet and while we’re all pack hunters, they attack when they have no business attacking, like with the bears.

“What about the doc. It looked like he was able to get a vaccine started,” I ask her as she looks through her limited clothing.

“Yes, and I called to get us rooms at the hotel for the next couple of days. Your family will help patrol the clan’s borders while we go figure everything out with the Elders,” she says, and I watch as her head drops.

“Is this about the Alpha that Dr. Braxton thinks is Alpha Typhon’s son?” I ask her.

if I should give my mother a head’s up or not. I’m not

back. What would you want if it was you, Jordan? Would you want to find out ahead of time?” I ask her, moving to her and tucking her hair behind her ear, letting my finger trail down her n*eck. I

would. Either way, it’s going to be a kick in

to the time of Typhon and his attack on Luna Jara. “Even though I was young, I remember. It was a bad time for everyone.

look down at her, seeing her watching me closely. “You need to have your father on the phone as well. I

you still protecting your Luna,

mother give up on this life, she held me while I screamed for her not to leave me. She did for me what my

“Jace,” she says softly.

it off. I don’t

own heartbreak, and you have every right to be angry at her for that. She wasn’t thinking of you in that moment. Most likely she wasn’t thinking of anything other than the pain and emptiness of losing her mate. I don’t know how that feels, but I do know that if something

slide up my chest, but I don’t want her because she thinks I need her.

have to say?” I ask, changing the subject. I expected that the change of subject would

was going to make you my Beta, and if so, he wants the Gamma position,” she says,

he enter the Beta Trials?” I ask, trying to stay focused, but her warm body pressed against mine and her soft voice so close to me

he would rather be my Gamma, than a Beta to another

Victor was given a raw deal, but he never complained about it. His adopted brother got

my brain spinning with Jordan’s sweet peppermint

me. I don’t care if a lose

reach up, going into my hair and gripping it

that I’m ready to accept you as my mate,