The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 2

We’re all in the back of our packhouse while my father and my younger brother, Alejandro, stand on the stage to discuss the upcoming contest where I will finally be able to claim my own pack. A pack that I have to fight for because my father felt that my younger brother could run this pack better. So, there they are, on the stage, making the announcement.

Title of the document

“The contest will begin in three months’ time.” My father says and instantly, my sister, Magdalena’s hand goes up.

“Yes, Magdalena.” My father says and I know his patience with us is already running thin, but I don’t care. Both Maggie and I are older than Al. We should have had the opportunity to be the heir to this pack. Just because I don’t have the right package hanging between my legs doesn’t make me any less capable of being able to lead a pack.

“Why is the contest starting in three months? Hasn’t it already taken years to prepare for?” She asks. Good question.

“That is correct. However, the contest will be open to everyone over the age of 16. The Council and the current Alphas felt that it was only fair to give anyone that is not currently training at a warrior level time to get stronger in order to compete.”

My hand shoots up in the air. I’ m being petty, I know, but I don’ t care. I see my father sigh.

“Yes, Evangeline?”

“So, she-wolves can enter the contest? We are eligible to become Alphas? Is that correct?”

My father grits his teeth. “Yes, that is correct.”

I give him my best fake smile. “Good to know.”

I see my mother giving Maggie and I ‘the look’. Both of us ignore her.

I feel a strong arm go around my shoulder and look up to see another around Maggie’s. “Easy my sisters. Don’t keep challenging our father in front of the pack. Mother will kick both of you’re a*s*ses and you know it.”

“Don’t care.” I say.

worth it.”

no such animosity toward Lazio. He will

female. Her personality is much more like my father’s, relaxed

to happen to Alpha Quinton’s children?” I ask. His children are too young to

to open up the

refocus on him. My brother raises his hand. My father doesn’t look nearly as put upon when

to those of us who are under 18, what happens if we win? Usually, Alphas aren’t eligible

Another good question.

turn 18. In the meantime, I’m sure it would be acceptable for any winner to begin clearing out the areas of the pack

any questions, so my father

moving into the next round. After each elimination round, we will be giving the contestants a break, a chance to rest and an opportunity to prepare for the next round of eliminations. So, that is why the

who are here hoping

first elimination round will be a 100-mile run. This is the endurance challenge. Only the first 100 individuals to cross the finish line will progress to the next round. You have three months to prepare for this challenge. The Council will be judging the contest and we have chosen the area that will be used for the run. Since it is close to the area that was once used for the claiming, that will be the area the contest will

goes

one of the ten areas being considered as pack lands for the contest?” I ask, pretty sure

pack lands, that one will be in

hand goes up. My father nods at the person to

decides which lands go to which of the

contest. The person with the highest score will chose their territory

are a few more questions before my father ends the

quite a bit over the next few months.” My brother says, smiling. “Let me know if

do.” Both Maggie

around our school schedules.” He says to us, smiling. “We’d better plan to give up our weekends though. One hundred miles can’t be run in one day. We’ll need to try to run it as fast as possible, but I think the fastest time

“Damn.” Maggie says.

on Mondays, we take the day off and do our homework for

of the kids go to the same school, they will know what is going on, so hopefully they will allow us to get our schedules early

“Sounds like a plan.”

to walk into the packhouse,