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.

be worth it.” Maggie

my relationship with Alejandro has always been strained because I felt I deserved what he was being given, I have no such animosity toward Lazio. He will also be in the contest, fighting to claim a pack of his own.

youngest sister, Makayla is too young to enter the contest, but I doubt she cares. She’s perfectly happy being a Luna or even a Beta female. Her personality is much

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

open up the

we all refocus on him. My brother raises his hand. My father doesn’t look nearly as

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

Another good question.

to claim when they turn 18. In the meantime, I’m sure it would be acceptable for any winner to begin clearing out

has any questions,

and finally logical reasoning. Each of these events will be elimination rounds with only those with the highest scores moving into the next round. After each elimination round, we will be giving the contestants

crowd of pack members who are here hoping for their chance to become

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

hand goes

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

will be in the

hand goes up. My father nods at the

to which

rankings that the final ten receive over the course of the contest. The person with the highest score will

are a few more questions before my father ends

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

Maggie and I

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

“Damn.” Maggie says.

weekend to train and then on Mondays, we take the day off and do our homework for the week.” I

of the kids go to the same school, they will know what is going on, so hopefully they will allow

“Sounds like a plan.”

I start to walk into the packhouse, our mother calls