The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 7 Evangeline

Jaxon is nothing like I was expecting. He’s…nice. That’s not to say that he doesn’t have the Alpha arrogance. He does of course. But he’s nicer than I was expecting.

We talk over dinner and it’s pretty casual. Others join in our conversation periodically and we join in theirs. Surprisingly, there’s an air of camaraderie rather than competition. I’m guessing that will change overnight, but for now, it’s casual and comfortable.

I notice that Jaxon isn’t drinking alcoholic beverages either and I comment on it.

“I’m here to win, not party.” He says.

Magdalena snorts. “Did you two rehearse that?” Jaxon looks confused.

“I said almost the exact same thing to Makayla, our sister, earlier.” I say.

“It says a lot to me about the ones that are drinking. They are either here to search for their mates, or they don’t understand how brutal the next two days are going to be.” He says.

Maggie leans forward. “Who do you think will come in first?” She asks him, smirking. I’m already guessing his answer will be the same as ours.

“Me, of course.” And there it is. We both laugh and I can see that arrogant Alpha look come out.

“You don’t think I can do it?” He asks.

“That was also our answer when Makayla asked who we thought would be first.” Maggie tells him. “Both of us said we would be first.” He smiles at that.

“Will you run with your sisters, help them along?” I ask him, curious.

own ways, but I’m faster than any of them. Plus, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, so I expect

plus.”

is your

are on it, by the way.” That makes us

probably say Tobias, because he’s older and has

about Celine? Stefan’s sister? Alpha Zaire and Luna Gia were very strong leaders of their pack, and their son Alden seems to have stepped

if she’s Alpha Zaire and Luna Gia’s daughter.

about your brother? Do you think

Absolutely. You’d be mistaken to underestimate him, even though he’s just made the cutoff to participate. We celebrated his birthday last

opportunity to lean forward. “How many do you think are here just

snorts. “If our sister is any indication, I’d say

Alejandro. Their heads are close together and they don’t seem to realize that they are in a room full of people. They are lost in their own world.

going to be spread out over nearly half a year, so that provides plenty of time for people to come of age and find their mates. And there are so many Alpha heirs out there coming of age, that if they

since existing pack leaders aren’t eligible to participate in the contest, if

current or future Alpha.” Jaxon says watching me. “If, say, you and I were mates, we could both still compete, since neither of us are leaders of

fluttering in my stomach, and my mouth goes dry. Thankfully, Maggie answers for

competition. Who knows, you may walk into a

turn to look at Maggie. “What are

shrugs. “Just repeating something I heard

WAS the

I wasn’t born in

group of guys that are here

“Barbaric!” Maggie says.

to look

I have to admit, it seems like it worked. All of