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.

They are strong in their own ways, but I’m faster than any of them. Plus, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, so I expect Teagan and Rowen to make the cut. Raelvn…” He says moving his

marathon plus.” I

do you think is your biggest

of you are on it,

I’d probably say Tobias, because he’s older and has had longer to train, Stefan, for the same

list as well. What about Celine? Stefan’s sister? Alpha Zaire and Luna Gia were very strong leaders of their pack, and their son

but if she’s Alpha Zaire and

about your brother? Do you think he has

he’s just made the cutoff to participate. We celebrated his birthday

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

sister is any indication, I’d

are in a room full of people. They are lost in their own world.

“Yeah, I expect a lot of that. It would surprise me if some don’t end up dropping out during the contest. It’s going to be spread out over nearly half a year, so that provides plenty of time for people to come of age and

at Jordan. “I hadn’t considered that. But since existing pack leaders aren’t eligible to participate in the contest,

you and I were mates, we could both still compete, since

feel a fluttering in my stomach, and my mouth goes dry. Thankfully, Maggie answers for me as I grab

18 during the competition. Who knows, you may walk into a competition and BAM there she is, flooding your senses with her intoxicating scent and distracting

and turn to look at Maggie. “What

repeating something I heard dad say

she WAS the goal.” I

wasn’t born in

of

“Barbaric!” Maggie says.

turn to look at

have to admit, it seems like it worked. All of our parents seem happy.” He