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.

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 hand in a maybe, maybe

marathon plus.”

do you think is your biggest competition?”

both of you are on it, by

Tobias, because he’s older and has

Luna Gia were very

her, but if she’s Alpha Zaire and Luna Gia’s daughter.

Do you think he has a chance?” He

just made the cutoff to participate. We celebrated his birthday last week, but he will be

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

snorts. “If our sister is

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

look. “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 find their mates. And there are so many Alpha heirs out there coming of

leaders aren’t eligible to participate in the contest, if any of the Alpha heirs

Alpha.” Jaxon says watching me. “If, say, you and I were mates, we could both still

dry. Thankfully, Maggie answers for me as I grab my water,

you’ll find out. Evie will be turning 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 you

look at Maggie. “What are you

“Just repeating something I heard dad say

then, she WAS the goal.” I tell

born in that

the group of guys that are here for the

“Barbaric!” Maggie says.

all turn to look at

to admit,