The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 8 Jaxon

Six hundred of us are standing at the starting line for the first contest. Just looking around. I can already identify some of those that will not make it. They are burning their energy with their excitement, unable to control themselves. I’m guessing they will be the ones that will sprint off when the gun goes off.

As I look around, I see Evangeline standing with Magdalena. I nod at her, and she nods back. I hope it’s her and I that make it to the finish line first. I’d love to battle her for top spot.

When the gun goes off, I watch the excitable youngsters, omegas and even some warriors, race off, trying to get a good head start. It won’t help them. They’re just going to burn their much-needed energy sooner than the rest of us.

There are ten total rest areas, spread out every ten miles and one final one back at the starting line, now being transitioned into a finish line, since our run will bring us back to the starting point.

After the first couple of miles, I get into the rhythm of running. I love the sound of my feet hitting the ground at a steady pace. I notice that most of the ranked wolves are doing what I am, taking their time and reserving their energy.

By the time we get to the first rest area, there are groups of runners forming. Evangeline, Magdalena and Lazio are in a group not far from me. In my group. Rowan, Teagan and Raelyn are running, along with a couple of others including Jace, but not Taylor. She’s in another group, with her siblings. As I look around, it appears that, for now, the groups are set aside by pack or family. It makes me wonder how these groups will change over the next day.

We pass Jordan at the first rest stop. She cheers for us as we go by. She is standing with glasses of water that she holds out for anyone to take. I grab one, downing it and tossing the paper cup aside. Part of the job of the volunteers is to clean up the mess after we’ve passed.

As we pass, I see some of the sprinters are already showing signs of a struggle. Several are sitting down drinking water and catching their breath. Some are getting back up, getting back into the race, others look like they may already be done. Anyone that hasn’t been training for this every day for the last three months, won’t make it far.

and eating is higher. It’s been about four hours and the air is starting to warm as the sun rises higher into

Teagan says.

just pee themselves so they don’t have to stop running, but this early into the race, it will cause chaffing, not

says. “I’ll come with

them drop off the race, to head to the bathrooms that are set up for this purpose. I continue on, getting lost in my head space again. I’m not too far from the rest area when I realize someone has fallen

I say, surprised. I look, noticing that Magdalena isn’t with her. Lazio is a couple

“My sisters too.” I say, not breaking

Maggie figured she could run

fall silent, saving our breath for our run. Because it’s so quiet, I can hear that her steps and my steps are perfectly

rest area. It’s close to noon now and a lot of people

up, Evie.” Lazio

slowing a moment. I do the same,

with Maggie and your

nod. “See you soon

continuing on our way. Now that the groups are starting to fall off, I look around. Most of the top competitors that Jordan had on my list are still running. There are some, like my sisters, Magdalena and Lazio that have stopped, but eventually I will have to as well, just to give my body a brief break and

near us. Currently, I believe we are the top six in the race. Over the last 30 miles, we’ve slowly creeped up to

all concentrating on our breath, our pace. It’s still too soon to worry about trying to be any further in the lead. At this point, all six of us are easy winners, as long as we all finish. The calm quiet amongst

later, we see the sign for the 40-mile rest stop. I