The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 10 Jaxon

My original idea of asking each other a question at each mile marker was to pass the time, help me to think of something, anything other than my sore muscles, my aching feet and the cramp in my stomach that could be from running, hunger or both.

However, I realize quickly that this is a great opportunity to get to know the woman that I intend to take as a mate. I just hope she’s not going to be like Taylor and string me along. Which gives me my idea for the next question.

We run through the 70-mile marker, grabbing cups of water and getting cheers. My cousin Griffin is at this rest stop. He will be taking over for my Uncle Seth in a couple of months.

“Only Tobias and Taylor are ahead of you Jax! And they both look like they are running out of steam. You’ve got this!” He says as I pass.

“Keep it up, Evangeline, you’ve can do it!” He encourages her.

Griffin is great. I like him a lot. But he got some of his mother’s bubbly, cheerleader qualities, and right now, while I appreciate the sentiment, it’s a bit tough to take.

“Thanks, Griff.” I say, downing my water.

“Thank you, Alpha Griffin.” Evangeline says and we continue on our way.

I wait until we’re well past the rest area before I look at Evangeline.

“Ready for the next question?” I ask her.

“Sure.” She says.

“If you win, how are you going to handle it when you find your mate?” I ask her.

She sighs. “Honestly, I don’t know. It might depend on who he is, how he feels about being co-Alphas. Right now, I’m leaning toward staying single. I’m sure I could find a sperm donor so I could have an heir.” She tells me.

Oh no, this is not the answer I was hoping for.

“What if he’s willing to be co-Alphas?” I ask. My parents do that, and my sister intends to do the same. I would definitely be okay with that.

“Except, it’s MY title that has to change, right? Even if I win the pack lands, possibly defeating him in this contest, if I take him as my mate, he still gets to be Alpha, and I have to be Luna. The titles alone imply that he is head of the pack, and I would be second.”

He treats my mother as an equal, and so does everyone else in our pack. I expect it will

all the packs are ran

about your parents? You mother is technically a higher

is the iron fist and Dad is the softy, It’s not that way outside of our family, but everyone also knows that they better not overstep around our mother,

it could be an acceptable

will very much depend on

competition.” I tell her, feeling like

over for the next couple of

twin? I mean, I know you aren’t

it would be the same as asking you what it’s like not being a twin. I don’t know any other way. But I guess, from seeing my other sisters.

more like best friends than sisters. We share just about everything. We are only 6 months apart in age, so we have a lot in common, unlike Makayla who is two

is my best friend, my closest friend. I have other guy friends, but if something is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does. And the same is true for her. We are in tune with each other in a way that is probably only

we fall back into silence, each

I know it, mile marker 80

getting so close!” Evangeline

to make the first round.” I say to her, putting my

jog into the 80-mile rest

ahead are Taylor and Tobias?” I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna

a few minutes. You’re really

Alpha Max.” I

time is it?”

1 am.”

far enough away, I look

keep up this pace. So, while it’s been great chatting with you, I can’t keep up anymore. You’ll

be in the top 100 for this event and right now, she and I are in the third

slow my pace, waiting for her to

have to stay with me. Really. It’s a

next round. It’s the middle of the night. I’ m tired too. As long

are

question?”

“Sure.”

minute I saw you in that clearing.” I frown. “Was that yesterday? The day before? Whenever it was, I saw you and I wanted to

that was very

and honesty on my side. And, for some reason, it’s always easier to bare