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.”

my mother as an equal, and so does

the packs are ran

What about your parents? You mother is technically a higher ranked wolf than your father.” I

her as an equal. And, at least toward us kids, she 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

like it could be an acceptable solution too.” I say,

much depend on who my mate is,

her,

over for the next

a twin? I mean, I know you aren’t identical,

being a twin. I don’t know any other way. But I guess, from seeing my other sisters. I’d say that it’s nice having a close bond with Jordan. We’re very close, closer than either of us are to our other sisters. Although, based on my observations, your

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

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 rivaled by the mate bond.”

She says and we fall back into silence, each of us getting caught

mile marker 80 is

so close!”

we’re definitely going to make the first

jog into the 80-mile rest stop, grabbing

I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna

You’re

Max.” I tell

it?”

am.”

and once we’re far enough away, I look at her. “Your

but I have to slow down. I can’t keep up this pace. So, while it’s been great chatting with

need to be in the top 100 for this event and right now, she and I are in the third and fourth places. I can

my pace, waiting for her to

to stay with me. Really.

we are both going to finish and move to the next round. It’s the middle of the night. I’ m tired too. As long as there aren’t too many people that pass us, I

a long moment. “Why are you being so

that your question?”

“Sure.”

“Was

was very

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