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.”

an equal, and so does everyone else in our pack. I expect it will be

packs are ran like that.” She

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

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 overstep around our mother, or she’ll

like it could be an acceptable solution

so. I don’t know, I guess it will very much depend

tell her, feeling like

for the next couple of miles before she asks

you aren’t identical, but you seem really close

not sure I know how to answer that. I guess 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. 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,

everything. We are only 6 months apart in age, so we have a lot in common, unlike

something is bothering me, she always knows, even if no one else does. And the same

fall back into silence, each of

I know it, mile marker 80 is coming

so close!”

first round.” I

me a fist bump as we jog into the 80-mile rest stop,

ahead are Taylor and Tobias?” I ask Alpha Maximus. He is Alpha Davis and Luna McKenna’s oldest son

minutes. You’re really

Alpha Max.”

time is it?”

am.”

once we’re far enough away, I look

before sighing. “I hate to say this, but I have to slow down. I can’t keep up this pace. So, while it’s been great

I are in the third and fourth places. I can afford to slow down and continue my conversation with my future mate, which is just as important to me at the moment as winning

slow my pace, waiting for her to

have to stay with me. Really. It’s a race.” She

challenge. One that we are both going to finish and move to the next round. It’s the middle of the night.

“Why are you being

that your question?” I ask

“Sure.”

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

that was very

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