The Claiming By Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 26 (Jaxon)

After I leave Evangeline, I go back to my room. Jace is sleeping and I’m too wound up to sleep, so I take a quick shower and head downstairs to see if there is any food.

I grab something to eat and walk outside, looking at the entrance of the old claiming territory. I wonder if our time here will change Eve’s feelings about this place. I could see myself choosing this territory for my pack now that I have these memories here. Eve and I could revisit the lake and relive this night as often as we wanted if this was our pack.

When I hear some people packing up to leave, I’m a bit surprised. It’s still early. I head around the side of the packhouse to see who it is. When I see that it’s Evangeline, I call out to her, wanting to say goodbye before they leave. I thought she’d be sleeping.

When she turns, I know something is very wrong. The sweet, happy face I left just an hour ago is gone, replaced by one that looks devasted.

She subtly shakes her head at me and climbs into the car. I begin running, wanting to know what happened, why she suddenly looks so sad and won’t even talk to me.

As I race to the car, her father takes off. I chase them for a few minutes, knowing I won’t be able to catch them and even if I did, what would I do?

I watch, feeling helpless, as Eve puts her hand up against the window, as if she’s saying goodbye.

Oh, hell no!

I turn, racing back inside. I lift my nose in the air and follow my sister’s scent to her room. I can smell that she’s just getting out of the shower, so I bang on her door.

‘Jordan, it’s me. Open up.’ I mind link her just as the door opens. I push past her into her room.

“You’ve got to help me,” I say, not giving her a minute.

“Jaxon, slow down, what’s going on.”

“It’s Evangeline. We spent the night together, the most amazing night of my life. I just left her an hour ago, she was all smiles and happiness and then, I just saw her leaving with her family just now and she looked devastated. She wouldn’t talk to me, and they left. They just left Jordan!”

I walk to her, grabbing her by the arms and shaking her with the fear of losing my mate. Her hands come down onto my arms.

“Breathe, Jaxon. Breathe.”

at my sister and I know she can see the desperation

her, Jordan.

everything I need to look her up is back at our pack. Go get your things, let Jace know we’re leaving, and I’ll

me, holding her tightly

room. When I walk in, Jace is coming out

and I are leaving. She wanted me to let you know.”

you’re leaving? She

of plans, I need to her to help

come too, then,”

I tell him and begin throwing

me what this is about?” he asks, watching

life. Everything was great. An hour later, everything is terrible, and I don’t

don’t you ask Evangeline?” he asks, the voice

I think of that?” I ask sarcastically. “I would have, if her family hadn’t

me. “You said you

I say, rushing into the bathroom and grabbing my

night?” he asks, looking at me as if

“Yeah. So?”

getting my attention. I turn and look

take offense to his underage daughter coming back to

bond, same as I do. He should

Because parents always make great decisions about their children when the children feel the mate bond?

shouldn’t be. Melinda is

different, but the parental response is the same. The parent either doesn’t believe in the mate bond or in your case, maybe her

feel it,” I tell him,

I’m saying is, her parents, an Alpha and a

me from her.” I snarl, gritting my teeth so

can. You need to be careful

my bag. I know that last part was out of line, but I don’t care. “If

Jordan is waiting for