The Claiming By Cooper

Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 62 (Jaxon)

I would have been happy if we were having a girl, truly. But I’ve been surrounded by women my entire life.

Between my mother and my four sisters, there just isn’t enough testosterone in my family.

I’m so excited I feel like I could walk on air. We first go tell Jordan, then my parents which also includes Raelyn who was almost as excited as I am to have a nephew. And then, we go back to the packhouse to tell Teagan and Rowan, who have already heard the news, before we finally go back to our room.

“Are you going to call your mother?” I ask Eve.

She looks at her phone, nervously twisting it around in her hands. She’s maintained contact with her sisters and brothers, and occasionally her mother, but she has adamantly refused to speak to her father.

“What if he answers?” she asks. “What if he does? Do you think he’s not aware that you’re pregnant? I’d be shocked if he hasn’t heard from someone in your family,” I tell her.

She looks at me, then pulls out the image of our son on the ultrasound. She lays it on the table then takes a picture of it, before sending it to her mother.

“I’ll let her know this way, then she can share it with dad if she wants,” Eve says. And the moment she hits send, she dials Magdalena.

I get up, k*issing the top of her head, feeling the sadness in our bond. My family is ecstatic, and hers would be too, but once again, her father has put a barrier between them. Because I’m so close, I hear the other call beeping in. She pulls the phone away from her ear and I see that it’s her mother, already calling her back after receiving the photo.

She hits dismiss and then returns to her call with Magdalena. They talk for a few moments and Eve finally starts to smile.

I’m debating what to order for dinner, when Eve huffs.

“Fine,” she says, and I hear the line beep with an incoming video call. She pulls the phone in front of her, and hits accept.

“Hi, Mom,” she says.

“Hi Mom? That’s all I get? You send me a picture of my grandson and then don’ t even answer the phone when I call back, RIGHT AWAY, I might add.”

I watch as Eve’s lips twitch and I relax. She’ll feel better after speaking to her mom. I move behind her and lean into the video of the phone.

“Hello, Luna Katerina. Your grandson sure is a handsome little guy, isn’t he?” I ask her.

like his mother,” she says, making me chuckle. “How

thank you.

the pregnancy?” she asks, and I move out of the video, letting Eve have time with

to get us food and I head downstairs. I look at what is planned for dinner tonight and I choose the meal that is best suited to the celebration that I have planned. I want Eve and I to have some

come downstairs dressed much nicer than she usually is. She’s wearing a red sweater dress that

smiling, just as Nolan walks into the packhouse. “As a matter of fact, I do. Have a good evening,” she says, putting her

says, nodding his head. “Congratulations to both you and your mate on making it to the next round of

I say, before turning to get the tray

she says as they walk out of the

turn back with my tray, I see most of the pack watching as she leaves. Since there’s no reason for everyone to have stopped what they are doing to watch my sister other than expressing

“Problem?” I snarl.

exaggerated response, built on years of people, underestimating and trying to undermine my sister because she’s the only

yelps before everyone gets

upstairs, Eve is still on the phone and it sounds like Makayla

the competition, Evie?” I’m pretty sure it’s Alejandro that

it, and I’m training every day. The most physically intense part of the competition

course, you will,” I hear Luna Katerina say. “And, when you’re pregnant, your senses are stronger, so when it’s time for

hear that Super Hotty? I might beat you at the sensory competition,” Eve says,

cheer you on to victory,”

hear gagging sounds on the phone. “Is he

perfect,” she says, her eyes on me. I watch as

say goodbye,” Lazio says. “Congratulations again, Evie. I can’t wait to meet our little

of you. I love

on the

over to me in a way

love you,” she says wrapping her arms around

to celebrate.” I lean down nipping at her ear. “And I intend

celebrating our bond, our son, and

Jordan POV

get away. He wanted me to go on a vacation with him, but I said right now, with the contest, with both my Beta

takes me to a fancy restaurant overlooking a river with mountains in the distance.

dinner, we linger