The Claiming by Cooper Book 4
The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)
Chapter 12 Jaxon
Evangeline is saved from answering my question by our families. Makayla practically barrels her over. I reach out to grab her, but her father beats me to it.
A moment later, I smell my twin as she also nearly tackles me. I wrap my arms around her. and she steadies both of us.
“Top five, both of you, well done.” Luna Katerina says, walking over with two bottles of water. She hands both Evangeline and I a bottle and we down it in one go.
“Want another one?” She asks us. We both nod.
“I’ve got them.” My mother says, walking over with my father.
“Well, done son.” My father says.
I look around and see Uncle Seth and Aunt Hana congratulating Taylor and Alpha Saul and Luna Gia congratulating his son, Tobias.
“Do you know how far behind your sisters are?” My mother asks me.
“No, they stopped with Evangeline’s brother and sister early on. They were never able to catch back up with us.”
I hear cheering and see Jace and Stefan crossing the finish line.
“I’m going to congratulate Jace.” My father says. And I fall to the ground, sitting and putting my arms on my knees, drinking this water more slowly.
My mother is anxiously watching for my sisters. “Rowan and Teagan are tough mom. They’ll be here soon.”
Next in is Caleb, Taylor’s brother. Then Justina and Noelle, Alpha Davis’s and Alpha Antonio’s daughters come in together and rounding out the top 10 is Cillian, Alpha Asher’s son.
It isn’t long after that that my mother goes on alert.
“It’s them! It’s them!” Makayla says, hopping up and down and clapping.
Evangeline leans over to me. “She’s very excitable.”
I snort, getting to my feet and extending my hand to her. I know she’ll want to congratulate her family as much as I want to congratulate mine. Hopefully then, I can get food, a shower and find a bed. Not necessarily in that order.
Their group is fairly large, all things considered. It seems the four of them, my sisters, Lazio and Magdalena, have stayed together and added Carter. Elijah and Layan’s son, to their numbers. They are the first five in the second group of ten.
Alpha Luke and dad bring them bottles of water this time and every one gulps them down. I hug my sisters, congratulating them and see Evangeline doing the same with Magdalena and Lazio.
“Anyone hungry?” Jordan asks.
“Starved!” We all say at once.
Everyone not in the race chuckles. “They have food laid out inside. Come on.”
We all start heading inside but I see my mother watching as the next round of runners crosses the finish line.
“Mom?”
“I’m going to wait for Raelyn.”
“Go inside and eat, then get some sleep. I’m sure you’re dead on your feet. I’ll stay with your mother.” My father says.
I turn, following everyone inside. I catch Evangeline watching me before she turns, focusing on whatever her brother Alejandro is saying. I didn’t even see him walk up, but there he is, walking next to Teagan again.
Breakfast is a quiet affair. Most of us are struggling to stay awake long enough to eat our food.
“Tomorrow night, they will announce the top 100 contestants and they will be having a congratulatory dinner with the announcement for the next contest.” Alpha Luke says.
“Why so long of a wait?” Magdalena asks him.
“You’ve come in early, sweetheart. Runners will be coming in all day today. When they get here, they will need food and sleep, just like you. When you get up later today, there may still be runners coming in that haven’t completed the race yet.” Luna Katerina tells her.
“And everyone is invited to stay to watch the ceremony tomorrow night.” Alpha Luke says.
“Why would people want to stay if they or their family members didn’t come in the top 100?” Rowan asks him.
“Well, while it’s a contest for the next ten Alphas, it’s also an opportunity for people to choose to live somewhere else, choose a different pack and Alpha.” Alpha Luke says.
“Not only that, but everyone that doesn’t win an Alpha position will be eligible to compete in the Beta Trials. Those that competed here will want their first glimpse at the next potential Alphas, assessing them and you. I would be surprised if they don’t start approaching all of you, asking about your plans when you become Alpha, the pack lands you want, things like that. Remember, you can choose your Beta, but they also have to accept you as their Alpha. So those that plan to compete for the Beta positions will be watching all of you just as closely as you are watching them.” Jordan says.
“I hadn’t considered that.” Teagan says, and I can see she’s starting to slump into her food.
I thought I would be hungrier, but now that I’ve put something into my stomach, the fatigue is catching up to me.
“We can talk more after all of you get some sleep.” Alpha Luke says.
“Yes, the kitchens will be open all day today, making sure there is food for the runners as they come in and as they wake up.” Luna Katerina says.
Evangelina and her family stand, ready to head back to their rooms.
“Evangeline, you owe me an answer.” I say to her, watching has her entire family stops to look at us. I don’t want her thinking she’s going to get off without answering my last question about our date.
A shy smile spreads across her face.
“Yes.” She says before turning and walking away with her family.
Hot damn!
Jordan POV:
I watch as my brother and sisters head to their rooms. I know my twin well and I’ve seen the signs for years. Evangeline is his mate, or at least, he thinks she is. She’s not yet 18, so it can’t be confirmed.
I look past him and see Taylor giving Jace a quick peck on the lips before heading off to her own room. He’s dead on his feet, but he turns, heading toward me.
“Alpha, is there anything I need to take care of before I get some sleep?”
“Jace, you’re practically the walking dead, go get some rest.” I tell him. hiding the pain at seeing him with Taylor by piling the plates together to give to the dishwashers.
His hand touches my arm and I instantly feel the tingles. How does he not feel this? We’re both over 18. He should be feeling the same pull, the same draw to me that I have to him. Honestly, he should have been feeling it for years. He’s six years older than I am.
“I’m still your Gamma. Jordan. I won’t let you down.” I stop, looking at him. He’s barely able to keep his eyes open.
“Jace, you’ve never been the one to let me or my father down and I don’t expect you to now. If anything comes up, I’m perfectly capable of handling it until you’ve gotten some sleep. Go, before you fall over and I’m forced to embarrass you by carrying you to your room.”
He snorts at that. “Jordan, you may be a badass Alpha, but I outweigh you by nearly 100 pounds.”
“Over 100 pounds last time I checked, but it doesn’t matter. As your Alpha, I wouldn’t allow you to lay unconscious on the floor for anyone to step on.” I tease.
“Thanks Jordan.”
I’m not sure why he does it. maybe he’s already asleep and doing some version of sleepwalking, but he leans forward, taking a deep breath before kissing my forehead, making my heart flutter.
“Good night.” He says, turning toward his room.
“Sweet dreams.” I tell him and watch as he trudges away.