The Claiming by Cooper Book 4
The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)
Chapter 32 (Jaxon)
Alpha Jonas agreed to allow me to stay as long as both of us kept our families apprised of the situation.
“I’m not going to separate mates, but I’m also not willing to start a pack war with one of my pack member’s daughter and grandchildren,” he says.
“Understood. And just know, Alpha Jonas, if it becomes a problem, I’ll go stay with my Aunt Sophia,” Eve had told him.
“I don’t think that will be necessary. Will the two of you be joining us for warrior training?”
“Yes! Do you know if Beta Jared got any of the fighters to come train in your pack?” I ask.
“He did. “We’ve got Ezekiel starting tomorrow. We only have him for a week, but we’ll take what we can get. Collin and the others who are still in the contest will be participating in extra, specialized training with him in the afternoons. You are welcome to join if you’d like. The morning training sessions will be open to the entire pack.”
“Thank you. What’s his specialty?” I ask.
“Aikido. I believe that all of their specialties have similarities but subtle differences. If you’re still here in a few weeks, we also got Levi coming. His specialty is Jujitsu.”
“I’ll talk to Jordan, see who she scheduled and when. Maybe we can work out a trade. Our packs are close enough to combine training sessions, if possible,” I tell him.
I had borrowed a car, headed back home to speak to Jordan and pick up some clothing before returning to Alpha Jonas’s pack, intending to stay as long as Eve is. Alpha Jonas had given me a room near Eve’s.
That was a week ago and this week has been grueling. Ezekiel is a master, and it was obvious from day one that he expected us to master this martial art in one week, even if he had to beat it into us. All I have to say is that I’m extremely thankful for my advanced healing. Everyone struggled and by the end of the week the pack members that joined the morning training had dwindled, but those of us that were training for the contest continued and each day he pushed us harder.
Jonas has 9 contenders in his pack who were part of the specialized training and Jordan agreed to trade fighters, since she has a different fighter, Nolan, coming next week. Nolan specializes in kick boxing and Jordan agreed that not only could Alpha Jonas’s pack members join, but that Eve could join our training as well. We haven’t quite figured out the arrangements yet, but I’m hoping that maybe Eve can convince her parents to not only allow her, but also her siblings to join us.
Eve talks to Magdalena every night and sometimes Makayla joins the call, asking when Eve will be coming home.
“I’m not sure yet, Makie. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t get together. I miss you too.” Eve told her last night.
She and I have been sharing a room for the last week. We each have our own, but we’ve chosen to sleep together. However, after our training sessions at night, it’s all we can do to eat, shower and fall into bed. We’re both exhausted, but I love sleeping next to her, curled up around her.
I’m sure Jonas knows that we’re spending our nights together, but he doesn’t say anything and neither does Isabella. Eve’s grandmother has been supportive from the very beginning, and it’s been great getting to know her this week.
Today, is the last day of training with Ezekiel. We’ll have one day off then we have to figure out arrangements for going to Jordan’s pack to train. If Eve’s parents give her a hard time, we’ll just continue to train here in the morning and go with Jonas’s pack to join training in the evenings before coming back here. But I really hope that her parents will agree to let Eve and her siblings stay at our pack for the week. I want my family to have a chance to get to know her and I know Eve misses her siblings.
“Hello, Grandma Isabella,” I say, bussing her cheek as we come in from morning training, ready to eat. She told me to call her Grandma, saying that since I was going to be mated to her granddaughter, that I’m family too. If only Eve’s parents felt the same.
Every day, the pack has been gracious in making sure that there is plenty of food. Those of us that are training have been voracious eaters and there is always a large amount of food available for us.
“Jaxon, you and Evie come sit with me,” Isabella says, shooing others out of their seats to make room for us.
Eve chuckles at her grandmother before grabbing a plate of food and sitting beside her. I say goodbye to Collin, Beta Jared’s son who is also a contender in the contest, and I sit across from both of them.
“So, today is the last day of training with Ezekiel?” she asks.
“Yes, honestly, I’m thankful to have a day of rest, grandma. This week has been harder than I expected,” Eve says.
Isabella nods, looking at me.
“I wanted to ask you about your sister’s invitation for my grandchildren to stay at her pack next week to train with Nolan. Do you think that invitation is still open?” she asks me.
“Yes, ma’am. I know it is. I spoke to Jordan last night and she was asking me if I knew any more about them coming to stay and how many to expect so she could make sure there are rooms for all of them.”
“Excellent.” She turns to Evangeline. “I’ve spoken to Alejandro, and he has indicated that he will make sure that you and your siblings are all allowed to go to Alpha Jordan’s pack to train.”
“What about my parents?” she asks.
“I suggest you speak to your mother this evening. If she gives any pushback at all, you let me know and I’ll handle her. This is too important. I’ve watched the two of you this week, and while I can see that there is a romance here, I’ve also seen the dedication and commitment you have to this contest. Your parents should not interfere with that, and I’ve basically said the same to your mother. I may have also sent her a picture of the two of you falling asleep over your dinner,” she adds sheepishly.
I look at Eve, smiling, before turning back to Grandma Isabella. Damn this woman is a force to be reckoned with.
“Which night that we were falling asleep?” I ask. There were several to choose from.
“All of them. She needed to know this isn’t some silly fling and that the two of you are supporting each other and helping each other through this competition as well as getting to know each other. And I, for one, have enjoyed getting to know you, Jaxon. I’ m proud to call you my future grandson.”
“Thank you, Grandma Isabella,” I say, meaning it. I want Eve’s family to like me, just like I want my family to like her. I intend to spend my life with Eve. Any friction between our families will only make our lives more difficult.
Isabella focuses back on her food, not looking at us when she drops the bomb. “But I do believe that your mother and father intend to stay the week in Alpha Jordan’s pack as well.”