The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline) Chapter 8 Jaxon

Six hundred of us are standing at the starting line for the first contest. Just looking around. I can already identify some of those that will not make it. They are burning their energy with their excitement, unable to control themselves. I'm guessing they will be the ones that will sprint off when the gun goes off.

As I look around, I see Evangeline standing with Magdalena. I nod at her, and she nods back. I hope it's her and I that make it to the finish line first. I'd love to battle her for top spot.

When the gun goes off, I watch the excitable youngsters, omegas and even some warriors, race off, trying to get a good head start. It won't help them. They're just going to burn their much-needed energy sooner than the rest of us.

There are ten total rest areas, spread out every ten miles and one final one back at the starting line, now being transitioned into a finish line, since our run will bring us back to the starting point.

After the first couple of miles, I get into the rhythm of running. I love the sound of my feet hitting the ground at a steady pace. I notice that most of the ranked wolves are doing what I am, taking their time and reserving their energy.

By the time we get to the first rest area, there are groups of runners forming. Evangeline, Magdalena and Lazio are in a group not far from me. In my group. Rowan, Teagan and Raelyn are running, along with a couple of others including Jace, but not Taylor. She's in another group, with her siblings. As I look around, it appears that, for now, the groups are set aside by pack or family. It makes me wonder how these groups will change over the next day.

We pass Jordan at the first rest stop. She cheers for us as we go by. She is standing with glasses of water that she holds out for anyone to take. I grab one, downing it and tossing the paper cup aside. Part of the job of the volunteers is to clean up the mess after we've passed.

As we pass, I see some of the sprinters are already showing signs of a struggle. Several are sitting down drinking water and catching their breath. Some are getting back up, getting back into the race, others look like they may already be done. Anyone that hasn't been training for this every day for the last three months, won't make it far.

At the 20-mile rest area, the number of people who are sitting down, drinking and eating is higher. It's been about four hours and the air is starting to warm as the sun rises higher into the sky. This time, I grab two waters as I run through the rest area, but I don't stop, I keep running.

"I have to pee." Teagan says. "I'll catch up.”

Some runners just pee themselves so they don't have to stop running, but this early into the race, it will cause chaffing, not to mention the smell will stay in your nose for the rest of the race, making it harder to breathe.

"Me too." Rowan says. "I'll come with you."

Both of them drop off the race, to head to the bathrooms that are set up for this purpose. I continue on, getting lost in my head space again. I'm not too far from the rest area when I realize someone has fallen into step beside me. I look and see Evangeline.

"Hey." I say, surprised. I look, noticing that Magdalena isn't with her. Lazio is a couple paces behind us. "Bathroom." She says, answering my unasked question. "My sisters too." I say, not breaking stride.

"We saw them, Maggie figured she could run with them to catch up."

We fall silent, saving our breath for our run. Because it's so quiet, I can hear that her steps and my steps are perfectly in sync. It's just the steady rhythm of our footfalls in the forest.

Two hours later, we arrive at the 30-mile rest area. It's close to noon now and a lot of people drop out of the race to grab some food and stop to use the bathroom.

"I'll catch up, Evie." Lazio says to Evangeline.

"Are you okay?" She asks, turning and slowing a moment. I do the same, wanting to continue our run together.

"Yes, go. I'll catch up, hopefully with Maggie and your sisters too, Alpha Jaxon."

I nod. "See you soon then."

Evangeline and I turn, continuing on our way. Now that the groups are starting to fall off, I look around. Most of the top competitors that Jordan had on my list are still running. There are some, like my sisters, Magdalena and Lazio that have stopped, but eventually I will have to as well, just to give my body a brief break and use the bathrooms. Then they might catch up.

I notice that Tobias, Stefan, Taylor and Jace are still running near us. Currently, I believe we are the top six in the race. Over the last 30 miles, we've slowly creeped up to the front.

The six of us fall into a running rhythm steady and smooth, no one speaks. We're all concentrating on our breath, our pace. It's still too soon to worry about trying to be any further in the lead. At this point, all six

of us are easy winners, as long as we all finish. The calm quiet amongst us feels supportive as if we are giving each other strength for this race.

Two hours later, we see the sign for the 40-mile rest stop. I turn to Evangeline.

"I have to stop." We say at the same time.

As we jog up, I look at her. "Meet you back here in 10 minutes?"

She nods. "But if I'm not here, go without me. Don't wait for me.

"Same." I tell her.

We both grab waters on our way to the bathroom. I pour one over my head and the other I drink down.

Since there is almost no one here. I'm in and out and ready to get back into the race quickly. I see Evangeline coming out of the restrooms and I take a moment to stretch. She pours water on her face, drinking another one down before walking over to me.

"Ready?" She asks.

"Ready." I say as I see Tobias and Taylor exiting the bathrooms as well.

As we get back on the road, I can see some of the other competitors closing in behind us.

"I think those are our siblings in the front." Evangeline says.

At the halfway mark, I'm feeling the strain. We've been able to keep up with about 10 miles every two hours, but now it's getting tough, now is when you have to start pulling on your reserves. The next 50 miles are going to only get tougher.