The Claiming by Cooper

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 64 (Jaxon)

"Anything you need to say to Jaxon, you can say in front of me," Eve says to her father.

I pull her to me, k*issing the side of her head while she glares at her father. My fierce protector. "Go spend some time with your mother, Evangeline. You know she's dying to hear her grandson's heartbeat and hear all about your pregnancy. Your father and I will be fine."

"Trust me when I tell you that your mother would have my balls if I did anything to upset you in your current condition," Alpha Luke says to Eve.

"You forgot the part where I'd cook them up and force feed them to you," Luna Katerina says, her brow arched, looking like she means every word. Both Alpha Luke and I flinch at that visual.

Eve turns to me, her lips twitching at her mother's words while she kisses me. When she turns back, she points at her father.

"I'm going to hold mother to that. You've been warned."

We watch as they walk away, Luna Katerina putting her arm around Eve. "Will you walk with me?" Alpha Luke asks me.

I nod and we head toward the claiming territory, away from prying ears.

"First, how is everything with Evie's pregnancy? She looks healthy and she moved on in the competition, so I'm assuming she and the baby are good?" he asks, looking at me.

"She's really good. Our son is healthy, Evangeline is having a pretty easy pregnancy so far and she got through the last of the physical challenges in the top 10. Your daughter is amazing, I hope you realize that," I tell him.

"I do," he says, sliding his hands into his pockets and stopping by the entrance to the old claiming territory. "I do, and yet, I didn't choose for her to be my successor, to be my Alpha heir," he stops, turning to look at me. "I have a lot of regret over that."

I nod, not sure what to say to that. He should be regretful. Evangeline would make an incredible Alpha.

He turns, looking out over the territory. "Alejandro will make a good Alpha. He has the heart for it, but he also has the ability to hold people accountable. But Evangeline should have been my heir." "Why didn't you choose her," I ask him.

"Male pride. Stupidity. Fear for how it would be received." He shrugs.

"All of us, those of us in your parents' generation I mean, intended to have our first borns become our heirs. I was surprised when it was only your parents that held fast to that. I see your sister and her struggles because she's a female Alpha. I know her road is hard, harder than it should be. I didn't want that for Evangeline. So, I made a decision that should have been hers to make. She should have been able to choose if she wanted to be an Alpha or not."

He chuckles mirthlessly. "I wonder if she would have chosen this path if I hadn't forced her hand," he says, turning to me. "Being mated to you is changing her priorities."

I shrug. "They're changing mine too, in some ways. I still want a pack, but I want it for us, for our children. A place where we can build something together, something that will live on after we're gone," I tell him. "I don't care as much about being the Alpha, as I do about having your daughter at my side. I told her before, that as long as I had her with me, I'd become a rogue, if needed. I meant it. Your daughter is the most important thing in this world to me. The pack is important, but not as important as she is."

"I owe you an apology," he says and I jerk. That was unexpected.

"I've been putting my guilt for my daughter not being an Alpha on you. It's not your fault, it's mine. I just want her to have the chance that I didn't give her, to be a leader in her own pack. I realize now that you are giving her that chance. I was afraid that you were trying to take it away from her."

"Actually, Alpha, it's just the opposite. I'm trying to make sure your daughter has everything she wants in life. That not only includes a pack, but also a family. I want her to have it all and I will do everything in my power to give it to her."

"I misjudged you, Alpha Jaxon, so I'll apologize again. And I hope you'll put in a good word for me with Evie. I really don't want to be pushed out of my grandson's life."

"I'll do what I can, but you know your daughter. She's a strong, confident, opinionated woman who loves me and her son. If I may, Alpha, I wouldn't make her angry again. I'm not sure she'll forgive you a third time, but I'm pretty sure she'll forgive you this time."

"Thank you, Alpha Jaxon, and I think it's about time you started calling me Luke. We are family, after all."

"Yes, we are, Luke. So, call me Jaxon."

We walk inside and Eve's head snaps up, looking at me, worry in your eyes. As we walk up, Luna Katerina smiles at her mate.

"See, Evangeline, I told you that you had nothing to worry about."

Eve looks at me, and I walk to her, leaning down and k*issing the top of her head.

"Everything is fine, love. Did you show your mom the ultrasound picture?"

"This one?" Katerina asks, holding it like she's not planning to give it back. "May I?" Luke asks, looking at Eve. She turns and looks at me, asking if I agree. I nod and she looks at her father.

She takes the picture from her mother and passes it to her father. He sits down beside her, and I move to sit beside Katerina, across from Eve. "Dad, this is your grandson."

Jace POV

"Jace, wait up!" Taylor calls as I walk away from the competition. I need to get cleaned up and after the announcement tonight, I plan to head back to the pack. Carter didn't move to the next round, which is good for Jordan, but right now, she's running the pack on her own. Or, if the pain in my gut last night was any indication, with Nolan.

"Hey Taylor, congratulations. Fourth place. You're getting so close to getting your own pack."

"Thanks, fifth place isn't exactly shabby either," she says, referencing my final position.

"I was hoping we could talk tonight, maybe after dinner?" she says. "Actually, after the announcement, I was planning to head back to the pack. But I have some time now, if you want to talk," I tell her.

She looks around. "Not here."

She turns and I follow her, looking around to see that there are some people milling around, but not enough to warrant us walking away.

When she stops, she turns around and looks up at me. "Hear me out. There's a real possibility that one or both of us could win a pack. I expected to find my mate while I was in the contest, but so far, nothing. And I know that Jordan is still seeing that trainer guy."

"Nolan."

"Right, Nolan. I never met him. Anyway, if she's still seeing him, then she hasn't rescinded her rejection of you."

She moves forward, putting her hands on my chest. "We talked about leading a pack together one day, Jace. Maybe it's time to reconsider that now. It looks like neither of us has a mate, but we get along well. There's something to be said about building a relationship that starts with friendship, right? Just think about it. The end is in sight. If you win, you'll have to accept Jordan's rejection or you'll become too weak to lead a pack, especially if she decides to take this Nolan guy as a chosen mate. But, if we work together, we could be a strong team, leading our pack or packs into the next generation."

"Taylor, you know I care about you. But I'm still hoping to win Jordan over. I love her and you deserve better than to be someone's second choice. You're too strong, too independent to allow yourself to be second best. You need to be someone's first and only choice. And that person isn't me," I tell her, trying to be gentle.

"Isn't it better to be someone's second best than to be alone? What's the point of having a pack if you can't share it with someone? Just....think about it. That's all I'm asking. Will you do that for me?" she asks me, looking up at me with her green eyes.

"I'll think about it, but don't get your hopes up."

She puts her finger over my lips. "I just want you to consider it. Thank you."

She reaches up, k*issing my cheek. "If I don't see you before you leave, I'll see you at the next competition."

I watch as she walks away. I wasn't lying when I said that I care about Taylor. I do. But it's nothing close to the feelings that I have for Jordan.