The Claiming by Cooper Book 4
The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)
Chapter 33 (Evangeline)
After Grandmother Isabella told us about my parents coming to stay at Alpha Jordan’ s pack next week, I immediately went to my room to call my mother.
“Is it true?” I ask as soon as she answers.
“Good morning to you too, Evangeline. It’s nice to hear from you.”
“Mother, is it true? Are you and dad coming to Alpha Jordan’s pack next week?”
“Yes, your father and I will be escorting the family to Alpha Jordan’s pack to participate in the specialized training for the contest. In addition, Alpha Jordan has graciously invited the other 7 contestants from our pack to join in the training as well as Alejandro. However, your father thought that this would be a good time for give Alejandro some practice being an Alpha. Interestingly, your brother declined and is joining us as well.”
I snort. “Of course, he is mother. He’s mated to Teagan, and this is an opportunity for him to get to spend a week with her.”
It’s quiet a moment. “Your grandmother said that you and Jaxon have been training hard this week.”
“What were you expecting, mother? That I would give up my dreams for my mate? That’s not who I am. You should know me better than that.”
“You’re right, I should. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Evangeline. I hope that at the end of this week that you will return home. Your father has Mateo scheduled next week and he has agreed to reciprocate with Alpha Jordan and her pack.”
“What is Mateo’s specialty?” I ask, curious. I’ m getting quite a well-rounded workout in the first three weeks of practice.
“Savate,” she says.
“Savate? I don’t even know what that is,” I tell her.
“I understand that it’s a bit like kick-boxing only with a street fighter flair. It should be a good training after just finishing Nolan’s training this week.”
“Are you and dad planning to train as well?” I ask.
“I’d like to. I hope I can keep up. I’m not as young as I used to be.”
I snort at that. My mother has always maintained her fighting physique. She and my father both spar daily with the pack. “Let’s see how this week goes, mother. If all goes well and if Jaxon is invited to stay with us as well, then I’ll come home. We can take it one week at a time.”
“I can live with that,” she says.
That night, our last night, Ezekiel pushes us even harder than he has before. My body is sore, my muscles are aching, but I push through.
“Come on, Eve. You’ve got this,” Jaxon says to me after I’m taken down again by Ezekiel.
I look at him. It’s the last night of training, it would be easy to give up.
“Don’t do it, Evangeline. You’re an Alpha, stand up and fight like one.” Jaxon says, pushing me. I look at Ezekiel who is watching me intently, waiting to see what I will do.
I take a deep breath and I stand, looking at Ezekiel and getting into my fight stance. “AGAIN!”
“That’s my girl,” I hear Jaxon say quietly as I begin to spar again. When the training is done, I collapse on the ground.
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