The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 257

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 57 (Jaxon)

When we walk up, Alpha Antonio is giving Valentina some last-minute pointers. I’m surprised when I don’t see Jordan here giving Jace pointers.

I’ll be right back,” I tell Eve and walk over to Jace.

“Hey man, you got this?”

“I feel pretty good about it,” he says turning to me. “I heard that both you and Tobias forfeited because you got paired with your mates. Be careful tomorrow if you get him. He’s tough, really tough.”

“I have all day to worry about that. Get your head into this match. What’s your strategy?” I ask, just as Jordan comes running up.

“Hey, I’m here. Sorry I’m late. I was helping some of the others in our pack,” she says, looking over and assessing Valentina the way I’ve seen our parents do before a sparring match. They ingrained it in us to size up our opponent and start the match before you ever walk into the ring.

I watch as Jace noticeably relaxes and begins to finally focus. “I’ll leave you to it, then,” I say, turning and walking back to Eve.

I watch as Jace turns, taking in everything that Jordan is telling him. I haven’t talked to either one of them about their situation in months.

Honestly, it’s none of my business, but I can see that there is still something there between them, at least on Jace’s side. I also know that Jordan has been seeing Nolan and that their relationship has been getting more serious.

Jordan gets Jace to focus and when he enters the ring, he’s in a different headspace than he was only moments ago. He’s focused and ready to fight, ready to win.

I watch as Jordan guides him from the sidelines, just as Alpha Antonio is doing with Valentina but in less than 30 minutes, Jace has the pin and wins the match.

Jordan races to him, throwing herself in his arms and hugging him. His arms go around her, and I notice the moment she realizes what she’s done. Her body goes stiff, and she steps back.

I walk up to congratulate Jace and hear Jordan say she needs to go check on the others in our pack.

“Thank you for being here, Jordan,” he says to her as she turns to leave. “Of course, Jace. I know this is important to you.” I’m not sure she sees his flinch, but I do.

“Nice job, man! One down, and one to go,” I say to him.

“Back at you,” he says, giving me a slap shake.