The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 272

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline)

Chapter 72 (Jaxon)

Several hours later, Eve and I head back downstairs to meet up with our families. It’s only a couple of hours before dinner and many people have already started to arrive for the festivities. It’s an exciting time, one that will most likely never happen again in our lifetime.

The energy and excitement are palpable, and all of the Alpha families will be arriving either tonight or tomorrow morning. As we enter the dining hall, we see that it’s been set up with televisions that are playing recaps of the events and showing all of the contestants in those events, starting with the first race.

“It’s hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for over half a year,” Eve says to me, just as we hear someone call her name.

“Evie!” Makayla says, rushing over and throwing herself in Eve’s arms.

“Hi, Makayla! Are you here with Mom and Dad or Alejandro?”

“Alejandro. Mom and Dad are coming tomorrow morning, but I wanted to be here to enjoy the party tonight,” she says, full of enthusiasm. “And look how big you’ve gotten!”

“Thanks, I think. I feel big,” Eve says as Alejandro walks up to us.

“Hey sis. Hey Jaxon.”

“Alejandro, it’s good to see you,” I say.

“You as well,” he says, before hugging Eve. “You’re looking good, sis.” Not much later, Jordan arrives with my sister Raelyn.

“Hello, my beautiful sisters! Jordan, I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow,” I say, hugging them both.

“Since my Beta and Gamma are no longer in the competition, I feel comfortable being away from the pack overnight. Plus, Mom and Dad aren’t coming until tomorrow, so they can cover if anything is needed.”

“Yeah, about that…” I say as Raelyn rushes over to say hi to Makayla. I think they bonded over being the only ones in their families too young to compete in the contest.

“What’s up with Jace resigning from the competition?” I ask Jordan.

She blows out a breath. “That’s a conversation, not a simple answer.”

I look at my sister, seeing an unfamiliar strain around her eyes.

“You want me to take him out for you?” I offer, only half joking.

“Nah, I can take him out if I need to,” she says, smiling.

I wrap my arm around her shoulders, pulling her to me and kissing the side of her head. “We need a twin day soon. I feel like I’m out of t*ouch with what’s going on with you.”

“Says the man who may have one, possibly two packs he needs to resurrect and a baby on the way,” she says. “I think you have enough on your plate, Jaxon.”

“I always have time for you, Jordan. Besides, Jax Jr. will need to meet his Aunt Jordan,” I say smiling.

“Is that what you’re naming him?” she asks me.

“I’m not sure yet, but even Eve is calling him Jaxon Junior now,” I say smiling. It started as a joke once I knew we were having a boy, but it has stuck and for the last two months that’s what we’ve been calling him. I’m not sure I could call him anything else now.

“He’ll be Auntie Jordan’s little JJ,” she coos.

I chuckle. “It has a ring to it.”

“So, I’m guessing you’re feeling confident that you’re in the top 10, but how did Eve do? She was at a disadvantage being pregnant.”

“This last one was hard for her. Between needing to use the bathroom several times and being uncomfortable sitting for such a long period of time, she said she didn’t finish one of the scenarios.”