The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 278

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 05 (Jace)

I hate leaving Jordan, not only because I know that Nolan is now staying in our packhouse, but also because I know she’s still unsure of my feelings for Taylor. I could tell she didn’t want to send me, but with Carter out of the picture, at least for now, it was either her or me, and she needs to be here since she just got back.

I race to Taylor’s new pack lands, feeling the change when I cross our borders and begin running in unchartered territory.

I run until I smell her and then I howl, letting her know that I’m coming to see her. She may not know that she’s at risk, but it’s better to announce myself.

When I find her, she’s on the roof of a house, hammering and fixing a hole, I guess. She stands, wiping her hands and smiling before leaping off the roof and landing neatly on her feet.

As I get close to her, I shift, coming to a stop in front of her.

“Jace, what an unexpected surprise,” she says, her eyes taking in my naked body. It’s unexpected and now that I’ve told Jordan that I want her, it’s unwanted. Unfortunately, the head below my waist doesn’t agree with the one above it and he begins to respond to her admiring look.

“Do you have a pair of shorts, Taylor?” I ask.

“Not that will fit you. Besides, you don’t need to put clothes on for my benefit,” she says, taking a step toward me. “Taylor, I have something important to talk with you about.”

She stops, looking at me. “I hope it’s to tell me that you’ve reconsidered my offer.”

Her offer of taking each other as chosen mates.

“I’ve told you I’m trying to make things work with Jordan, Tay. And what I have to talk about is more important than mate bonds, chosen or otherwise.”

She raises an eyebrow at that before turning. “Come on, then. I don’t have a lot yet, but I have tea and coffee, and I have a towel if you’re sure you want to cover up,” she says, smirking at me over her shoulder.

“I’m sure,” I tell her.

Once we get settled, I fill her in on the rogue situation and on her risk of being out here alone, not knowing which Alpha female the rogues were talking about.

“You need to take extra precautions, Taylor. You can’t be out here on your own,” I tell her.

“What do you propose I do, Jace? My sisters have both found their mates, Griffin is running our family’s pack and Caleb is doing exactly what I’m doing, building his own. I haven’t found my mate, we haven’t had the Beta Trials yet, so who do you suggest I have come out here to help me, to keep me safe? It’s just me, Jace. There isn’t anyone else, unless you decide to give up on Jordan and accept me.”

“I can’t do that, Taylor. I’ll help you in any way I can, but we don’t know if she’ s the target any more than we know if you’re the target. What about your parents? Alpha Seth…”

“They’re splitting up their time, Jace. They have five children. Three are starting their own packs, Griffin is a new Alpha and one of my sisters is a new Luna to an existing pack. It’s a lot of change all at once for them. I can’t ask them to come babysit me because I’m afraid of an encroaching Alpha. Besides, what sort of Alpha would I be if I walked away from my pack lands because of a threat of another Alpha? I wouldn’t be worth the title I just earned, and you know it.”

I do know it.

“At least, stay with your brother or come stay with Jordan until the council

convenes. This is more than just an Alpha threatening you, Taylor. If they get to you and you’re out here alone and this rogue forcibly marks you….I wouldn’t want that to happen to you, Taylor. We may not be together anymore, but I will always care about you.”

She snorts derisively. “As a sister? As a friend?”

“Taylor…”