The Claiming by Cooper novel Chapter 279

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 06 (Jordan)

After leaving Jace, I went back inside the packhouse and called Griffin. He was understandably worried about his sister, and I felt a little better knowing that he and Elijah were joining Jace in meeting up with Taylor.

Then I left a message for each of my siblings. With them being in their pack lands, they don’t have easy access to their phones, but I wanted to make sure that they were being careful.

I have just finished my last call when there’s a knock at the door. I look up and see Carter.

“Come in,” I say, already knowing what’ s coming, thanks to Jace.

“Hey, Alpha. I wanted to speak with you.”

“Have a seat,” I say, not bothering to get up and go around my desk to sit with him, like I normally do. If he’s going to disrespect me by renouncing his position in this pack and me as his Alpha, then he can do it with me acting like an Alpha rather than his friend.

I can tell he’s surprised by my attitude, but truthfully, I have more important things to worry about right now than Carter’s ego.

“So, I wanted to let you know that I’ve entered the Beta Trials.”

I look at him, long enough for him to start squirming.

“Any particular reason that you don’t want to be my Beta? Beta to this pack that you were born into?” I ask and there is nothing warm about my tone. “I just… I’d like an opportunity to see what other packs might be available to me.”

“Packs with a male Alpha?” I ask, getting to the point since he doesn’t seem to want to.

“Well, yes.”

I nod, looking down at the work in front of me. “I wish you luck. Both in the Beta Trials and in telling your parents. They aren’t going to be happy about it.”

“They’ll be fine once I’ve earned my position,” he says, as if that will make it better.

“In a pack that isn’t theirs? When you already had a position here, by birth?”

I can’t tell if he thinks I’m stupid or if he’ s just terrible at making up excuses, but either way, I’m done with this conversation.

“You’re excused. I’ll put my name in the selection process so others trying out for Beta positions know that I have one open.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” he says and stands, just as my door slams open and Elijah walks in.

He looks from Carter to me. I shake my head and I watch as a look of disgust passes over Elijah’s features.

“Carter. With me,” Elijah growls as Jace comes in behind him.

“Dad…”

“That’s Beta to you, Carter. You are no longer a ranked member or future ranked member of this pack,” he growls. He looks up at me.

“I’ll be back shortly to discuss the other issue.”

“What issue?” Carter asks, looking from Elijah to me.

“That’s no longer your concern,” Elijah says to him, before pointing to the door.

Carter hangs his head and walks out, Elijah right behind him.

Jace watches them go before turning to me. “I’ve left a list of the Betas who had signed up as of earlier today. There are several Alpha females that either

haven’t found their mates or aren’t old enough to have found them yet. I thought those candidates, in particular, might interest you. Also, there’s one discrepancy in the financials. I highlighted it for you to take a look at.”

I look down at the paperwork in front of me. “You did all of that?” I ask him. “I did. I’m going to check on the patrols and the schedule for them now, just to make sure that Carter wasn’t slacking while he was making up his mind about joining the Beta Trials. I’m guessing you want to increase patrols. And I know I’m not Beta, but it would be my suggestion.”