The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 21 (Jordan)

I know my mother’s threats aren’t idle.

They never have been. My mother is a strong, powerful wolf, one that my father doesn’t trifle with, whether

because of the mate bond or my mother’s strength. So, I know when she says that she expects me and Taylor to be

civil for the next 24 hours, she means it.

My problem is, this is my pack and Taylor disrespected me. I have enough problems with the males not taking me

seriously, I really don’t need this shit from my cousin who hasn’t had to deal with the bullshit I’ve been dealing with

for years.

“Am I clear?” My mother asks. “Crystal clear mother, but I will not be disrespected in my own pack,” I say. “No, you

will not, or your cousin will face the wrath of her mother,” Aunt Hana says. “Not only do Alphas not disrespect each

other, but family doesn’t treat family like this.”

I stand to leave, Jace standing beside me.

“I’m sorry, Jordan,” Taylor says as I move toward the door.

I stop and nod, but I don’t say anything. Nothing that comes out of my mouth right now is going to sound like an

Alpha and my father taught me that if you can’t say something like an Alpha then you shouldn’t say anything at all.

When I step outside the room, Jace grabs my hand. “Are you okay?”

“No, Jace. I have to go do f*ucking damage control because my cousin challenged me in front of the pack, then my

mother and Aunt basically took over the situation and now I have to make sure everyone knows that I’m still in

charge, just in time for me to leave and let my brother, who I’m sure is the perfect Alpha, take over my pack for

me,” I say sarcastically.

I take a step away from him, ready to head into the dining room and face whatever backlash I get, but he holds

onto my hand.

“I’m coming with you, Jordan. She challenged my Alpha too. Don’t you think it would be better if we presented a

unified front?” he asks.

“You know everyone heard me.

Everyone knows now that you were my mate, Jace.”

“Am your mate, Jordan. I AM your mate. And I don’t care. I made the mess, I’ll deal with whatever cleanup is

required,” he says and honestly, I don’t have the energy to argue with him. I need to save that for the pack.

I turn, heading to the dining room. Jace moves into position just behind me and to my left. When I walk into the

dining room, everyone gets quiet.

“Is there a problem?” I ask, my voice ringing out in the room.

Several people turn and look at Jaxon.

“What the f*uck are you looking at me for? She’s your Alpha,” he says, supporting me like he always has.

“There’s no problem, Alpha,” most everyone in the room mumbles.

I stand there, looking at each individual in the room. Some of the other Alphas wink at me, making me want to

smile at their support and some of their mates give me a thumbs up.

Once I’ve made eye contact with everyone in the room, or stared them down, I walk in and grab my food.

Once we have our food, Jace and I go to sit with Jaxon and Evangeline. “You always keep it interesting, don’t you

sis?” he says, smiling at me.

“Not by choice,” I say, and I change the subject, asking Evangeline about her pregnancy.

After lunch, I go to the pack hospital, checking on my patrols that were injured in the battle. I’m surprised to find

Taylor there, checking on them as well.

“They got injured protecting my pack lands, Jordan. It’s the least I can do.”

I look around. “Where’s Nolan?” I ask and see her body flinch. I watch as she gets herself under control before

responding to me.

“I told him I’d speak with him tonight after the Alpha meeting. Apparently, Councilman Jason would like him to

participate this afternoon, at least, that was the conversation they were having when I left them.”

I nod, turning to go find Dr. Braxton and Kyra.

“I really am sorry, Jordan. I handled that all wrong,” she says.

I stop and turn to her, looking down for a moment, making sure that I can speak like an Alpha before I open my

mouth.

“Taylor, you don’t know yet what it’s like to be challenged because you’re a female Alpha. It’s not the same as

being an Alpha female. As an Alpha female, people want to be close to you, want to be with you. As a female Alpha,

all they do is challenge you. You don’t understand it yet, but you will. And I guess…. I guess I just expected more

from someone who will be facing the same struggles that I am. I guess I thought you’d understand that challenging

me in front of my pack would make my position that much h*arder to maintain, that it will force me to fight to keep

my position.”

I clench my teeth, forcing myself to remain calm and be the Alpha my father taught me to be.

“But I realize that you don’t understand it, not yet anyway. You haven’t had to reject every male that showed

interest in you because they wanted your position. You can thank Jace for that. You haven’t had to fight your own

pack members to maintain your position as their Alpha. You haven’t yet realized that many of the people showing

an interest in you, are only doing that because of what you can give them, not because they believe in you.”

I look at her. “You and I are the only ones, Tay. We’re the only ones who will ever truly understand the position we’re

in. And if we can’t support each other, if we can’t be there for each other, then what are we even doing? We’re no

better than everyone else that thinks that we’re not good enough, just because we’re women.”

I stop, looking down again. “I’m leaving tomorrow with Jace. I don’t know what will happen with the bear clan and I

don’t know what will happen between me and Jace. But, as one female Alpha to another, I suggest you take this

time to figure things out with your mate. Come to some sort of resolution with him and with each other. I plan to do

the same with Jace. And I hope, when I come back, you and I can find a way to live with the fact that we’ve dated

each other’s mate and we can become strong allies, supporting each other when no one else will.”

I turn and walk away, leaving her with her thoughts.

I check in with Dr. Braxton and Kyra, finding out that they are already collecting blood samples. I go ahead and give

my blood while I’m there, so they can test it as they need to. I double check with Dr. Braxton that it’s safe for

Evangeline to come to the hospital for checkups and her deliveries while the others are in quarantine.

Once I get his assurance that it’s safe for Evangeline, I head back to the packhouse. My head is in turmoil and I’ m

not paying attention as I should, so I nearly run into Nolan.

“Jordan, can we talk. Please.”

I don’t have the energy for this, and I swear if Taylor sees us talking and acts out again, I’ll rip her a new one, but I

owe it to Nolan to speak to him. And in truth, he owes it to me too.

I find an empty room and turn, making sure to keep my distance from him. I notice that he does the same.

“Jordan,” he begins, “I want you to know that I meant everything that I ever said to you. I think you’re an incredible

woman and an amazing Alpha, but…”

“But you need to see if things can work out between you and Taylor,” I finish for him.

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I understand the pull of the mate bond. And I know you well enough to know that you thought you didn’t

have a mate. You waited a very long time to find Taylor and I believe that if you’d have known that she was out

there, you’d have waited forever. The two of you have a lot to discuss and I’ll tell you what I told her. Take the time

while Jace and I are away and figure things out. Good or bad, figure them out, Nolan.”

He looks at me and a sad smile spreads across his face. “You truly are an amazing woman, Jordan.”

“Meh,” I say and shrug.

“I would have been a lucky man to have you as a mate. I hope your Gamma is realizing the error of his ways,” he

says. “I guess we’ll see. This trip will definitely give us time to talk and hopefully, figure things out,” I say. “Thanks

for understanding,” he says before turning and walking out of the room.

I turn and walk to the window. I know I need to get back to the conference room. The Alpha conference will begin

again shortly, but I just need a moment.

I close my eyes and then I smell it. Honey roasted almonds.

“Jordan.”

I turn and without saying a word, I walk into Jace’s arms, leaning into him as his arms wrap around me and I let

him, his warmth and his scent, calm and comfort me.