The Claiming by Cooper

The Claiming by Cooper Book 4

The Beta Trials by Cooper (Jace & Jordan)

Chapter 22 (Taylor)

I return to the Alpha conference, but my mind is all over the place. I can’t believe I finally found my mate. When I

didn’t find him during the Contest, I figured the Moon Goddess didn’t give me one. But he was here all along, I just

didn’t realize it and our paths never crossed.

When I walk back into the conference room, Nolan is up front speaking to Councilman Jason. I take the same seat I

was in this morning, not sure how to approach Nolan, or even if I should after everything that has transpired. I told

him we’d talk this evening, but now, the anticipation of maybe hearing that he prefers my cousin to me is weighing

on me.

I’m looking over the agenda, trying to get my emotions under control, when I smell his scent of fresh cut pines. “Do

you mind if I sit here, Alpha?” Nolan asks me.

I look up at him and shake my head. When he sits, I take a deep breath, letting his scent and the warmth emanating

from him soothe and calm me.

“Call me Taylor,” I say quietly then turn to him. “You’re my mate, you should call me Taylor.”

“Taylor,” he says, nodding as Jordan and Jace walk in.

He looks up, nodding at the two of them but nothing more. Now that my nerves are calm, the afternoon goes by

quickly with Nolan talking about what he knows about Balorto Jace and Jordan, helping them prepare fortheir trip.

Then, Councilmen Jason, Antonio, and Saul begin working with the older Alphas to set up hunts for the rogues.

While he does that, Councilwomen Jara and Gia work with the younger Alphas to make sure everyone has a place to

go to be safe, and they begin documenting where everyone will be staying.

When they come up to me, I let them know that I’ll be staying in Griffin’s pack until things settle.

When Councilman Jason calls for the meeting to adjourn, Nolan looks at me.

“When would you like to talk, Taylor?”

“No time like the present,” I say. “Would you like to go for a walk in the woods?” He raises an eyebrow at me.

“On Jordan’s pack lands,” I clarify. “That would be nice,” he says, and I let Griffin know that I’ll be heading home

tomorrow along with everyone else before heading outside with Nolan.

We don’t speak until we get to the edge of the forest, away from everyone. When we do, I stop and look at him.

“Taylor,”

“Nolan,” we both say at the same time.

Then I stop and laugh. “Let’s find somewhere to sit.”

We move to an area that has a great view of the mountains but also my pack lands.

I take a deep breath. “So, you know that I’m a female Alpha, you know that Alpha Seth and Luna Hana are my

parents, but my brother, Griffin, is now Alpha of my old pack.”

I glance at him, but he stays quiet, looking out over the area in front of us. “We’re you really going to take Jordan as

your chosen mate?” I ask him.

Now he does look at me. “Were you really going to take Jace as yours?” he asks me.

I look away. “I didn’t think I had a mate. I assumed that if I did, that I would have met them during the Contest, but I

never met you,” I say, defending myself.

“And I have traveled all over the world, never finding you, but I still held out hope. I still waited ten years before

considering taking a chosen mate. I won’t be held to a double standard, Taylor. I appreciate and respect that you

are an Alpha. But I require respect in return. I may not be an Alpha, but I am a fighter, the best in my division. I’ m

a man who has wanted to find you, who has searched for you, my mate, for many years. I don’t know if our age

difference bothers you, it doesn’t bother me. I want to get to know you, I want to see if we are compatible as the

Moon Goddess has destined, but I’ll say again, I won’t allow you to hold me to a standard to which you do not hold

yourself. If we move forward, you’ll see that I will challenge you, in more ways than one, I hope. I won’t sit by

quietly, I won’t be in the shadows, it’s not who I am. I expect a partnership, with mutual respect, love, caring, and

passion.”

He turns to look at me. “You need to think about that. If you intend to rule your pack, to be in charge of everyone

and everything, then I can tell you now, this will not work. It’s not about you being an Alpha, it’s about you being my

mate.”

He stands and looks at me. “I’ve given you a lot to think about. I hope you will think about it. As I said, I want to get

to know you, to spend time with you, to see your pack and what you’re doing to build it. But your brother has been

very clear that I am not welcome onto his pack lands unless you agree to have me there. So, the ball is in your

court, Taylor. If and when you’re ready to talk, to spend time getting to know each other better, I’ll be here. You

have my number,” he says, before turning and walking back to Jordan’s packhouse.

(Nolan POV)

Walking away from Taylor is probably the h*ardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I realized earlier that she may have

very different ideas of what it means to have a mate than I do. She’s a new Alpha, trying to prove herself. I

understand that, but her Alpha status means nothing to me if I’m her mate. And if I’m not, then I won’t be around

to see how she manages the people in her pack.

When I get back to the clearing behind the packhouse, I see Jordan, Jace, Elijah, Alpha Jaxon and Luna Evangeline

just finishing the ceremony to bring Jaxon back into the pack.

I turn, walking up to them. “Jordan, Alpha Jaxon, I was wondering if I could impose upon your hospitality to stay for

a few days, until things are more-settled,” I say and I smell the vanilla of the sweet-after-death plant. It’s a heady

scent, one that I love, so I know that Taylor has returned.

I watch as Jace steps closer to Jordan but he doesn’t say anything.

“You know you’re welcome here anytime, Nolan. Even if I’m not here, Jaxon will let you stay,” she says, turning to

look at Jaxon.

“But I’m going to make you work for it,” Jaxon says.

“What do you mean?” I ask him. “You have to help me train these weaklings while Jordan is gone,” he says, giving

me a smile that looks a lot like Jordan’s, only she never smiles that big.

“Deal,” I tell him. “I appreciate you letting me stay.”

“It’s no problem, Nolan, really. Stay as long as you like,” Jordan says. “Did you eat?” she asks me, smiling. “No, not

yet.”

“Dinner is still being served,” she says.

I nod and turn but stop and turn back. “Did you eat, Jordan?”

She gives me a meaningful look. “Jace made sure that I did.”

I nod and head inside, getting a plate to take to my room.

When I get there, I check my phone and I’m pleasantly surprised to see a text from Taylor.

Taylor: I heard what you said tonight, and you’ve given me a lot to think about, but I’d like to have breakfast

together tomorrow morning before I leave, if you’d like.

Me: I would love to have breakfast with you. What time?

Her response is instantaneous.

Taylor: Six am?

Me: I’ll see you there. Sleep well.

Taylor: You too.

I sit down to eat and for the first time in my life, the thought of food makes my stomach churn and I push the food

away. I think I’m finally starting to understand how Jordan can go without eating so often. If her life is as chaotic all

the time as mine has been in the last 24 hours, I’m surprised that she eats at all.