The Claiming by Cooper
Chapter 270

The Contest by Cooper (Jaxon & Evangeline) Chapter 70 (Jaxon)

We wake on the morning of the final competition. This time, we won't know how we're doing until the announcement of the winners. Since it's a timed typed test, and we'll be judged based on multiple criteria in multiple scenarios, it's anybody's guess how we'll be ranked.

I did replace out that our rankings in the previous competitions will be factored into our final ranking to choose the pack lands. However, as I look around the room at breakfast, I realize that of the 19 of us that are left to compete, thirteen are Alphas. We found out last night that Jace had resigned from the competition and rather than bring someone new back in, they are letting the final group of contestants remain at 19.

I called Jace to replace out what was going on, and he just said he needed to prove to himself that he could be an Alpha and now he's done that. He never wanted a pack, and he has no intention of leaving Jordan. I wished him luck. He's going to need it.

Now, as we walk into the room that will be the space for our final competition, I realize they have given us assigned seats far away from each other. I pull Evangeline in for a hug and wish her luck before going to replace my name.

When I sit, there's a computer and beside that, there is water, a couple of snacks, paper and pen. As everyone gets settled, Councilman Jason enters the room along with the other four council members. While Councilman Jason remains at the front of the room, the other four spread out around the room, replaceing seats where they can monitor several of us at once.

"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the final contest to be named Alpha of your own pack. Today's test will be a test of your logical reasoning. You will be given five scenarios. You will have to explain what you would do in each scenario and why. Your answers, your thoughtfulness in your responses and your reasoning behind your decisions will be the components that myself and the other four council members will rank you in today's competition."

He looks around the room, but we are all quiet. "The computer in front of you should have a blank field with a blinking cursor. Please enter your name now."

He waits while we all do that and it takes us to a home screen where there are five buttons: Scenario 1, Scenario 2 and so on. No indication of what each scenario is.

"Is everyone at the home page with the five links to the different scenarios?" Everyone nods or says yes.

"Good. As you navigate through this competition, you will enter a scenario. Do not do it now, but when you do, the scenario will come up and you will be able to begin typing in your response. When you are done, there will be a button that says 'Return to Main Menu'. It will bring you back to this screen and you can navigate to the next scenario. If you navigate back to this screen, you will still be able to go back and edit your response. So, for instance, if Scenario 2 has you stumped, rather than spending a lot of time on that scenario, you can come back here, finish out the other scenarios and then return to Scenario 2."

He checks to make sure we're all paying attention. "There are two ways for your part of this competition to end. First, once you have completed all five scenarios, if you are satisfied with your responses, you may click the 'Submit' button on the home page. When you do that, it will ask if you are sure you are ready to exit the competition. If you say yes, your responses will be submitted, and you will no longer be able to edit them."

"The second way that the competition will end is at exactly 1 pm, the computers will shut down. You will no longer be able to edit, and your answers will automatically be submitted to the council as they are written. Any questions so far?"

He pauses, but no one asks anything. "Okay, the rules. You are not allowed to leave this room for any reason. If you do, you are disqualified. There are two bathrooms at the end of the room, you may use those if needed. No time will be added to your competition if you must step away from your computer for any reason. Second rule, no mind linking. I know several of you have mates here, some of you in this room are mates. You are not allowed to mind link anyone, it's why none of your Alphas are here. We needed to make sure there was no cheating in this final part of the competition. If any council member suspects that you are mind linking someone, you will immediately be disqualified. And finally, you may not ask anyone for assistance. You must answer these questions on your own."

He looks around the room. "Any final questions?"

When there aren't any questions, he looks up at the clock. "You have five minutes. I suggest you stand, stretch, and get your minds ready for the contest."

We all stand. I move around, needing to get rid of my nervous energy. Others, like Eve, begin stretching, touching their toes and doing side bends. After four minutes, we all take our seats again. I crack open a bottle of water, making it ready for when I need it and then I focus on the computer, my f*ingers over the keyboard.

"Five, four, three, two, one__ begin!"

I click on Scenario 1. 'Your pack is attacked by another pack, one that you thought you were in an alliance with but has now betrayed you. You defeat the other Alpha and his pack, but there are many casualties on both sides. The Alpha of the other pack survives the battle but is severely wounded. What punishment do you give to the Alpha and his pack? Why?'

Well, they certainly aren't going to make this easy, and the first one is already a tough one. Before I begin typing I consider a real-life scenario. Of the Alphas in this room, what if one of them attacked me and my pack? I choose Tobias as he's my biggest competition. If he were to attack my pack, kill my pack members, how would I feel? Angry, betrayed.

But those aren't emotions that should guide your decisions as an Alpha. And more than anything, I'd want to know why. And the question not only asks about the Alpha, but also his pack members. A pack is ruled by their Alpha, so should they be held accountable for the decisions of their Alpha, even though they are responsible for the death of my pack members?

I put my f*ingers on the keyboard, and I begin to type out my plan. What I would do, why I would make the decisions I am making. When I'm done, I click 'Return to Main Menu' and look up at the clock. It's 9:15am. I'm already behind.

I quickly click on Scenario 2, taking a quick swig of water before reading the next scenario. 'How would you, as an Alpha, h*andle a situation where feral fever returned to the packs? How would you h*andle the fear of your pack members? How would you h*andle it if your Beta, your best friend, or family member contracted the virus? What would you do as their Alpha and why?' I sigh as I begin thinking through the next difficult scenario before beginning to write up my responses.