The Claiming by Cooper
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."

"Yes, and we need to add Taylor's pack lands into our rotation. If you want to bring the schedule in here, we can work on it together."

He nods. "I'd like that. And just so you know, Alpha Griffin and Alpha Seth arrived at Taylor's pack lands before I left. I'm not sure what will happen going forward, but at least we know she'll have family watching out for her." When Jace leaves to get the patrol schedules, my phone rings.

"Alpha Jordan," I answer.

"Alpha, this is Councilman Jason. I understand we have a problem on our hands."

"Yes, Councilman."

"Is the fighter, Nolan, still in your pack?"

"Yes, Mom asked me to keep him here until you and the other council members had a chance to speak with him."

"Good. We'll be there tomorrow."

"Do you need a room to stay in, Councilman?"

"Actually, I'd like to impose on your hospitality, if you don't mind," he says as Jace walks back in. I motion for him to close the door and join me as I put the phone on speaker.

"What do you mean, impose on me, Councilman," I ask, looking at Jace and mouthing 'Councilman Jason'.

He nods and sits down.

"We need to have an Alpha meeting. Not only with current Alphas, but also with previous Alphas who may be able to shed some light on how these rogues could have not only survived, but also procreated. We've not had a situation with hybrids in a long time. I have some books on the subject, but I'll tell you now, Alpha Jordan, you need to be very careful. I'll be giving the same warning to Alpha Taylor since it appears the threat is to a female Alpha. But, in the past, werewolf-human hybrids were unstable. The two coming together and producing an heir didn't go well. The hybrids were unpredictable and aggressive." Jace is frowning. "Is that why it's against our laws to breed with humans?" Jace asks.

"Yes. Something about the mix of werewolf and human DNA didn't blend well. I'll have more information for our meeting, but I wanted to give you the head's up. And, of course, see if we could use your pack for the Alpha meeting."

I look at Jace. "Would there be a problem with my Gamma participating in the meeting, Councilman?"

I watch as his face shifts from shocked then happy as a smile spreads across his face.

"No, actually, I think that's a good idea. But it may mean that the other packs will be bringing their own Betas if they have them."

"I understand, we'll replace room for everyone. When are you looking to have this meeting?"

"We don't have a lot of time, especially if the bear shifters are getting irritated with the wolves. I'm concerned that they are going missing. It's not a good sign and confirms my concerns about these hybrids being unstable. All that to say, I'd like to have the meeting in three days."

Jace is nodding before he's finished. "We can do that. I'll just need to know how many are coming."

"I'll get a list together, but I'd also like to come tomorrow to speak with Nolan before the Alpha meeting. Does that work for you?"

"Yes, Councilman. I'll let Nolan know that you're going to be here tomorrow, and I'll have a room ready for you."

"Thank you, Alpha. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Councilman," I say hanging up the phone and looking at Jace.

"We're definitely doubling patrols. And Jordan, I know you're my Alpha, but you don't go anywhere alone. I don't care who you get to go with you. I don't f*uc*king care if you make Nolan your personal bodyguard. Until we know exactly what we're dealing with, until we know that this threat is contained and handled, you need to stay safe."

I look at him, surprised that he'd be willing to allow Nolan to be so close to me. Of course, he hasn't accepted the rejection, so his need to protect me, his concern for me would be practically unbearable with this threat. Even without a true mate bond on my end, being his Alpha, I can feel the concern rolling off of him.

"I don't need a personal bodyguard, Jace. But I will be careful, and I won't go anywhere alone. Not only because I have a pack to protect as well as myself, but also because my parents will be here tomorrow, and my dad is just as bad as Uncle Seth. There's no way he's going to let me out of his sight."

He nods, looking down and I feel the relief in him. "Good. Now, let's get these patrols figured out so I might actually be able to get some sleep without worrying about you all night."

He pulls the papers over, but when I don't move, he looks up at me.

"I could tell you not to worry about me," I start to say.

"And you can save your breath because it's not something that I can stop.

Whether or not you accept me, Jordan, you're my mate. You're in danger. I won't rest easy until this rogue who calls himself an Alpha is taken down."

I nod. "Then let's figure out the patrols so you can get some rest, Jace. Without a Beta, I need you more than ever."