Stronger by Ang Chris

“Annette it’s time,” My father pokes his head into my door.

I stood and readied myself for the parade.

“Let’s go,” I nodded. I grasped his arm as headed out of my room and down the hall to the stairs. I could feel my heart slamming against my ribs and I stilled to try and calm it. Don’t let them see this.

I felt myself calm just enough to continue and reach the top of the steps. Humans did something similar to this at a younger age for a dance. Prom I think.

Why act so foolish for a stupid dance ill do this for my mate but not and dance.

“Ladies and Gentlemen thank you all for coming,” my mother’s voice rang like a bell. It was hushed to a whisper instantly.

“I know that many of you have high hopes for tonight but our family has the highest. My daughter is choosing who she will spend her life with. Who she will bestow a powerful heir with. I hope that you all treat her with the respect she deserves,” My mom turned to me and I started slowly down the steps.

An abundance of smells hit my nose. They were trying to scent me from here? Idiots…

My father let out a scoff as well.

“My darling daughter Annette Maloria,” My father boomed. Several males bowed their heads.

I did my best to stifle the laughter coming up my throat tickling me to escape. Some of these boys puffed their chests, some craned their n*ecks to see me, I saw one father grab the back of his son’s head and spin him to look at me.

They were a bunch of dim witted morons. How on earth could I take them seriously?

Charlie came and took me from my father to start walking about the room to welcome my guests from our closets packs first.

“Annette,” Luna Gia smiled, k*ssing my cheeks. The pack closest to ours but her sons were far too young to vie for me. “Lovely as ever my darling,”

“You certainly left nothing to the imagination,”

I turned and giggled, grasping Gia’s little sister and my best friend for a needed hug.

As per tradition I had been in my home for the past week to prepare and meditate for the next part of my life. I haven’t seen her when I desperately craved to. Her humor is a balm for turmoil.

“Cecelia,” Gia toned. “Behave tonight,”

Cea just rolled her eyes and looped her arm through Theos. “I shall not you have kept me from my love for far too long sissy,” she winked at me.

Theo had marked Cea as soon as she turned 18 about two months ago. Everyone else was shocked but I was their co-conspirator whenever I and Cea had sleepovers she sometimes forgot to sleep in my room and who was I to care when my brother would take the best care of her.

“Still, best behavior..for now,” Theo mumbled to her but I was close enough to hear and roll my eyes with disgust.

Happy for them don’t need to know their intimate details.

“Both of you behave,” Charlie chided, straightening, as he felt the presence of another alpha.

“Charlie!” A tall young ginger man stepped into our conversation getting between my eldest brother and me to give him a pat on the back. “You still look scary as all hell. I pity the men here man,” he laughed, throwing an oh-so-subtle glance my way. Nice one.

I heard Cea snort and Gia took her away towards Alpha Xavier, Gia’s husband. Let the games begin.

This man was far too impressed with his entrance, and he obviously thought knowing my brother gave him a leg up.

“Gregory Shill,” he extended a hand to me.

And no respect for the rules. Wait to be introduced or for me to seek you out. Lack of respect and arrogance, no thank you.

Charlie grabbed his shoulder and then James came out of nowhere and grabbed his extended hand. “James Maloria,” he gripped so hard that I saw the blood vessels tighten. “My sister is going to see the silver ecl*pse pack next sorry about that,” he scrunched his face as he nodded.

his arm and I went to see

Luna Helene were a very wealthy pack and not far from our own. Of course, we had close relations so they could have protection and we could have

the envy of any woman, you will be a force to be

so highly,” I nod my head and turn to hug Luna Helene. “I hope to live up to the praise

our Alex has some strong competition, though he is on the younger side I

my darling,” Xavier chuckled. “Our ties with the Lunar Ocean pack will remain as strong

“but think of how wonderful your

Alex came from behind

mother’s hands from mine. “Anna is older than me and I’m in no position to take

has alpha blood!” His mother

not survive the first round even if I’m chosen,” he countered and turned to me “even if you are

“I still have a lot of talking to do before I choose who will compete,” I smile

be pushy but at least alpha Xavier understands,” Theo

I would meet with the alphas one on one and learn what their packs are like and in the end, their strength will be tested in a centuries-old tradition of combat. I choose those who fight and then the winner gets to have

sounds old-fashioned but I have faith that the goddess will choose a strong and open-hearted

do hope she doesn’t try and attack me for not choosing him. How

He looked at me pityingly. “You

I close my eyes

Romano and his son Sean,”

before us is breathtaking,” Alpha Romano spoke

and his shirt was not tucked in. The father on the other hand was heavy set and

and grabbed my hand

hasn’t tired you?” I

an eight-hour drive,” He

god, this man

pack in Alaska. My sister has always wanted to see the snow,” Theo nodded to the pair poking into the

a walking stick of a man. I was used

two did not intrigue me, but perhaps

such remarkable children,” Luna smiled. “May I introduce myself? I’m Luna Maria. My husband Alpha

so thankful for

and the largest was the frozen moon. They had a trade depot, a hospital, and much more all on their lands just for their people. They had beyond

has much need for a

be bored there,” I joyfully reply. Truly I did ask my parents to

feel so lucky,” Peter laughed. It did not meet his

you really never seen snow?” Luna Maria blurted out, probably hoping

Georgia,” Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked

from Virginia don’t you alpha

and it melted instantly I’m sure you have no shortage in

be without it,”

noted to myself that I should look forward to a conversation with him as he didn’t seem bad and his

us,” Theo took my

meeting Alphas and their sons and some brought their betas or Gammas along. A few brought their strongest warrior as a show of

man smiled at me with Charlie now taking my arm. “My son

strong man smiled at me. He was tall, broad, tan, and had the darkest eyes I had ever seen. The hair on the

beautiful thing I’ve ever

a

California?” I questioned taking

You will enjoy it I’m sure,” William bared his teeth in an

presumptuous, am I supposed to enjoy that?” I straightened my spine and knit

would hope you’d at least give me the first dance

Is he joking?

smell him. He was trying to leave