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.

went to see our strongest allied

we had close relations so they could have protection and we could have influence. I

elegance is the envy of any woman,

head and turn to hug Luna

he is on the younger side I hope you’ll give him the time of day my darling,”

be here my darling,” Xavier chuckled. “Our ties with the Lunar Ocean pack will

“but think of how wonderful your life would

Alex came from

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

has alpha blood!” His mother hissed

if I’m chosen,”

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

she would be pushy but at least alpha

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

it sounds old-fashioned but I have faith that the goddess will choose a

hope she doesn’t try and attack me for

He looked at me

my

Alpha Romano and his son Sean,” Theo turned me towards the first

the vision of beauty before us

and lanky, he wore glasses and his shirt was not tucked in. The father on the other hand was heavy

I’ve seen yet,” Sean smiled and grabbed my hand for a quick peck.

hasn’t

only an eight-hour drive,” He stated, tilting his head

this man is completely

to see the snow,” Theo nodded to the pair poking into the conversation. Their son stood a foot above Alpha Romano’s

my genetics but I did not find myself stirring for a walking stick of a man. I was used to bulkier men, ones that looked as

two did not intrigue me, but

to have such remarkable children,” Luna smiled. “May I introduce myself? I’m Luna Maria. My husband Alpha Jacob and our son Peter,” she bowed

so thankful for the invitation,”

many packs and the largest was the frozen moon. They had a trade depot, a hospital, and much more

much need

think I’d ever be bored there,” I joyfully reply. Truly I did

Peter laughed. It did not

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

Alpha Romano interjected. He

come from Virginia don’t you

it melted instantly I’m sure you

be without it,” Peter helped to calm things

should look forward to a conversation with him as

you’ll excuse us,” Theo took my

and some brought their betas or Gammas along. A few brought their

An older man smiled at me with Charlie now

at me. He was tall, broad, tan, and had the darkest eyes

most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he smiled

forearm a little unhappy

I see. You two come from California?” I questioned taking

will enjoy it I’m sure,” William bared

am I supposed to enjoy that?” I straightened my

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

Is he joking?

smell him. He was trying to leave