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.

and I went to see our

Of course, we had close relations so they could have protection and we could

me tightly. “Your elegance is the envy

one who has risen so highly,” I nod my head and turn to hug Luna Helene. “I hope to live up

strong competition, though he is on the younger

is barely old enough to be here my darling,” Xavier chuckled. “Our ties with the Lunar Ocean

tightly “but think of how

Alex came from behind his

and I’m in no position to take a mate while still in school

blood!” His mother hissed at

the first round even if I’m chosen,” he countered and turned to

his logic and abashedness. “I still have a lot of talking to do

be pushy but at least alpha Xavier understands,”

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

sounds old-fashioned but I have faith that the goddess

doesn’t try and attack me for

He looked at me pityingly. “You

close my eyes and pull

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

the vision of beauty before us

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

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

hasn’t tired you?” I replied somewhat

He stated, tilting his

this man

snow,”

find myself stirring for a walking stick of a man. I was used to bulkier men, ones

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 her

so thankful for the invitation,” Alpha

depot, a hospital, and much more all on their lands just for their people. They had beyond hundreds of

need for

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

feel so lucky,” Peter laughed.

blurted out, probably hoping to keep the conversation

Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked that his time

from Virginia don’t you alpha Romano,” Alpha Jacob

and it melted instantly I’m sure you have no shortage in your territory,” I try

be without it,” Peter helped to calm things

should look forward to a conversation with him

us,” Theo took

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

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

had the darkest eyes I

the single most beautiful thing I’ve ever

forearm a little unhappy with the

see. You two come from California?” I questioned taking a step back out of respect

enjoy it I’m sure,” William bared his teeth

enjoy that?” I straightened my spine and knit my

at least give me the

Is he joking?

leave his scent on me. I