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

and his 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 influence. I knew they wanted their son to

hugged me tightly. “Your elegance is the envy of

high praise from one who has risen so highly,” I nod my head and turn to hug Luna Helene.

strong competition, though he is on the younger side I hope you’ll

“Our ties with the Lunar Ocean

my hands tightly “but think

from behind his

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

blood!” His

I’m chosen,” he countered and turned to me “even if

do before I choose who will compete,” I

at least alpha Xavier understands,”

are like and in the end, their strength will be tested in a centuries-old tradition of

sounds old-fashioned but I have faith that the goddess

and attack me for not

looked at me pityingly. “You can do

I close my eyes and pull

Sean,” Theo turned me towards the first strangers we

us is breathtaking,”

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

and grabbed my hand for a quick peck. Then stifled a

travel hasn’t tired you?” I replied somewhat

only an eight-hour drive,” He stated,

this

and Luna of the frozen moon pack in Alaska. My sister has always wanted to see the snow,” Theo nodded to the

find myself stirring for a walking stick of a man. I was used to bulkier men, ones that looked as though a slight

two did not intrigue me, but perhaps I’m being

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

thankful for the invitation,” Alpha Jacob

frozen moon. They had a trade depot, a hospital, and much more all on their lands just

has much need for a strong Luna

be bored there,” I joyfully reply. Truly I did

so lucky,” Peter laughed.

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

snow in Georgia,” Alpha Romano

from Virginia don’t

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

it,” Peter helped

to a conversation with him as he didn’t seem bad

you’ll excuse us,” Theo took

Alphas and their sons and some brought their betas or Gammas along. A

Julian, Annette,” An older man smiled at me with Charlie now

had the darkest eyes I had ever seen. The hair

thing I’ve ever

gripped my forearm a little

California?” I questioned taking a step back

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

supposed to enjoy that?” I straightened my

least give me the first dance of the evening?” He

Is he joking?

was trying to leave his