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.

offered his arm and I went to see our strongest

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

hugged me tightly. “Your elegance is the envy of any woman, you will

head and turn to hug Luna Helene. “I

strong competition, though he is on the younger

“Our ties with the Lunar Ocean pack will remain as strong as

held my hands tightly “but think of how wonderful your

from

older than me and I’m in

has alpha blood!” His mother hissed

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

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

would be pushy but at least alpha Xavier understands,” Theo

like and in the end, their strength will be tested in a centuries-old tradition of combat. I choose those who fight and

have faith that the goddess will choose a strong and open-hearted mate

attack me for not choosing

me pityingly. “You can do

I close my eyes and pull myself

Sean,” Theo turned me towards the first strangers

vision of beauty before us is breathtaking,”

The father on the other hand was heavy set and

are the most wonderful sight I’ve seen yet,” Sean smiled and

your travel hasn’t tired you?” I

only an eight-hour drive,” He

dear god, this man is

see the snow,” Theo nodded to the pair poking into the conversation. Their son stood

a man. I was

not intrigue me, but

“May I introduce myself? I’m Luna Maria. My husband Alpha Jacob and our

for the invitation,” Alpha Jacob

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

pack has much need for

Truly I did ask my parents to invite them for

laughed. It did not meet his

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

Georgia,” Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked that his time was intruded

don’t

I’m sure you have no shortage in your territory,” I try to diffuse

never be without it,” Peter helped to calm things

to a conversation

us,” Theo took

some brought their betas or Gammas along. A

Annette,” An older man smiled at me with Charlie now taking my arm. “My

tan, and had the darkest eyes I had ever seen. The hair on the back of my n*eck stood

beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he smiled

my forearm a little unhappy with

a sweet talker I see. You two come from California?” I

will enjoy it I’m sure,” William bared his teeth in an eye-catching

am I supposed to enjoy that?” I

at least give me the first dance of the evening?” He stepped closer

Is he joking?

trying to leave his scent on me. I felt