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

close relations so they could have protection and

smiled and hugged me tightly. “Your elegance is the envy

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

he is on the younger side I hope you’ll give him

my darling,” Xavier chuckled. “Our

“but think of how

Alex came from behind his

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

blood!” His mother hissed

chosen,” he countered

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

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

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

old-fashioned but I have faith that the goddess will

doesn’t try and attack me for not choosing him. How many men are here

looked at me pityingly.

know,” I close my eyes and pull

and his son Sean,”

us is breathtaking,”

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

and

hope your travel hasn’t tired you?”

an eight-hour drive,” He

god, this man

to see the snow,” Theo

a walking stick of a man. I was used to bulkier men, ones that looked

did not intrigue me, but

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,”

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.

need for a

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

laughed. It did not meet his

seen snow?” Luna Maria blurted

common at all for snow in Georgia,” Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked

from Virginia don’t you alpha Romano,”

only seen it once and it melted instantly I’m sure you have no shortage

without it,” Peter helped

look forward to a conversation with him as he didn’t seem bad and his

Theo took

of the party meeting Alphas and their sons and some brought their betas or Gammas along. A few

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

and had the darkest eyes I had ever

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

a

from California?” I

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

that?” I straightened my spine and knit

least give me the first dance of the evening?”

Is he joking?

to leave his scent on me. I felt