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

own. Of course, we had close relations so they could have protection and we could have influence. I knew they wanted their son to have me.

and hugged me tightly. “Your elegance is the envy of any woman, you will be a force to be

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

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

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

“but think of how wonderful your life

from

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

alpha blood!” His mother hissed

compete I will not survive the first round even if I’m chosen,” he countered and turned to me “even if

smiled at his logic and abashedness. “I still have a lot of talking to do before I choose who will compete,” I smile and Theo begins to drag me

but at least alpha

on one and learn what their packs are like and in the end, their strength will be tested in a centuries-old tradition of

have faith that the goddess will choose a strong and

attack me for not choosing him. How many

looked at me pityingly.

my eyes

Alpha Romano and his son Sean,” Theo

us is

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

most wonderful sight I’ve seen yet,” Sean smiled and grabbed my hand for a

do hope your travel hasn’t tired you?”

He stated,

god, this man

And the Alpha and Luna of the frozen moon pack in Alaska. My sister has always wanted to see the snow,” Theo nodded to the pair poking into the conversation. Their son stood a

my genetics but I did not find myself stirring for a walking stick of a man.

me, but

smiled. “May I introduce myself? I’m Luna Maria. My husband Alpha

so thankful for the invitation,” Alpha Jacob

were not 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 people. They had beyond hundreds of wolves in their

has much need for a strong

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

Peter laughed. It did not

never seen snow?” Luna Maria blurted

is not common at all for snow in Georgia,” Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked that his time

you come from Virginia don’t you alpha

it once and it melted instantly I’m sure you have no shortage in your

you’ll never be without it,” Peter helped to calm

I should look forward to a conversation with him as he didn’t seem bad

Theo took my

went along with the flow of the party meeting Alphas and their sons and some brought their betas or

at me with Charlie now taking my arm.

was tall, broad, tan, and had the darkest eyes I

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

forearm a little

two come from California?” I questioned

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

am I supposed to enjoy that?” I straightened my

you’d at least give me the

Is he joking?

could smell him. He was trying to leave his scent on