Stronger by Ang Chris

As was the tradition I was bathed the morning of the tournament. I had herbs and scent blockers placed all over me.

I was dressed in a simple blue dress that was cotton and flowed. It didn’t go past my knees so that I wouldn’t attract attention.

My mother put my hair in a simple braid. She covered me in a jacket.

She k*ssed my cheeks and left me with Gia and Cea.

They had to watch me until it was time.

I wasn’t allowed to leave until there were only five men left.

I had selected 10.

I didn’t even know who to hope for. I hadn’t said a word all morning. I ate what they placed in front of me and drank when told to. I felt hollow.

Something was missing. I felt like I was betraying a part of myself. I didn’t know everything I needed to.

I felt like I should be doing something anything to fix this.

Then at the same time, I was so ready to find the person I was going to spend my life with today. The outcome wasn’t the problem, it was the Who.

I felt like I was hurting someone. I had no clue why.

My mother closed the door and my heart picked up pace.

What was I missing? Why was there this gnawing feeling clawing up my arms and wrestling into my tummy?

I had done everything I could this week to find someone I’d like. They still had to prove their strength but I believed in them.

Believed in who?

There was someone I was hoping for. I felt it like a pinprick on my tongue. There was something that I knew was waiting and I couldn’t quite get to it.

“You ready for this?” Cea grabbed my arms and spun me towards her. “I’ll run if you want as fast as we can,”

I shook my head before I even thought.

There was something about to happen.

“Are you alright?”Gia rubbed my shoulder. “You look like you’re gonna pass out,”

“No,” my voice was so serious. “I’m ready. I’m ready,”

I was ready. I wanted to be there to go now. I felt a strong pull forward.

*Something was going on. *

to mask my scent and witness the strength of the man who wanted

room anxious that I was not out there yet. I

father’s voice

spun towards the window

*I needed more. *

me needed

you?” Cea walked into

to be out

Gia smiled

what I needed. I

I don’t know.

was out there

“Anna?”

crowd made my heart leap

*Yes hurry. Hurry. *

“Anna?”

get out there.

my lungs growing with every breath making

there were growls and a smile broke out on my face. I heard grunts and cheers from the crowd, calls

take wolf form or human form; that choice was up to the group

chose human for

heard yelps and gasps and screams. People japong at the men who fell and others

me go. Let me go.

“Anna?”

into my room. They were falling and I could see them

be

“Anna!”

quickly looking into the eyes of

my eyes confused as to my actions. I was too but most of me craved to be

stepped out of

running leaving my shoes where they had been

not stop myself. My b*dy was like an arrow loose for its target.

turn around now. No need to stay here in the

hall and steps watching my feet while maintaining my pace, careful

burst out the front door of my home and did not even notice the tile

forward desperation was all I could

*Take me there *

had were gone. This destiny was all I had to find and

going down the road kicking up the rocks behind me furthering myself faster so I

crowd of my people in a circle and I smelt

I smelled him.

The pine.