Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 7

I had smelt seawater. So many people were sweating and excited and I could smell seawater.

“Alpha,” my beta nodded, greeting me.

“Matt,” I smiled clapping his shoulder.

“What’s she like?” I looked around at the busy people frantic with anticipation. They wanted to to watch the men tear each other apart for their females.

2

It was in our species‘ nature to be excited at battle and competition. Not only did they want the combat and blood they wanted someone worthy.

Was it wrong that I wanted her to be worthy of my pack too? She was a female alpha and I sympathize with the pressure on her but I wanted a luna my pack would be amazed at.

“She is…..strong. She held her composure at the indecency of the Crystal Ecl*pse men. Also, she is clever enough to be wary of a man who hasn’t shown up yet. she wanted to know your persona and the community she may help care for,”

I nodded, understanding his words. If I win and she becomes my luna I will want to see how she behaves with my people first so that she can be trusted. I put them above all else as their leader it is my job to protect and serve them.

1

“She is also devoted to her people, she cut a date she was enjoying short to help a mother who was birthing early. The babe was not breathing and Annette saved it,”

*Matthew was impressed. *

My beta is a discerning man. He came in my stead because I knew he would hold the priority of the pack’s best interest at heart.

7

To see him impressed told me my mother was right to come here.

She had heard of this family’s legacy but she knew this female’s father. Though they had a proud lineage they were humble and worked with their people. She said she had visited here once after my father died to see this girl. That was when my mother suggested I compete for her when the time came.

I am not compelled by my mother but a wise man listens to those who have seen a lifetime.

“You said she was enjoying the date she left?” I looked over the other men competing.

A taller lanky young man that seemed small in persona. A boy who looked far to you to be considered for this. Then

Chapter 7

there were two men chatting carelessly. I could identify Peter Saunik of the Frozen Moon pack. One of the largest packs out there. He was talking to a smaller man, I could see he had some muscle on him but they seemed for show not work. Two more men I deemed to be challenging. They seemed to be discussing strategy. There was a man off to the side looking up at the sun with a mindless look on his face. The final man was flirting?!

1

*He will go first. *

“I believe I will compete,”

When I said this I felt a certainty enter me. As if this was the most defining moment of my life.

I smelled the air allowing the sea to fill my lungs as I turned to my beta to discuss the strengths of each man and I caught something on him.

“What is that?” I asked him.

Matt looked at me eyeing my flashing change in demeanor.

“What is what Alpha?”

He used my title only when he thought I was angry as a way to show his respect for my authority.

I was not mad.

*No, I don’t think I’m mad but there is something on Matt. Some whiff of something on him. A hint of a need that I desperately craved more of. *

“Why do you smell sweet?” I stepped toward him.

“Sweet? Grayson are you alright? You seem like you’re…..hurting,‘

33

of

of fully forged alpha blood, born of even two alohas. my senses were higher than most wolves but even against alphas,

3

of…of..” My mind failed

together wondering why I was so interested in this scent and why

my head and my gut. Still, I felt it creeping through me like warmth on cold

Chapter 7

who was flirting first as he was distracting this

3

not ready for men like this. These men

was angry.

the right to her? There were dogs!

allowed to breathe!

felt my wolf rise to the surface like lightning. He wanted blood…… He

“What was happening?

for a fight the urge to

killing any of these men. I feel as though

wrapped my hands. His expression darkened but it did not match my mood.

and had patches of dirt or

so I don’t give my opponents a place to grab me. My shirt

the stupid boy smiling with some of the girls from a visiting pack their laughs at his jokes stirred the a few in

3

wolf. Enzo surged forward. His teeth bared. My

“Grayson!”

grabbed my shoulders but the voice of

come to ring!” Alpha

1

“Yes”

blood; he was hungry for

Chapter 7

Not worthy

you mean? The pull for the ring ahead of

men who seemed to think they had a

Line up

I called over my shoulder. No longer resisting the power bringing

black cover my eyes

why my wolf was acting like this but I knew better than to question the goddess’s actions.

feel her weaving her strings at this moment creating a

smell came to me again driving me to the pits of my mind unable to

down my throat coating

compete in a melee tournament every

tide pack was a large man. His sons beside him were also large but his wife was small, shapely,

deeply within me

not here.

for tradition. Another peak

of bricks was all that generated us from the crowd.

get this over with.

man attempting to use weapons will be disqualified!” The

my head staring down the cannon fodder

was a reason for it. I

the right man win!” Alpha Jonathan called out and the battle began.

from killing these men but allow him to

selected the lady’s man from the nervous bunch of men eyeing each

thought of his pain.

for the man next to him with

was the largest here so I knew they would try and save me for last.

man did charge me while I stalked

as only knelt in

of the mouse who had thought of winning a woman and

and his original