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.

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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.

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“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.

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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?!

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*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,‘

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you smell of something

alpha. I however was of fully forged alpha blood, born of even two alohas. my senses were higher

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sweetness of…of..” My mind failed to find the word that

his brows together wondering why I was so interested in this scent and why I was acting mystified

at the other men attempting to push this desire from my head and my gut. Still, I felt it creeping through me like warmth on cold nights. Filling me up.

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take down the flea who was flirting first as he was distracting this esteemed pack’s line.

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small young boy. He was not ready for men like this. These men wanted to bed a woman like no

was

to want her? How did they think they had the right to her? There were dogs! On leashes of their fathers!

be allowed to breathe!

rise to the surface like lightning. He wanted

“What was happening?

enthralled for a fight the urge to

to keep me from killing any of these men. I feel as though I’m losing my

match my mood. I had no clue why I was on edge

my shoes. The ground was rocky and had patches

clothes. I prefer my pants to be tight so I don’t give my opponents a place to grab me.

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

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forward. His teeth bared. My eyes flashed

“Grayson!”

but the voice of the

all competing males come to ring!” Alpha Jonathan announced.

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“Yes”

growled. He wanted their blood; he was hungry for the crunch of their bones

Chapter 7

Not worthy

Enzo what do you mean? The pull for the ring ahead of

seemed to think

Line up

let me kill them. I will not be in control,” I called over my shoulder. No longer

let the inky black cover my eyes fully he was in control

this but

her weaving her strings at this moment creating a

pits of my mind unable to

was dripping down my

will all compete in a melee tournament every man

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

growled deeply within me

not here. *

a stickler for tradition. Another

into the ring. A layer of bricks was all that generated us from the crowd. Wolves tended to enjoy a

over with. *

fight in hand–to–hand combat only! Any man attempting to use weapons

staring down the cannon fodder before him. I felt him pacing

could not understand his agitation but I knew there was a reason for

the right man win!” Alpha Jonathan called out and

in my head I decided I would only stop Enzo from

nervous

drooled at the thought of his pain.

the man next to him with a

here so I knew they would try and

man did charge me while

ran at me as only knelt in half so he flung

attention of the mouse who had thought of winning a

his original opponent fled the