Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 11

It felt like a dream a bit. Knowing this was the last day your home was your home. The feeling was not something natural. I felt hyper aware of the time going by.

Ella had come over after breakfast and we had started packing my clothes. My mother and Cea helped as well.

I kept stopping and looking around remembering forgotten moments of my childhood. Mornings before school, studying, sleepovers, dancing around, playing pretend. It felt like it had all happened in a split second.

Now I was supposed to pack all of it up and move myself across countries to live a life that always seemed like a far off island waiting for me.

What do you do when someday arrives?

1

“Anna remember you’ll get plenty of clothes there so don’t pack everything,”

I sighed looking at my hoard of clothes and decided she may possibly be right.

I started sifting through my shirts deciding what I would like and what I would not. In truth I was ill prepared for the cold of Canada but I was excited all the same.

I decided to leave a good portion of my summer clothes for donation and I took all of my warm clothes. The two pairs of jeans that I had.

“A lot of the women on our land wear skirts during winter because the harvest is over, it’s like wearing a blanket,” Ella told me.

“I suppose I’ll have to learn to make some,”

“You’ll want some sweaters too. And some long underwear if you ever go out for a winter hunt. Alpha loves to ice fish and snowmobile as well so I suggest we order you some,” Ella recommended.

1

It was nice that she was here. It helped me to have someone to teach me about the new life I would have. Grayson was too busy or distracted to do so.

I looked around my room as this surge of doubt entered me. It felt like a wave washing up inside my b*dy.

Should I leave my home for him? He had barely spoken to me. I had to force him to go to dinner.

I knew that this was going to be difficult. I could feel the wall of a challenge rising in front of me. Was I ready for this when I had no idea it would be worth it?

I had no clue what was holding him back, I had no clue if he saw me as a mistake. Should I leave all of this for a risk that would shatter me?

And if I stayed? I would never know.

I shoved a lot of my clothes into garbage bags for donation. His pack did make clothes so I shouldn’t bring too much

anyways.

“Anna before I forget what color silk do you want for your binding dress?” my mother asked me and the whole room stopped.

all for fear she’d tell me he

“Navy blue,” I mumbled

eyes that’ll be perfect. You’re tan right now too so I know you’ll

nerves calmed a little

me for all his people know. Matt said that he takes advice

and began putting them in boxes and set aside some for the

I looked at the

is gonna take a

bring them all?” Cea whined next to me flopping

without them,” I sternly

place of escape.

1

Cea picked up the ring

to her and stop

My! GODDESS!” Her squeal pierced the air and my eardrum. “What on earth

out the large ice blue sapphire ring that had

dazzle in the sunlight of

gasped taking the ring from Cea. “It’s gorgeous, when

over at me so confused as to why no one had

worn it with pride, but I hadn’t, and I

shown his face. Now it was still in the box because it felt wrong to wear a ring when he wasn’t talking to me

it on when I felt this valley

at Grayson’s request,” Ella walked over and

my mother looked at me

feels sudden to wear a ring like that. I don’t know him but that is a claim on me,” I gave her a half-truth so my doubts weren’t exposed

in the box. I understand. Your father didn’t give me my ring until three years into our marriage. For humans, this came after getting to know one another but for us, it comes before…and you my pup see it as the promise it is,” she hugged

ring he’d let me pick it out with him,” Cea showed off her

a marquise-cut ruby with two pear-shaped diamonds on the side on a gold band in a cathedral

in a mate’s relationship when a couple gifted rings it meant they were forever bonded in this life and

meeting me it

Now it felt cheap.

me his soulmate and he

goddess at creation and it felt like he didn’t

began pricking my

it does in your head. I will not be mad at him for not conforming to my

and placed it in the bag I’d packed

safe but won’t wear

worried you didn’t like it,” Ella chimed

reassurance. “I just can’t wear it until I know him,” I shrugged and went over to my bookshelf and

hour only half the books were packed and with endless complaints from Cea about my hobby I suggested she break with the books and pack up some other

go make us some

me,” Cea sat