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.

for fear she’d tell me he would

“Navy blue,” I mumbled

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

nerves calmed a little at

Matt said that he takes advice from

the clothes I was keeping and began putting

at the

gonna take a

you really have to bring them all?” Cea whined next to me

without them,” I sternly

through this I needed a place of escape. Reading never failed to take

1

this?” Cea picked up the ring

and furniture to get to her and stop her from opening it but to

“What on earth is this! Oh, it

ice blue sapphire ring that had

so that the ring could dazzle in the sunlight of

the ring from Cea. “It’s gorgeous, when did he give you this? Is it

at me so confused as to why no

known Grayson was my mate I would have worn it with pride, but I hadn’t, and I didn’t fully trust the

Now it was still in the box because it felt wrong to

couldn’t bring myself to put it on when I felt this valley

request,” Ella walked over and admired it. “She has exquisite

looked

that is a claim on me,” I gave her a

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

gave me my ring he’d let me pick it out with him,” Cea showed

with two pear-shaped diamonds on the side on a gold band in a

gifted rings it meant they were forever bonded

me it was a way

Now it felt cheap.

found me his soulmate and he wasn’t even talking to

goddess at creation and it felt like he didn’t

pricking my

nothing ever goes as it does in your head. I will not be mad at him for

mother and placed it in the bag

it safe but won’t

you didn’t like it,” Ella chimed in looking at me

her hand, shaking it once for reassurance. “I just can’t wear it until I know him,” I

half the books were packed and with endless complaints from Cea about my hobby I suggested she break with the books and pack

us some sandwiches,” my mother excused

it’s fair that’ll you be three thousand miles from me,” Cea sat down beside me