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.

she’d tell me he would never bind

“Navy blue,” I mumbled

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

calmed a little at

wasn’t against binding to me for all his people know. Matt said that he takes advice from his people so this is a

clothes I was keeping and began putting them

the

is gonna take a

all?” Cea

leaving without them,”

was going to go through this I needed a place of escape. Reading never failed to take me to whoever

1

this?” Cea picked up the ring

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

my eardrum. “What on earth is this! Oh, it is so beautiful! How

ice blue sapphire ring that had a halo of diamonds

dazzle in the sunlight of the

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

confused as to why

I would have worn it with pride,

shown his face. Now it was still in the box because it felt wrong to wear a

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

at Grayson’s request,” Ella walked over and admired it.

looked at

don’t know him but that is a claim on me,” I gave her a half-truth so my doubts weren’t exposed to his pack

it back 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

me pick it out with him,” Cea showed off

was a marquise-cut ruby with two pear-shaped diamonds on the side

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

he’d gifted me a ring before ever even meeting me it was a way for him to show his

Now it felt cheap.

soulmate and

by the goddess at creation and it

pricking

nothing ever goes as it does in your head. I will

from my mother and placed it in the

it safe but won’t wear

said he was worried you didn’t like it,” Ella chimed in looking at me

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

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

make us some

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