Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 23

“You’ll do fine, you just can’t fight her talk to her communicate let her take the lead she can show you the way.”

I had been trying to get this young wolf to try and turn for the past hour. She was young to have been able to call on her wolf. The fear runs deep when it happens before you’re ready.

“It won’t hurt,” I reminded her.

“I just–do–ah! I d–dont want to lose control,” she was starting to shiver and jerk. She was sweating and the longer she tried to keep her wolf at bay the worse it would get.

“Let her in. Come on it’s another side of you like your arm or your mind let her come out,” I rubbed her back and smoothed her hair.

“I’m scared,”

“Honey you have to listen to the Luna she’s telling you what to do,” her mother in the corner called to her.

“Shhh. Okay just relax and think of something you like. Don’t think about your wolf or a change think about a happy memory ” I kept her in my arms knowing if she relaxed she was going to shift.

“We won’t keep going?” her legs were trembling nonstop. Her wolf needed release.

“No…no we’re done,” I nodded.

“This is the only way she can relax the second she does her wolf will come forward and take over.

*

She breathed in relief and then shrieked as she began to shift. Her wolf took her chance and moved ahead.

A growl emitted from her and Seraphine took over to help calm her down.

Whimpering and whining escaped her wolf’s mouth before she began panting and her tail curled in. She backed into a corner and bred her teeth.

Seraphine’s green eyes spoke to her and she calmed when she realized she wasn’t alone.

“It’s okay, you have to work together talk to each other,”

I backed away as her wolf stood up and turned her head from side to side.

Chapter 23

*Find the common ground.

#

Slowly the small girl came out of her wolf and she curled up.

“I did it!” she whispered, still shaking.

I grabbed a blanket and wrapped her up in it her mother came running forward to hold her girl.

“I’m sorry I had to lie but your wolf would have hurt you forcefully coming forward,” I backed away to give her space.

“Her name mama…its emerald,”

*I think I’m no longer needed. *

I excused myself from their moment and walked out of her room and the house telling her father it was finished as I left.

She was so scared but she was only 11. There was no way she knew how to accept this other being in her mind. I can only imagine how horrified she was turning so aggressively last night.

Amaria had told me what had happened and asked me if I wanted to take over. It was my duty as Luna to help young female wolves transition, Grayson would help the males. We only step in if the family asks and these parents were not prepared thinking they still had time.

Amaria who is two houses down from them had been there all last night. I had no issue taking over and helping her to come together with her wolf. All morning she had tried shifting and her wolf was nowhere to be found then the second that her wolf appeared she became scared and started fighting the turn.

I walked myself towards my house to eat a long–awaited meal. It was almost noon and my stomach was empty.

I decided that a soup would be best so I could have plenty. I grabbed tomato sauce, leftover chicken, and a bunch of vegetables.

I put them all in seasons with herbs and spices as I munched on some cheese in waiting. Then the door opened.

“The warriors have tied up all defenses on the southern front so if anything should happen it’ll be okay,” Matt’s voice came around the corner.

“Something smells good,” Leon changed the subject.

“Grayson is your mom here?” Aarron ran into the kitchen.

I looked over from my place leaning on

apologies I thought Elder Amaria was cooking for us,” Aarron bowed

young wolf had an early transition and she had stayed with the girl all night I took over this morning.”

she? Did she hurt herself at all?” Aarron crossed

but some bandaids, but she came

enough for all of us,”

it simmer for

elsewhere,” Grayson

Matt patted his

want to

not my job as Luna to feed those who come into our house?” I dug into him with my eyes daring him to

over to the dining

I rolled my eyes and whipped my

I missing something?” Leon

mean,” I looked over my shoulder.

men went over to where Grayson sat and joined him. Grayson hushed his voice and continued with

The Crescent Mountain packs, the River Phase pack, and the Waxing Pride pack all have agreed to another season of trade,” he

We’re low on arrows there

bowls and continued to eavesdrop.

we give them some of our best pelts and fabric so they might

grabbed some bread and put it in the toaster.

we shall

them how?

are expecting their

“Darren has

Mett

to be clueless about

garlic powder on it. Then I filled the bowls with soup all the way

thank you,” Aarron

know,” Leon smirked at me.

is appreciated, “I nodded

my food and started heading away Matt called to

here, please join us,” Matt spoke up.

spun around and looked over at Grayson to gauge my response.

you’ve been kind enough to make our food,” Leon got up pulled put the chair next to

forward waiting for him to

around,” Matt

and began to eat. It was eerily quiet for a second or two and then

their first pup and it is custom to send a gift,” Matt looked

and some weapons will do,” He nodded to

close is our relationship with them?” I turned to

in the northern part of the province

source me some fabric I’ll make a baby blanket for them, and we will send it

“Fantastic,” Aarron exclaimed.

not good enough?” Grayson looked

kindness during moments like these grows strong bonds,” I looked down at my food feeling like an idiot I had spoken

i

I grabbed the bowls so I could wash them. Matt stared at Grayson for a second or two.

Anna,” He grabbed

I was surprised that one of them

the bowls in and then took the ones from me.

gentleman,” I

I wasn’t raised by wolves,” He joked.

like the worst

of wolf–related humor, there isn’t a single pup on the

come on! It’s a classic,” he

no I don’t care it’s just awful,” I shuddered.

soup away. I had planned on eating it the rest of the week but I guess I’ll only have something to eat tomorrow.

the men left, figuring I’d find Elizabeth and train

packs are and their leaders. The Waxing Pride pack to the north had Darren and Taylor. The Crescent Mountain pack was the closest to us on the other side of the range, their Alpha was Nial, their Luna Cassidy.

grilling pork, steak, and sausage. Elizabeth also decided it

have to admit that the cheese, fries, and gravy were a weakness of mine now. I had

“And?” Elizabeth asked.

do you really have to ask,” I chuckled

waited this long,” she

Elizabeth and trust her. I know she agrees with Grayson on waiting to give himself to me. I found that she

raised by wolves on the baby blanket for the Waxing

idea,” he nodded and