Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 29

“Okay so tell me how you went from trying to binding?” Cea giggled over the phone.

“It’s more about safety than anything but I trust him enough to do this he has given me everything I need to go through with this,” I shrugged and poured myself a glass of wine.

“Safety? How dangerous is it out there?” Cea panicked.

“Preventative measures,” I fibbed but only slightly.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

You know what’s not easy. Lying to the person who knows you best in the world.

“No no but ugh you got me off topic. There is a favor I need to ask,” I prayed to the goddess she would help me.

“Anything its your binding!” She squealed for me,

“I need you to stop my family from killing Grayson in a ceremonial fight the day before my binding,” I hurried my words in a begging whiny tone.

There was silence and then ferocious laughter as the phone possibly clattered to the floor.

–

“No, this is his payback,” she spoke through large gaps of laughter.

“Cea please please please okay it’s my binding and he has apologized. He has told me everything and we are enjoying each other’s company more and more,” I pleaded with her hopelessly.

“Annette you are my best friend but this is, it’s gonna be good for him. You’ll see. I love you buh bye!” She sang to me as she cut the call short.

This is what I get for having a protective best friend, life is never easy when people who love you dearly are okay with murder. * (1

I called the person who hopefully wouldn’t overreact. “Mama?”

“Annette oh my love! How is everything going pup,” She exclaimed. She and I had been texting and calling all day.

“Mama I need you to do me a favor,” I really hope my mom will listen to me. She doesn’t know the full extent like Cea does but she doesn’t like Grayson much either.

“Of course whatever you need,”

“Okay mama so I’m there is a ceremonial fight between Grayson and any male members of my family. Umm can you please tell them all not to like go for like you know the jugular or anything?” She was my last resort.

“Honey….” She uttered. “Umm. No,”

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Chapter 29

“Mom? Wha- Mom!” I shouted into the phone.

“You should know in a large family no secret is safe. Cea told Then, Theo told Charlie and James, Charlie told your father, your father told me, James and Cea confirmed in My mother confronted me. “He left you in nothing but a towel without a word,”

“Mom he didn’t l–This will be disastrous for everyone involved Grayson won’t like being attacked so harshly

“I deserve it,”

I spun around to see Grayson grabbing a bottle of whisky

“I left you in a towel. I isolated you, this is my trial to bind with you. It’s why we do it.” He walked over and grabbed the phone from me. “I will accept whatever they throw at me. Luna Esa it will be wonderful to see you all again,” he handed the phone back to me.

“Anna?! Did he just accept the challenge?” My mother was honestly stunned because she was silent.

“He. Did.” I sighed.

I quickly hung up the phone with my mom.

up

head out of the door of

don’t know if you know but brothers are highly overprotective if they have

He spun on his heels and started

kill you!” I

of you,” He shrugged. “Good night Annette,

to a closing

going to

in the loving glow of my mother

know it is not what you want but this is best and you two will come together much better

called to me from her braid of

was a warrior behind her but not one from this pack. One of mine.

up from my

his head

it had been in the back of my

well. She is well here,” He took his phone out and showed me the photo of her trying to

“I grinned looking at the teeny tiny baby trying to take a

you from your mother,” He handed me a

the pavilion where the women were braiding flowers into garlands

shiny and soft to the touch. My eyes were a soft blue

on the balls of my feet.

asked from behind me.

looked over my shoulder.

glad,” He

face someone who knew me my whole life. Liam was even older than Charlie but I had been on my own for

turned to him,

are growing and the pups are…restless my boys dear goddess. The three in school oh no it’s not

so pleased to be with someone I know. Someone I could talk to easily

my

find a mate it’s not going easy

my binding probably isn’t helping,”

mother has that to focus on so she isn’t focusing on

1. me.

tracks to question me. “I don’t I’m not trying to…you saved my daughter and my wife. I

I poked over at the pavilion the people

376

confessed. “I know no one. My mate he is not, fully prepared for a life long relationship. I want nothing more than to find peace, but

be happy to watch you bind. Your mother said you will have

course! Will Patricia be

and the baby is

tell her to come I will make sure the baby and you are taken care of a guest bedroom will be

of my

my family doesn’t kill

more about home….”

had never been particularly close to him or

didn’t sound like much progress had been made. He told

and I had him tell me more as I returned to the pavilion to clear away the flower garlands and runners. I cleaned up the floor as we spoke and listened

the Keep has been prepared for you it’s connected to a room for your boys,” I explained to him as

sit

heard Matt call for

this is beta Matthew O’Connell,” I introduced

waited for my mate. I wanted my old pack member to see that everything was

came

Liam from my pack he

hand, not an ounce of pleasantry on

was your day?” I

going for our binding.” He gave a sideways

should be happy Liam was willing to leave to his mate and seven kids including a