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 the

out

all aware of the bathroom incident and I don’t know if you know but brothers are highly overprotective

calm down,” He spun on his

will kill you!” I chased

of you,”

to a

to die.”

the loving glow of

best and you two will come together much better knowing how the other

to me from her braid

one from this pack. One of mine. My family’s

I sprung up from

bowed his head to me.

baby?” I asked, it had been in the back of my mind for a

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

tiny baby trying

brought this for you from your mother,” He handed me a

over to the tables of the pavilion where the women were

of navy blue. The fabric was shiny and soft to the touch. My eyes were a soft blue

on the balls of my feet.

Liam asked

course!” I looked over

He smiled.

was even older than Charlie but I had been on my own for so long getting a semblance of home I needed.

to

are growing and the pups are…restless my boys dear goddess. The three in

Not alpha strong but strong.” I felt so pleased to be with someone

have my parents been?”

hounding Charlie to find a mate it’s not going easy for him,” He furrowed his brows as he

goddess, my binding probably isn’t helping,” I shook

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

1. me.

He stopped in his tracks to question me. “I don’t I’m not trying to…you saved my daughter and my wife. I want to know that you are okay. I’m indebted to

world around me, the pines, the willows, the spruces. I poked over at the pavilion the

376

long relationship. I want nothing more than to find peace, but it will come I know it,” I declared to him and

bind. Your mother said you will have a

course! Will Patricia be

if you’d have the room and the baby is so small,” he

I will make sure the baby and you are taken care of a guest bedroom will be fine I’ll look for at bassinet for

love even more of my people to

family doesn’t kill my

me more

as he told me everything. I had never been particularly close to him or

about my family, how James has been. It didn’t sound like much progress had been made. He told me how my grandparents were doing their best to get home in time

more as I returned to the pavilion to clear away the flower garlands and runners. I cleaned

you it’s connected to a room for your boys,” I explained to him as people started

dinner together here come sit by me, I grabbed his arm.

Annette,” I heard Matt call

beta Matthew O’Connell,” I introduced the

to the dinner table as I waited for my mate. I wanted my old pack member to see that

voice came

I stood. “This is Liam from my pack he brought the fabric for my binding dress,”

shook Liam’s hand, not an ounce of pleasantry on his face.

your day?” I tried to make conversation.

well. How are things going for our binding.” He gave a sideways

was willing to leave to his mate and seven