Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 32

“Now I’ll see you in the morning my pup,” my mom k*ssed my forehead and my dad hugged me goodnight.

Grayson stood waiting for me. I wouldn’t sleep much tonight. I had to get up early and go the moon pool for cleansing.

The dinner had gone better than I had thought….

“It’s so good to see you!” I jumped into Cea’s arms.

“Anna! Oh my goddess I have missed you!” she held me in the vice grip of her arms.

“You look good,” James came up to me and gave me another tight and cozy hug.

“How have you been?” I looked at him with worried eyes I know I shouldn’t treat him like this it’ll only frustrate him

but I had been worried about him and his chaotic moods.

“Really you’ve been worried about me with the hell you’ve been put through?” he looked over me to Grayson.

“James there will be a time for that,” Charlie did not look upset with James at all he looked like a strategist getting

what they needed.

“Theo,” I walked over to him and hugged him, bringing my face to his car. “You will behave right?”

“He accepted the challenge,” he whispered back to me.

E

“Mama, Papa, this is Amaria Adams Grayson’s mother,” I introduced my mother–in–law to my parents without thinking, remembering at the last second they knew each other. I cursed to myself and shook my head.

“Amaria!” my mother gave her a warm hug and a k*ss on the cheek.

“Eva you look as radiant as ever I’m still jealous of you!” Amaria chuckled.

“Amaria,” my father gave her a quick hug. “I am indebted to you for the kindness you have shown my daughter,”

“No. We are family there are no debts between us,” She shook her head and rolled her eyes and my father’s traditionalism.

“You’ve done so much though,” I spoke up behind her.

“I know, I never said I didn’t deserve the praise I just said they shouldn’t feel indebted, “She winked at me.

“Come on let’s eat,” She looped her arm through my mother’s and they walked ahead.

Cea grabbed my hand and we walked behind them. Chatting mindlessly like we always do. I knew everything that had happened with her and she knew everything that had happened with me but in person was much different.

“Theo has puppy fever I can’t take it!” she looked like she was going to pass out.

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Chapter 32

“Really? I mean well yeah no I could see it being him wanting kids,” I realized my brother was much like my father, a

family man..

We ate roasted rabbit, with salad and bread. My brothem are more than their share and James talked a lot with Matt. I felt like that could be a good thing Matt was very lewell–headed and James could use someone outside the family to tal

1. TO.

“You seem to have an abundance of resources, Grayson Chutie started up.

“He should have called him Alpha Charlie isniti one toitegen that type of thing.

“Grayson has many exports for the pack and looks after all of them, jumped in, staring down my brother challenging him to behave. Just for tonight..

“Annette would be far better at it than I would she toolsover fem in complet days while I helped shore up our northern defenses and she had many wonderful suggestions,” He spoke calmity and reserved which surprised me since he didn’t like disrespect.

“Annette is always better,” Charlie clasped his hands and leaned his elbow on the table. “She deserves the world,”

“Charlie you’re too sweet. You know I think you should talk to Aarrom the data the trains the warriors here they train: differently than our warriors it might be worth discussing,” I stopped Charlie from starting anything

“Ele hasn’t acted like this in a long time what is going on with him!”

decided now would be a good time to introduce Cea to the friends live made here so that some tension would diffuse

nditted over to Ella and Charlotte.

“Can this is Blin and Charlotte they are my friends and this is Elizabeth she’s been my guide here she’s Aarons’s wife,” expilaimed and they all gave their hello and introduction, and good to meet you.

samice to meet you guys,” Cea laughed. “I have heard a lot about you.”

“Lumu Armulis always talking about you and she’s missed you so much,” Ella beamed.

Chentimes wife?” Elizabeth

our packs. We had no

delta” Elizabeth pursed her l*ps.

mated, Convermell a little frazzled by

modded and returned

cleansing and praising–Anna,” Cea smiled at the other

in the moon puil and then anointed with oils, herb balms, and scents. Afterward, I wouluver runes inscribed om my

Chapter 32

tattoo?? Charibethegaverne a pitying look.

am, I sheepishly tried to covernmyyfteam of the

be just fine.” Cea nudged

up

looked up at the two girls in front of

1. me.

He k*ssed my cheek and walked off

Okay?

calmly. Theo and James didinoideum

thenthatmintent of telling me he was going to bed what

together all the rooms had beeffumished for them to stay in. My mom

said good night and now.

me as we waited outside

if you’ll make it,” I felt like wassdiecaming We were saying this because. tomorrow we began our journey

nodded to me and

Grayson, I softly said as I walked to

pitch black sky that sparkled with

room. I was supposed to

eldrescoeeftonme.

“Aunette.”

“Ginyon??”

the gray’darkness. He was supposed to sleep and

and crossed my arms

felt transpar

Timewalked towards me each step spiking my heart rate.

should goobtube, telli

were going to get caught even though there was nothing to cath

Chapter 32

is restless. He knows he will be with her today, I don’t want you or

breath vanished.

He k*ssed my

you insist on lighting my b*dy on fire and

there staring at the closed door feeling like I had missed something important. He had

his l*ps to my skin before.

he was close and blurred the lines we had drawn in

need more

forced myself to move from my spot and go to the forest. This heat would be cooled eventually, today was

sweet sort of cool. It didn’t bite

around you.

bottom in an open clearing of the woods. It was a perfect circle, and at the bottom of the pool was a large circle crystal

off my nightgown and stepped into the water laying down gradually

moment.

goddess wanting answers from her. I wanted to know why

in the pond. Most brides say you can feel yourself become ready for the life you will lead

Waiting for Grayson. Waiting for answers. Waiting to

and closed my

“Anna,

“Anna,”

sun was out… Had I fallen asleep?

with a robe as the elders turned their back out of respect. Amaria was the only one who didn’t as she would now also be my mother in the eyes

silence and I felt the eyes on me. The onyx ones that belonged to the wolf

not supposed to watch

hapter 32

walked back to my house and

a ritual tent to have my b*dy prepared. The elders did this so

my scalp and almond oil on my skin.

behind me asking for a long and happy life

1. mc.

on. My mother comb my hair which was now slick with the various treatments to make it healthy and beautiful for my

for this my pup?” she

“Yes, mama,”

of sleep as the time went on. My hair was washed in water for a long time to get all the substances out.

by Amaria who chanted a prayer

graceful aging,” she whispered to me. They scrubbed my skin and then began

each part of my b*dy. I felt like I was going to sl*p right off the pillow I was on.

a braid after something

are going to be put on me?”

had me sit up to inscribe the runes on my back. The ink was cold and the brush tickled so I had to keep my laughter in. While the elders wrote on me Ella walked over and placed some sort of cream on my sternum to numb me for the laborious process of the tattoo.