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.

wife?” Elizabeth

“You and I hold the same position for our packs. We had no delta hair son then unik over the role,”

delta”

never mated, Convermell a little frazzled by Elizabeth’s interrogation.

and returned to her food.

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

then anointed with oils, herb balms, and scents. Afterward, I wouluver runes inscribed om my bucks for luck and fertility and then I would

Chapter 32

prepared for the tattoo??

I am, I sheepishly tried to covernmyyfteam

just fine.” Cea

up behind

at his serious face. He looked up at the two girls in front of me and then to Cea and then back

1. me.

good night,” He k*ssed my cheek and walked off shaking his

Okay?

of the evening went calmly. Theo and James

night so aggressive and thenthatmintent of telling me he was going to bed what

all the rooms had

night and

me as

whole day alone I don’t know if you’ll make it,” I felt like wassdiecaming We were saying this because. tomorrow we began our journey to bind.

to me and went into

Grayson, I softly said as

to a pitch black sky that sparkled with the sscass. Tiemconthunglow and told n toogootor

out of my room. I was supposed to go to

eldrescoeeftonme.

“Aunette.”

“Ginyon??”

supposed to sleep and he

up slightly and crossed my arms to cover

felt transpar

be nervitustooky, Timewalked towards me each

you should

to get caught even though

Chapter 32

be with her today, I don’t want you or her to worry,”

breath vanished.

tonight.” He k*ssed my cheek and walked

you insist on lighting my b*dy on fire and walking away?

feeling like I had missed something important.

had never brought his l*ps to my skin before.

we had drawn in the sand I felt like there was only one thing to do. How could I not touch him

need more time…

to move from my spot and go to the forest.

onto the dirt which was the sweet sort of cool. It didn’t bite or claw at you, it soothed your

around you.

shallow pond with rocks on the bottom in an open clearing of the woods. It was a perfect circle, and at

water laying down

moment.

looked up at my goddess wanting answers from her. I wanted to know why I had been given a soulmate and then so

spread out to keep me afloat in the pond. Most brides say you can feel yourself become ready for the life you will lead

waiting. Waiting for Grayson. Waiting for answers. Waiting to know

out and closed my eyes letting

“Anna,

“Anna,”

eyes fluttered open the sun was out… Had I

my mother was waiting for me 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

in silence and I felt the eyes on me. The onyx

to watch me Enzo…

hapter 32

wolf. We walked back to my house and I put on a small

I was taken to a ritual tent to have my b*dy prepared. The elders did this so I would be

rubbing rosemary oils into my scalp and almond oil on

me asking for a long and happy life with Grayson and many

1. mc.

after oil went on. My mother comb my hair which was now

you ready for this my pup?”

“Yes, mama,”

closed and I felt myself drift in and out of sleep as the time went on. My hair was washed in water for a long time to get

chanted a prayer I did not

to me.

part of my b*dy. I felt like I was

was put up in a braid after something

are going to be put

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