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

for our packs. We had

you have delta” Elizabeth pursed her

Convermell a little frazzled by

Bladet modded and returned to

have dum tomorrow cleansing and praising–Anna,” Cea smiled

wouluver runes inscribed om my bucks for luck and fertility and then I would be tattooed with the sign of

Chapter 32

prepared for the tattoo?? Charibethegaverne a pitying look.

I am, I sheepishly tried to covernmyyfteam of the process.

be just fine.” Cea

came up behind

at the two girls in front of

1. me.

He k*ssed my cheek and walked

Okay?

Theo and James didinoideum Grayson as Charlie

of telling me he

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

good night

to me as we waited outside otudocomdoors.

it,” I felt like

to me and went into his room.

softly said as I walked to my

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

I was supposed to go to the moompoobladbecam kay in there until

eldrescoeeftonme.

“Aunette.”

“Ginyon??”

He was supposed to sleep and he was not supposed thatbome.

arms to

felt transpar

be nervitustooky, Timewalked towards me each step

you should

caught even though there was nothing to cath

Chapter 32

her today, I don’t want you or her to worry,” He cupped my face, and

breath vanished.

you tonight.” He k*ssed my cheek and walked

lighting my

door feeling like I had missed something important. He had never touched me

had never brought his l*ps

each other it was easy to say I wanted to wait and I wanted time before we touched one another but when he was close and blurred the lines we had drawn in the sand I felt like there was only

need more

forced myself to move from my spot and go to the forest. This heat would be

sweet sort of cool. It didn’t bite or

around you.

I got to the man–made pond. It was a shallow pond with rocks on the bottom in an open clearing of the woods. It was a perfect circle, and

and stepped into the water laying down gradually and dipping my head under

moment.

her. I wanted to know why I had been given a soulmate and then

the pond. Most brides say you can feel yourself become

I was waiting. Waiting for Grayson. Waiting for answers. Waiting to know if

closed my eyes

“Anna,

“Anna,”

fluttered open the sun was out… Had I fallen

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 mother

and I felt the eyes on me. The onyx ones that belonged to the wolf I was waiting for.

not supposed to watch me

hapter 32

We walked back to my house and I put on a small thing white gown.

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

oils into my scalp and almond oil

long and happy life with Grayson and many pups

1. mc.

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

for this my pup?” she whispered

“Yes, mama,”

eyes were 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 all the

face was massaged by Amaria who chanted a prayer I did not

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

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

up in a braid after

to be put on me?”

tickled so I had to keep my laughter in. While the elders wrote on me Ella walked