Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 17 | was introduced to his Gamma Leon Karl. He was another large man which looking around seemed to be a theme. He was their trade manager and my age. Then | met his Delta Aaron Hokk and his wife Elizabeth. Arron was the lead healer and he and his wife helped train the warriors.

1 Then | met his unbelievably beautiful mother. Her eyes were almost golden and her hair was raven black and curly. She had age but her youth was palpable.

“Mrs. Adams it's so wonderful to meet you,” | tried not to stutter or waver my voice as | spoke.

“Annette. I'm so blessed you're my sons soulmate. The goddess was wise to give such a jewel a safe home,” she huggedso tightly | couldn’t help but reciprocate.

“If you need anything, you cto me. | will make sure everything is to your taste. | will help you tomorrow after | make you schocolate chip pancakes. They're Grayson’s favorite. She fixed my hair as she spoke and smiled at her son.

“Mother,” Grayson gave a warning tone looking away from the both of us.

“Oh. Look at him he’s embarrassed doesn’t he look cute when he’s embarrassed,” she nudgedlaughing joyfully.

“Now now, “she clapped her hands, getting the attention of the crowd. “I know everyone is excited to meet this beautiful luna of ours but they have driven a long distance and I'm sure are exhausted. We will see more of our lovely girl tomorrow,” she smiled and usheredthrough the crowd, her arm around my shoulders.

We cto a brick path that had lanterns lighting the x | “Now. | am his mother so I'm a bit partial but | know he can be a bit of an ass,” she calmly spoke toand I did not hide my wide eyes at her words. “So tellhow warm of a welcdid you get?” | gaped for a second, my mouth hanging open like a mounted fish. “Umm |” was the only thing I could get out.

“I'm serious, don’t be shy,” she grabbed my hand as we kept walking,” You are his soulmate bound at creation by the goddess herself. So | see you as my daughter too. Tellthe truth,” It seemed she knew he would behave this way as if she had expected his coldness and detachment.

“He’s barely spoken to me. Yet he’s possessive. | know he feels the pull of our bond but he keeps himself away from me,” | gave her what she wanted.

| had only texted Cea and my brothers about what had been happening. | didn’t want to worry my parents and | knew they'd be pissed.

She sighed heavily, “I swear, | warned him to go into this with an open heart,” she rolled her eyes with a shake of her head. “I knew he’d be guarded though. He does not trust anyone easily,” “But why?” She stopped and pursed her I*ps contemplating the answer. Then with a nod of her head, she began walking.

“His father. Grayson’s father left when Grayson was 10. He had never been around much, to begin with. When he left everything rested on Grayson but of course, | took over most of it,” “Oh.” | blinked.

*That certainly explains a lot. * “Grayson never speaks of him and | don’t blhim. That man has beca ghost of his. I will tell him I told you so you don’t get in trouble but until then don’t say a word to him,” she warnedpatting my hand.

“I can assure you though once he sees how stunning you are, b*dy and soul. He will never let you go,” she squeezed my hand.

In the distance through the trees, | caught a glimpse of a house. What | assumed to be our house.

“He even built this for you,” she looked atknowingly.

A large log cabin stood beforeat the end of the path. It had a porch with rocking chairs and flower beds of hydrangeas in front. It was two stories and the wood was a honey color with Dark brown wood shingles on the roof and large front windows on both floors. It took my breath away.

She walkedup the front steps and sat down within rocking chairs.

“Ill let him show you the inside,” she explained.

“When he turned 18 he was determined to find a Luna a strong one too. He looked at the women from our pack and the women from neighboring packs and selected the best warrior and was going to go on a date with each of them,” she started telling me.

“But | knew your father. He was supposed to fight in the tournament forbut he’d won your mother and was head over heels for her. | tell you when | saw them together that man chased after her like a dog in heat. He couldn’t go a second without holding her in his arms,” she smiled looking far off as if the memory was in the distance.

“Anyways that’s off-topic | do that from tto t| always go off on a tangent. Like right now anywho. So | knew about you. | knew that all of this competition for my son was going to create infighting as it did,” she shrugged and rolled her eyes.

“So | told him to hold off on the dates and tell the women you need tas something has cup. He did because, for the most part, he listens to me,” “I went to Georgia, | took a look at you from a distance. You were only fourteen at the tand I didn’t want you to think about any of that mess yet, | can back and | told Grayson there was a female aloha raised by a good family who is perfect for our people and | asked him to wait. | told him that he should compete for you because | knew what it was like and that you needed a safe home,” My heart melted at her kindness toa girl she had never properly met. She had been in my situation and wanted to givethe safety she had never had.

“You are so generous Mrs. Adams,” | hugged her because that was the right thing to do to someone who quite possibly saved my life.

“Oh, goddess. Callmom, you hear me,” she squeezedback.

| kept the tears brimming in my eyes together but for what she had done | will always be grateful.

“I know you're a female alpha too but that means so much,” | sniffled.

“I was gifted. I'm nothing like you, my dear. The goddess gave my family a prize but you. You're generations of golden blood,” Oh. Sometimes the goddess will bless a random pack with a female alpha, or in my case, it’s a family trait that gives centuries of strength that grows with every generation. His mom did have better genes than most but | had three or four people combined withinto give even more strength.

“Mother,” Grayson called, carrying the luggage with Mattew, Aarron, Leon, Brian, and four other men.

“Ah, the cavalry has arrived. You may take the luggage inside. Anna, Elizabeth, and | will put it away tomorrow,” she pointed to the front door.

“Yes mam,” he grunted. Opening the door.

1 He was holding three boxes full of books. His arms bulged but still, he looked unbothered. His shoulders appeared even wider and firm. | wanted to rub my hands over them and down his limbs to put his rough hands on my waist again.

“You seem hungry Anna,” my mother-in-law grinned atwith a knowing look with a wink.

1 | must have turned redder than a tomato because she busted out laughing a musical laugh throwing her hands up.

1 squeezed my eyes shut laughing with her at myself. This woman was contagious. 2 After they put the boxes in the house Amaria stood and left huggingand Grayson goodbye. She shooed the men away as she walked.and my mate were alone in our house.

“Can | show you the house?” he turned his head togesturing inside.

“Of course,” | smiled, still shining from his mother’s infectious attitude.

We walked in and there was the entryway that had a wooden bench and smetal books to one side. The floor plan was open though. There was a huge living room with a u-shaped brown velvet couch and a tall rough stone fireplace that stretched up both levels.

The living room had ceiling to floor windows for the back wall that displayed the mountains beyond an expansive deck.

Beyond the entry wall of hooks and to the left of the living room was a kitchen. It had a massive island of marble with cherry wood cabinets. A stone range covers the oven. The oven by the way was professional. The fridge and freezer were the ssizes and Grayson could fit in them. The kitchen was also u-shaped and had a breakfast bar on its right.

There was the dining room that also had wall-to-ceiling windows but was not as tall as the living room. A deep brown table with benches sat beforeand an empty antique china cabinet.

“Goddess be,” | whispered.

“There's a pantry here,” | turned around to look at him and behind me, there was a walk-in pantry.

“And a powder room,” he pointed towards the wall that bordered the entryway.

“Over here,” he started walking and | had to jog to catch up to him.

* am 5’3 you mother f**ker. * 5 We walked past the living room to the room behind it and the stairs. “Is a guest room and upstairs,” he continued at his impressive pace.

We walked up the steps and cto the bedrooms of the house. There were a lot.

Okay, big family. You wanna push them out you giant.

| gave a sour look to his back.

6 There was an alcove of benches and three empty rooms. He pointed to the master suite and then pointed to a room next.

NIG to it.

“This is your room,” My room! “My room?” “Until we bind,” he nodded. He opened the door to showthe room of white furniture and a great bedspread.

With flower painting on the wall. looked at him with a single raised eyebrow.

*My room until you trust me.

1 0 “Do you not like it?” he asked, actually confused at my annoyance.

“Its not what | would have picked but it'll do,” | crossed my arms. “So you get the master suite?” He shifted his weight from side to side. “I built this for my family and when we bind you will move in with me,” “We are soulmates Grayson,” He shook his head. “Annette, we may lead this pack one day. That is an honor, we must strive to earn it. | need to know you're right for them as well,” “I have no doubts about you Grayson. Or at least | didn’t,” | walked into my room and closed the door in his face.

“Goodnight Annette,” he spoke beyond the wood.