Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 22 “So anyways. | had to explain to this poor cop that my new cousin was drunk and not having a seizure. Oh goodness, Maria was plastered that night if | knew she was a lightweight | wouldn't have started with tequila shots. That my dear is why you have your friends with you,” | had tears in my eyes from laughing so much at this ridiculous story. | was now fully aware that Amaria was a troublemaker, she had so many stories before her binding that | find it hard to believe that her pack survived her youth.

| finished my food and sat back sipping my wine, a contentment washing overas | chit-chatted with the people at our table.

Two young wolves approached the table their parents behind them and I sat up as their faces looked nervous.

Grayson too turned his head. “Is something the matter?” The voices in the pavilion cut out in a second.

“Alpha, Luna,” the young man bowed his head. “I would like to take Vivienne as my mate,” “You've been together for two years. | was wondering when this would happen,” Grayson’s I*ps quirked up into a smile.

“We ask for your permission to ctogether,” the young woman looked at the floor.

“Annette?” Grayson turned his head slightly. “Any objections?” “Will you love her every day even when she upsets you?” | looked over at the boy. He was older thanbut young. These two must have grown up together in their class.

“Yes, my Luna,” his head d popped up to look over at i at my question.

“Will you ever turn your back on her? Leave her alone? Let her go through trials by herself?” | continued. 1 “Never,” his spine straightened.

“Will you keep her happiness in your heart as your drive, always being open with her?” “Of course,” he grabbed her hand so strongly and the smile on her face was deafening.

“And you, will you support him through his fears? Will you keep him even when he seems far away?” | turned my attention to the girl.

“Yes Luma,” she raised her chin.

“Will you let him bare himself to you like nob*dy else? Keep his confidence? Bolster his faith in himself? Be unconditional to him?” “Every day” she looked over at him their love a strong chain encircling them.

“If you promise to never forsake each other | would be overjoyed to see your binding!” | nodded to them breaking into a bright smile.

*Someone should feel that. When you agree to forever with someone you should never doubt their dedication to you. You should trust their every intention. ” “I agree you two will be bound,” Grayson stood up. “After Luna Annette and | are bound these two will be allowed to ctogether before the goddess!” 1 So certain Grayson if only they knew.

The girl jumped into her male’s arms and their parents clapped the loudest out of the crowd of the pavilion.

| grabbed my plate and headed to the sinks to wash it. Everyone washed their plates for the next day. | dried it and set it down.

“I'm going to rest,” | nodded to the table and everyone wisheda good night.

| walked out of the crowd giving my congratulations to the couple who returned with their tanks for approval.

| stepped down to the brick path of the main square and took off my shoes. They were new and had been rubbing my feet all day.

| got to my empty house and called my best friend.

“Hey, everything good?” Cea'’s voice rang through my speaker.

“Yeah, missing home,” | dropped my shoes by the door and made my way to my bedroom.

“You sound sad. What did he do now!” she slammed something down on her end? “Nothing. We had a couple ask us for permission to bind. Their love was clear as day,” | crawled into my massive barren bed.

“Oh.... Are you sure you're okay?” “I don’t know. I've found a place here. | help anywhere and everywhere and | spend my days with people who have welcomed me. Then | g hand...there’s nothing,” | held myself together needing to have her arms around me.

“Is he there at all?” she huffed.

“He’s here but not. | don’t see him, we don’t talk, he goes to his room and | go to mine. I'm trying not to care,” | picked at the cloth of a pillow in front of me.

“You know | can cif that’s what you need,” She had been offering all week.

“No,” | laughed. “I don’t think that would help anyone but me, and I think you're just looking to kill Grayson,” “Do you blme? How does he think this is okay?” she growled.

“What did he do?” | heard on her end and cringed knowing Theo was in the room now.

There was shuffling over the phone and arguing.

“Who do | need to kill he may be gigantic but | will slay him,” Theo's voice con.

“Theo no,” | giggled at his depiction of my mate.

“I do not care! Your honor is at stake. More importantly your heart,” his voice started off boastful and goofy but then turned soft.

“He’s my soulmate from the goddess, something has to give eventually right?” “Anna...” his words trailed off. “I can’t tell you about soulmates, but if | ever hurt Cea this way it would kill me,” “| feel as though it’s more difficult and complicated than childhood sweethearts,” | sighed “You're one of the most beautiful people inside and out Anna, you'll shine through to him,” Cea called to me.

“He’s blind if he doesn’t see you're rare for more than your genes,” Theo covetedto help.

“I know staying gives us the best chance, | can’t explain the firmness into be beside him and hold on. | don’t think | can give up,” “Then don’t stay and fight. Show him yourself and your heart. He's your soulmate | doubt he can resist long,” Cea advised 1. me.

“Or chand makesof your French silk pie,” Theo butted in again.

“Sorry, Theo | think I'll stay,” I smiled to myself.

Cea toldabout hand the warriors there, she toldhow my parents were and how James was getting into trouble. By the twe hung up, | felt lighter and less lonesome.

Still, 1 didn’t think sitting in my empty room would help.

| stood and walked downstairs to the deck unsure if Greyson was hor not. When | made it out to the deck double- checking no one was around | took my dress off.

| stepped onto the dirt floor of the forest, my skin touched endlessly by the wind. | let Seraphine ease herself to the forefront as | stepped back.

The next thing | knew | was leaping and running through the wilderness of my new home. | jumped and sprang forward over logs and | rocks.

*You're never alone withAnna. * We chased and nipped after squirrels and rabbits, our limbs stretching forward and loosening into ribbons of heat and endurance.

The climate was colder here than in Georgia and Seraphine savored its cool air swirling around us. We cupon a creek and splashed around in it.

Coming out of the water and digging into the mud we bolted forward pouncing on the ground lunging again into the wind.

SLE go | have you.

* | surrendered to her control and found myself thrilled at the world around me, the calls of birds, and the filtering water of the creek bubbling downstream.

| savored the scents of other wolves who ran before me, | craved to capture the various delicacies surrounding me. Rabbit, geese, deer, duck.

| tracked down a plump grouse and devoured it to nothing but feathers. | went back to the stream and gorged on fish.

Then let lose my speed on the greenery. | danced in the air my lungs filling with a delicious fire of freedom.

The stars cout and the moon hung above me. Seraphine toldto cforward and we switched places.

| walked up the stairs to the deck with goosebumps covering me. | walked into my house humming to myself.

My breath caught in my throat as | tied my last strap. Grayson was before me, his eyes pitch black. His breath was horse and rough, his b*dy sweaty and panting.

All he did was step forward and | scurried away from him and up the stairs.

“That was his wolf...Enzo. *