Stronger by Ang Chris

“Annette it's time,” My father pokes his head into my door.

| stood and readied myself for the parade.

“Let's go,” | nodded. | grasped his arm as headed out of my room and down the hall to the stairs. | could feel my heart slamming against my ribs and | stilled to try and calm it. Don’t let them see this.

| felt myself calm just enough to continue and reach the top of the steps. Humans did something similar to this at a younger age for a dance. Prom | think.

Why act so foolish for a stupid dance ill do this for my mate but not and dance.

“Ladies and Gentlemen thank you all for coming,” my mother’s voice rang like a bell. It was hushed to a whisper instantly.

“I know that many of you have high hopes for tonight but our family has the highest. My daughter is choosing who she will spend her life with. Who she will bestow a powerful heir with. | hope that you all treat her with the respect she deserves,” My mom turned toand | started slowly down the steps.

An abundance of smells hit my nose. They were trying to scentfrom here? Idiots...

My father let out a scoff as well.

“My darling daughter Annette Maloria,” My father boomed. Several males bowed their heads.

| did my best to stifle the laughter coming up my throat ticklingto escape. Sof these boys puffed their chests, scraned their n*ecks to see me, | saw one father grab the back of his son’s head and spin him to look at me.

They were a bunch of dim witted morons. How on earth could | take them seriously? Charlie cand tookfrom my father to start verge the room to welcmy guests from our closets packs first.

“Annette,” Luna Gia smiled, k*ssing my cheeks. The pack closest to ours but her sons were far too young to vie for me. “Lovely as ever my darling,” “You certainly left nothing to the imagination,” I'turned and giggled, grasping Gia's little sister and my best friend for a needed hug.

As per tradition | had been in my hfor the past week to prepare and meditate for the next part of my life. | haven't seen her when | desperately craved to. Her humor is a balm for turmoil.

“Cecelia,” Gia toned. “Behave tonight,” Cea just rolled her eyes and looped her arm through Theos. “I shall not you have keptfrom my love for far too long sissy,” she winked at me.

Theo had marked Cea as soon as she turned 18 about two months ago. Everyone else was shocked but | was their co-conspirator whenever | and Cea had sleepovers she sometimes forgot to sleep in my room and who was | to care when my brother would take the best care of her.

“Still, best behavior..for now,” Theo mumbled to her but | was close enough to hear and roll my eyes with disgust.

Happy for them don’t need to know their intimate details.

“Both of you behave,” Charlie chided, straightening, as he felt the presence of another alpha.

“Charlie!” A tall young ginger man stepped into our conversation getting between my eldest brother andto give him a pat on the back. “You still look scary as all hell. | pity the men here man,” he laughed, throwing an oh- so-subtle glance my way. Nice one.

| heard Cea snort and Gia took her away towards Alpha Xavier, Gia’s husband. Let the games begin.

This man was far too impressed with his entrance, and he obviously thought knowing my brother gave him a leg up.

“Gregory Shill,” he extended a hand to me.

And no respect for the rules. Wait to be introduced or forto seek you out. Lack of respect and arrogance, no thank you.

Charlie grabbed his shoulder and then James cout of nowhere and grabbed his extended hand. “James Maloria,” he gripped so hard that | saw the blood vessels tighten. “My sister is going to see the silver ecl*pse pack next sorry about that,” he scrunched his face as he nodded.

Theo offered his arm and | went to see our strongest allied pack’s leaders.

Alpha Constantine and his Luna Helene were a very wealthy pack and not far from our own. Of course, we had close relations so they could have protection and we could have influence. | knew they wanted their son to have me. The issue: he was 15. Ugh! “Anna!” Alpha Xavier smiled and huggedtightly. “Your elegance is the envy of any woman, you will be a force to be reckoned with,” “Alpha Xavier, that is high praise from one who has risen so highly,” I nod my head and turn to hug Luna Helene.

“I hope to live up to the praise you give,” “I believe our Alex has sstrong competition, though he is on the younger side | hope you'll give him the tof day my darling,” She pleads.

“Alex is barely old enough to be here my darling,” Xavier chuckled. “Our ties with the Lunar Ocean pack will remain as strong as ever,” Luna Helene held my hands tightly “but think of how wonderful your life would be Anna,” “Mother!” Alex cfrom behind his parents.

He released his mother’s hands from mine. “Anna is older thanand I'm in no position to take a mate while still in school and training,” “Alexander! She has alpha blood!” His mother hissed at him.

“If I compete | will not survive the first round even if I'm chosen,” he countered and turned to“even if you are indeed lovely Anna,” | smiled at his logic and abashedness. “I still have a lot of talking to do before | choose who will compete,” | smile and Theo begins to dragaway.

“Well we knew she would be pushy but at least alpha Xavier understands,” Theo whispers to me.

In the coming week, | would meet with the alphas one on one and learn what their packs are like and in the end, their strength will be tested in a centuries-old tradition of combat. | choose those who fight and then the winner gets to have me.

| know it sounds old-fashioned but | have faith that the goddess will choose a strong and open-hearted mate for me.

“I do hope she doesn’t try and attackfor not choosing him. How many men are here anyway?” “26,” He looked atpityingly. “You can do this,” “I know,” | close my eyes and pull myself together.

“Annette this is Alpha Romano and his son Sean,” Theo turnedtowards the first strangers we saw.

“Annette the vision of beauty before us is breathtaking,” Alpha Romano spoke first.

His son was tall and lanky, he wore glasses and his shirt was not tucked in. The father on the other hand was heavy set and of average height, and he was well put together.

“You are the most wonderful sight I've seen yet,” Sean smiled and grabbed my hand for a quick peck. Then stifled a yawn.

“I do hope your travel hasn't tired you?” | replied somewhat annoyed.

“It is only an eight-hour drive,” He stated, tilting his head in confusion.

Oh dear god, this man is completely incompetent.

“Ah! And the Alpha and Luna of the frozen moon pack in Alaska. My sister has always wanted to see the snow,” Theo nodded to the pair poking into the conversation. Their son stood a foot above Alpha Romano's head. Still somewhat lean though.

It may be my genetics but | did not find myself stirring for a walking stick of a man. | was used to bulkier men, ones that looked as though a slight glance your way could kill you.

These two did not intrigue me, but perhaps I'm being too judgemental.

“Theodore and Annette your parents are lucky to have such remarkable children,” Luna smiled. “May | introduce myself? I'm Luna Maria. My husband Alpha Jacob and our son Peter,” she bowed her head slightly.

“We are so thankful for the invitation,” Alpha Jacob greeted.

Though Alaska was large there were not many packs and the largest was the frozen moon. They had a trade depot, a hospital, and much more all on their lands just for their people. They had beyond hundreds of wolves in their pack.

“You pack has much need for a strong Luna and I don’t think I'd ever be bored there,” | joyfully reply. Truly | did ask my parents to invite them for those reasons.

“| feel so lucky,” Peter laughed. It did not meet his eyes.

“Have you really never seen snow?” Luna Maria blurted out, probably hoping to keep the conversation going.

“It is not common at all for snow in Georgia,” Alpha Romano interjected. He seemed irked that his twas intruded upon.

“Though you cfrom Virginia don’t you alpha Romano,” Alpha Jacob countered.

Alphas “I have only seen it once and it melted instantly I'm sure you have no shortage in your territory,” | try to diffuse their tension.

“Yes you'll never be without it,” Peter helped to calm things down.

| noted to myself that | should look forward to a conversation with him as he didn’t seem bad and his parents were respectful.

“If you'll excuse us,” Theo took my arm again.

| went along with the flow of the party meeting Alphas and their sons and sbrought their betas or Gammas along. A few brought their strongest warrior as a show of good defense.

“Alpha Julian, Annette,” An older man smiled atwith Charlie now taking my arm. “My son William,” A strong man smiled at me. He was tall, broad, tan, and had the darkest eyes | had ever seen. The hair on the back of my n*eck stood up.

“You are the single most beautiful thing I've ever seen,” he smiled and stepped forward.

Charlie gripped my forearm a little unhappy with the advance.

“You are a sweet talker | see. You two cfrom California?” | questioned taking a step back out of respect for my brother.

“A beautiful land. You will enjoy it I'm sure,” William bared his teeth in an eye-catching grin.

“So presumptuous, am | supposed to enjoy that?” | straightened my spine and knit my brows together.

“I would hope you'd at least givethe first dance of the evening?” He stepped closer again.

Is he joking? | could smell him. He was trying to leave his scent on me. | felt suffocated already.

“You should step back my sister has stated she is not happy with your behavior,” Charlie warned a low grow! emitting from his throat. A few people around us turned and whispered.

“He only means to charm her,” Alpha Julian chuckled. “How do you expect him to woo her at all,” “I believe he told you she was uncomfortable,” Theo cto my other side.

“I do not like your intentions and | believe you two to be disrespecting the tradition taking place here today,” | coldly remark, glazing my eyes over and turning my face away from them. More people began to look our way a small circle surrounding us.

“You may have alpha blood but you are still a woman! You cannot act so indignant to a man giving you his tand the help of shelter!” William growled and clenched his fists.

| sharply turned back, my wolf waking and my eyes flashed the emerald green of Seraphine. “I do not tolerate men who believe their sole job is to help women!” He attempted to grab my arm and Charlie blocked him but Alpha Julian grabbed Charlie. Theo grabbed William by the collar and James and my father cinto the fold.

At this tJames pushed William away from us and my father kicked the back of Alpha Julians’ left leg. He let out an ear piercing wail clutching his shattered knee.

Two of our warriors cforward and held Williams arms behind his back and forced him to the floor as well. The crowd gasping and shuffling about astonished at this scene.

“Do you disrespectso Julian?” My father bellowed. He circled to the front of the now crippled man. “You let your son attempt to mistreat my daughter so openly. And to act as though he deserves too,” my father growled.

James now stood in Charlie's place and Charlie stood in front of me.

My father grabbed the old man’s hair tilting his head to look at him. “You think you could disrespect the golden line?” He then brought his hand up and slammed a fist into the pigs face.

Another wail rang out. A line of pure alpha blood meant strength that could cripple anyone.

Anything...

These indescribable transgressions that had just happened were rude not just to us but our allies and the order of wolves we all hailed from. Our goddess most of all.

My father brought up another fist but quickly | stopped him.

“Papa,” | call and stepped forward before Charlie. “Do not be so rash, | know how grave this is but he will not learn this way,” | explained in my defense.

My father growled and looked back at him. “What would you advise my darling,” He did not look away the Gold of his eyes searing into the weak ball of man.

“Mark his face. So all know how he behaves to those who have been fortunate to be blessed by our goddess,” | calmly step back for him to do so. “His people should know what he has done,” He looks over at the son on the ground unable to struggle with the hold our warrior had on him.

“And that pitiful excuse for an alphas heir!” He started to extract his claws.

“Keep him until they send retribution,” | reply hoping my father will reason.

“Hmmm,” | held my breath. Marking another alpha is a call for war unless they acted first which Julian has obviously done.

Besides, no one would go to war with our tribe. We are the strongest for hundreds of miles.

“I will not mark him!” He announces.

He then turned and lookedin the eyes. “He wronged you. So you will,” he went and held Julians hair from behind his back.

I stood in front of the man who chere with intentions | feared the most.

| extended my pearl white claws and raised my arm.

“Look at me,” | commanded.

The man growled and huffed, gritting his teeth.

| quickly brought my claws down across his face, bloodying his left eye.