Stronger by Ang Chris

“I love my people they deserve a great Luna and a strong heir,” He panted

*Oh! How nervous could someone be! *

“I’m sure they do. I would like to know more about you,” I smiled.

This was my third conversation of the day. We were walking in the fields talking about what life may be like if he won. I wanted to get to know the men before they fought. This was not part of the tradition but I had insisted and so had my parents.

The alphas son I was with now was 17 and highly strung about his chance with me. I could empathize with him and his hopes.

We had been walking for 10 minutes and he had not said a single word about himself.

“I enjoy reading and learning. My father wishes I would practice my fighting more but I do my best to balance both,” He did indeed have broad shoulders and hefty arms. “I know it seems foolish but I do believe that knowledge is power as well. Though I know you are a strong warrior,” He smiled, wringing his hands.

“I am. I’ve learned many forms of combat to help defend my pack. Though reading is one of my passions,” I looked over the fields at the growing food my pack would harvest at the end of the season. I would not be here for that.

“Really,” He examined. “I am so glad, it would be nice to enjoy sharing my books with my mate,” He nodded his eyes now alight.

“I enjoy a good romance,” I furthered.

His face dulled. “Ah,” He turned his head away from me “I meant nonfiction. Science books, psychology, and historical texts,” he folded his hands behind himself.

I scrunched my eyebrows. “There is a lot to learn from fantasy novels as well. Morals, facts, coping, heartbreak,” I pushed back.

He smiled. “You are right. Still not my favorite. I do think I’d listen to you talk of them all day though,” He said, turning to smile at me once more.

*I’m not sure he seems too good to be true. *

I could not hope to fall in love in one conversation, and he seemed honest. No man trying to deceive me would show their dissatisfaction with an answer of mine unless they were stupid.

“That is very sweet Maxwell,” I laughed.

“Your time is up Annette has some duties to attend to,” Theo stuck his head in between us.

I smiled and waved goodbye to him as I turned.

“Please call me Max!” He hesitantly called after me.

“Only if you call me Anna!” I called back.

I turned my head towards the building of our pack. This was the best conversation I’d had this day. I enjoyed him, though I still felt a stone in my heart that he was not for me.

“He seemed nice,” Theo poked my side.

I turned to the middle of my brothers. “He was. Still, I’m holding my heart behind closed doors. Something is sitting in me telling me to wait,” I shook my head confused at this unsettling sense I held onto.

“Is it your fears?” Theo stopped. “You should not let them hold you back you know,” He looked so worried. I knew it was not easy for him to see me like this, so vulnerable and there was nothing he could do.

“It is not, I feel as though there is something missing,” I shrugged my shoulders not sure how to explain to him the feeling I knew was right.

He put his hands in his pockets. “Perhaps there is something the goddess wishes to show you?”

I turned away from him. “I could only hope, still I am going to listen to it. I will not bend,”

“As you should,” He walked after me lazily. “I wish I could give you advice but I knew who I wanted for the longest time. No one cared who I choose,”

He and Cea were good together. They brought out the best in each other and I saw it every day. It was hard to look at sometimes knowing I’d never enjoy something like that for myself.

“Mother wants you to help her with Patricia. She’s started too soon,” Theo explained finally why he had indeed pulled me from my chat.

I turned now enraged that he’d let me ramble on for so long. “Are you an imbecile? Where is she!”

I took off running as soon as he gave me her location.

“And we have horses. Lovely breeds it’s how we make the money we have….” He didn’t even look at me as he spoke. He had been speaking the entire time.

I could not care though my mind was still with Patricia. She had birthed such a beautiful little girl. Her husband, a strong warrior, already had six sons. Six! The baby had come so soon because she was not breathing but I could tell she hadn’t left us yet.

mother worked to help Patricia and I worked

to fresh

moments of joy you get from being there for others in moments of true need were the greatest kind of high I

of course as it is most of the day for us. You shall not break a horse though because they can be a bit rough. I wouldn’t even have you near the unbroken

men I’d seen, looked broken in

could not believe the smell sometimes though I do believe

one of my roles I enjoyed the most. I could only hope my alpha would allow it or that his elders would even

many horses so I am in good shape. The tournament tomorrow will be so

at all,” I

almost four months,”

I laughed before I took a

honey in the liquid was to help get my voice through

about the frozen moon pack. He was telling me all about

you cover your windows. I’m sure

he wasn’t as presumptive as the other males who all claimed I would be theirs. “You do not think I’ll see

just another tactic to get under my skin. It was hard to get a read on

before he turned and faced me fully. “Can I tell you something?” He pleadingly

mug down and blinked for a

and it was an honor to be requested here. I do want her though. I need her as my Luna,” quickly realizing he may have offended me he added “you are great! Don’t get me wrong I mean I would be unbelievably fortunate to win your favor and have you

him stew in his anxiety. “She sounds like quite the gem. I should hope

relief. “She was not happy I left at all but I made sure she knew I did it as to not offend your pack as I hope to

laughing internally. “Well, then I believe we’re

returned

tell me what you know of the other men trying

sat back in his chair. “You are very

“Seriously though tell me what

has stated he is still in good standing even though you haven’t spoken to him. Arthur Marcken only talks about the ranch in his pack. One man can’t help but stare at your umm…assets. Another I’m fairly sure is into your eldest brother. Maxwell

entered my mind. I could smell it

you know of the missing man?” I tried to ask as nonchalantly

beta ahead with gifts for you to apologize for his delay. I am terrified to see what he

almost fell over myself when I realized he wasn’t alpha!”

a bold move not coming until the

Still, he’s taken the time to get gifts I actually enjoy. I’m

maybe the goddess has smiled

I want to know is how did he know to get me a romance?” I turned my

party nervously sipped her

long few days of having conversations with nervous boys I got a moment of peace to eat dinner with my

alpha who refused to leave his son alone

sighed, annoyed

the steak on my plate. I had snacks and treats all day to help further my conversations with the men. I was not at all

to know what she liked,” My mother smiled while

partiality,” My father

mother gaped and his indignation. “If any man asked to

tactic used by abusers to get you to fall in love quickly,” James mumbled under his

widening my eyes. I had been hoping this meant the mystery man was earnest but his mystery could

Charlie quickly

I do not think for a second that she would endanger a

why

a lot, knows his power,” he stuffed his mouth as he talked. “Good thing. Still I’d be more afraid of him if he didn’t. Wouldn’t have dreamt of coming here if he

and Cheshire Cat smile. Still, I felt as

to get some last tastes of the sea air. His clothes were nice but his manners

with your families pedigree the number of people scared to look him in the eye but

He was like an unsavory dish sl*pping down your throat.

I’m afraid I have my list picked out for the tournament and

quickly as possible. I wish I could have framed his face: like a fish

raise my eyebrows and the man bows his head

“Miss Maloria,” he returned.

talk until the end to see if the alpha turned up and if not to make O’Connell

at him covering my eyes from the

in the