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 with

fresh air. Patricia

in moments of true need were the greatest

break a horse though because they

blood. Her husband, one of the largest men I’d seen, looked broken in half at the sight of her unconscious. The elders had given her tea for sleep and to help her regain her

the smell sometimes though I

roles I enjoyed the most. I could only hope my alpha would allow it or that

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

the sun doesn’t set at all,” I was astonished

for almost four months,” He

you sleep!” I laughed before

liquid was to help get my voice through all the conversations. This one was easier than the

telling me all about the people and the

I’m sure you

as the other males who all claimed I would be theirs. “You do not think I’ll see it?” I squinted

Perhaps this was just another tactic to get under my skin. It was hard to

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

mug down and blinked for a second at his change of emotion.

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

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

left at all but I made sure she knew I did it as to not offend your pack as I hope to

internally. “Well, then I believe

nerves returned to him in an

the other

his chair. “You are very

shrugged and continued to drink. “Seriously though

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 Voxel

and pressed flowers entered my mind. I could smell it

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

is the alpha of a Canadian pack. The Northern Ecl*pse pack I think, and he has sent his beta ahead with gifts for you to apologize for his delay.

myself when I realized

not coming

get gifts I actually enjoy.

knows maybe the goddess

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

nervously sipped her

of having conversations with nervous boys I got a moment of

was leaps beyond the dinner I had last night with an alpha who refused to leave his son alone with me and answered all of

sighed, annoyed at my

the steak on my plate. I had snacks and treats all day to help further my conversations with the men. I was

man who wanted to know

partiality,” My

and his indignation. “If any man asked to give my daughter a gift she truly

a tactic used by abusers to get you to fall in love quickly,”

meant the mystery man was earnest but

Charlie quickly chastised

I know the mother of this alpha and I do not think for a second that she

something hidden then. Perhaps this is why

I never did care. You know he pulls back a lot, knows his power,” he stuffed his mouth as he talked. “Good thing. Still I’d be more afraid

His ginger hair and Cheshire Cat smile. Still, I felt as though

of the sea air. His clothes were nice but his manners were sorely lacking. He

pedigree the number of people scared to look him in the eye

was like an unsavory

much to let this continue. I’m afraid I have my list picked out for the tournament and it’s only fair to you that I do not wish to waste your time,

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

raise my eyebrows and the man bows his head

“Miss Maloria,” he returned.

I pushed his talk until the end to see if the alpha turned up

turned up a nice smile at him covering my

one of the many hidden spots on our pack grounds. This one more so in the woods with only an old tree cut into a bench. It overlooked another