Stronger by Ang Chris

As was the tradition I was bathed the morning of the tournament. I had herbs and scent blockers placed all over me.

I was dressed in a simple blue dress that was cotton and flowed. It didn’t go past my knees so that I wouldn’t attract attention.

My mother put my hair in a simple braid. She covered me in a jacket.

She k*ssed my cheeks and left me with Gia and Cea.

They had to watch me until it was time.

I wasn’t allowed to leave until there were only five men left.

I had selected 10.

I didn’t even know who to hope for. I hadn’t said a word all morning. I ate what they placed in front of me and drank when told to. I felt hollow.

Something was missing. I felt like I was betraying a part of myself. I didn’t know everything I needed to.

I felt like I should be doing something anything to fix this.

Then at the same time, I was so ready to find the person I was going to spend my life with today. The outcome wasn’t the problem, it was the Who.

I felt like I was hurting someone. I had no clue why.

My mother closed the door and my heart picked up pace.

What was I missing? Why was there this gnawing feeling clawing up my arms and wrestling into my tummy?

I had done everything I could this week to find someone I’d like. They still had to prove their strength but I believed in them.

Believed in who?

There was someone I was hoping for. I felt it like a pinprick on my tongue. There was something that I knew was waiting and I couldn’t quite get to it.

“You ready for this?” Cea grabbed my arms and spun me towards her. “I’ll run if you want as fast as we can,”

I shook my head before I even thought.

There was something about to happen.

“Are you alright?”Gia rubbed my shoulder. “You look like you’re gonna pass out,”

“No,” my voice was so serious. “I’m ready. I’m ready,”

I was ready. I wanted to be there to go now. I felt a strong pull forward.

*Something was going on. *

all help to mask my scent and witness the strength of

the room anxious that I was not out there yet. I hadn’t even

my father’s voice cleared

window itching to hear

*I needed more. *

me needed

with you?” Cea walked into my line of

want to be

smiled

I needed. I needed.

I don’t know.

it was out there that I

“Anna?”

made my

*Yes hurry. Hurry. *

“Anna?”

get

smoke in my lungs growing with every breath making my b*dy into

I heard grunts and cheers from the crowd, calls of anger,

once in an all-out battle. They could either take wolf form or human form; that choice was up to the group

chose human for some

heard yelps and gasps and screams. People japong at the men

me go. Let me go. I

“Anna?”

could smell the blood now. It’s iron scent wafting into my

me be

“Anna!”

the eyes of my bewildered best

actions. I was too but most of me craved to be

slowly stepped

my shoes where they had

for its target. There was a

my mind that wants to turn around now. No need to stay here in the golden childhood. I had

feet while maintaining

front door of my home and did not even notice the tile

spurred forward desperation was all I could

*Take me there *

This destiny was all I had to

the road kicking up the rocks behind me furthering myself faster so I

people

I smelled him.

The pine.