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. *

help to mask my scent and witness the strength of the man who

pace the room anxious that I was not out

voice cleared through

spun towards the window itching to hear

*I needed more. *

of me needed

with you?” Cea walked into my line of

want to be

Gia smiled at

what I needed. I

I don’t know.

out there

“Anna?”

made my heart leap

*Yes hurry. Hurry. *

“Anna?”

let me get out there.

desperation and certainty were like smoke in my lungs growing with every breath

and a smile broke out on my face. I heard grunts and cheers from the crowd, calls of anger, and calls of

take wolf form or human form; that choice was up

human for some

at the men who fell and others who were cursing them to get back

me go. I

“Anna?”

could smell the blood now. It’s iron scent wafting into my room. They were falling

me be

“Anna!”

quickly looking into the eyes of my bewildered

eyes confused as to my actions. I was too but most of me

she slowly stepped out of

running leaving my shoes where they had been

like an arrow loose for its target. There was a strong pull in me I had

is not one part of my mind that wants to turn around now. No need to stay here in the golden childhood. I

hall and steps watching my feet while maintaining my pace, careful not

of my home and

forward desperation was all I could

*Take me there *

destiny was all I had to find and nothing else

rocks behind me

the crowd of my people in a circle and I

I smelled him.

The pine.