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. *

would all help to mask my

to pace the room anxious that I was not

voice cleared

window itching to

*I needed more. *

me

is going on with you?” Cea

want to be

Gia smiled

I needed. I needed. I needed.

I don’t know.

out

“Anna?”

made my heart

*Yes hurry. Hurry. *

“Anna?”

let me get

and certainty were like smoke in my lungs growing with every breath making my b*dy into a

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

men would fight at once in an all-out battle. They could either take wolf form or human form; that

human for some

men who fell and

Let me

“Anna?”

into my

be

“Anna!”

spun quickly looking into the eyes

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

stepped out

off running leaving my shoes where they had been

was like an arrow loose for its target. There was a strong

my mind that wants to turn around now.

feet while maintaining my pace, careful not to trip

of my home and did not even notice the tile change to haarp

desperation was all

*Take me there *

were gone. This destiny was all I had to find and

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

the crowd of my people

I smelled him.

The pine.