Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 11

It felt like a dream a bit. Knowing this was the last day your home was your home. The feeling was not something natural. I felt hyper aware of the time going by.

Ella had come over after breakfast and we had started packing my clothes. My mother and Cea helped as well.

I kept stopping and looking around remembering forgotten moments of my childhood. Mornings before school, studying, sleepovers, dancing around, playing pretend. It felt like it had all happened in a split second.

Now I was supposed to pack all of it up and move myself across countries to live a life that always seemed like a far off island waiting for me.

What do you do when someday arrives?

1

“Anna remember you’ll get plenty of clothes there so don’t pack everything,”

I sighed looking at my hoard of clothes and decided she may possibly be right.

I started sifting through my shirts deciding what I would like and what I would not. In truth I was ill prepared for the cold of Canada but I was excited all the same.

I decided to leave a good portion of my summer clothes for donation and I took all of my warm clothes. The two pairs of jeans that I had.

“A lot of the women on our land wear skirts during winter because the harvest is over, it’s like wearing a blanket,” Ella told me.

“I suppose I’ll have to learn to make some,”

“You’ll want some sweaters too. And some long underwear if you ever go out for a winter hunt. Alpha loves to ice fish and snowmobile as well so I suggest we order you some,” Ella recommended.

1

It was nice that she was here. It helped me to have someone to teach me about the new life I would have. Grayson was too busy or distracted to do so.

I looked around my room as this surge of doubt entered me. It felt like a wave washing up inside my b*dy.

Should I leave my home for him? He had barely spoken to me. I had to force him to go to dinner.

I knew that this was going to be difficult. I could feel the wall of a challenge rising in front of me. Was I ready for this when I had no idea it would be worth it?

I had no clue what was holding him back, I had no clue if he saw me as a mistake. Should I leave all of this for a risk that would shatter me?

And if I stayed? I would never know.

I shoved a lot of my clothes into garbage bags for donation. His pack did make clothes so I shouldn’t bring too much

anyways.

“Anna before I forget what color silk do you want for your binding dress?” my mother asked me and the whole room stopped.

all for fear she’d tell me

“Navy blue,” I mumbled

now too so I know you’ll look amazing in it,” Ella

a little at her

Matt said that he takes

folded the clothes I was keeping and began putting them in boxes and set aside some for

looked at the

is gonna take

bring them all?” Cea whined next to me flopping

leaving without them,”

of escape. Reading never failed to

1

this?” Cea picked up the

to get to her and stop her from opening

on earth is this! Oh, it is

blue sapphire ring that had a halo of diamonds

could dazzle

gorgeous,

me so confused as

I had known Grayson was my mate I would have worn it with pride, but I hadn’t, and I didn’t fully trust the

from a man who hadn’t shown his face. Now it was still in the box because it felt wrong to wear a ring when he wasn’t talking to me and he was almost avoiding

couldn’t bring myself to put it on when I felt this valley between

you at Grayson’s request,” Ella walked over

looked at

know him but that is a claim on

in the box. I understand. Your father didn’t give me my ring until three years into our marriage. For humans, this came after getting to know one another but for us, it comes before…and you my pup see it as the promise it is,” she hugged me

my ring he’d let me pick it out

was a marquise-cut ruby with two pear-shaped diamonds on the side

mate’s relationship when a couple gifted rings it meant

before ever even meeting me it was a way for him to show his serious intent for

Now it felt cheap.

and he wasn’t even talking to

bound by the goddess at creation and

pricking

I cannot cry. This is not my dream romance but nothing ever goes as it does in your head. I

went and grabbed the box from my mother and placed

safe but won’t wear it

like it,” Ella chimed

her hand, shaking it once for reassurance. “I just can’t wear it until I know him,” I shrugged

were packed and with endless complaints from Cea about my hobby I suggested she

some

fair that’ll you be three thousand miles from me,” Cea sat down beside me and rested her