Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 29

“Okay so tell me how you went from trying to binding?” Cea giggled over the phone.

“It’s more about safety than anything but I trust him enough to do this he has given me everything I need to go through with this,” I shrugged and poured myself a glass of wine.

“Safety? How dangerous is it out there?” Cea panicked.

“Preventative measures,” I fibbed but only slightly.

“Is there something you’re not telling me?”

You know what’s not easy. Lying to the person who knows you best in the world.

“No no but ugh you got me off topic. There is a favor I need to ask,” I prayed to the goddess she would help me.

“Anything its your binding!” She squealed for me,

“I need you to stop my family from killing Grayson in a ceremonial fight the day before my binding,” I hurried my words in a begging whiny tone.

There was silence and then ferocious laughter as the phone possibly clattered to the floor.

–

“No, this is his payback,” she spoke through large gaps of laughter.

“Cea please please please okay it’s my binding and he has apologized. He has told me everything and we are enjoying each other’s company more and more,” I pleaded with her hopelessly.

“Annette you are my best friend but this is, it’s gonna be good for him. You’ll see. I love you buh bye!” She sang to me as she cut the call short.

This is what I get for having a protective best friend, life is never easy when people who love you dearly are okay with murder. * (1

I called the person who hopefully wouldn’t overreact. “Mama?”

“Annette oh my love! How is everything going pup,” She exclaimed. She and I had been texting and calling all day.

“Mama I need you to do me a favor,” I really hope my mom will listen to me. She doesn’t know the full extent like Cea does but she doesn’t like Grayson much either.

“Of course whatever you need,”

“Okay mama so I’m there is a ceremonial fight between Grayson and any male members of my family. Umm can you please tell them all not to like go for like you know the jugular or anything?” She was my last resort.

“Honey….” She uttered. “Umm. No,”

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Chapter 29

“Mom? Wha- Mom!” I shouted into the phone.

“You should know in a large family no secret is safe. Cea told Then, Theo told Charlie and James, Charlie told your father, your father told me, James and Cea confirmed in My mother confronted me. “He left you in nothing but a towel without a word,”

“Mom he didn’t l–This will be disastrous for everyone involved Grayson won’t like being attacked so harshly

“I deserve it,”

I spun around to see Grayson grabbing a bottle of whisky

“I left you in a towel. I isolated you, this is my trial to bind with you. It’s why we do it.” He walked over and grabbed the phone from me. “I will accept whatever they throw at me. Luna Esa it will be wonderful to see you all again,” he handed the phone back to me.

“Anna?! Did he just accept the challenge?” My mother was honestly stunned because she was silent.

“He. Did.” I sighed.

I quickly hung up the phone with my mom.

I called up the

head out

all aware of the bathroom incident and I don’t know if you know but brothers are highly overprotective if they have only one sister!!” I argued with his stupid and insane decision to go through with a fight with

calm down,” He spun on his heels and started

they will kill you!” I chased after

you,” He shrugged.

to

going to die.”

I spent in the loving glow

but this is best and you two will come together much better knowing how the other feels. She patted my hand as

from her braid of flowers.

warrior behind her but not one from this

sprung up

he bowed his head to me.

Patricia and the baby?” I asked, it had been in the back

and showed me the photo

grinned looking at the teeny tiny

from your mother,” He handed me a long

over to the tables of the pavilion where the

fabric was shiny and soft to the touch. My eyes were a soft blue that had traces of dark to them so whenever I wore navy they looked like

on

liking?” Liam asked from behind

course!” I looked over my shoulder.

glad,” He

Charlie but I had been on my

home,” I turned to him, leaving the fabric there.

in school oh

felt so pleased to be with someone I know. Someone I could talk to easily

my

not going easy for him,” He furrowed his brows as

goddess, my binding probably isn’t

has that to focus on so she isn’t focusing on your brothers singleness,”

1. me.

worried about you. Are you happy here?” He stopped in his tracks to question me. “I don’t I’m not trying to…you saved my daughter and my wife. I want

the pines, the willows, the spruces. I poked over at the pavilion the people

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no one. My mate he is not, fully prepared for a life long relationship. I want nothing more than to find peace, but it will come I know

to watch you bind. Your mother said you will have a

Patricia

room and the baby is so small,” he explained to me.

baby and you are taken care of a guest bedroom

would love even more of my people to

family doesn’t kill my

me more about

had never been particularly close to him or his family but this was the closest

has been. It didn’t sound like much progress had been made. He told me how my grandparents were doing their best to get home in time from their travels.

clear away the flower garlands and runners. I cleaned up the floor as we spoke and listened to anything and

to a room for

come sit by me, I

Matt call for me.

Matthew O’Connell,” I introduced the two men.

all walked to the dinner table as I waited for my mate. I wanted my old pack member to see that everything was fine maybe

came to me.

I stood. “This is Liam from my pack he brought the

hand, not an ounce of pleasantry on his

was your day?” I tried to make conversation.

well. How are things going for our binding.” He gave a

well. I think we should be happy Liam was willing to leave to