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,”

1/6

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 of the door of

brothers and father will kill you. Apparently they are all aware of the bathroom incident and I don’t know if you know but brothers are highly overprotective if they have only one

spun on his

kill you!” I chased after him.

of you,” He

I bellowed to a closing door.

going to

day I spent in the loving glow of my mother in

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

me from her braid of flowers.

one from this pack. One of mine. My family’s pack.

up from my spot.

he bowed his head

asked, it had been in the

phone out and showed me the photo

“I grinned looking at the teeny tiny baby trying to take a big

you from your mother,” He handed

where the women were braiding flowers

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

I hopped a little on the balls

asked from behind me.

I looked over my shoulder.

He

Liam was even older than Charlie but I had been on my own for so long getting a semblance of home I needed.

I turned to him, leaving the

pups are…restless my boys dear goddess. The three in school oh no it’s not their poor teacher,” he laughed at

to be with someone I know. Someone I could talk to easily and I didn’t have

have my parents been?”

not going easy for him,” He furrowed his brows

probably isn’t helping,” I shook

your mother has that to focus on so she isn’t focusing on your

1. me.

I’m not trying to…you saved my daughter and my wife. I want to know that you are okay. I’m indebted to you,” He bowed his head

looked at the world around me, the pines, the willows, the spruces. I poked

376

one. My mate he is not, fully prepared for a life long relationship. I want nothing more

mother said you will have

Patricia be coming?”

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

you are taken care of

love even more of my people to be before my binding.

family doesn’t

me more

as he told me everything. I had never been particularly close to him or his family but this was the closest

my family, how James has been. It didn’t sound like much progress had been made. He told me how my

as I returned to the pavilion to clear away the flower garlands

in the Keep has been prepared for you it’s connected to a room for your boys,” I explained to him as people started gathering

dinner together here come sit by me, I grabbed his

Annette,” I heard Matt

this is beta Matthew O’Connell,” I

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

voice came to

is Liam from my pack he brought the fabric for

Liam’s hand, not an ounce of pleasantry

I

How are things going for our binding.” He gave a sideways glance to Liam.

was willing to leave to his mate and seven kids including