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.

up the

something wrong?” He poked his head out of the door

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 calm down,” He spun on his

you!” I chased

I’m not worthy of you,”

bellowed to a closing door.

going to die.”

the loving

but this is best and you two will come together much better knowing how the

from her braid of flowers.

behind her but not one from this pack. One of mine. My family’s

I sprung up from my

his head

it had been in the back of my mind

healthy and well. She is well here,” He took his phone out and showed me the photo of her

grinned looking at the teeny tiny baby trying to

from your mother,” He

walked over to the tables of the pavilion where the women were braiding flowers

was a stunning color of navy blue. The fabric was shiny and soft to the touch. My eyes were a soft blue that had traces

little on the balls of

liking?” Liam asked

I looked over my shoulder.

He

even older than Charlie but I had been on my own for so long

I turned to him, leaving

dear goddess. The three in school oh no it’s not

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

my parents

they’re hounding Charlie to find a mate it’s not going easy for him,” He furrowed his brows as he

probably isn’t helping,” I shook my head.

mother has that to focus on so she

1. me.

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 to know that you are okay. I’m indebted to you,” He bowed his head to me as he

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

376

I want nothing more than to find peace, but it will come I know

bind. Your mother said you will have a place

Will Patricia be

have the room and the baby is so

I will make sure the baby and you are taken care of a guest bedroom will be

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

doesn’t kill my

me more about home….”

close to him or his family but this was the closest

James 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

away the flower garlands and runners. I cleaned up the floor as we spoke

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

dinner together here come sit by me,

Annette,” I heard Matt

beta Matthew O’Connell,” I introduced

my mate. I wanted my old pack member

came to me.

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

Liam’s hand, not an

I tried to

are things going for our binding.”

be happy Liam was willing