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.

called up

He poked his head out of the door of his

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 sister!!” I argued with his stupid and insane decision

calm down,” He spun on his heels and started

will kill you!” I chased

of you,” He shrugged.

bellowed to a closing

going to

day I spent in the loving glow of my mother

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

from

this

sprung up from

he bowed his head

and the baby?” I asked, it had been in the back of my mind

here,” He took his phone out and

grinned looking at the teeny tiny

for you from your mother,” He handed me a long box.

where the women were braiding flowers into

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

I hopped a little on the balls

asked from behind me.

course!” I looked over my shoulder.

glad,” He

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

turned to

in school oh no it’s not their poor teacher,” he

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

have my

think they’re hounding Charlie to find a mate it’s not going easy for him,” He

goddess, my binding probably isn’t helping,” I shook my

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

1. me.

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

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

376

life long relationship. I want nothing more than to find peace, but it will come I know it,” I

you bind. Your mother said you will have a place for me

course! Will Patricia be coming?”

you’d have the room and the baby is

come I will make sure the baby and you are taken care of a guest bedroom will be fine I’ll look for

of my people to be before my binding.

my family doesn’t kill my

more about

to him or

didn’t sound like much progress had been made. He told me how my grandparents were doing

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

you it’s connected to a room for your boys,” I explained to him as people started

here come sit

Annette,” I heard Matt

O’Connell,” I introduced

for my mate. I wanted my old pack member to see that everything was fine maybe then my family wouldn’t be so

voice came to

“This is Liam from my pack he brought the fabric for my binding dress,”

hand, not an ounce of

your day?” I tried to make conversation.

How are things going for our binding.” He gave

think we should be happy Liam was willing to leave to his mate and seven kids