Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 32

“Now I’ll see you in the morning my pup,” my mom k*ssed my forehead and my dad hugged me goodnight.

Grayson stood waiting for me. I wouldn’t sleep much tonight. I had to get up early and go the moon pool for cleansing.

The dinner had gone better than I had thought….

“It’s so good to see you!” I jumped into Cea’s arms.

“Anna! Oh my goddess I have missed you!” she held me in the vice grip of her arms.

“You look good,” James came up to me and gave me another tight and cozy hug.

“How have you been?” I looked at him with worried eyes I know I shouldn’t treat him like this it’ll only frustrate him

but I had been worried about him and his chaotic moods.

“Really you’ve been worried about me with the hell you’ve been put through?” he looked over me to Grayson.

“James there will be a time for that,” Charlie did not look upset with James at all he looked like a strategist getting

what they needed.

“Theo,” I walked over to him and hugged him, bringing my face to his car. “You will behave right?”

“He accepted the challenge,” he whispered back to me.

E

“Mama, Papa, this is Amaria Adams Grayson’s mother,” I introduced my mother–in–law to my parents without thinking, remembering at the last second they knew each other. I cursed to myself and shook my head.

“Amaria!” my mother gave her a warm hug and a k*ss on the cheek.

“Eva you look as radiant as ever I’m still jealous of you!” Amaria chuckled.

“Amaria,” my father gave her a quick hug. “I am indebted to you for the kindness you have shown my daughter,”

“No. We are family there are no debts between us,” She shook her head and rolled her eyes and my father’s traditionalism.

“You’ve done so much though,” I spoke up behind her.

“I know, I never said I didn’t deserve the praise I just said they shouldn’t feel indebted, “She winked at me.

“Come on let’s eat,” She looped her arm through my mother’s and they walked ahead.

Cea grabbed my hand and we walked behind them. Chatting mindlessly like we always do. I knew everything that had happened with her and she knew everything that had happened with me but in person was much different.

“Theo has puppy fever I can’t take it!” she looked like she was going to pass out.

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Chapter 32

“Really? I mean well yeah no I could see it being him wanting kids,” I realized my brother was much like my father, a

family man..

We ate roasted rabbit, with salad and bread. My brothem are more than their share and James talked a lot with Matt. I felt like that could be a good thing Matt was very lewell–headed and James could use someone outside the family to tal

1. TO.

“You seem to have an abundance of resources, Grayson Chutie started up.

“He should have called him Alpha Charlie isniti one toitegen that type of thing.

“Grayson has many exports for the pack and looks after all of them, jumped in, staring down my brother challenging him to behave. Just for tonight..

“Annette would be far better at it than I would she toolsover fem in complet days while I helped shore up our northern defenses and she had many wonderful suggestions,” He spoke calmity and reserved which surprised me since he didn’t like disrespect.

“Annette is always better,” Charlie clasped his hands and leaned his elbow on the table. “She deserves the world,”

“Charlie you’re too sweet. You know I think you should talk to Aarrom the data the trains the warriors here they train: differently than our warriors it might be worth discussing,” I stopped Charlie from starting anything

“Ele hasn’t acted like this in a long time what is going on with him!”

decided now would be a good time to introduce Cea to the friends live made here so that some tension would diffuse

nditted over to Ella and Charlotte.

“Can this is Blin and Charlotte they are my friends and this is Elizabeth she’s been my guide here she’s Aarons’s wife,” expilaimed and they all gave their hello and introduction, and good to meet you.

samice to meet you guys,” Cea laughed. “I have heard a lot about you.”

“Lumu Armulis always talking about you and she’s missed you so much,” Ella beamed.

wife?”

and I hold the same position for our packs.

did you have delta” Elizabeth pursed her

mated, Convermell a little frazzled

Bladet modded and returned to her

I’m sure we will have dum tomorrow cleansing and praising–Anna,” Cea smiled at

herb balms, and scents. Afterward, I wouluver runes inscribed om my bucks for luck and fertility and then I would be tattooed with

Chapter 32

you prepared for the tattoo?? Charibethegaverne a pitying look.

tried to covernmyyfteam of

be just fine.” Cea nudged me..

Charlie came up

his serious face. He looked up at the two girls in front of me and then to Cea and

1. me.

to bed good night,” He k*ssed my cheek and walked

Okay?

the evening went calmly. Theo and James didinoideum Grayson as Charlie

night so aggressive and thenthatmintent of telling me

to my house together all the rooms had beeffumished for them to stay in. My mom and

good night and now.

nodded to me as we waited

to a whole day alone I don’t know if you’ll make it,” I felt like wassdiecaming We

me and went into his room.

Grayson, I softly said as I walked

sky that sparkled with the sscass.

walked out of my room. I was supposed to go to the moompoobladbecam

eldrescoeeftonme.

“Aunette.”

“Ginyon??”

aliquetcom the gray’darkness. He was supposed to sleep and he was not supposed thatbome.

slightly and crossed my arms to cover my

felt transpar

nervitustooky, Timewalked towards me each step spiking my heart rate.

should goobtube, telli

were going to get caught even though there was

Chapter 32

will be with her today, I don’t want you or her to worry,” He cupped my face, and my

breath vanished.

He k*ssed my cheek and walked

do you insist on lighting my b*dy

there staring at the closed door feeling like I had missed something important. He had never touched me like

his l*ps to my skin before.

lines we had drawn in the sand I felt like there was only one thing to do. How could I not touch him and feel him? How could I not beg for him

more time…

to the forest. This

sort of cool. It

around you.

in an open clearing of the woods. It was a perfect circle, and at the bottom of the pool was

into the water laying down gradually and dipping my head under at

moment.

at my goddess wanting answers from her. I wanted to

to keep me afloat in the pond. Most brides say you can feel yourself become ready for the life you will lead in

waiting. Waiting for Grayson. Waiting for

closed my eyes letting her takeover.

“Anna,

“Anna,”

sun was out… Had I fallen

the elders turned their back out of respect. Amaria was the only one who didn’t as she would now also be my mother in the eyes of the

felt the eyes on me. The onyx

to watch me Enzo…

hapter 32

We walked back to my house and

my b*dy prepared. The elders did this so I would be attractive to my mate and my b*dy would be prepared for childrearing.

by rubbing rosemary oils into my scalp and almond oil on

elders chanted and prayed behind me asking for a long and happy life

1. mc.

on. My mother comb my hair which was now slick with the various treatments to make it healthy and

this my

“Yes, mama,”

eyes were closed and I felt myself drift in and out of sleep as the time went on. My hair was washed in water for

Amaria who chanted a prayer I did

aging,” she whispered to me. They scrubbed my skin and then began again.

time they rubbed balms on me, a different balm on each part of my b*dy. I felt like I was going to sl*p right off the pillow I

up in a braid after something was combed into it again.

are going to be

they had me sit up to inscribe the runes on my back. The ink was cold and the brush tickled so I had to keep my laughter in. While the elders wrote on me Ella walked over and placed some sort of cream on my sternum to numb me