Stronger by Ang Chris

Chapter 39

“Are you alright?” He grabbed my hand running his thumb over my knuckles as we headed home after dinner.

“He threatened your life. I know you’re being generous,” I shrugged.

“Does not mean this is easy for you,”

“No, but this was a step too

p too far. I can’t let him act out towards you like that. Not as your wife,” I knew what we had done had been the right thing, still doesn’t making it an easier imposing it upon someone you love.

“To be honest I don’t care much he’d threatened me but I know how he made you feel how can I not make him pay for that,” Graysons voice was stern and his brows knit together.

He was not one to be open with affection and terms of endearment. He would probably never k*ss me openly or even do more than hold my hand but he showed his care for me in other ways.

When he remarks in pride about me being a good Luna, when comments on my fighting, when he asks me to lead with him. I know to someone else that might seem like nothing but knowing him as I do now I can see how to him that’s how he shows himself to me, in front of others at least.

He walked me to the house hand in hand letting me go as I said good night to my parents.

“Good night Annette,”

“Night Grayson,”

I dreamt of him that night. Grayson laying in his arms protected from all the dark corners of the world. The next thing I knew he was laughing at me and I reached for a hand that only pushed me down.

Grayson then tore at them and scared off anyone that looked at me. He brought me too him and the heat I felt came searing to me. 2

I burned and I screamed. I scratched at my skin clawing to relive the flames from my b*dy. I wailed a horrible right sound that was not human or wolf in any way.

When I woke up I could still feel remnants on my skin.

“My heat.

My heat would come soon…

His knock came tentatively at my door.

“Annette?” I heard the worry in his voice.

“I’m alright Grayson it’s soon but not yet. I doubt we’ll make a month without it though,” I opened the door his tall

frame somewhat slumped.

1/7

Chapter 39

“I dreamed you were being burned at the stake. Once I felt you wake up I thought I should check on you.”

“I’m alright “I grabbed his arms to touch him for assurance for both of us.

Like ice and water on the hottest day he chased the last remnants of the fever dream from me.

His arms weaved around me and over my b*dy. One hand to my n*eck to keep my head to his chest and the other wonderfully low but still so respectful.

“When the ashes cleared there was a small Gray pup,” he whispered.

“Shhh. I know I know. We will face it when the time comes,” I rubbed my fingers over his shoulders and biceps.

The dream the night before we were bound came to me. The way he swallowed me whole and a litter sat before me in

the morning.

“If we’ve both dreamed this maybe we should speak to the elders?” He tilted my head up to him.

“I think that’s best.”

“After today. We have to handle trade treaties and then we’ll have time to discuss with them.” he decided but I knew.

“You just don’t want your mother getting over excited,” I grinned.

He rolled his eyes to me in the darkness of the early morning. “You’ll thank me later,”

As we calmed down his eyes roamed over me and he saw my white nightie, it was not the most modest thing his hands moved to touch it but pulled back to his b*dy before anything happened.

“Go back to sleep,” he rubbed my arms.

I went back to sleep unwillingly. I had a feeling that he would not sleep at all. If I’d learned anything he was going for

a num

I looked out of my window after a few minutes and saw his black fur streak through the trees. He must still be worried to go running with Enzo.

sleep again after tossing around my bed for

were leaving right away. They had a plane

you papa,” I

will all work out in the end darling.” he patted my head

certain,” I smile into his shoulder.

than anything it

27

Chapter 39

my cheek and passed my hands to my mom.

did the best thing–poss–may–he did what he thought was best,” She shook her head as she

I know but he is going down a dangerous path.” I warned her. “You have to talk to him get him to open up and not treat him like a problem but as an adult so he can get better and control

was not easy for

for my mother to let go of us barely an

us as adults. James was still only 16 and I was

into heat inmates I could die. For that reason I think she was holding

worry for him but you might be, maybe his time here and apart from me may help,” she huffed. “When

love you mama,” I tucked my head into her.

held

hurts you I’ll kill him. Theo hugged me. “Anything you want me to say to

can’t,” I whispered back. The punishment for his threat was clear and if I broke

always knew you’d be a dependable leader,” he complimented me I knew in order to ease

doing as Luna. The second you

let me know you get home safe,” I smiled give

need anything. If you need me

always,” I rolled my eyes. “I love you Charlie,”

me to visit,” he shrugged.

laughed at him and his

should come when James comes,”

“Charlie?”

know to check in on you. To make sure James is

3/7

Chapter 39

can come visit but when you do you’re gonna have to

don’t need to know everything.” Charlie glared at

onto my lands,”

gave me another

off. I didn’t cry this time. I knew I’d see them again, I knew that Grayson and I were just on the

to the past when the future is clearer. I

I missed

is ready to be polite to you

time for the meeting

“On my way

as Luna, and in front of our allies was a bold face lie. I had dressed in the armor of a modern day

return they’ll definitely want something. Wolves don’t give anything away for free, we’re proud we expect rewards

shame,” Luna Lilliana smirked at me

leather chairs, a bar, no windows, and it was sound

our host a mimosa,” Her husband Alpha Steven called from his seat. “Marriage

nodded to me.

insinuation made a flood of red rush to my

alone” Lilliana scolded her mate. “You know she’s barely

with your mate in the name of the goddess. Some packs are straying from

out of our

so I’m going to see what I can get ou new friend,” He chuckled

my wife like that,” A dark shadow came from behind Steven, Grayson seemed

4/7

an I only berry noticed the secur docr in the

letting out a musical giggle with a dainty hand raised to her chest. “Oh my goddess than was

this meeting with threats,” I went over and

away by my gentle tug and we sat down at the

bitha Zander asked around

“Business” Season nodded

and the protection of the trade

pay tows

liked to rob some wolf cargo

this as

in return for our finest fabrics. The River Phase pack agreed to give

more hunder and pine nuts, and

track

leaned back assessing his

more than what

Sover eyed

bts

clearly audible.

it down you and your muscles can,” Steven made

ferocious bear that’s been giving