Stronger

His hand grabbed my whole side and pulled me to him. The safest place I had ever felt.

He bent and sniffed the top of my head. He pulled me into both his arms.

Suddenly his hands went to my hips and he lifted me to wrap myself around him.

This was home.

I drew my fingers over his chin and did not take my eyes away from his.

My wolf pranced inside of me seraphine howled and rejoiced that we had found this.

Soulmates were a gift from the goddess, a rare and beautiful thing.

Only a few people every generation are true mates.

I tucked my head into the crook of his n*eck needing to be even closer to him. He did not hesitate to take a hand and run it up to my hair rubbing it behind my ear gently.

I felt our hearts beat in sync. My breathing calmed. My b*dy cooled. Peace overcame me instantly.

I woke up in my bed.

1

I shot up sitting straight frantically to look for him. He wasn’t there. Where was he!

I ran out of my room and right into a hard chest.

“Oh!”

I rubbed my nose.

“You’re awake,” my father looked down at me smirking. “Are you alright?”

I bowed my head and smiled sheepishly. “I’m sorry Papa,” I couldn’t help the demand inside me. “Where is-”

“He’s asleep too, I suppose he’ll wake up in a moment,”

“Oh,” I couldn’t help the sadness that crept into me. I wanted him

“A soulmate is a powerful thing. No wonder he was so frenzied in the tournament,” he laughed.

“It’s not uncommon for people to sleep instantly after meeting their soulmate. The more powerful the pair the stronger the effects,” He rubbed my back and started walking me down the hall.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that the goddess blessed you in this way,” he smiled. “I know that this will bring you joy. True. Joy,”

“Did I really fall asleep?” I asked so confused and trying to piece together what had happened through my chaotic mind.

“Right in his arms. He got you here and set you down then requested we show him to a room before he passed out,” my father let out a laugh from his belly.

“That was sweet,” I blushed.

“Anna!” My mother’s voice chirped into my ears. “You’re awake! Oh isn’t this spectacular! The goddess is wise with her choice to gift you my pup!”

1

My mother ran up the stairs and swept me into her arms.

“I am so so grateful you are going to be safe with him. This all I could have asked for,” she pressed me tightly to her.

I suddenly felt her worry that she had kept from me this past week sl*pping away.

“Mama,” I hugged her so tightly. I should have known she was keeping a brave face for me.

“Anna,” My brothers were waiting in the entry.

I hustled down to see them and hug them.

“This is a surprising turn of events isn’t it,” James laughed rubbing my back. “I was terrified when I heard your scream but hey all worked out,”

“James,” I rolled my eyes, wrapping my arm around him.

“Cea was beyond worried she almost attacked your mate but luckily father stepped in,” Theo chuckled to himself.

“This is beyond our hopes, let’s just be happy about it,” my dad wrapped his arms around his mother and me.

“I cannot wait for your binding ceremony!” My mother giggled. “Your dress will be of the finest silk I will order it

tomorrow,”

The day that I had been dreading had now become my sweetest dream. Soon I would be on my mates land and I would wear a silk dress and he would mark me as his and I would mark him as mine. This would bind us.

I do not know how they celebrated bindings on his land but here there were candles, lanterns, the whole pack was present and once the moon was highest they were bound by the elders with ribbon and they marked one and other.

“I expect it’ll be different there but I do not think he’d object to you being treated to a day of care from the elders of our pack,” My grabbed my hands.

3

“I demand to be there,” Cea squealed, hugging me from behind emerging from who knows where.

“All your secret little hopes of a great love came true,” She whispered in my ear, grabbing and shaking my shoulder.

“I hope they’re one of those packs that deos a tournament or festival,” James laughed.

1

My family began inputting on what they wanted to see at my binding our joy radiating around the room.

Again peace wrapped me tightly but this time I did not fall asleep.

Then the doors to our house opened after a small knock and Matthew O’Connell poked his head in. He apologized for barging in and interrupting our moment.

Matthew walked in bowing his head. “Miss Annette,” He did not meet my eyes this time.

“Matthew?” I acknowledged him and then remembered my family. I turned to face them. “This is the Beta of the winner, he’s been here is his Alpha’s place while he was taking care of their pack,”

1

“Alpha Jonathan, Luna Eva. I cannot express how happy I am that my Luna will be Annette, I feel like there is nothing I can do to show it,”

1

My parents both smiled graciously. “Please come in,” My mother swept out her arm in welcome.

“I’m only here to check on my Alpha,” He shook his head.

“Mattew,”

2

His voice shook me and I spun my mouth agape. I tried to find the words I tried to manage even a simple sound to get

him to look at me.

“Alpha,” Matthew bowed.

He swept his gaze over me and stilled staring at me in silence.

I only did the same memorizing his dark ruffled hair and gray eyes, sharp features for a warrior. I could not see a scar on his face. He was taller than anyone I knew, I had to hold back the laugh at the odd pair we would make to others.

Charlie cleared his throat and my trance was broken and so was my mates.

“My apologies,” he coughed. “I um…..I’ll see you in the morning,”

He quickly grabbed his beta and excused himself walking almost running out of my home.

“Excuse me?” I grumbled as he slammed the door.