chapter fourteen || regret
Taylah's POV

I hummed under my breath as I whisked the eggs in the large bowl. Once done, I poured the mixture into the frying pan and got my spatula out, ready to flip some omelettes.

"Are you okay for me to leave, or would you like some more help?"

I glanced up at Jenny, one of the pack chefs, and shook my head at her.

"I'll be fine, you go off," I smiled at her, gesturing outside with my spatula. She smiled back gratefully before she took her apron off and skipped outside.

Today I had taken the initiative to cook breakfast for the higher ranked wolves as their meeting started bright and early. I offered my help to Jenny who gladly accepted and we bonded a heap over the course of whisking eggs. The young chef was just too sweet and really did deserve a break from all the hard work.

Once I had finished cooking all the omelettes, I placed them all on separate plates and made my way over to Adrianno's office, frowning when I reached the door because I couldn't knock due to my full hands. Just as I was about to mindlink Ryder, the door swing open and Laken stood their bouncing in his spot.

"Food. Food. Food." He chanted as he eyed out the omelettes in my hands. I giggled as he took a plate from my hand and sauntered back to his seat and immediately scoffed the whole thing down his throat at once.

"Have some manners, Laken," Adrianno glared warningly.

Laken swallowed his food before bowing his head.

"Of course, Alpha. Forgive me."

Adrianno looked over at me before gesturing for me to enter the office. Stepping inside, I walked towards the large table and laid a plate in front of Ryder who smiled up at me in thanks, and another in front of Atlas, the head warrior. I walked around the opposite side of the table and placed the last plate in front of my handsome mate. As I went to step back and walk out of the private meeting, a large, warm hand latched onto my slim wrist. I followed the tan arm and reached the stunning, cold eyes of my mate.

"Thank you," he spoke gently, before taking my hand to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to my burning skin. My breath caught in my throat at the look of total adoration in his eyes. I nodded slowly with a shaky smile before snatching my hand back and high tailing out of the room.

I darted up the spiral stairs and headed straight for my room, opening the door and shutting behind me as I flopped down onto my bed belly first.

"Goddess, why do you hate me?" I whispered as I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling.

"I don't think she does," a voice spoke from the entrance to my room.

I abruptly sat up and whipped my head around only to see a giddy looking Aiden standing in my doorway.

"Aiden!" I squealed, aggressively patting the empty space of bed beside me.

He giggled at my antics and wandered over to the side of my bed and sat beside me.

I shimmied across the bed and placed myself closely beside him.

"So?" I whistled.

"So...?" He replied mischievously.

I patiently waited for him to answer my unspoken question, because even though I never directly asked him, he knows exactly what I'm talking about. A few minutes passed in utter silence before I exploded.

"Don't keep me waiting! How's Laken?"

A large smile overtook his face as his pale eyes sparkled.

"Amazing," he sighed, dreamily.

"Details," I said, waving my hand in a proceeding manner.

"Well, after the whole balcony scene, he took me to a beautiful waterfall outside our territory and we swam until dawn and, we maybe kissed a little," he stated, his cheeks turning a rosy pink.

I squealed out of pure happiness for my new found friend.

"Aiden, I am so happy for you!" I told him, wrapping my arms around him and embracing him in a hug.

"I am happy too," he whispered, biting down on his lower lip to stop a giddy smile from blooming.

"Taylah!" A voice squealed from the hallway.

Both Aiden and I whipped our heads to face the flustered blonde who was rapidly breathing in my doorway.

"Eden?" I asked, standing up. "What's wrong?"

A giant smile overtook her face before she replied.

"Okay, so, one of the packs from a neighbouring state is visiting in regards to a treaty slash alliance blah blah. So, we need to get ready and clean and setup, you know, to prove we are the better pack," she rambled, placing her hands on her hips.

"I'm going to go find my mate..." Aiden trailed off, shuffling out of the room.

"Yes, Queen! Get that hunky man into bed, do your thing," Eden teased, waving him off.

Aiden's faced burned a bright red as he mumbled something under his breath and sped out of my room.

I looked back at Eden who was clearly finding herself hilarious and just smiled at her silly antics.

"Okay... do my makeup?" I questioned her hesitantly. "Then we can set up the dining area."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

An hour and a half had passed and Eden had managed to get us both ready. Hair, makeup and dresses! Whilst she was wearing an electric blue, floor length gown that contrasted against her milky skin, I was in tight fitted white gown that dipped low enough to show my cleavage and hugged me in all the right places.

Apparently meetings with other packs were incredibly formal. The more you know.

I laid out all the appropriate utensils on the dining table as Eden was clearing all the dishes from the sink.

Footsteps echoed throughout the large room and both Eden and I faced the entrance door as Beta Ryder, Gamma Laken and Alpha Adrianno sauntered in.

'What a cool posse,' Laila snorted.

I giggled at her remark and immediately bowed my head as Adrianno had stepped closer to my direction.

"Well done on the setup," he grumbled once he stood in front of me.

Knowing his issue with no eye contact, I lifted my gaze to meet his murky eyes.

"Thank you. However, most of it is Eden's work," I replied, a blush forming on my cheeks.

"Hm," he agreed, his eyes flickering around the room.

"Um... so, what pack is it that we are meeting with?" I asked, breaking the awkward silence between us.

Adrianno's eyes snapped down to mine as he replied very bluntly.

"Blue Moon."

I waited for him to elaborate or at least give me some sort of information, but he stood tall and continued to stare down at me.

"Oh, okay," I mumbled.

His eyes never strayed from my face causing a feeling of discomfort to settle in my belly.

"I'm just going to go help Eden finish setting up," I said and pointed behind me as I began to walk away from him.

I had not even taken two steps before Adrianno reached forward and grasped my thin wrist between his strong fingers. My head snapped around as I gave him an incredulous look.

"Taylah?"

My eyebrows furrowed as I replied, "Yes?"

He shut his eyes tightly and let go of my arm to drag his hand down his face. His wide eyes snapped open and met mine.

"I would like to apologise for my poor treatment towards you," he said, his eyes watching my facial expression.

My eyes widened and my jaw fell open as I stared at him, dumbfounded.

"Uh, I-I, it's okay, Alpha," I stuttered softly as I dropped my gaze to his hand that was now reaching towards my face.

My breath caught in my throat as his warm fingers reached my cheek and gently traced down the side of my face. He slowly leant forward, causing my eyes to shutter close. His warm breath fanned my face before he gently angled my head low enough for his soft lips to graze the crown of my head. Placing a small kiss onto my forehead, Adrianno leant back and dropped his hand from my face and stepped away from my body.

Adrianno sent me a sensual look as he closed his eyes with a shake of his head and walked away from me.

My heart dropped a little, yet I was about to combust in pure happiness. His kiss had felt so... accepting and for once I didn't feel unwanted by him.

"Taylah, come over," Eden called out to me, waving me over by the door.

I hesitantly walked towards her and sent her a questioning look.

"The higher ranked wolves are to stand at the entrance and greet the members," she explained with a small shrug.

I nodded slowly and stood patiently beside her, waiting for the guests to arrive, with one thought on my mind.

This was going to be a long night.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

I walked over to the large table that held all the drinks. Picking up a plastic cup, I poured myself some fruit punch that looked too enticing to ignore.

A large body walked up beside me, casting a shadow over the table. I looked up at the man who was pouring himself a glass of lemonade. He must have felt my stare because his eyes flickered down to meet my gaze.

Embarrassed at being caught, I averted my gaze back to my cup, a small blush on my cheeks.

"Hello," he spoke loudly. I looked back up to meet his golden eyes and blinked.

Was he talking to me?

"Hi."

"I'm Alpha Elias," he introduced himself, sticking out a hand for me to shake.

I timidly grasped his strong hand in mine and shook.

"Nice to meet you," I said softly, sending him a small smile.

Being completely honest, Elias was extremely attractive. He had golden blonde hair that seemed to reflect his golden, yellow eyes and a perfect smile that was so infectious. He had a nice build too, not too bulky but not skinny either. Nice and lean, with the perfect amount of muscle.

"Are you going to tell me your name?" He question amusedly, a cheeky smile on his face.

I dropped his hand and shook my head in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry, I'm Taylah," I replied with a nervous giggle.

"Taylah," he repeated, "A beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

My eyes widened at his comment.

Was he flirting with me?

"Thank you," I replied, "So, you're, um, the Alpha of Blue Moon? Where is that located?"

Elias' eyes lit up as he heard of his pack and he sent me a wonderful smile.

"Yeah, I am! We are located about two states North of here. Alpha Adrianno asked us here for an alliance," he explained, as he took a sip from his glass.

I nodded my head interestedly.

"I apologise if this is too personal to ask, but does your pack have a Luna?" I asked him, noticing there was no female beside him at any point of this night.

Elias laughed at my question and shook his head in reply.

"Nah, no mate for me yet."

A certain warmth spread up my back as Elias' eyes flickered up to gaze at something above my head.

Furrowing my eyebrows in question, I spun around to face the hard chest of my mate.

My eyes met his stone cold pearls, and he sent me a pointed look.

"Alpha Elias," he grumbled, his eyes never leaving mine. "I see you've met my mate."

A gasp escaped me as I stared up at him in wonder. His eyes never strayed from mine as a look of possession flashed through his face.

I sent him a small shake of my head, silently urging him not to continue.

I turned back around to face Elias who had his eyebrows raised up in surprise.

"You never told me you were a Luna, Taylah."

I sent him a desperate look before replying, "It's complicated."

Turning my head back, I sent a look to Adrianno, my eyes boring into his.

"Thank you for tonight, Alpha, I had a lovely night," turning back to Elias I continued, "And thank you for keeping me company tonight. It was an honour to meet you."

With a nod of my head to both the Alphas, I strode passed them and made my way out of the room and to my favourite place in the house.

The library.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

wow eight months in the waiting... i hope it was worth it 🤷🏽‍♀️

we see great progress with our characters in this chapter hmmm

the next chappie has more tay and adrianno so get your butts ready for some action

if you've been with me from the beginning of my story, comment potato on this line so i can dedicate a chapter to y'all

also, to anyone who would like to make me any graphics for this story (banners, covers etc) please do! send them through to me on messages xD

i love you all and thanks for sticking by me!!

xoxo,
Eden <3