chapter eight || run
Taylah's POV

The party has been going for almost an hour now and my poor feet have started aching. I wiggled my toes in my uncomfortable shoes and wondered if I should go swap them for flats.

I looked up and spotted an empty seat and made my way over before anyone else could. I sat down and immediately started undoing the straps to the stupid heels. Once both heels were off, I grabbed them and stood up, feeling an immediate relief. I sighed and placed my heels under the table, since my room is too far to get to from here.

I should have just worn flats.

"Already? I thought you'd last at least a little longer than that," a voice teased.

I whipped around, only to come face to a young boy.

"Oh crabs, that was rude," he said, slapping his hands over his mouth with wide eyes.

"Hey, it's okay. Personally so did I," I smiled at him kindly.

The boy dropped his hands from his mouth and sent me a small smile.

"I'm Daniel," he chirped, reaching his hand out.

"Taylah," I replied, reaching out and shaking his hand.

"How does it feel to be a part of the ThunderRaven Pack?"

Daniel was quite good looking for such a young kid, I'd guess he's about twelve. He had thick, chocolate brown hair that swept across his forehead, paired with similar dark brown eyes that shone with happiness. He was also pretty tall, about my height and quite lean. He looked familiar but I couldn't figure out why. I've probably seen him around the pack house somewhere.

"Um, it's good, I guess. It's only been an hour," I shrugged, wringing my hands together.

To be frank, I don't feel anything. It's only been an hour and if I do say so myself, apart from the constant pull to the pack, I feel pretty much the same.

"Daniel, your father has requested you. He said to wait up in your room," an old lady announced, walking over to us.

Daniel nodded at the lady, who walked off into the kitchen.

"Thats cool. I guess I better get going, bed time calls," he whined, "goodnight Taylah."

"Goodnight."

He walked off with a smile, most probably to go find his father.

I shrugged and turned back around to sit down once again. Just as I was about to sit, I heard my name being called.

"Are you ready?" Eden asked, bounced her way up to me.

My brows furrowed in confusion. Ready for what? And why did she look so happy?

"For what?" I questioned.

"The run! Your first run with your new pack!" She exclaimed. "It's a tradition for every new member."

"Oh," I nodded slowly, "That's a thing?"

Eden pulled a face at my obvious question and shook her head slowly.

"Duh! Come on, Ryder will explain it all to you!"

I nodded my head and quickly followed behind her as she raced to find her beloved mate.

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"Okay? Do you understand?"

I nodded my head in understanding and Beta Ryder sent me an encouraging smile and slowly guided me to the large group of people.

"We will be starting soon, so be prepared," he warned.

"I will."

Apparently the run went for roughly half an hour and was led by the Alpha and the Beta. Generally the Alpha female would be running alongside the two but I guess that's not how Adrianno ran his pack.

I took a deep breath and willed myself to be able to keep up. I knew I was probably slower than pretty much the whole pack but I was hoping I would at least not fall behind. That would be embarrassing. I wanted to be a part of this, I wanted everyone to accept me.

"We welcome Taylah to her first run with her newly found pack. The ThunderRavens are accepting you into the pack through the formality of a pack run. You will run alongside your pack and not stray from your family," a strong voice boomed.

Shivers racked my body and goosebumps raised upon my skin at his masculine and husky voice.

Adrianno skimmed the crowd and when his eyes landed on me, he held my gaze. My eyes bored into his stormy, cold eyes and I refused to drop eye contact even though my wolf was rolling on her back in submission. He cleared his throat before breaking eye contact and looking amongst the crowd.

"Let's go ThunderRavens," he roared. He ripped his clothes off harshly, throwing them to the side, before shifting into the biggest and most gorgeous wolf I have ever seen.

Adrianno's wolf stood strongly at the front of his pack, like a true Alpha. His glossy jet black coat was spotless of any imperfections and contrasted against his glowing bright blue eyes. His muscly body portrayed his strength and my wolf purred at how strong her mate was. I rolled my eyes before undressing my self, tying my clothes to my leg for when I shift back.

I bent down and shifted into my tiny, pure white wolf. I knew my eyes were glowing purple because they always did when I shifted and stayed like that as long as I was in wolf form.

"Woah, your wolf is gorgeous, Tay!" Eden squealed, racing up to me.

I sent her a wolfy grin, nodding my head in thanks.

"I've never seen an all white wolf before! Or a wolf with such a gorgeous eye colour! Purple is absolutely amazing, I wish-" her mini rant was cut off by Ryder who was chuckling at his mate.

"Breathe, baby," he said, walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her slim waist.

"Hey! I am," she whined struggling in his grip, although you could see the love shining in her eyes.

"Well, Alpha ordered everyone to be shifted so we should shift before he loses his shit," he spoke and unwrapped his arms from Eden. He quickly undressed himself before shifting into a large grey wolf, leaving his clothes beside the tree.

Eden softly ran her hands through his thick coat before also undressing and shifting into a petite sandy blonde wolf. Even though her wolf was considerably small, she still managed to tower over me.

I huffed in annoyance but was also thankful no one commented on my abnormal size.

A loud, powerful howl sounded, echoing throughout the whole forest. The pack followed suite, chorusing a loud howl just like their Alpha.

Adrianno took off in a sprint with Ryder by his side and all the pack warriors following close behind. The pups were sandwiched in between the Warriors and the normal pack members. The Omegas blended in with the normal members and were kinda hard to distinguish. I was close to the back, yet not right behind which I was glad for. And thankfully Eden was running beside me.

I closed my eyes and let my tongue flop out, relishing the cold breeze ruffling through my fur.

All my life I've been running, yet it never felt like this, this good. I felt free, and I loved every second of it.

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I hummed quietly under my breath as I quickly typed a message out to my mom. I have been messaging her all day about last nights events. A smile graced my face at the thought of it. I was finally in a pack! I was finally safe.

I walked passed the kitchen, oblivious to everything around me, making my way to the stairs. I quickly tucked my phone into my back pocket and straightened out my creased t-shirt. I looked up just in time to see I was about to crash into a muscled chest. Obviously he didn't see me either because he continued walking and bumped into me anyway. I felt the faint sparks flow through me before I fell straight to the floor at his strong impact, groaning when my tail bone hit against the hard floor.

"Oops," Adrianno blankly said, still tapping away at his phone.

I glared up at him and quickly stood up, dusting off my jeans.

"Yea, oops," I drawled out, crossing my arms across my chest and staring up at him.

He looked up from his phone at the sound of my voice before his eyes widened slightly. It wasn't until I noticed his eyes weren't on my face, but rather my chest.

I clicked my fingers in his face gaining his attention.

"My eyes are up here," I stated, gesturing to my eyes.

He narrowed his icy blue eyes at me, his cheeks tinged the slightest pink.

"Well what do you want me to say?" He glared, taking a step closer.

"Um, perhaps a sorry?" I scoffed, stepping back.

"Are you forgetting I am the Alpha? I do what I please," he gritted through his teeth, taking another step forward.

"Are you forgetting your manners? Respect takes you a long way," I spat, also stepping closer just so my chest was pressed up against his.

"Call me what you want, and reject me all you'd like. But you won't disrespect me. You may be an Alpha but you're forgetting something. I am under your care and it's your duty to respect all your members with the respect they give you. You may not want me, and that's fine, but do not talk down to me like I'm an idiot," I stressed, letting the anger seep through my voice. I'm almost positive my eyes were glowing purple but I couldn't help it, I was livid.

His jaw dropped and his eyes widened and he seemed lost for words. Mhm I see no one has ever put Mister Alpha in his place before. Well there's s first for everything.

I raised my hand between us before laying my palm flat against his chest. While maintaining eye contact I leaned up on my tippy toes. Sparks flew and tingles raced up my arm but I ignored them.

"Have a good day!" I beamed, patting his chest and skipping away.

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I'm sorry. I legit left y'all hanging for months and I'm literally so sorry! if you've read my authors note on totally awkward you would know that I've been struggling with some personal things and updating has been hella hard!

anywayyyyy here is an update! IDK how I feel about it but claps to my girl T she slayed (:

thank you for 20K omg!! I love you guys so much and thank you all for sticking around!

comment your thoughts my loves!!

xoxo,
Eden <3