After we met some of the Dark Moon mem- I mean after we introduced ourselves to everyone we were escorted to the pack house. We would meet the others at the Run tonight which apparently happens when new people are welcomed into the pack. Basically, from what I've heard, during the Run the whole pack- excluding children, elders, and those who haven't shifted yet- goes out in wolf form to hunt and run. I was more than excited for this. I was finally able to shift. And the even better news is that the Run is led by the Alpha. And if he has a mate it could be led by her too. This might even give me a chance to talk to him one on one.

Anyways besides that, I was feeling really nervous to go the pack house. If Alpha Thaddeus lived in the pack house, was I going to be with him? We actually haven't talked one on one yet and I was kind of itching to do so.

I walked alongside Beth and Savannah. They were both quiet but I could only assume it had something to do with the change around them. I placed a hand on Beth making her look up, startled.

She interlaced our hands together before looking back at the front. I was shocked at the action but went along with it. We were being led by the third in command, Ken. My old pack didn't have a third in command. I guess Alpha Brayton didn't think they were much use. I remember we use to have one about ten years ago but he mysteriously vanished. I don't even think Alpha Brayton knew what happened to his third in command but since then we haven't had one since.

We stopped in front of a beautiful large mansion. Standing in front of it, I felt so small. I could see through the windows some people bustling around here and there. I was about to walk in but stopped when a hand touched my shoulder.

I looked up startled. Ken let go immediately. "The alpha requested you stay in his house."

I froze on the spot. He lived in a different house. And I was going to live in it... With him.

Beth snapped me out of it when she pulled on my hand impatiently. I let go of her hand and motioned for her to my mom and dad who were staring at me confused.

I shook my head trying to tell them I would talk to them later with my eyes. My mom understood but my dad didn't. My mom pulled on my dads arm making them continue on into the mansion with the kids.

I looked back at the third in command. "Lets go."

I followed close by behind him. He moved with a quick speed in his legs which made me wonder if he had other things to do. I rolled my eyes at this and scoffed inwardly.

Of course he has other things to do besides taking me to the Alphas house. Speaking of that, I was completely nervous. What would happen once I get there?

I decided to muster up enough courage and ask Ken. I coughed to get his attention. He turned around to face me. "Is there a problem?"

I shook my head. "Actually, I was wondering what would happen once we get there. I mean is there any one else living there besides the Alpha?"

Please tell me other people will be living there, I chanted repeatedly in my head.

"I'm afraid I do not know what will happen once you get there, but you two are mates," he looked away while scratching the back of his neck. It took me a full minute to understand what he was implying.

I blushed deep red at the thought of us mating. I know it will happen sooner or later but I did not want to think about it at the moment. A moment of absolute awkward silence descended on us as we continued to the house. Once we made it, Ken coughed to get my attention this time.

"And no one besides the Alpha himself lives here," he responded answering my earlier question.

I was partly upset yet excited and nervous. I was upset because Alpha Thaddeus must have felt really lonely living in such a beautiful large house. And I thought the pack house was big.

The Alphas house looked much bigger. With a house like this you would think more than one person lived here. I sighed before taking a step forward. Ken had already opened the door. He was waiting for me to enter.

Without hesitating, I walked in and gawked at the inside.

Two spiral staircases were on each side of the entrance. A large chandelier was in the middle of the room hanging up on the tallest ceiling I have ever seen. Ken coughed behind me again.

"The Alpha isn't here but I could show you your room?" I nodded trying not to show my excitement. Ken walked up ahead and led the way. We walked up the beautiful staircase and each step I took felt like another step towards an opportunity.

We walked past the walls full of pictures from back then. My eyes lingered on a family picture but before I could even look at it closely, Ken was already opening the door to a room.

I hesitantly walked in. I don't know why but my excitement immediately flew out the window when I inhaled the air. This wasn't my mates room.

My confused eyes focused on Ken who was not meeting my eyes. In fact he looked sheepish.

"The Alpha specifically told me this was your new room." So he knew what was going through my mind.

"Where does he sleep then?" The question came out like a mere whisper.

"In another room down the hall." I nodded with my lips pierced in annoyance. "There are clothes in the closets for you but I have to go now."

Ken left without another word. I slowly walked to my bed in a dull state, not caring about the dress I had on currently, before collapsing on top of it. The soft material instantly drew me to a deep comfortable sleep I hadn't known I yearned for. My eyes immediately closed as I let sleep take over me.

-

I jolted awake when hands roughly pulled me out of bed. By the sparks that erupted, I knew who it was instantly.

I snapped my sleepy eyes open to see my mate standing above me with cold hard eyes. I sat up and coughed awkwardly. He had his arms crossed across his muscled chest in a manner that made me feel as if I was in trouble.

"Change, the Run is beginning in half an hour." And just like that he was walking out the room. Before I could even think about what I was going to say, I shouted for him to wait.

"Wait!" He didn't turn around, instead his body stayed forward but he moved his head in a slight angle. I knew from the tensed posture he was uncomfortable being here with me and that hurt.

"Why am I-" He cut me off mid sentence as he understood what I was talking about.

"Because it is better that way," his monotone deep voice held a hint of anger in them. Was it directed to me?

"Alpha Thaddeus, we're mates," I pathetically added. At this, Alpha Thaddeus turned around in a movement so quick it surprised me.

"We may be mates but," his tone changed from monotone to angry. "I never wanted one."

His dark eyes glared into my blue eyes which made me gasp. "Fix the dress."

He turned and stomped out, making every footstep feel like a knife being shoved into my heart repeatedly.

I looked down at my dress to see that it had ridden up and now from the top of my belly button all the way down, was on display. I pulled the dress over my head, deciding to change out of it. I sighed and tossed it on the ground near the closet.

I fell back on the soft material as a tear slid down my cheek. I growled furiously wiping away the tear. I glanced back at the door.

So that was it. He didn't want me.

I sighed before getting up to change.

I gasped in surprise at the amount of people here. Including the newbies, we were probably about three hundred. We were in a clearing, in the territory, that still had enough room for one hundred more wolves though.

Some people had already shifted while others were just waiting for the Alpha and talking around with each other. My mind drifted back to our conversation but I immediately thwacked my forehead. I was going to join the Run without having any problems and it would be amazing.

I joined Rose and Mason who were just chatting. I didn't want to interrupt them but I needed to forget about Alpha Thaddeus.

As I approached them, Mason spoke up louder than I expected which must have meant he heard me coming. "Annabel is going to lose when I challenge her to a race again."

I scoffed which made him turn around with a fake look of shock. "Anna, I didn't know you were there."

I rolled my eyes at him but I couldn't help the smile on my lips. "I hope you didn't hear any of what I just said."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "So you think you can beat me at another race?"

"Anna, since when have you've ever beat me at a race?" He questioned. I scowled making him smirk. Rose playfully slapped his chest making him look at her. "Seriously, when has she ever beat me?"

"OK, that is not the important question she needs to answer Mase," Rose answered for me using that annoying nickname he always hated. Masons face scrunched up in disgust as if Rose had just said she mated with his own father.

"Don't use that-"

"What happened between you and your dashing mate?" Rose questioned. Mason stopped trying to explain why his nickname was annoying and turned serious.

But then his eyes popped out. "Did you just refer to the Alpha as 'dashing'?" Disbelief coated his tone along with a hint of jealousy.

"Don't worry Mase, you are just totally sexy," I noticed the way her tone went flat while Mason wrapped an arm around her shoulder chatting away. I found this as my way to escape from Rose. There was no way I was going to tell her what had just happened.

I turned and walked away really quickly, and kept my eyes on them to make sure they hadn't noticed I disappeared. I knocked into someone making us both fall down.

"I'm so sorry," we both said in unison. An awkward smile made its way onto my face as I looked up at the girl.

She had to be at least my age, or maybe even older. Her curly blonde hair was slightly dirty from the fall but she didn't seem to notice. Her dark grey eyes examined me the same way I was doing to her.

She stretched her hand out to shake which I gladly took. "Hi, I'm Arianna. But people call me Ari."

"I'm Annabel, but you can call me Anna," I said with a little smile. She returned the smile with one of her own. I couldn't help notice a dimple that appeared on her right cheek. I then noticed we were still on our knees.

"We should probably get up now," I said getting onto my feet slowly. Arianna laughed and did the same.

"So I'm guessing you were one of the people from the Blue Bloods pack?" I confirmed by nodding.

"So Ari, " I began, "when does this begin?"

She shrugged ripping some grass out of her hair. "The Alpha is usually busy so this might take a while."

"Why don't we just start without him?"

Her eyes widened at me as she stared at me in disbelief. "We can't start without him, that's like insane!"

"What would happen if we did?" I was really curious what would happen.

"I don't know," she replied, "but that is how it goes. The Alpha and his mate, the Luna, always lead."

I nodded before turning my head away. Is it possible she might know I'm the Alphas mate? I sighed staring out onto the clearing. Ari's voice cut me out of my thoughts.

"But to be honest," she says, "I feel slightly bad for his mate."

I snapped my head in her direction trying to keep a calm facade. "Why?"

"Because she-" Ari stopped herself just as the Alpha walked into the clearing with Jay beside him. I shuffled out of his eye sight and closer to Ari.

The whole clearing went quiet as Alpha Thaddeus looked out onto the crowd. And then he spoke.

"As the rules state, the Run must be led by the Alpha and his mate," he began, his deep sonorous voice doing things to me, "but I will be doing it alone."

Whispers of confusion erupted as some people looked around at each other. So they didn't know he found his mate. Instead of silencing everyone with one command, Alpha Thaddeus shifted into his wolf. I stayed frozen on the spot as others began shifting.

I couldn't get my eyes off of his wolf. His wolf was pitch black, the same color as his eyes. He stood tall and even in his wolf form he was much bigger than me.

I glanced around the clearing noticing most wolves were either black, dark brown, light brown, or even just blonde. I shook my head ignoring the thought, and fell to my knees, with my eyes closed, letting the change happen.

I don't know what I did, but once I opened my eyes, every pair of eyes were on me, including my mate.

I don't know why but I suddenly began charging towards him. I tried to stop but my wolf would not listen to me. She was finally free and loved it. I had to admit too, I loved this.

I slowed down my pace, and stood in front of him. I was completely aware of everyone staring at me but I completely ignored it. I guess they found out, I mean it doesn't take someone like Einstein to figure it out. I focused on Alpha Thaddeus's eyes before I looked at the trees behind him. Before I knew it, he turned and bolted towards the trees, me hot on his heels.

From somewhere deep within myself I vaguely realized the rest were now following.

Jay was behind me on my left side. I guess he wanted to give Alpha Thaddeus and I some privacy.

Speaking of him, I sighed in confusion, realizing I had no idea what I was suppose to call him.

Calling an Alpha by his first name was a sign of disrespect. He was always to be called alpha or even Alpha and then his name, to show that he was superior.

Even though he was my Alpha and mate I was still confused, as I've never been in this type of situation before.

I watched the way his back muscles flexed while running. How his body moved and how he was holding back in order for the rest of us to keep up.

But as if knowing that I was thinking of him, he turned and slowed his pace. We were now running side by side.

I thought he was suppose to be leading? I thought he didn't like me?

I shook my head attracting his attention but I moved on. He didn't want me, I reminded myself before speeding up.

I paid attention to my surroundings and let the joy of running for the first time in a while, take over.

My heart was pounding in my chest so hard I thought it'd burst. From a distance, I could see and hear birds flying away fast. Some animals, like rabbits or mice ran out of their hiding spots where some of my pack members were already waiting, but majority still stayed behind me.

I realized that somehow I was leading. I could feel Alpha Thaddeus behind me as our sides kept touching. He was following me. I slowed down and turned my head only for him to hit my hind with his nose keeping me in front.

He wanted me to lead.

I hate to admit this, but I really wanted to impress him. So I forced my hind legs to move faster than ever. I really didn't know where I was going but I just let my wolf guide me to wherever.

I moved here and there loving how I sped through everything. Finally being able to roam the woods in wolf form had me howling.

Soon after, some wolves joined in. I slowed down when something caught my attention.

I felt my excitement burst, as I sniffed out a big meal; A herd of deer.

I stopped and crouched low behind trees and bushes. I eyed the herd, that was eating less than fifteen feet away. I wagged my tail in excitement as I imagined tearing into the tasty meat. I hadn't noticed everybody else surrounding the herd until he crouched low with me.

I did not want to pay attention to him, but my wolf had other intentions. I let a low growl escape but luckily the deer didn't hear.

I focused on them and once I was sure they were surrounded I leapt out of my hiding spot and attacked. Many others did so too while some stayed back.

The herd finally realized what was happening and began running but they were surrounded. I had my eyes set on a specific one and it came as a shock to me when it turned and scurried away.

I let my animal instincts take over. Chasing your meal was much better than having it handed over to you. I ran after it forgetting about the others that were currently busy digging furiously into the animals.

The deer was faster then I expected but I knew I was faster. I jumped and growled when I narrowly missed it.

My wolf and I were done playing games.

I waited for the right time to jump again. When the deer stumbled over a few branches, I crouched low and jumped, landing on its back.

It let out some sort of sound but I dug my canines into the neck and tore out the thick skin. The deer fell immediately as I continued tearing out the flesh and relishing in the taste of a good deer in almost five days.

Halfway through, I heard a loud growl from behind me. I knew immediately who it was. I turned and watched as the big black wolf approached me silently. Alpha Thaddeus didn't bother to glance at me as he dug into my catch.

It was alright though. Wolves tend to share their catch so I continued eating. Alpha Thaddeus's wolf stopped and he went back to wherever he was. I felt his presence near so I continued.

Once I was completely fed, I turned around and watched my mate who was looking back at me. He was crouched low in a few bushes watching me with his piercing dark eyes.

I didn't want to but my wolf forced me to go closer to him. She wanted to finally be close to him. He didn't do anything but watch as I went closer to him. I let out an unintentional whimper but he did not do anything.

But then he slowly rose up and stepped closer to me. He rubbed his muzzle on me before stepping back and letting out a fierce growl.

I cocked my head to the side in confusion. I was afraid of trying to use the mind link to figure out what he was thinking, but I tried anyways.

He was blocking me out.

I watched him, as he let out a deep growl and lowered his head before growling even louder. Alpha Thaddeus seemed to be having an internal argument with his own wolf.

My wolf whimpered. The human is resisting again.

To prove that my wolf was correct, Alpha Thaddeus turned and dashed from me leaving me all alone. I tilted my head back and let out a howl full of agony and sorrow before curling together and placing my head on my paws. I thought I heard a howl that sounded exactly like mine in the distance, but I was already shutting my eyes in sorrow.

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~MissieA out!

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