Silver Dreams

Chapter 3

Searing heat greeted Bree and Amy when they entered the main manor's kitchen through the back door. It was a stark contrast to the freezing, blowing breeze outside that made the four-meter walk from their house to the kitchen unpleasant. Maybe it's high time they started wearing thick coats when they go outside, Bree mused.

"And here I thought I would need to start lighting up the mourning candles," a voice broke through Bree's silent thoughts.

Bree chuckled under her breath and turned to face Hayley, who, like her, had her red hair tied in a bun atop her head.

"Who would even dare to kill two werewolves in the break of dawn near the main pack house?" Amy shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Hayley, ready to take on the challenge, squinted her emerald-colored eyes at Amy and said, "I would," crossing her arms across her chest.

Amy made a show of shivering from fear, hugging herself before saying, "So violent," and hid behind Bree.

Before her two friends could argue any further and werewolf blood pointlessly spilled so early in the morning, Bree interjected, "All right, that's enough, you two." She turned to Hayley, her expression apologetic, "Sorry, Hayley, it took a bit longer to apply the cream."

Hayley immediately looked concerned, dropping her hands to her sides. "Did it not work? Should I make another batch?"

"It worked perfectly fine," Bree interrupted, causing Hayley to look confused. "It's just... the bruises were a bit bigger than we thought."

Hayley's alarm deepened, but Bree pressed on. "But I'm fine now. Ready to start the day. What else do we need to do?" she asked, hoping to divert Hayley's attention from her injuries.

Hayley hesitated to press Bree further but sighed and dropped her shoulders in resignation. She then gestured towards the pots behind her, "You can finish those. They only need some seasoning and a thorough mix. Add some chopped carrots to the middle pot—that's today's morning soup. And you..." Hayley pointed at Amy, who was still hiding behind Bree, "... will handle roasting duty. The chickens have been roasting for a while now, so check if it's getting cooked properly. Add some coal if you need to, and don't you dare burn the chickens."

"Aye, aye, captain," Amy mockingly saluted Hayley and strolled over to the rotisserie.

Rolling her eyes, Hayley returned to her tasks.

Bree chuckled at Amy's antics as she approached the pots Hayley had indicated earlier.

They worked in silence, speaking only when necessary. Once the meals were cooked, they readied the dishes. They retrieved polished utensils, cups, and clean napkins from the cabinets, neatly stacking them on a trolley tray. Carefully, they transferred the cooked food into separate large serving bowls and loaded them onto another tray.

The time for breakfast was approaching. The girls' heightened hearing caught the faint rustle of the council members stirring from their slumber.

Hastening their pace, Bree, Amy, and Hayley rolled the tray out of the kitchen, through the hallway, and into the dining hall.

Luckily, no one had yet entered the dining hall upon their arrival. The trio lined up the meals—soup, roasted chicken, and hearty sides—down the center of the long, mahogany table. The room was soon filled with the aroma of roasted meat by the time they had finished.

Satisfied that everything was set, the three of them retreated to the kitchen before they were seen by the council.

Bree closed the double doors of the kitchen said, "Alright, let's grab a quick breakfast before we head to their rooms."