Emperor's Pet

Tala

Matt took me to what looks like a private kitchen in a big castle looking place. Everyone on there were rushing around mixing or getting things. This one girl that looked similar to Jenny. She but had shiny, red hair and a tall white hat. We both have the same outfit like many of the girls. That girl still sticks out with that silky looking red hair. Matt shoved me from my back making me closer to the red head. He puts his hand on my shoulder and corrects his posture.

"Tala", she perks up looking at him,"This is Miss. Akira you'll be her mentor on cooking"

She shakes my hand,"Hi, nice to meet you", we say in unison.

Matt fixes his tie in the reflection of a metal surface,"Now if you'll excuse me. It's almost my lunch break"

He strolls out of the kitchen grabbing a red apple on the way out. I feel something sticky and gooey on my hand. On my hand, a tan substance coats my palm and fingers.

I go to wipe it on my dress, but Tala stops me from doing so. Her light touch, but strong grip made me freeze up.

"Starting with the basics of being tidy. Don't ever get anything on your uniform or they will flip", Tala pulls my hand under what they call a sink. I cringe at the warm water not familiar with it.

She propelled me to many areas in the kitchen. How to slice and dice, cook a few meals, wash the dishes, and taught me different cooking techniques. It was so much fun learning with her. She was so creative and joyful with her job. Apparently, Tala was the head chef which that was what the hat stood for.  The meals we made was actually for the lunch of the Red Roses!

Tala also gave me some insight about Matthew. His job was to take care of the new comers and shape them into serving the Empire. She even opened up to me and told me about herself. Tala was from the Moon Howlers Pack! I asked her why she was an outcast. She left the Shadow Pack for being treated unfairly by the males. So, she snuck out in search of the Moon Howlers and joined them. A few years later, the pack was attacked by many vampires all at once. Tala thought that this is how it all started with the kidnaps. Because we were at our weakest for splitting up from each other. The longest she had been here was four years. In return, I told her that I was from the Lycan Pack and was the daughter of the Alpha. That I arrived yesterday after being kidnapped during a mate race.

Tala eyes rounded,"You could be the key to uniting the packs! You can save the last three packs remaining!", she held my hands. My wolf denys this, because it didn't want a mate. But in my mind I know it was the right thing to do. My body backed away from Tala out of disapproval of the idea.

"What about you and the wolves here?" I lean against the counter. Tala frowned and took off her apron. She clunched the cloth in her hand staring at it with desperation.

"Its too late for us, Akira. Once you're captured there is no way out. Trust me I tried and failed. The consequences for it is brutal and torturing", Tala took off the white hat. She studied it like it was going to benefit her somehow in life. I went to reach out for her until a ringing sound went off. Tala took a deep breath and put on her hat again.

She smiled at me,"That's the lunch bell", she grabbed a cart and put dishes on it,"Let's go people!"

I look around to see people doing the same. These people must be all werewolves of a certain pack. Did they all try to escape and faced the horrible punishments? Tala gave me my own cart with names by the plates. She lead the way through the swinging double doors with me behind. Other people did followed behind me quickly. Past those doors were a big, long table full of men in red suits sitting around it. Everyone started to hand out meals to them. I didn't know who they were or what their names were. This is my first time doing this. I notice the names on their red jackets sew into it. Matching them to the names by the plates. I hand out all the meals Tala and me made including the other girls made. The next name I read made me happy.  Matthew Clarkson. My eyes search the table for that intelligent, glasses wearing vampire face. I find him at the end of the table reading a book. Pushing the cart over to him, I hum a little song feeling a little cocky.

"Hello, Matt, here is your Cajun Seafood Pasta with a glass of red wine", I sat the plate and wine glass down in front of him. He nods his head repeatedly at the dish. Certainly impressed with my presentation. Tala says that if I have a great attitude then I'll get gratitude.

"I see you have mastered your cooking skills. Tala must have taught you her secrets", he lays his napkin on his lap,"Right after my lunch break we'll be heading off to the greenhouse"

I nod and went off to hand everyone their plates and drinks. When I heard the rumors about vampires I thought they only drank blood for food. Now I'm learning something new about these blood suckers. Once I'm finished, I retreat back into the kitchen. I see Tala cleaning up her work station. My work station was already cleaned by someone, so I'm ready to take off when Matt is ready. I walk over to her and help her out by wiping down the counter. While she puts away the utensils and seasonings.

"I'll be leaving to the greenhouse after Matt is finished eatting", I tell her.

"Why are you going there?" She asked, baffled. I scrubbed off a stubborn splotch of dried food.

"I've been assigned to three jobs to see which one I'm better at. It's crazy let me tell ya", I laugh. Tala laughs too putting a knife in a sink.

"Sounds like you'll be busy today", she sighs from laughing,"I just hope you will be on cooking duty with me"

"Same here", I agreed, wringing out the rag before putting it in the laundry shoot. Few minutes after talking, Matt comes into the kitchen telling me we have to go. I say my goodbyes to Tala before I go. The only thing left in my mind was 'gardening here I come'.