Problem [Part 1]

"Don't you think you've been sleeping long enough? There is a bright sun outside." Hannah nagged. "Or might you possibly be dead," I felt her poke my arm, "That would put an end to this ridiculousness. I do not understand why I must be responsible for you. Perhaps I shouldn't have spoken."

I tried ignoring her but her presence was ridiculously suffocating. She would go on despite not getting any attention, and she talked too quickly for me to get a definition out of her words. 

"It's morning already?" I massaged my temples, confused as to why I was especially restless this morning but then remembered. 

It was yesterday. Involving the argument between Lucian and I when he…licked me.  I look down at the scar on my chest, it wasn't as bad as it was yesterday but may still leave another scar on my body. 

And then there was what he said. He confuses me. 

"Lydia—"

"My gosh, I'm awake." I sighed, cutting her short. I rolled the hair tie off my wrist and tied my hair,  wrapping it around into a bun. "What is it?" 

"Get dressed." She placed a change of clothes on the mattress. "There are rules to follow in this pack and you just happened to already break one of them." She narrowed her eyes at me as if to say, 'Get the fuck up.'

I took the clothes and turned to the corner of the room as I changed. "And how exactly is that my fault? Sorry in advance but your rules sound like bullshit." 

"You should be grateful that we didn't leave you dead in the middle of the forest. If it were another pack you would have not been given this opportunity."

"Gee thanks." I finished pulling the shirt through my head and furrowed my brows when I examined the unpleasing outfit. "What am I wearing?" 

The shirt was a washed out blue V neck and stained from brown residue. 

Hannah threw the last part of the outfit toward me and I caught it, surprised by the thin material. I opened it out and stared at it, "An apron?"

"Today you will assist with the making of breakfast."

'Well isn't that just great.'

***

Hannah showed me to the cooking center where pots were lit —boiling or frying— and ingredients were being chopped. The room smelled of spices and fresh slices of meat. 

"Here." Hannah directed me to a contour at the edge of the room in front of a small window, "You can assist Cora." 

Cora finished dicing carrots and potatoes and dropped them into the pot, wiping her hands into her apron when she turned to me. "I'm Cora." She held her hand out toward me to shake and I took it. 

"Lydia." I said, returning her gentle smile. Cora had an innocent round face that made her look like a small girl. Her brown hair was shoulder length and her bangs hid her brows.

Hannah left and Cora stood awkwardly in front of me.  

"Well I already started working on the broth so you can help with the preparation of those vegetables," She pointed to the variety of vegetables that laid across the counter, addressing each of them, "The carrots are normally preferred thinly cut, the potatoes can be in chunks, the onions in blocks…" She stopped and looked at me, scratching her neck, "Sorry it's a lot. You're new so I can't expect you to remember all of it. You can start with the carrots, we can advance further after." 

I took the knife and a carrot, starting to work on it. "The carrots are preferred thin, the potatoes in chunks and the onions in blocks. Is that all?" 

Cora blinked, "Oh uhm…you remembered them all." 

I chuckled at her surprised opened eyes, "I think I can handle it. It isn't a lot."  It's never been difficult for me to memorize steps. 'Pay close attention to everything, you never know what can be used again in the future.'  That was a lesson father taught me, one that was destined to stick after his flunking. 

"It's just that newcomers often find our lifestyle to be a burden at first. 'Our pack is fierce one and rather intimidating which is feared by many wolves and even humans. Not to mention our cold Alpha Lucian who rarely accepts members."  

I pursed my lips at the mention of the arrogant asshole. 'Yeah he's cold alright.'

"I can see that you have had experiences with him." 

I turned to drop the carrots and onions in the pot, only to see that she was staring at me. I cleared my throat, my brain carelessly taking me back to the time he licked me. 

I tightened the knife in my hand, "Have he always been an…" I stopped myself. They looked up to him here, it wouldn't sit right if I were to disrespect him. 

She covered her mouth, trying to conceal her laughter but small giggles escaped. "The way you're holding that knife says it all. It's fine, I know what you mean. I thought the same but believe it or not he isn't a horrible person, thirsty for blood and causing harm. Shocker I know."

"He's not? He kinda seems that way to me." I looked down at the knife and saw what made her laugh earlier. I was holding the knife in both my hands with the tip pointed to the ceiling. I basically looked as though I wanted to kill someone. I lowered it to the table and resumed cutting, trimming the celery. 

"You're funny." Cora smiled. She stirred the soup and then rested the spoon on the counter. "Can I ask you to finish it, everything seems about perfect, it's just lacking spices." She pleaded, "Everything you would need is in those containers on your left. Sorry for the short notice but my friend is currently feverish and tends to be rather childish once left alone for too long. I will be back to help you serve." She told me. 

I shook my head but not because I didn't understand her situation. "I can't—" I tried saying but before I could finish, it was pointless as she was already at the exit. 

'Fuck.' I murmured when I looked around me, seeing that the others were already preparing to serve. I grabbed a set of the spices in my hands, turning all of them to check for labels but there were none. Sweat started to form in the crease of my brows and I bit my lip. 

This is a problem. 

I can't cook.