Etiquette?

Kya’s POV

An hour or so went by until I heard a light knock on the door. “Co-come in…” I stuttered. I didn’t realize I had been standing in the same spot he left me.

Princess…I’m his?… wait until this alpha gets to know me. I’ll be the new pack slave in no time. I’m a weak wolf and I can barely even hold my head up anymore. 

As the door opened I quivered not knowing who would knock in the presence of a prisoner. 

“It’s meeee Vivi!!!” She chanted as she led a brigade of maids carrying trays. They placed the trays neatly along the table and exited quietly. All except Vivi. 

“Hello, Kya! You must be starving!!!” She beamed at me.

This woman is annoyingly happy. Her energy exudes joy and brightness. I couldn’t help but smile a little at her genuine kindness. 

I’ve never actually experienced kindness except for when I met that wolf in the woods. He let me cry and brought me peace in a time I desperately needed. I didn’t even thank him….

“Why are you frowning? Where are you lost? Do you not like food?” She started shooting question after question.

I looked at my feet trying to muster the courage to tell her.. “Uh wha what do I…. I do?” I stuttered at the silver dishes with coverings.

“You eat silly!” She glanced at me not understanding my ignorance. She started lifting the covers one by one revealing delicious-looking morsels. 

The smells that arose from the platters had my stomach turning and making noise while my mouth salivated. I reached for some yellow-looking stuff and stuffed a sloppy handful in my mouth.

My eyes grew wide like I had never tasted food before. Both of my hands were about to dive in when I heard Vivi...

“Kya stop.” She said boldly.

I paused and looked at her. 

She had a look of sheer disgust on her face. “Did I eat the wrong thing? I’m so sorry” Tears streamed down my face as I dropped to the floor.

“Please Vivi I’m so sorry I didn’t mean to offend. I think I misunderstood.” I pleaded.

And there it is the moment they withdraw their kindness and kill me like the rest.

I laid low to the ground bowing and bawling. 

“Kya have you ever eaten with utensils?” She asked calmly. I looked up at her from the floor “What is a utensil?” I asked curiously.

“Gosh, that pack was full of savages huh? Come sit I will teach you everything!” And like that, her light lit back up. 

“Here this is for salad and this is for main dishes. This is for sweets and soups and this helps you cut up things into smaller pieces.” She lined on silver utensils one by one.

I’ve seen these before but never was allowed to use them. I wasn’t even allowed dishes. The pack would finish eating and throw food to me outside the pack house.

My dad always ate at the pack house so we never had food at home. I was always stuck wandering the streets begging for scraps. When I couldn’t get scraps I would try to hunt.

I was never taught to properly hunt but over the years I became very good at catching squirrels and recognizing wild berries and herbs. Though I wasn’t allowed to school I did spend a lot of time in the commune library learning about forest plants and herbs.

“Vivi….” She glanced at me causally. “What is a ‘salad’” I asked referring to the first utensil she labeled. 

“Kya… what did they feed you in your pack if you don’t mind me asking?” I could tell she was curious but trying to not push me. I liked the way she looked at me. Like I’m an equal, an actual person maybe even a friend!

“I uh well this is embarrassing but I ate scraps of whatever they would give me,” I said sadly. 

“I’m a slave Vivi,” I said lowering my head in shame.

“Do you have a favorite food?” She asked looking at me. 

“Well this yellow stuff is yummy, I also am fond of crackers I think they are called. Sometimes I got whole ones that weren’t bitten. I would pretend I had food and eat them one by one daily.” I smiled remembering collecting my crackers. 

She dropped the utensil in her hand and her hands found my cheeks. She lifted my head and looked into my eyes “You will never live like that again as long as I’m alive.” 

Tears welled in my eyes as she smiled at me.

“Lesson one you eat what you want when you want from this point forward. I will help you find new things to try and it’s ok not to like some things.” She started listing. 

“Lesson two we need to work on your demeanor girl you cannot be crying at every corner, you need to build your strength for yourself and your wolf.” She put her hands on my shoulders and gently pushed them to straighten my stance.

“Lesson three and the most important you need to let go of your past. From what I’ve gathered your life is going to truly begin here and you have to let go to move forward.” She lifted my chin with her finger making my head look up in a proud posture.

Vivi listed the lessons like a wise old teacher. I do not understand where her wisdom or kind words are coming from but I want nothing more than to cling to her like a child clings to her mother.

“Vivi… why are you doing this?” I asked quietly. 

“I’m doing this because you and I have an intertwined fate and I would prefer to stay on your good side for future events,” Vivi replied smoothly.

“Are you….my friend?” Please goddess I could use a friend. My first friend! 

“Yes, Kya I am your friend, your protector, and your guide.” She stated calmly. 

“You need rest please eat as much as you’d like and practice with the utensils. The alpha will have you eating in the pack hall before long so let’s show them how eloquent our new guest can be.” She smiled gently while handing me a ‘fork’.

She stood up to take her leave. I didn’t want her to go it was so nice to have what I assume a real conversation with someone is like. I looked at her with pleading eyes.

“Silly girl I can’t be by your side at all times I have duties to tend to and when you are well you will too! Also before I go I’d like to give you a gentle warning. Do not use the tub. Do not use the soaps. I will get you some womanly potions sent over for yourself to use in the shower but the alpha just isn’t ready…” she murmured off.

With that, she closed the door and I heard her footsteps disappear. Left alone in this room again I decided to lift my head and take in my surroundings.

I’ve been so in my head since my arrival that I did not notice how stunning this room is. It’s a light grey with royal blues and silvers. Two large blue velvet couches sat facing each other with a gorgeous glass center table.

A roaring fireplace sat in the corner of the room next to a large unique-looking bed frame with silvers and golds intertwined on the headboard with white and silver bedding. It looked like no room I’d seen before. Large and classy.

I walked over to the bed and laid down gently. I did not realize when I was thrown earlier how truly comfortable this bed is. Before I knew it I was slipping deep into slumber.

My dreams haunted me throughout the night. Caleb’s face screamed over and over “I REJECT YOU” the pain of my heart tearing over and over. 

Memories of pack members who would snarl at me to make me jump and drop my cleaning supplies. The other girls acted as though I were but a speck of dust floating around. One time I bumped into a girl around my age.

She was outraged and she and three others started beating me ruthlessly. They pulled my hair and punched and clawed until I was on the ground bloody. Then they all in sync kicked me until I was on the brink of death. 

I cried for help but other pack members just walked on as if nothing was occurring at all. By the end of their beating, I was barely conscious. One girl finally spit on me and cursed “Keep your scum to yourself”

How could this be my life? I didn’t ask to be born. I didn’t want my mother to die. The tears flowed as pain racked through my body over and over until everything went completely dark.

I felt warm for a few moments like a hand was placed on my forehead but my eyelids felt like anvils that were unliftable. A pleasant scent filled my nostrils. It was piney and fresh like the forest but cool and soothing like the creek. 

Suddenly my sleep smoothed into a restful slumber and the world was dark for many hours. My body cried for this type of rest. The soft blankets caressing my broken body, the plush pillow easing my head pain, I could die right here comfortably and happily.

I heard a few footsteps come in for about an hour collecting things and what sounded like cleaning. I slipped deeper into slumber after hearing them for just a moment.