The Hybrid Princess

Chapter Three: Trouble in the Kitchen

I wake to the sunlight filtering into the den and realize I spent the night outside. In my human form, I crawl nakedly into the day. Leaves in my hair, dirt on my face and body, I run to the tree line at the edge of the meadow and look out into the sky. It must have been close to six. I was going to be in trouble. I shift and quickly run to the pack house, avoiding the other wolves that are now running through the woods.

I reach my night shirt and quickly get dressed, hiding behind a tree. I run into the back door and enter the kitchen to see Hallie trying to make coffee and Naomi trying to turn on the oven. As soon as I shut the door, both women look up with angry looks on their faces.

“Where the f**k have you been?!” Hallie screams, running up to me and slapping my face. I reach up, covering the sting of the slap and look down at my dirty feet. “You have a job to do, b***h. I lost a f*****g nail trying to load the coffee pot!” She screams louder, shoving me into the counter. My back slams against the granite and I collapse onto the floor, gasping as pain shoots through my ribs.

Before I can brace myself, Hallie’s foot collides into the side of my head. “You embarrassed me in front of the twin alpha princes!” She seethes, continuously kicking me, “You stupid b***h! You’re covered in s**t!” I flinch, allowing her to kick me. I hide my face behind my long hair, trying not to let her see my now swollen face.

“Hallie. Stop.” Naomi states as she walks over to us. “You don’t want any of the other wolves to see you hitting our slave. It would look bad.” Hallie gasps and jumps away from me, probably looking around to see if anyone was watching.

Its silent for a moment before Naomi grab a fistful of my hair, pulling me up to face her. I look up at her face, my eyes filling with tears with the pain of my scalp being pulled. “Look at you, you dirty b***h. You even have leaves in your hair. What the f**k have you been doing?” Naomi whispers loudly at me, “Get your s**t together.” She shoves my head into the cabinet, stars dancing in my eyes. “Go upstairs, get changed and come back down here to cook breakfast. You filthy wretch!” She throws my head into the ground, stepping back to give me space.

“Get the f**k out of here.” Naomi seethes, walking back over to the stove. I jump up, avoiding Hallie’s swinging fist and run to the stairs. Other wolves fill the halls, talking amongst themselves. I keep my head down and move quickly, trying to stay out of the way.

Back in the kitchen in my normal attire, I begin cooking sausage and pepper egg scrambler. I watch the food cook and silently listen to Hallie flirt with an alpha as they make a cup of coffee. He towered over her and sported shorts with a tank top. His brown shaggy hair fell naturally from the top of his head. He smiled politely, nodding to Hallie as he made himself a cup of coffee. As if he could sense my eyes on him, his bright green eyes meet mine.

I look away quickly and hear Hallie whine, “Don’t bother with the help. She is just a hybrid wolf we rescued.” Her snarky laughter fills the room.

“I’ve heard hybrid wolves have multiple abilities from both species.” He states, “Never mind that. Do you have any more sugar?” He asks Hallie.

“Let me go grab you some! We have some more in our storage pantry!” She squeals, scurrying out the kitchen door, leaving me alone with this mysterious Alpha. Must to my demise, he walks over to me and hovers over, watching me cook.

“Hey.” He says placing his palm on the counter and leaning to the side of me. I don’t answer, keeping my head down and focusing on the pan of eggs in front of me. “My name is Bryce, I’m from the Northwest Mountain Pack.” Bryce holds his hand out to me to shake. I look up slightly and nod my head towards him. Hallie would have my head if she found me talking to him.

“In my pack, what Hallie would call the “help” we would call our Omegas and we consider them as equals in our society. Hybrid, Human or any other species are welcome.” He states, leaning his head down to meet my gaze with a smile. “You know, if you ever get sick of living like this,” he gestured to my swollen, bruised cheek, “you’re always welcome to join my pack.”

I blush slightly and shake his hand gently, “My- My name is Mad- Madeline.” I stutter, using my other hand to tuck a lose hair behind my ear, “Ma- Maddie for – for short.” Bryce smiles sweetly at me causing me to cough uncomfortably. He gets the hint ad lets go of my hand, walking to the other side of the island to watch me cooking.

“Well Maddie, I’m here with my father. The Alpha of our pack. So, if you need to escape, please come see me.” He picks up an apple from our fruit bowl and takes a bite. “We will be here for the next week or so.” I nod, smiling back at him.

“Here’s some sugar!” Hallie calls walking back into the kitchen. I immediately turn my attention back to the skillet, focusing on the food cooking.

“Thanks.” Bryce says quietly, putting a couple spoon fulls into his cup as Hallie continues to flirt incessantly. Once he finishes stirring the coffee, they both walk out of the kitchen and into the dining hall. I breathe a sigh of relief and think about Bryce’s offer.

We should take it. We will never live happily here. I nod, agreeing with snow as I continue cooking breakfast. ‘We could be happy in the Northwestern pack. The mountains would provide me with new spiritual energy to learn from.”

That’s the spirit! Snow howls happily from my mind, I can’t help but smile as I finish up the scrambler.