Rain's POV

The aromas fighting for dominance in the restuarant's kitchen were comforting to me as (I assume) to all cooks. Not to mention me being a werewolf with a genetically high appetite, my tummy was gurgling non-stop whilst my taste buds yearned for a lick of most if not all the delicious creations making rounds on the tables. It was easily the most joyous-

"Fasterr, fasterr Rainy girrl! No day dreaming in my kitchen, customers are waiting I NEED my sauce!"

-make that the most chaotic time of my life.

That was our Head Chef Mr. De Luca who also co-owns this place with Mr. Arch. He's a strict Italian man with a just as strong accent. His demanding attitude always keeps us (staff) on our toes but no hating, that man makes sure that orders are served on time and overall, he keeps things running smoothly; plus he makes THE best Pasta! In his mid-forties, he was quite the looker with only a few laughing lines to show for his age. He kept clean shaven at all times just like he required us to keep neat appearances for hygienic reasons.

"I'm on it Sir!" I replied as I stirred in some Parmesan in my vodka sauce but Mr. De Luca was already on the opposite side shouting orders at Cara. I take too long didn't I?

I like it here, it's busy and it keeps my mind off things. Plus no-one sneers at me just because. We are all just people, employees with personal goals, like Cara for example, I heard she wants to open her own eatery soon and is only here for some hard earned training. I stumbled upon this place at the worst stage of my life, when everything was one big rollercoaster of fear, confusion, loneliness.... and poverty.

See, when I was kicked out of my home, I was at a loss. Naturally I tried seeking help from my neighbors. The ones I'd kindly run errands for, the same ones whose kids' tutoring I didn't charge for when they couldn't afford it but, they left me out in the cold. And I had only asked them to speak to my parents on my behalf or to at least give me a meal.

The ones that turned me away said they wanted peace in their homes and that good morals were part of it, I got the message. Others would simply offer me freedom to raid their trashcans much to my humiliation. I lived like a beggar for weeks, missing school and bathing in the river before finally managing to beg my way into the pack house's attic. That's also when I bribed my baby brother into sneaking some of my clothes to me in exchange of my 'awesome' Twilight collection cause I already had no access to it.

I had thought moving into the pack house would make things a lot easier considering it was a safe haven for stray wolves like me; abandoned, troubled, mate less and worse off but I was wrong, SO wrong.

I was told that I'd have to earn my keep, but since they wouldn't let me anywhere near the kitchen nor their rooms for cleaning and such, I couldn't EARN my keep. That right there meant no food for me. At first I thought they'd give in but no, other residents me deserved the help they got whereas I slept everything away; Alpha's words not mine.

I took to waking up real early in the morning so I could help myself to some bread or whatever else I could find until three months later when Connor, the current beta's son walked in on me. To cut matters short, he left a mess of broken bones, blood and tears with the whole pack house in uproar over the matter. It was then I got crowned 'thieving whore'.

That same morning after cleaning up as best as I could, I went to the next town over (away from Canyon) and found myself at this restaurant's doors. With my small ounce of luck, it was run by humans. Yes, they were reluctant in hiring a 15 year and more than willing to call CPS but after a lot of convincing, they let me do the dishes. Apparently they were impressed with my tolerance for hard labor since I never turned a chore away that they kept giving more responsibilities and worked my way up. Now I work as a cook and earn more money, which I never use except to keep $500 for emergencies. I mean I eat here and buying new clothes would be a grand waste considering the daily beatings and all pranks that they pull on me. That's how I've managed to save up so much.

"Excuse me Rain?" A voice accompanied by a light tap to my shoulder caught my attention. I surmised that those small unsure hands belong to Cara, she was pretty shy since she was new and all. I turned around with a small smile as my head cocked to the side in curiosity. "Yes, did you need help with something Cara?"

"Oh no, Mr. DeLuca has been quite the help so I'm OK." she said with an embarrassed dimpled smile as her cheeks flushed red, yep she was new all right.

"oh um, somebody named Alpha is on the phone for you?"

Oh shit.

"Thanks Cara, I'll get it." My smile had never been so fake.

"Hello?" I asked into the phone.

"Young Everton?" A deep yet impatient sounding male voice replied.

"Yes it's me Alpha, did you need something? Did I do something wrong?" I asked worried because never would he voluntarily look my way so for him to actually call me...hell how did he know my work number?

"Nothing of the sort but I need you in my office right now."

"But Sir you said I should only return when-"

"DO NOT question my authority you little delinquent! When I say come to my office you do just that!" His voice roared through the phone's speaker, making my head bow in submission despite his physical absence.

"Sir my shift ends-"

"Get. Here. Now!" He ordered using Alpha Command. I couldn't defy that, even though I still had two hours of work left.

Mr. DeLuca won't like this one bit.

With a shuddering breath, I gave in. "Yes Alpha"

What on Earth would Alpha Jackson want from me?