Picture: The Husersdown's mansion

We're now twenty-five people sitting at the breakfast table, and I'm pretty sure the entire staff isn't even there yet. They're all wearing very different type of clothes, but their outfits aren't too uptight, which is pretty comforting. At least I don't look underdressed in comparison, like I feared.

Most of them seem to be in their thirties and I can tell why they've been hired: they are so well-mannered that even a nun would look like a brute in comparison. They also have handsome, yet expressionless faces.

They keep saying thank you dear, would you mind, be my guest every two sentences. They talk about the tasks they've been given today, Monica, the old lady vampire's health - did you know vampires aren't actually immortal? Yes, I'm disappointed, too. As far as I can say, the weather is actually their favorite topic of conversation. I want to ask them what's their opinion on partner-swapping, just to see their reactions.

If people are so boring in Heaven, then I sure hope I'll end up in Hell.

Don't fool yourself, Alex. I immediately remind myself. You probably will. Especially after what you've done to your so-called best friend.

I don't like being surrounded by so many people. It makes me feel uncomfortable, and I can't help but think that somehow people can tell I'm not feeling at ease, which in turns increases my level of discomfort. It's a vicious circle.

Actually, that's another sign I've changed so much in the past few years. I prefer to be on my own now, but I used to be pretty popular. The good type of popular: I could make pretty much anyone talk. I even befriended the unapproachable Kyle.

I still cherish the memories of our friendship, although it didn't last as long as I would have wanted it to. Blame's on me, though.

"Kyle? Oh, Kyle?"

"Uh?" I respond stupidely, before looking up to see Serena and the little redhaired guy, whose name I forgot, looking at me expectandly.

"Kyle, what on Earth are you dreaming about? Angus has been calling your name a few times already." Serena asks me, souding half-annoyed and half-amused.

"Sorry, Angus, you were saying?" I ask sweetly, and to my greatest surprise, he slightly blushes before replying in a robotic tone:

" Don't apologize, Kyle. I said, it's 7:25 already. Aren't you supposed to bring their breakfast to our masters in five minutes or so?"

"Holy Moly" I exclaim, hurriedly getting up and making my chair fall with a lound bang in the process.

Of course, all the eyes are now on me, and I feel so embarassed I almost trip on the carpet.

"Good bye, everyone. T'was nice meeting y'all" I mumble, wanting to crawl up in a hole and die.

I grab my cutlery, putting everything in the sink but as I grab the sponge and the dishwashing liquid, Serena interrupts me by putting her hand on my arm:

"Leave it, Kyle. I'll do it. Just go!"

"Thanks, Serena" I sigh in relief. "I owe you one" I add sincerely.

She just rolls her eyes and I half-run off the room, going to the kitchen to collect my new masters' plates.

It's precisely 7:30 when I enter the dining room and I feel so relieved I want to cry. In the end I managed to be there on time! The relief is short-lived, though, as the elder lady, Monica, flatly observes:

"Young man, when we demand for our breakfast to be served at 7:30, it actually means the food should already be in our mouths at 7:30. Now, it's 7:31 and I'm still waiting. My tommy isn't used to this unbearable treatment"

I want to burst into laugher, because right now she sounds like a grumpy five-years old girl, and not a respectable old lady.

Keep a neutral face, Alex. Mask back in place, mask back in place. You've practised it many times. Now's not the time to ruin everything.

"I'm sorry, Mistress. I wasn't aware, but it won't happen ever again."

"God, I was right thinking that guy had no sense of humor" Malik whispers but I just ignore him, reporting my attention on the lady instead.

"It better not" she grumbles, before taking her plate from my hands. "I hope the food is good, at least."

"Oh, come on, Monica" the father laughs. "Take pity on him. He's new here. Plus, your pancakes look absolutely delicious."

This man, Jordan, he seems to be a debonair one. I like him. Well, as much as a werewolf can like a vampire anyway. I don't hate them nearly as much as Nate, or Noura, two Warriors from my former pack, did, but I guess I still have my reservations. Maybe being around them will erase my préjudices and in the end I will learn to appreciate their compagny.

Well, that is, until they discover the truth and end our little friendship by murdering me.

Soon, everyone has a plate in front of them - Malik is the one who ordered lasagna for breakfast. Ah! I was right when I assumed he had weird tastes.

I start to feel uneasy, standing like an idiot in front of them.

Can I leave now, or am I supposed to watch these majesties while they eat?

Well, Malik does share some physical similarities with late French king Louis XIV.

Me, immature? I don't think so.

"So, newby, where are you from?" Malik suddenly asks, making me jump in fright.

I'm about to answer his question, then I thankfully remember I'm not supposed to remember about my past so I just dully reply:

"I don't understand your question, Master"

He scoffs "Of course you don't. Nevermind."

"Malik" his brother admonishes him. "It's not funny at all. You should apologize"

Well, sounds like one brother is clearly much more well-behaved than the other. Now there's no longer any doubts left about Malik being adopted.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry not sorry, new guy. Pet? Come here" he suddenly says louder, and a young man I've never seen before, with asian traits and a petite figure, enters the room and walks towards the table. Once he's standing next to me, he timidly asks:

"Yes, Master?"

"Come here, pet. Kneel." Malik orders in a dark tone and a small shiver runs through me.

Yeah, the room is colder than I thought. Next time I'll make sure to bring a scarf or something. Nevermind if my attire will look weird, nobody pays me attention anyways.

The small man blushes but nods profusely, before kneeling down at Malik's feet. Malik pats him lightly, before putting a small straberry in his mouth. His... pet closes his eyes in contentment. I don't know why but it looks like he's faking it.

What the fuck is that?

"Thank you for the breakfast, young man." the girl, Rose, speaks for the first time. "Did you do all the cooking?"

"I did, Mistress. Well, most of it."

"Well, it was delicious. Seems like we took the right decision, hiring you" she compliments.

"Thank you, Mistress" I reply humbly, because I ain't no arrogant bastard.

"My daughter in law is right" Jordan adds. "I'm sure even my mother agrees, don't you, dear?"

The old lady - or should I say, Monica takes her time chewing down her bite, before replying coldly:

"Yes, it wasn't that bad"

They all laugh - well, except Malik and I can't help but feel slightly astonished. This is so not how I pictured vampires to be. This is so far from how vampires are represented in fiction, too. Well, I guess they do look stunning, and they seem a bit cold at first, but once you get to know them a bit more, they're not so bad.

I still don't know if I'm expected to stay there while they're having their breakfast, though.

As if she was reading my mind, Rose speaks again:

"Don't worry, young man, we're almost done. You'll be put out of your suffering soon." she says kindly. "What's your name, already?"

"Kyle, Mistress"

"Alright, Kyle. I'll try to remember it."

I don't say anything and simply nod, feeling relieved that everything has been going well so far. They're now all idely chatting, except Malik, who's still feeding his human pet.

Of course, the minute relief flows through me is when Hell breaks loose.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. But as the pet starts getting up, he knocks his head on the table so that the expensive-looking jug falls from the table.

Acting purely on instinct, I jump to catch it but unfortunately, Malik reacts as quickly as me.

I freeze as our fingers entertwined around the jug. For a few seconds, neither of us say anything, as we simply look at each other. Finally, Malik slowly removes his hand and I shakily put the jug back on the table. I turn around to see if anyone else has noticed what happened, but they all look engrossed in their conversations.

However, the one I don't dare looking at is Malik. I can tell he is looking at me right now, though. It's strange how this guy can both be laidback and intense at the same time.

"You're quick, for a mere human" he eventually comments, before adding, in a dismissive voice:

"You can leave now. Go do something useful. You'll clear up the table once we're done eating."

"But, Master, I thought I had to-"

"Oh, for God's sake" he huffs. "Get out, now!"

I give a small nod in the direction of the others, who are much more pleasant than this lunatic ass. The only one to respond is Jordan, who gives me a small smile. Time to leave, I guess.

I feel so humiliated that, for some reason, I want to cry. I'm usually not one who easily feels emotional, so what's wrong with me today? Why do I let this bastard's words affect me like that? I guess I must be tired.

However, before I reach the door, I hear Malik adding "You too, pet. Leave. I have seen enough of you for today."

Once I've closed the door behind me, I start walking faster, hoping to be alone for at least a few minutes but to my greatest disappointment, I feel a small hand gripping my shoulder.

I. Don't. Like. Being. Touched. I mentally complain.

Why is it that most people are so touchy? I can handle light, quick touches but this guy's grip on my shoulder is way too tight. We haven't even talked once and yet he's being awfully familiar with me.

"Who are you?"

I cringe at how shrill his voice is.

"I'm Kyle" I reply nonchalantly. "And I suppose you're Pet" I ask with the most innocent-looking expression I can muster.

"I'm Thomas" he yelps and I want to laugh because he looks constipated now. Guess I offended him. "And I advise you to stay away from Malik. He's MY master!"

"Oh, because you're on a first-name basis with him? Interesting. And don't worry: I have no interest in your Master or whatsover. Actually, I prefer eating my breakfast at the table than under it, thank you very much.

I quickly leave without giving him time to reply.

I'm really good at making new friends, that's for sure.

A/N: If someone likes making art covers and would be willing to do one for this book, I would be very very grateful. Mine is so shitty it actually hurts my eyes just to look at it, lol.

Also, I've just decided that this story will have (mild) BDSM content. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, time to leave the boat. Otherwise, let's continue the journey! ;)

Take good care, my wattpadian fellows !