A Recipe for Connection.

Rafael's POV.

I walked up to Aurora, who was engaged in a heated discussion with my father. As I approached, I cleared my throat to announce my presence.

"Ahem!"

Aurora and my father looked up at me, their faces slightly surprised by the interruption.

My father's eyebrows furrowed slightly, while Aurora's eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Sorry, Father," I said, nodding respectfully toward him. "But could I borrow Aurora for a sec?"

My father's expression turned thoughtful, and he nodded slowly. "Very well, Rafael. We can continue this conversation later."

Aurora smiled and excused herself, following me as I stepped aside.

"What's up, Rafael?" she asked, her voice low.

I glanced around to make sure we were out of earshot before leaning in closer to her.

“I need your help with something,” I said, my voice low.

Aurora’s eyes locked onto mine, her face intense and focused.

“What is it?” she pressed, her voice filled with concern.

“Um… the thing is that I want you to help prepare tonight’s dinner. Can you do that?” I asked.

Aurora's expression changed from concern to surprise, and she let out a soft laugh.

"Dinner?" she repeated, her voice laced with amusement. "That's what you needed my help with?"

I felt my face heat up slightly, realizing how trivial my request seemed after building up the suspense.

"Well, yeah," I said, shrugging sheepishly. "I know it sounds silly, but I really need your help. My father's been riding me all day, and I promised him I'd have dinner ready on time."

Aurora's smile softened, and she nodded. "Of course, I'd be happy to help. What's the plan for dinner?"

I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for her willingness to help.

"Uh... I was thinking of making my late mother's famous lasagna recipe," I said, pulling out a worn recipe card from my pocket. The card was creased and stained with old tomato sauce, and I smoothed it out with a sentimental touch.

Aurora raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with curiosity. "But there are many skilled chefs in the pack mansion who can cook the lasagna," she pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why do you want me to cook the lasagna?"

I hesitated. I wanted to share this piece of my past with Aurora, but I wasn't sure how to explain it. I looked down at the recipe card, tracing the faded handwriting with my finger.

"It's just... this recipe was my mother's," I said, my voice low. "She used to make it for special occasions, and it always brought our family together."

Aurora's expression softened, and she took a step closer to me.

"I understand," she said, her voice gentle. "You want to feel connected to your mother again."

I nodded. “Yeah… and also since we are all gathered together here, I felt if she was alive, she would have wanted to make her special lasagna for us all.”

“Awww…” she cooed. “Your mother was amazing, wasn’t she?”

I nodded, a smile playing on my lips. “She was.” I looked down at the recipe card, tracing the faded handwriting with my finger again.

"Alright, I'll help you make the lasagna," she said, smiling warmly.

My face lit up with excitement, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards her.

"You really would do that for me?" I asked, my voice filled with genuine surprise. I had expected her to brush me off or tell me to ask one of the pack's chefs for help.

Aurora's smile faded for a moment, and she looked at me with a hint of seriousness.

"Of course, Rafael. I'm happy to help you," her voice soft and sincere.

"Great!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands together. "All the ingredients are in the kitchen, and the maids and chefs are there to help you if you need anything."

Aurora nodded, smiling. "Thanks, Rafael. I'll go get started."

I followed her to the kitchen, where the staff was busy preparing for the evening meal. Aurora took charge, directing the chefs and maids with confidence.

"Don't worry, I've got this," she said to me, winking. "You can go relax or something."

I hesitated, feeling a little useless. But then I remembered something. "Wait, I'll set the table," I said, heading to the dining room.

------

Aurora's POV

I had offered to cook dinner for the entire family, eager to contribute to my new pack in any way I could. I had learned how to cook myself, since my mother never had the time to cook for me. She was either out with different men or passed out drunk on the couch, leaving me to fend for myself.

But now, I had found a new family who genuinely cared about me, and I wanted to use my cooking skills to show my appreciation.

I had expected Alpha John to be strict and intimidating, like my father. But to my surprise, he was warm and friendly, making me feel at ease. I couldn't believe I could talk to him without stammering or feeling anxious.

"Sorry, Miss Aurora," one of the maids in the kitchen called, breaking my train of thought. "What would you like us to do with the vegetables?"

I turned to her, focusing on the task at hand. "Let's chop them up and sauté them with some garlic, please," I instructed, smiling.

As the maid nodded and began chopping, I glanced around the kitchen, feeling a sense of belonging. Rafael was setting the table in the dining room, chatting with Alpha John, who was laughing and smiling. It was a warm and cozy scene, one that filled my heart with joy.

Just then Lena walked into the kitchen, her eyes filled with anger. “What are you doing here, Aurora?”

I turned to face her. “I’m preparing dinner for the entire family as you can see.”

She chuckled, a sly smile crinkling at the corner of her mouth. “Well, I don’t think you should be doing that, because I am going to be the next Luna of this pack and so it’s my responsibility to handle the Alpha’s family dinner and not some girl who just joined the family because her mother got married to the Alpha of this pack."

I sighed deeply but didn’t say anything.

“Besides, the family already has professional chefs who can cook whatever they want and not some quack cook who doesn’t know what the family really wants.”

I knew that Lena was trying to act difficult with me but I gave her a befitting reply. “Well, the chefs are also going to assist me in preparing the dish, but I will prepare a special one that the family wants. They want to do it to remember their late mother and honor her, so I offered to do it because I want them to always remember their mother by it.

"My cooking may not be as professional as the chefs', but I assure you that Alpha John and my brothers will find my homemade lasagna refreshing." I said with a smile.

I could sense that my response didn't sit well with Lena, who felt I was mocking her inability to cook. She wanted to continue arguing with me, but Gabriel intervened, his calm voice soothing the tension.

"Aurora, please, continue with the cooking. I'll handle Lena," he said, his eyes flicking toward Lena, who looked like she was fuming with anger.

I could sense Lena's upset, her face red with anger as she felt like everyone was taking my side. She turned and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving an uncomfortable silence as she left.

"Phew…" I breathed, feeling a sense of relief. I didn't want to cause any more tension, but I was glad Gabriel had stepped in to defuse the situation.

Gabriel turned to me and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry about Lena, she's just stressed with some issues. You focus on cooking, I'll take care of her."

I nodded, feeling grateful for his understanding. I turned back to the stove, trying to focus on the lasagna, but I couldn't help sneaking glances at the door, wondering if Lena was okay.

---

After a while, as I was still preparing the lasagna, Lena returned to the kitchen. The maids were whispering to themselves as she walked close to me, her eyes cast down in a rare display of humility.

"Do you need anything, Lena?" I asked her, trying to sound friendly and non-confrontational, as I could feel the air between us still a little tense.

"Um... Aurora, I want to apologize for my words earlier," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to belittle your cooking. I'm really sorry."

I turned to face her, surprised by her apology. I hadn't expected her to back down so easily.

"It's okay, Lena. I know you were just stressed," I said, smiling warmly. "And I appreciate your apology. Let's just forget about it and focus on dinner, okay?"

Lena nodded, looking relieved, and for a moment, I saw a glimmer of the person she could be if she wasn't so caught up in her own pride and insecurities.

"Can I help with anything?" she asked, taking a step closer to the counter.

I hesitated for a moment, then handed her a spoon.

"You can help me mix the cheese sauce," I said, smiling.

As we worked together, the awkwardness between us started to fade away. Maybe we could actually become friends…