A Dish of Betrayal.
Lena’s POV
I watched with growing resentment as the maids assisted Aurora in serving the dishes, their faces beaming with happiness.
I couldn't help but notice how they were so polite and carefree around her, a stark contrast to how they usually cowered when I approached.
I couldn't understand what it was about Aurora that warranted their loving attitude, and I assumed it was just because she rubbed off her lowlife attitude against them.
They were birds of a feather, after all.
I couldn't help but hide a smirk as Alessandro, Leonardo, Gabriel, and everyone else walked into the dining room.
Alpha John made his way to his seat, and then Rafael cleared his throat to speak.
"Everyone, I want to let you all know that Aurora my new sister was the one who prepared all the meals on the table tonight," Rafael announced, a proud smile spreading across his face.
I watched as Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly, her teeth gritted in a forced smile.
I saw how everyone displayed their surprise at the numerous plates, and even Alessandro couldn't hide his astonishment on his usually cold face.
I scoffed inwardly, my insides twisting with hate, as I mumbled under my breath.
"What does it matter that she can prepare party-size meals? I'm going to make everyone see who you really are, Aurora. A lowlife outsider who doesn't belong in this pack."
I rolled my eyes as the room erupted in a chorus of "wows" and "impressives".
Aurora's face flushed with pleasure, and Rafael beamed with pride. I couldn't believe how easily they were all fooled by her little cooking stunt.
"Wow, Aurora, this looks amazing!" Gabriel exclaimed, his eyes looking at the table full of plates.
"Yes, it's incredible!" Leonardo agreed, his eyes looking at the table as well.
“You did a great job.” he gave Aurora a thubs up, which only pissed me off!
Alessandro simply raised an eyebrow, but even he couldn't hide the hint of surprise on his face.
I watched them with a calculative expression, a plan unfolding in my mind.
Alpha John had just taken his seat at the table when Alessandro opened the first dish.
At first, everything seemed normal, but then Alessandro's eyes turned cold with anger.
"What is this?" Alessandro growled, his voice low and threatening.
Alpha John took a small bite, and his face twisted in disgust. "What have you done to the food, Aurora?" he spat, gagging like something was stuck in his throat.
"Alpha John, I-I can explain..." Rafael stammered, but Alpha John cut him off.
"Explain? Explain how you managed to ruin a simple meal? This is disgusting!"
The room suddenly became quiet. Everyone was shocked and worried. All eyes were on Alpha John.
Rafael's mouth was open, and his eyes were wide with surprise. He looked like he had been hit hard.
I smiled to myself, a small, satisfied smile. This was just the beginning.
I smiled as Alessandro dropped the plate lid and helped his father up as he thundered angrily.
“What the heck is this?”
My smile widened as Aurora trembled and almost couldn’t drop the plate properly.
Rafael as a good brother tried to defend her.
"I sent a word to the kitchen earlier. There must be a mistake. Take that thing away!"
He yelled at a maid who hurriedly packed up the dish that was opened.
Alessandro didn’t speak but gave Aurora a cold glance that chilled her to the bones.
"Who told you to cook if you were going to ruin it?" Alessandro scorned.
"I-I was trying to help," Aurora stammered.
"Help?" Alessandro repeated, his voice filled with disdain.
"We have maids for that. They can do it perfectly. Why did you think you could do better?"
I noticed their exchange and couldn't hide the smile spreading across my face. I saw that Luna April was already calm, thanks to Alpha John's comforting words to his new bride.
"Aurora, why did you have to ruin this day for us, huh?" Luna April said, her voice dripping with disdain.
"You have always been a problem child, ever since you were young. Always trying to ruin things.
Just look at what you've done tonight."
I could see the hurt on Aurora's face as her mother blamed her for ruining dinner, and it gave me a twisted sense of joy.
"Serves you right, Aurora," I muttered to myself, reveling in the drama unfolding before me.
As I watched, Alpha John's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing at Aurora.
"You're going to have to do better than this, Aurora. This is unacceptable." He turned to Luna April and whispered something in her ear, making her nod in agreement.
So I stepped in, deciding it was time to play my game. Adorning an innocent and concerned look, I called out to Aurora softly.
"Alpha John and Luna April, are you okay?
I clearly told her everything to prepare as instructed by Rafael. Did she mix them up and get the wrong idea? I apologize, it's my fault."
I noticed Aurora's eyes furrowed as I bowed slightly to show my sincerity. She must have suspected something was wrong when I walked into the kitchen earlier, pretending to be a good and changed person.
"She was so dumb to believe my act." I laughed to myself as I bowed my head to apologize.
Aurora's face changed from hurt to confusion, and she looked at me uncertainly.
Alpha John and Luna April exchanged doubtful glances, but their anger seemed to dissipate slightly.
"What do you mean, you told her to prepare as instructed by Rafael?" Alpha John asked, his voice firm but curious.
I continued my charade, trying to sound as convincing as possible. "Yes, I remember distinctly telling her to follow Rafael's instructions.
I must have misspoken or she misheard me. I'm truly sorry for the confusion." I kept my head bowed, trying to appear remorseful.
Aurora's eyes furrowed, and I could sense her trying to piece together what had really happened.
But for now, my plan seemed to be working, and the tension in the room had eased slightly.
I smiled inwardly, pleased with myself for playing the situation so well.
But others won’t see this. Rafael even gasped and exclaimed in horror.
“Oh, no, sister, did you prepare more like this?”