Bitter Flavor and Sweet Revenge.
Aurora’s POV
I watched as Lena gasped and acted like she wanted to cry. She clasped her hands together, her eyes wide with fake concern.
"Oh no, what do we do now? So much food will be wasted. We won't even get dinner." I rolled my eyes, sensing her insincerity.
I saw her run to Leonardo for comfort. He put a gentle arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into him, playing the victim.
I felt a pang in my chest as I saw Alessandro's frown deepen. He crossed his arms, his eyes furrowed in disappointment.
I felt bad because no one believed me, and Leonardo didn’t trust me. I wondered why he didn’t believe in me like he did others. I felt like crying, but I didn’t let the tears come out.
I looked down, fidgeting with my hands, feeling like I'd let everyone down. I couldn't understand why things always seemed to go wrong for me. I sighed, feeling a weight settle in my stomach. This was not how I wanted the evening to go.
I felt my anger rising as I watched Lena fake her concern. My hands curled into fists at my sides as I tried to stay calm.
I didn't even notice my mother, Luna April, trying to get my attention, looking embarrassed and worried.
I spoke up, trying to clear my name.
"Miss Lena, when you came into the kitchen earlier, I was so excited to cook for my new family for the first time that I must have misheard your instructions. I'm really sorry about that."
Lena forgot to cry. Her face turned red at how I emphasized my family. It was like a wound in her heart.
"But although I didn't know what my stepfather Alpha John would prefer, I know a little of his health condition so aside from the meals I prepared, I also made some that are healthy and good for him."
A hush fell upon the room at my words as no one knew how to react. Rafael acted quickly and began to open the other plates that were untouched.
When they saw the meals I was talking about, their eyes widened. Lena's jaw, in particular, dropped.
"Wow, Aurora, these look amazing!" Rafael exclaimed, his eyes looking at the dishes. "And you made healthy options for Alpha John? That's so thoughtful of you."
Lena's face turned redder, her mouth agape.
"H-how did you know about his health condition?" she stuttered.
I smiled, trying to appear confident. “I may not have known what he likes to eat, but I knew through the way he talked and acted that he was particularly careful about his health and what he ate. So I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.”
My mother stepped forward, her eyes shining with pride. “Aurora, that was very wise of you.”
I didn't smile at her compliment, still feeling hurt that she hadn't supported me when others, especially Lena, were criticizing me. But I wasn't surprised—she had never been supportive before, so why start now?
"How? How...? How...?" Someone stuttered in shock and couldn't construct a complete sentence.
Lena made eye contact with Alessandro and noticed he was no longer looking as cold and angry as before. Instead, he was looking at me with a curious gaze. She scoffed inwardly and turned her face away.
He gets angry easily and says harsh words, why can't I too?
I saw that Alpha John’s face twisted into a smile, and his eyes were fixed on the foods laid on the table. He walked around the table, pulled his chair open, and sat down to the spot his foods were laid.
I waited a bit nervously as Alpha John had a taste of the first meal while others took their seats.
I saw how Alpha John’s face lit up and looked up at me. "This melts deliciously in my mouth. How did you make this? This makes me feel like someone finally understands how terrible I have felt all these years eating those plain flavors. Someone finally got the preparation of the foods correctly."
I blushed fiercely. No one noticed Lena clutching her fork tightly and furiously.
I felt a surge of pride and relief as Alpha John praised my cooking. I had been worried that I wouldn't meet his expectations, but his smile and enthusiastic words put me at ease.
"Thank you, Alpha John," I replied, trying to sound calm despite my beating heart. "I just tried to think about what would be flavorful and comforting, and I'm glad you're enjoying it."
As I glanced around the table, I saw Leonardo smiling at me, but I didn't smile back. I wasn't in the mood to indulge him. Alessandro, who was always cold to me, didn't say anything, but his face showed a hint of impressed surprise. Gabriel smiled and congratulated me, while Rafael gave me a thumbs-up.
My mother looked impressed, but then my eyes landed on Lena, and my heart sank. She was clutching her fork so tightly that her knuckles were white, and her face was twisted in a furious scowl. I felt a pang of unease, knowing that she was seething with anger and resentment.
Alpha John, oblivious to the tension, continued to rave about my cooking. "This is truly exceptional, Aurora. You have a gift. I think we've finally found someone who can cook for me without poisoning me with bland flavors."
I blushed again, feeling happiness and anxiety. I knew that Lena's anger would eventually boil over, and I steeled myself for the confrontation that was sure to come.
---
After the meal, Beta Marcus, his sister Lena, and the omega Antonio all announced their departure and left. I accompanied Alessandro in helping Alpha John back to his room.
On the way to the room, Alpha John looked at me and asked me where I learned how to make medicinal meals like that. I did it even so that it wasn't as tasteless as the ones he was used to eating.
I felt shy because I could feel Alessandro's eyes on me and my stepfather too, so I hesitated to speak.
When I shared my experience with them, I mentioned that dealing with medicinal items has always come naturally to me, even as a young girl. They often said it was something I must have picked up from one of my parents.
I smirked as I glanced at my mother, Luna April, who avoided eye contact, looking away instead.
I hesitated to reveal the dark truth about her abuse of moonstone and alcohol, so I quickly shook my head and gave Alpha John a puzzled look.
"Um... let's just say I have a gift for it and didn't actually inherit the talent from either of my parents."
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