Edible...

" Master will find out that you have been cooking for him. What are you going to do?" The Chef, A decent Wolf, Carol asked before passing me the cheese and onion.

Since I had been hiding the fact that I cooked his meals, he might recognize. But who cared? I did no longer had to act like her anyway.

I smiled, shaking my head as I felt something inside my stomach. I couldn't stand the smell for some reason. " I will cook something that is from the northern fortress. They use more spice than the other regions!"

I explained while placing the mozzarella aside. The moment I cracked an egg open, the distinct scent stirred my stomach and my hand immediately reached my mouth.

"Ms Scarlet! Are you alright?" She asked, patting my back. " What's wrong?"

" I am fine! It's just... I hate the scent of Greasy food!" I tried to laugh but Carol's words caught me off guard.

" Miss. Please pardon me if I cross my line. But I have been noticing your diet and your body reaction. Are you by chance..." She looked around and leaned closer to me with the concerned look, " Pregnant?"

My eyes widened, face turning pale. The eggs shells I forgot to throw in the bin, dropped, as I watched Carol's face turning pale.

" It's impossible!" I muttered, my body shaking, " I have been taking birth control pills that Alpha provided and... I am human. It's impossible for me to carry Alpha's pup!"

Carol forced a smile and then nodded quietly. " I see. I think you are just feeling lonely and stressed. Sorry for assuming such a thing." She apologized immediately.

But I knew that she wasn't wrong about my body reaction. Even today, Alessandro asked if I was gaining weight or my chest was sensitive than usual. He told me to check my weight and control it. At first I felt humiliated. Now I was floored.. What if I was...

" N-No!" My breath hitched, " It's fine to assume."

It wasn't a secret that Alessandro was active in bed. He didn't mind stripping me in front of everyone and claimed what he wanted. Although I had been taking pills, he never used protection. He hated to use protection when it came to me. His own words.

Or maybe he thought since I was a mere human, I wouldn't be able to get pregnant without birth control pills.

But what if I was pregnant

That thought made me stop doing my work.

" Miss. The food has been served. The tart... I will handle it!" Carol noticed me spacing out. She gently wiped my hands and smiled, " Go and grab some dinner. I don't think Master wants you to have dinner with him."

I nodded quietly and decided to leave. In our last three years of marriage, I wasn't allowed to have dinner with him. Practically our communication was limited.

But I paused when I heard Evelyn's voice.

" Please bring Scarlet here. You seem distance from your wife. Don't tell me you are still unable to move on? Alessandro! I am telling you. It's time for you to move past everything. I want you to be happy!" Evelyn said but her arms were on Alessandro's face. Caressing like she owned that face.

Alessandro gently held her hand and kissed her knuckles. " Forget about her. Tell me why you are back. You said you found your mate!"

I could hear the subtle pain in his voice. It made me jealous but sad as well. To keep her position perfect, he spent millions of dollars. But the woman in front of him seemed unhinged.

" I am going to introduce my mate to you tomorrow. Alessandro. Hope you will accept us! That's why I came here to meet you today!"

The moment her words got out, Alessandro's eyes widened as if he had been punched on his face. He clenched the spoon so hard that the spoon bent.

" You brought your mate here!" He asked, swallowing the lump inside his throat. For the first time I saw that version of him. He looked so vulnerable in front of that woman. I wonder if she had ever loved him. Otherwise she would at least understand that he was in pain.

" Yes." She smiled, " Please come to the Alpha Succession ceremony. I will introduce you to him!"

I couldn't stay there anymore. The pain in Alessandro's eyes wasn't something I thought I could digest.

Although I was craving for his love and attention only for me, I felt so bad for him. A woman who he loved so much didn't even care about his emotions.

I respected his devotion to Evelyn. I watched him how much he loved her and wanted to live the moment with her. Although it was nothing but a delusional decision, at least he knew who he wanted in his life.

As I approached the staircase as soon as possible, Nova, the maidservant who was supposed to leave with me called me from behind.

" Mistress! Should I bring your meal to your room?"

Immediately, two pairs of eyes shifted to me. Evelyn who was sitting next to Alessandro, stood up. " Scarlet? Why are you leaving? Are you upset about me staying here tonight?"

My eyes widened when Evelyn's voice turned something pitiful as if she was ready to shed downpour through her eyes.

I slowly turned, meeting Alessandro's cold gaze. " N-No. How could I get upset about Mr Simmons's guest?"

" Mr Simmons? Why are you calling him this way?" Evelyn raised the corner of her brow, looking at me as if I did a sin.

When Alessandro realized that things might turn ugly, he stood up and walked towards me. Before I could understand what's his next step, he scooped me into his arms and walked to the dining room,

" She is a bit shy!" His fingers rubbed the place on my waist where he bit earlier.

I flinched but remained silent.

" I see." Evelyn chuckled brightly, " Seems like you are not like me at all. I am extrovert. My Wolf is wild. What about your wolf? A Beta?"

" I...!"

" The food is ready!" Alessandro announced, placing the steak on her meal.

" Oh!" Evelyn's attention shifted from me to the food. " It smells delicious. You cook it right?" She asked me with full enthusiasm.

I felt a relief washed over my body when Alessandro stopped her from asking me about my wolf. The question about my Wolf always made me sweat and anxious.

But the relief didn't stay within me when Evelyn's tone shifted as soon as she shoved a piece of meat in her mouth, " This steak... Did you cook?"

I took a glance at her and then the steak. Alessandro loves well done steak. So I prepared it this way. When I nodded with a quiet, " Yes!"

She placed the fork aside in disdain and took a deep breath, " It's edible!" She tried to force a smile but showed that she couldn't.

My eyes widened. It's edible? What was that supposed to be meant?

" What happened? Do you not like it? You used to like Well-done!" He said, cutting his into pieces.

" N-No! Don't get me wrong. Your wife's cooking is fine!" She said, her expression apologetic.

" Then -!"

" I wonder if I could eat some chicken stew or... some cream pasta!" She gently held Alessandro's hand, pushing the plate aside. " I don't know if I can digest that tonight!"

What is she thinking? My mind screamed. Did she just insult my cooking? But before I could say another word, Alessandro looked at me,

" Go and cook both." He said, his tone commanding.

" Wh-What?" I asked, " I just finished -!"

" Now!" His voice rose with pure rage in front of Evelyn. As if it was my fault.

" Alessandro! I can just order some takeout. You don't have to -!"

" You should have a homemade meal since you traveled. Don't forget that you are sensitive;" Alessandro's voice shifted to warmth. " Also, Scarlet doesn't mind. Cooking is her hobby, isn't it? Mauve!"

My eyes widened when he smirked. Did he notice I cooked before? No. I did it secretly. How did he know?

" Really? That's great. Scarlet! You won't mind, will you? I am a bit sensitive to food. Alessandro used to cook for me though"

He used to cook for her? I never knew that he could cook. I felt a knot in my stomach. How many things did I not know about him? Maybe I only knew how jerk he could be. Not the man who was in love with me or whatever.

Alessandro smiled a bit. His earlobes burned. He was happy to know that she remembered.

" I don't know if you know that or not... Alessandro used to prepare a late night snack for me. It brings back memories of when we were living together. Alessandro! Do you remember when we almost got caught by Butler Carl." She laughed... " Gosh. I was so embarrassed that night. You won't believe it, Mauve. We both didn't have any clothes on our body. It's -!"

She covered her mouth... " Oops. I am sorry. Did I cross the line?"

I stood up and shook my head, " I will prepare your meal!"

Evelyn's face twisted a smile with pure sarcasm, but soon it was covered with a pitiful sob, " Your wife is jealous. She didn't even let me finish it. By any chance... Does she hate me? I don't feel welcomed, Alessandro." Her eyes teared up...