15: Picky Taste 

ELIJAH 

Flashback 

“You can’t even make a simple cup of black coffee?!” I shout, tossing the cup aside as if it’s worthless. She served me milk coffee, but I can’t stand milk in my coffee. 

Rena flinches at my outburst, her features painted with terror. 

Instantly, my anger melts into guilt. It’s not her fault; I haven’t told her that I don’t like milk coffee. With a sigh, I say, “I don’t like milk in my coffee.” 

“I know,” she replies, prompting a frown from me. “I wanted to try making milk coffee that tastes like black coffee, so I experimented with it.” My brows shoot up at her explanation. She turns to me with a pout, saying, “But you just threw it away without tasting. You could have politely asked for black coffee. Why act so rudely?” She glares at me 

I’m torn between the fact that she intentionally made me something I didn’t want and how cute she looks at the moment. A part of me wants to kiss her plump lips. 

“Why didn’t you just make me black coffee if you knew what I wanted? Why waste my time unnecessarily?” I retort in my cold voice. 

She raises a brow, “Do I look like your servant that I’ll do whatever you say? Also, why not think about the wastage of milk and coffee when you throw it like that?” 

“What?!” I stare at her in confusion. 

“I could have repurposed that coffee for something else. Recycling is much better than wasting. You shouldn’t throw away food or drinks like that because some people don’t have the luxury of a proper meal like you do. It shows ingratitude.” Something flickers in her eyes, hinting at a profound emotion stirring within. 

+16 BONUS 

My jaw ticks, “So you are giving me a class on moral values now?” 

“Yes, because you need some,” she replies boldly, “Or else you’ll not be a good Alpha to your pack.” 

She is quite bold for someone who looks so fragile, and weak. “I am the Alpha. The pack will accept however the fuck I treat them.” 

She gasps, “As your Luna, I won’t allow it.” 

I smirk and take a daunting step closer to her, “You’re Luna because I chose you as one. I can reject you, and you’ll no longer be one. Know your place, Verena,” my voice holds a warning. 

She returns my smirk with a smile of her own, “Go ahead, then.” My smirk fades into a frown at her response. “But then you’ll have to live with those bland–tasting food and drinks that your servants make. Only I can make you food that you love.” 

I say in pure amusement, “You have quite the confidence.” 

Rena turns around and hands me the other cup on the tray she brought. “Here’s your coffee, as black as your heart,” she retorts, and then struts out of my office. 

I take a sip and turn stiff. The taste of caffeine melts into my mouth, and the warmth spreads through my body, taking away all the stress I felt from work. It tastes perfect. A smile unknowingly tugs at the corner of my lips. 

“What an interesting wife.” 

Flashback Ends 

“Alpha?” Liam’s voice brings me back to the present. He is staring at me expectantly.. 

“Hmm?” 

“The coffee? Is it…alright?” he gulps 

22 

+15 BONUS 

I place the cup on the desk with a sigh, “Just get me my drink from Starbucks.” It was my regular drink before I married Rena. It was adequate, but no drink can ever taste as good as Rena’s did. 

Liam leaves, and I stare at the cup I am holding. Rena always knew what I needed. My tastebuds were spoiled by her exceptional cooking skills. And she was right–if I reject her, I’ll never have the type of food again that will suit my very picky taste. But that’s not what bothers me. I can get the same type of coffee, but not her. I won’t get another Verena. 

A sharp pain shoots through the palm of my hands. I broke the cup by pressing it too hard, and now there is blood on my hand. Yet it can’t replace the pain I feel inside. 

“Hey, Elijah!” A feminine voice grabs my attention, and I look up to see my old school friend Irene saunter inside the office. She is the adopted daughter of my father’s Gamma who works as a commander in the borders of the pack, and pays us a visit when she gets a long holiday. Her eyes look around my office as a frown stays etched on her face, “Elijah, where’s Rena?” 

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