I will be cooking tonight. Wait for me to get home so we can eat together.
The message surprised me.
Since we met, I’ve been in charge of preparing every meal.
When I was exhausted from work, I jokingly asked him to cook once.
At the time, he had gently held me and said, “My cooking is terrible; I’m afraid you won’t like it; besides, I enjoy eating the food you prepare.”
His words moved me deeply.
I decided to learn how to cook so that he could always enjoy delicious food.
Despite the occasional burn, I persevered without complaint.
Until one day, Isabelle proudly boasted in front of me, “Cassian’s cooking is amazing! He always makes my favourite dishes just for me. Maya, I’m sure you eat his cooking all the time too, right?”
We fought after that.
Cassian used his usual tone of indifference to say, “Isabelle can’t cook. Her health isn’t great either. She’s prone to allergies, and she can’t always eat out. She’s not like you. You can do everything. As a mature Luna, you shouldn’t be fussing over these little things.”
Later, I forgave him again after his gentle persuasion.
Love is like poison; it deprives me of reason.
Still, I couldn’t resist responding to his message.
[Okay.]
When I walked through the door, I was greeted by the smell of food.
Cassian’s voice called from the kitchen, “Maya, go wash your hands. It’s almost ready.”
I sat quietly at the table, emotions rushing through my chest.
I wasn’t expecting him to actually cook. If this had happened on any other day, I would have been ecstatic.
Cassian quickly brought out four dishes and a soup.
Even though it was simple homestyle food, I could tell right away that his cooking was quite good.
“Maya,” he said with a trembling voice, “why have you been ignoring me these past few days? I know you’re upset about Isabelle. But she just twisted her ankle that day. That’s why I went to take care of her. I wasn’t trying to deceive you.”
Not trying? My heart ached violently, but I responded calmly, “Mm. Okay.”
His face darkened as he noticed my indifference. He assumed I was still sulking.
“Maya Donalds, can’t you calm down? Don’t always be so emotional. Isabelle and I grew up together; her parents died for the pack, and I promised them I’d look after her. Besides, she doesn’t even have her wolf yet…”
I could feel his frustration rising, but I only smiled gently. “I understand. You don’t have to explain.
“Could you please tell me what you really think?”He snapped. “How many times do I have to say it? Isabelle is like a sister to me. Why aren’t you believing me?”
Always Isabelle.
Every conversation between us had become about her.
And now he’s raising his voice at me for that so-called “sister”.
There was nothing more to say; Cassian’s actions had said it all.
I felt all of my strength drain away, and my hand holding the chopsticks felt numb. I’d message my mentor soon and accept the assignment.
After all, I no longer identified as Cassian’s “only one”.
On a stormy night three days later, Cassian stumbled through the front door.
He was soaked from head to toe, water dripping from his clothes, and his lips were pale from the cold. His entire body shivered lightly.
