Chapter 41: Chapter 41

“What.’ She muttered surprisedly and her expression just made me even angrier, like I didn’t know what I was saying.

“Yes,” I firmly admitted. “It is very horrible. Didn’t your mother teach you how to cook? How did you even get Gerard’s attention and get married to him with this thing you call food, surprises me?’ I emitted sarcastically.

“Oceana.’ Carmine whispered, but I ignored him and went on. “If you had learned how to cook properly, I wouldn’t be so bored and lose my appetite.’

“Hey, Oceana, that’s so rude.’ My mother scolded me. “What on earth is wrong with you?"

“I’m really sorry if it’s not up to your taste.’

I went on, letting my anger lead me further. “I don’t need your apology. Keep it to yourself.’ I forced myself to be as composed as I could.

“I’m talking to you. What on earth is wrong with you? Do you have to be so rude?’

“What mother?” I nearly snapped. “I am telling the truth. Does it hurt so badly? She’s your daughter-in-law, at least tell her the truth.’ I persisted.

“What has come over you? Where are your manners, young lady? This isn’t how I raised you to become.’

“People change as they grow up.’ I stated.

Her eyes widened in fury. “Are you talking to me in such a manner?’

“I just stated the fact. Is that bad?’

“Please stop,’ Emily interrupted. “I will make amends for—”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, shut up. Quit the pretence, no one believes a fake.’

“Oceana, that’s enough.’ Gerard butted in and dropped the fork.

“Why? Did I hurt your feelings and your navel-gazing?’

“Stop trying to be mean, you are not a child, there’s nothing wrong with the food, it’s okay and everyone is enjoying it.’ He calmly pointed out.

“Well, if she hadn’t thrown in some broccoli while cooking, it would have tasted better.’

“Then you should have mentioned you didn’t like the broccoli, not generalising it and making her uncomfortable."

"Then, she should have asked questions before cooking food for the entire family. Any of us could be allergic to one thing or the other.'

"Last time I checked, you are not allergic to it. Why the fuss?’

I slammed my palm on the table; it vibrated. “Don’t act like you know what I like and what I don’t.’ I snarled. “You haven’t been home for the past eight years, a lot of things have changed about me, my taste is not the same, I’m not the same Alpha you once knew and carried about, so when I say it tasted awful, it tasted horrible and don’t judge me.’

I know I shouldn’t react to something not relevant. This isn’t me and this isn’t my attitude and I’m not that rude, but I was getting even furious at the sight of her and wished she hadn’t gotten married to my brother.

I think I was letting my anger get the best of me. Why the fuck was he defending her?

He didn’t say a word and just kept staring at me emotionlessly. I turned away from him and didn’t give a damn about what was going through his head.

“I’m sorry,” Emily said softly. “I didn’t know that you didn’t like broccoli or else I shouldn’t have added it. I’m sorry.’ She apologized to me however, I don’t need her fucking apology. What is that going to change in my life?

I turned away from her and poured myself some juice in a silver tumbler with the symbol of our clan.

“Let this go, Oceana, this isn’t like you. Calm down, my daughter.’ My father smiled. “Are you on your period or something?’

This isn’t like me?

“Huh!” I reacted. Carmine and Jessie began laughing.

My father went on. ‘Don’t be so uptight, you are a lady, an Alpha should always be calm and collective.’

To be honest, It’s not like I despise broccoli so much, it’s also not my favourite but I eat it when it depends on my mood especially when I’m in a good mood and for the fact she put it in the food and cooked it, pissed me off, why didn’t the maids cook this food instead.

“So as the princess,’ I uttered sarcastically to my father and turned to the maid standing behind us. “She should learn how to cook properly and let the maids cook my food next time. If she is cooking next time, please don’t invite me to the table. Get your asses up and work.” I firmly instructed.

“Yes, your highness.’ The maid bowed in respect.

“Oceana, keep your attitude in check.” Carmine cautioned.

“Keep yours in check as well. You, of all people, should know that I don’t like broccoli.”

“How will I know you don’t like it? It’s been eight years and I’m just getting to know you and besides, I’m not the one that cooked the food. Don’t vent your anger on me.'

“Then keep your mouth out of my business.”

He scoffed, then became amused for a second. “Are you really in your period or something?”

“Stop that. It is not funny.’ I frowned.

“Exactly.” My father agreed and asked a question which astounded us, leaving me out of the picture. Guess he didn’t want us to ruin the morning and transformed the topic.

“Carmine, when are you bringing your mate to us? Aren’t you ready to introduce her to us yet?”

What! Carmine had a mate.

I looked over at him. He choked on the food he was eating and my mother quickly instructed the maids to give him some water since she was far away from him and was beside my father, between me.

When he was done drinking water, he cleaned his mouth and looked at his food, frowned and stared at my father. “How did you know I already found my mate?’’

Carmine’s Mate.

He found his mate. Why didn’t he tell anyone, why do I feel like, there’s so much I don’t know about my brothers, a lot of secrets concealed and no wonder I smelled something on him, the first day he arrived and I thought it was just some perfume and it seemed too good to be true.

So, Carmine had a mate, where was she and how come he never told me. Was he hiding her from the public eye? What was her status? What family was she from? I know I haven’t known my brothers for that long, but why was everyone’s secret coming out one after the other?

My father smirked and looked at his food once more and began eating.

What the heck was going on? Why didn’t Carmine mention any of this to the family?