Alpha Culinary Love

With that, she gave me a comforting hug, and I felt a renewed sense of hope. Maybe things weren't perfect, and maybe there were still secrets and uncertainties. But with time, patience, and love, I believed we could find our way back to each other.

As the morning progressed, it was soon nearing lunchtime. Min-Seo glanced at the clock and then at me. "You know what, Jiyeon? I think Yura should be here to take care of you. Let me give her a call."

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Min-Seo, it's really not necessary. I'm fine."

"Nonsense," she said with a wink. "A little pampering never hurt anyone."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Yura's number. I listened as she cheerfully demanded Yura's immediate return home, saying, "Your poor wife is injured and needs your attention. Come home right away!"

I couldn't help but laugh at the playful tone in Min-Seo's voice. When she hung up, she turned to me with a conspiratorial smile. "She'll be here in fifteen minutes. In the meantime, let's get ready for lunch."

We made our way to the dining room, where the servants were setting the table. The air was filled with the delicious aroma of Korean dishes. I could see a variety of banchan, including kimchi, seasoned spinach, and pickled radish, along with a steaming pot of doenjang jjigae and a platter of perfectly grilled bulgogi.

"Min-Seo, this looks amazing," I said, my mouth watering.

She smiled warmly. "I'm glad you think so. Food always has a way of bringing people together, don't you think?"

Just as we finished setting up, Yura walked in, slightly out of breath but smiling. "I'm here, I'm here. What's so urgent that I had to rush home?" she asked, feigning exasperation but clearly amused.

Min-Seo pointed at me. "Your wife needs some TLC. Now, sit down and show her how much you care."

Yura's playful expression faltered slightly as she met my eyes. The tension from our argument still lingered, casting a shadow over our interactions. She took a seat next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders hesitantly. "Alright, alright. What's on the menu?"

I laughed, though it felt a bit strained. "Min-Seo has outdone herself. We've got doenjang jjigae, bulgogi, and all the banchan you could ever want."

Yura's eyes widened. "Wow, that does sound good. But more importantly, how are you feeling, Jiyeon?"

"I'm fine, really," I said, though the undercurrent of our unresolved argument made it hard to fully enjoy the moment.

Min-Seo clapped her hands together. "Alright, enough talking. Let's eat! Yura, you take good care of Jiyeon. Make sure she gets the best pieces of bulgogi."

Yura nodded seriously. "Yes, ma'am," she said, giving me a playful wink that didn't quite reach her eyes.

As we started eating, Yura took her role very seriously, much to Min-Seo's delight. She insisted on feeding me pieces of bulgogi, making exaggeratedly tender gestures that had us all laughing, though the laughter felt a bit forced.

"Here comes the airplane," Yura said, holding a piece of meat with her chopsticks and guiding it towards my mouth. "Open wide!"

I couldn't stop giggling as I complied, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the food. Min-Seo watched with a pleased expression, clearly enjoying the light-hearted atmosphere.

"Yura, don't forget the soup," Min-Seo instructed. "A good wife makes sure her spouse gets plenty of nutrients."

Yura nodded sagely. "Of course, of course. How could I forget the soup?" She ladled some doenjang jjigae into a bowl and blew on it theatrically before offering it to me. "Careful, it's hot!"

The three of us shared stories and laughter, the tension from the previous night slowly melting away. Min-Seo regaled us with funny anecdotes from Yura's childhood, making Yura groan in embarrassment and me laugh until my sides hurt.

"And then there was the time Yura decided to make breakfast for the whole family," Min-Seo said, chuckling. "She was so proud, but she forgot to cook the rice!"

Yura covered her face with her hands. "Mom, please, no more stories!"

Min-Seo winked at me. "But Jiyeon needs to know these things. It's important to understand all sides of her wife."

I smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for Min-Seo's presence. She had a way of turning even the most stressful situations into moments of joy and connection.

As lunch drew to a close, Min-Seo patted Yura's shoulder. "You've done well today, taking care of Jiyeon. Remember, a happy wife means a happy life."

Yura grinned. "Yes, Mom. I promise to keep that in mind."

We finished our meal in high spirits, sharing laughs and light-hearted conversation. When we were done, Min-Seo turned to me with a knowing smile. "Jiyeon, I think it's time for a nap."

I shook my head. "I'm not tired, really."

But Min-Seo was insistent, and Yura joined in. "Come on, Jiyeon. A little rest will do you good."

Despite my protests, they both escorted me to my bedroom. Yura gently laid me down on the bed, tucking me in as if I were a child. I sighed but couldn't help but smile at their persistence. Within a few minutes, the warmth of the bed and the lingering comfort of their presence lulled me to sleep.

Switching to Yura's perspective, she and Min-Seo quietly left the room, making their way to the study. As soon as they closed the door behind them, Min-Seo's cheerful demeanor shifted to one of concern. "Alright, Yura, spill. What exactly happened?"

Yura sighed, rubbing her temples. "It's a mess, Mom. You remember Karen, right?"

Min-Seo's eyes narrowed. "The Alpha who tried to seduce you? Of course, I remember."

"Well, it turns out she orchestrated the attack at Jiyeon's restaurant. I managed to capture her, but she escaped. Jiyeon saw a message from Soo-Min about it, and now she's suspicious because I didn't tell her anything. I didn't want her to know I had kidnapped Karen to make her pay. I was planning to... you know... get rid of her permanently."

Min-Seo raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and concern on her face. "So, let me get this straight. You kidnapped Karen, intended to kill her, and now Jiyeon is upset because she found out something's going on but doesn't know the full story?"

Yura nodded. "Exactly. I just didn't want Jiyeon to see this dark side of me. I was afraid it would scare her away."

Min-Seo chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Yura, you and your father are more alike than you think. But you're right, this is serious. Karen is an Alpha who has already proven she's dangerous. We can't let her roam free."

Yura's eyes darkened with determination. "I know. That's why I need to find her and finish this. I can't let her threaten Jiyeon again."

Min-Seo put a hand on Yura's shoulder, her expression turning serious. "I'll talk to your father. We'll handle Karen. She won't pose a threat to anyone, especially not to Jiyeon. But you need to be careful, Yura. Make sure Jiyeon doesn't find out about your... methods."

Yura nodded, grateful for her mother's support. "Thanks, Mom. I knew I could count on you."

Min-Seo grinned. "Of course, dear. Family first. Now, let's make a plan. Karen won't know what hit her."

The two women sat down at the desk, sketching out a strategy. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was an undercurrent of humor in their discussion.

"Remember the time Dad and I had to deal with that shady business partner?" Yura asked, smirking.

Min-Seo laughed. "Oh, that was a classic. Your father still talks about how he 'took out the trash.' But seriously, Yura, we need to be thorough. Karen is crafty."

They continued to plot, sharing stories of past exploits with a mixture of pride and amusement. Min-Seo's pragmatic approach to problem-solving had clearly rubbed off on Yura.