Sylvia’s POV

My heart hammered against my ribcage with each step as we headed toward the underground parking garage. Every second felt precious as thoughts of my mother consumed me. The stark hospital lights, the antiseptic smell, the beeping machines—these images haunted my imagination, making my stomach twist with dread.

Caesar walked slightly ahead while Noah kept pace beside me. The tension between them crackled in the air like static electricity, but I couldn’t afford to care about their alpha rivalry right now. My mother needed me, and that was all that mattered.

As we approached my SUV, I fumbled with the keys, my usually steady hands betraying my anxiety. Caesar reached out without a word, gently taking the keys from my trembling fingers.

"Let me drive," he said, his voice softer than I’d heard it before.

I shook my head. "I need to do something, anything. Driving will help me focus."

He studied my face for a moment before nodding and returning the keys. The small gesture of understanding surprised me—Caesar didn’t seem like the type of man who yielded easily.

The drive started in tense silence. My knuckles were white against the steering wheel as I navigated through downtown traffic, mentally calculating the fastest route to the hospital.

"Turn left at the next light," Caesar instructed, breaking into my thoughts. "There’s construction on Maple Avenue."

I followed his direction without question, grateful for the guidance when my own mind was scattered in a thousand directions.

Suddenly, Noah’s voice cut through the tension. "Sylvia, pull over for a moment."

I glanced at him through the rearview mirror, confusion momentarily replacing my worry. "What? Why?"

"We can’t show up empty-handed," Noah explained with a gentle smile. "Your mother is the Alpha. We should bring a proper gift."

Understanding dawned on me, and despite everything, I felt a small wave of appreciation. It was thoughtful of him to remember pack protocol even in an emergency.

"That’s actually quite considerate," I admitted, scanning the street for a suitable place to stop.

But before I could pull over, Caesar’s cool voice cut in. "And exactly where do you plan to shop now that we’re already heading to the hospital?"

Noah’s jaw tensed slightly. "That doesn’t matter. We can’t arrive without bringing something to show our respect."

"I agree with the sentiment," Caesar replied, his tone deceptively casual, "which is why I’ve already arranged for gifts to be delivered to the hospital. They’ll be waiting for us in the lobby when we arrive."

My eyes widened as I turned to look at him. "You did? When did you manage that?"

Caesar reached across the center console, his fingers briefly brushing against my hair in a gesture that felt surprisingly intimate. "The moment James texted us the hospital address. I made a few calls while you were gathering your things."

"What did you get?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"A selection of her favorite teas from that specialty shop in Portland she likes, fresh flowers from the conservatory, and that sandwich you mentioned she loves," Caesar’s voice held no boastfulness, just matter-of-fact efficiency.

Charna practically purred with approval inside me. Something about his thoughtfulness struck a chord deep within me.

"That’s... impressive," I admitted. "How did you even know what she likes?"

Caesar’s lips curved slightly. "I pay attention to details."

From the backseat, Noah cleared his throat. "Well, that’s all very efficient, but there’s something personal about choosing a gift yourself."

"Under normal circumstances, I’d agree," I said, glancing at him through the mirror again. "But right now, every minute counts. My mother collapsed just hours ago, and Selene is already there trying to keep me away."

My voice caught slightly on my stepsister’s name. The betrayal still stung, even after all these years. While I’d been forced to suppress my true nature and fight for every scrap of recognition, Selene had been handed everything that should have been mine by birthright.

"Noah, we’ll use Caesar’s gifts. It’s the most practical solution," I said firmly, making a decision. "We can all present them together when we arrive."

"But—" Noah began to protest. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Time is of the essence," Caesar interrupted, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You can buy your own gifts another time, when Alpha Astra has recovered and Sylvia isn’t worried sick."

Noah fell silent.

As we drove on, my thoughts returned to my mother. The last time I’d seen her, we’d argued bitterly about my decision to leave the pack. She’d called me foolish, accused me of abandoning my responsibilities. I’d fired back that she’d abandoned me first, choosing Selene over her own flesh and blood at every turn.

"Mom, please be okay," I whispered, too softly for the others to hear. "Please just hang on until I get there."

The familiar ache in my chest intensified as memories surfaced—my mother coughing during pack meetings, her hand occasionally pressing against her heart, the growing pallor of her once-vibrant face. Had her condition been worsening all this time? Why hadn’t James said anything sooner?

"We’ll be there in ten minutes," Caesar said quietly, as if sensing my mounting distress. "She’ll be fine, Sylvia. Your mother is one of the strongest alphas in the territory."

I nodded, grateful for his reassurance even if I wasn’t entirely convinced. The Frost women were indeed known for their strength, but heart conditions didn’t care about alpha status or bloodlines.

"I just keep seeing her face," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "The way she looked the last time I saw her—angry, disappointed. What if that’s the last conversation we ever have?"

"It won’t be," Caesar said with such conviction that I almost believed him. His hand found mine on the gearshift, his touch warm and steady. "Astra Frost is still waiting for you to become the true Alpha leader who can inherit the Frostfang Pack."

Those words hit me harder than I expected.

As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, I took a deep breath, letting Charna’s strength flow through me.

"Mom," I whispered as we walked toward the hospital entrance, "I’m coming. Just hold on."