Sylvia’s POV

The morning sunlight streamed through Caesar’s bedroom windows, casting a warm glow across the tangled sheets. My body felt deliciously wrecked, a reminder of our passionate night together. I stretched languidly, feeling that sweet ache in muscles I’d forgotten I had.

"Good morning, my mate," Caesar’s deep voice rumbled beside me. His dark eyes studied me with raw possession as he traced a finger along the curve of my neck where his mark stood like a brand against my skin.

My wolf, Charna, practically purred with satisfaction inside me. I could feel her slowly healing, growing stronger—maybe the day when I could reconnect with the pack wasn’t so far away after all.

"Morning," I murmured, unable to wipe the grin off my face despite knowing I needed to get moving. "I should probably head to work. The company’s still a disaster zone after everything that went down."

Caesar nodded, though reluctance flickered in his dark eyes. "Let me help you."

To my surprise, he didn’t try to convince me to stay or find excuses to keep me in bed. Instead, he moved around the room like liquid grace, gathering my scattered clothing and helping me dress. His fingers worked the buttons of my blouse with practiced skill, though he couldn’t resist occasionally brushing his knuckles against my skin, sending electric shivers down my spine.

"You’re not making this easy for me to leave," I said, catching his hand when he deliberately slowed while zipping my skirt.

A wicked smirk played at his lips. "That’s not my intention at all, Sivi."

My phone shattered the moment. James, my mother’s Beta, was calling.

"Sylvia," he greeted me with his usual formal tone. "I wanted to inform you that Alpha Astra is being discharged today. Her condition has stabilized significantly."

Relief crashed over me like a wave. "That’s incredible news. Is someone picking her up?"

"Yes, everything’s arranged. She’s also requested to visit the office today."

I bit my lip, anxiety creeping up my throat. "I’ll be there soon."

When I ended the call, Caesar was watching me with those understanding eyes. "Your mother?"

"She’s getting out," I confirmed. "And apparently making a beeline for the office."

"I should go," I said reluctantly, pressing what was supposed to be a quick kiss to his lips that quickly spiraled into something that left us both breathless.

"Tonight," he promised, his voice rough with desire. "You’re mine tonight."

With that promise setting my blood on fire, I headed to Frostline Enterprises to face whatever chaos awaited.

The morning flew by in a whirlwind of meetings and damage control. I spent hours playing therapist to department heads and overhauling security protocols to ensure nothing like this clusterfuck could happen again.

By early afternoon, I was buried in quarterly projections when my office door opened without so much as a knock. My mother, Alpha Astra Frost, stood in the doorway, looking pale but fierce as ever.

"Mother," I said, shooting up from my seat. "I wasn’t expecting you so soon."

"Sylvia." Her amber eyes scanned me like I was a business report. "May I come in?"

The formal dance between us was nothing new, but it felt especially brittle now. I gestured toward the chair across from my desk. "Of course."

"James filled me in on what happened with Leo," she finally said. "And how you handled it."

I braced myself for the usual criticism. "I did what needed to be done."

To my complete shock, she nodded. "Yes. You did."

I blinked, wondering if I’d heard her right.

"The board members are singing your praises," she continued, her voice as controlled as always, but missing its usual razor edge. "And Caesar Conrad’s involvement was... unexpected but beneficial."

I couldn’t help the smile that tugged at my lips at the mention of Caesar. "He’s been incredible."

"Indeed." My mother rose, smoothing her flawless suit. She paused at the door and turned back to me. "Sylvia?"

"Yes?"

"You’ve done well," she said, the words sounding foreign on her tongue. "Very well indeed. Your father would have been proud."

Before I could recover from the shock, she was gone, the door clicking shut like a period at the end of a sentence.

I sat paralyzed at my desk, her words echoing in my skull. The approval I’d been starving for my entire life had finally come, and I barely knew how to process it.

The rest of the day passed in a productive blur. With newfound confidence, I closed deals with two major clients and drafted a restructuring plan for the department Leo had poisoned. By the time I left the office, the sun was painting the sky in shades of gold, casting long shadows across the parking lot.

I drove home—to our home now.

The moment I walked through the door, however, every instinct I had started screaming. Rich aromas filled the air—roasted meats, fresh herbs, something decadent and chocolatey. Following my nose to the dining room, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Standing beside the table, arranging a platter of perfectly roasted lamb, was Helena. She looked up at the sound of my entrance, her face morphing into a mask of pure innocence and welcome. She wore a modest blue dress that hugged her curves without being obvious—a complete 180 from her usual Caesar-hunting outfits.

"Sylvia!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping honey. "Welcome home! I was hoping to have everything perfect before you got here."

I stood frozen, every alarm bell in my head going off at once. Helena had made her pure hatred for me crystal clear.

"Helena," I replied carefully, like I was talking to a wild animal. "What’s all this?"