Free Web NovelChapter 10: Chapter 10 Masculine beauty
I could tell Caesar had caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes at Morgana’s outburst. My face burned as my gaze inadvertently wandered to the defined contours of his collarbone.
My ears grew hot as I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Did you need something?"
"It’s late. I noticed you were still awake," Caesar said, his lips curving slightly upward, those typically cold features softening just enough to make my stomach flutter. "Talking with Morgana?"
"Mmm. Just chatting about nothing important," I mumbled vaguely.
His eyes lingered on my reddening ears before he suddenly remarked, "Shouldn’t Morgana be addressing you as Luna Sylvia now?"
The thought of being Morgana’s Luna made me cough uncomfortably. I still had dreams of inheriting leadership of my own Frostfang Pack someday.
The corner of Caesar’s mouth quirked upward as he leaned down, his fingers gently tilting my chin up. His voice dropped to a rich, deep timbre.
"She doesn’t have to, I suppose. But it is time for bed..."
He moved closer until I could feel the warm whisper of his breath against my skin, sending an unexpected tingling sensation through my body. My eyelashes fluttered nervously.
"Before that, though," his voice came out husky and enticing, "how about a goodnight kiss?"
I blinked up at him, studying his face. I found myself utterly incapable of saying no.
In a moment of reckless impulse, I pulled him down by the neck and pressed my lips against his throat in what felt like a challenge.
"Goodnight," I managed to say with feigned composure before burrowing beneath the covers.
Caesar’s eyes darkened noticeably. He gently stroked my hair, his tone softening. "Goodnight, Sylvia."
Only after Caesar left did I finally exhale. I couldn’t deny my attraction to him—who wouldn’t be drawn to the gorgeous, generous alpha who’d grown from being the brooding boy at family gatherings to... this?
The sudden marriage wasn’t something I regretted.
Yet something held me back from fully embracing him as my mate. As the bedroom door closed, my phone erupted with messages from Morgana:
"WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL?! What’s going on with you and my cousin?!"
"How did Caesar end up with YOU? Who seduced who?!"
"I thought we were best friends, and now you’re trying to be my LUNA? Betrayal!!!"
Guilt crept through me as I read her messages. After a moment’s hesitation, I replied: "Caesar and I are legally mated now. We’ve completed the registry."
It took a while before Morgana seemed to recover from her shock. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Well... I guess that works? I was planning to introduce you to him anyway, but damn girl, you move FAST. But you owe me the full story on how you managed to snag the ice-cold Wolf King himself."
She had a point. Caesar Conrad was famously untouchable—like trying to reach for the moon itself.
I honestly didn’t understand why he’d chosen me either.
Surely it couldn’t just be because of that night...
Another message pulled me from my thoughts.
"By the way," Morgana wrote, "Caesar’s been nothing if not selective all these years—way better than that loser Zane. Though I did hear rumors years ago that he had someone he liked. I’ll dig around for you someday."
Someone he liked?
I froze momentarily.
But just as quickly, I shrugged it off. Our marriage was largely a performance anyway. I’d harbored feelings for Zane Thorne for years—what right did I have to demand Caesar’s heart be untouched?
The next morning, I woke early to meet with my company’s manager about project transitions. I’d studied architectural design in college and had been something of a prodigy, maintaining my skills even while pursuing Zane.
I picked up the company operations quickly, which seemed to please Alpha Astra. My mother’s typically cold demeanor had softened slightly in response.
"Vertex is holding a business gala in a few days," she informed me. "You’ll accompany me. Find appropriate formal wear before then."
I nodded obediently.
Beside her, Selene smiled with subtle mischief. "Sylvia, I heard you’re married now? Whether that’s true or not, why not bring him along too?"
"That won’t be necessary," I said coolly, keeping my voice level. "He doesn’t care for such gatherings."
And I wasn’t lying. Caesar Conrad, as the Wolf King who ruled over all American packs, rarely attended galas hosted by lesser packs. It simply wasn’t his territory—or perhaps more accurately, everywhere was already his territory.
Selene’s smile deepened with barely concealed mockery."That’s quite a shame," she said with fake disappointment, her voice teasing. "Hugo heard about your marriage and was looking forward to meeting him."
I turned toward my mother, keeping my expression neutral despite the storm brewing within me. "You once said marriage was merely a requirement of the Frostfang Pack’s traditions. In your eyes, who my husband is remains insignificant, so I’d rather not trouble him with pack politics."
My mother’s brows furrowed slightly, her tone cold as winter. "Your sister merely cares about you. If you don’t want to bring him, fine. There will be other opportunities to meet eventually."
I remained expressionless, though my inner wolf whined with frustration.
I genuinely didn’t want Frostfang Pack business affecting Caesar. My mother had groomed me since childhood to shoulder responsibilities in Selene’s place. Throughout my life, I’d rebelled spectacularly only twice—once for Zane, and once for Caesar.
I could bear the weight of Frostfang Pack’s expectations. Caesar shouldn’t have to.
As I left the meeting room, my phone vibrated. Zane’s name flashed across the screen, causing my wolf to growl with hostility. I answered with reluctance.
"Sylvia," his mocking voice came through clearly, "what about all those gifts I gave you? Don’t tell me you’re planning to keep them? How pathetically desperate are you?" free𝑤ebnovel.com
His contempt made me laugh bitterly. Thinking about those cheap trinkets—those Amazon bulk-purchase items I’d once treasured as if they were precious jewels—I wished I could go back in time and shake some sense into my lovesick former self.
"The gifts?" I replied coldly. "I can return them to you. But there are some accounts we should settle face to face."
I could practically feel Zane’s smirk through the phone. He probably thought I was creating an excuse to see him again.
"Fine," he said dismissively. "Let’s make a clean break. Two o’clock at the Clear Water Restaurant. We’ll settle this properly."
When I walked into Clear Water Restaurant at two, I immediately spotted Zane sitting with Chloe, his arms possessively around her shoulders. Their scents mingled in that distinctive way of true mates—a fact that no longer pierced my heart.
Zane’s gaze fell on me, and for a moment, surprise flickered across his face.
I wore a simple business suit, but my confidence had transformed since our last meeting. My makeup was flawless, my posture straight and commanding. My inner Alpha nature, which I’d suppressed for so long, now radiated through my presence.
During our last restaurant encounter, he’d believed I was desperately clinging to our relationship. But now, faced with the woman I truly was, confusion clouded his features.
His expression quickly hardened. He probably thought I’d stopped pretending to be meek now that Chloe had returned—that my true calculating nature was finally revealed.
"Where are the gifts?" he demanded impatiently.
Before I could answer, Chloe interjected, her voice deliberately loud: "Zane, maybe we should just let it go? I mean, Miss Sylvia has had a difficult time. Yes, she spent a lot of your money and made you buy her that jewelry necklace, but her family is struggling, and she did keep you company all this time. Taking everything back after a breakup seems harsh."
Her voice carried throughout the restaurant. In just a few sentences, she painted me as a gold-digger who’d dated a wealthy man for his money, manipulated him into buying expensive gifts, and now the innocent rich boyfriend wanted his things back after the breakup.
Heads turned. Judging gazes fell upon me from all directions.
Zane squeezed Chloe’s hand tenderly, his voice dripping with false compassion. "Chloe, you’re just too kind-hearted."
He looked at me with obvious disgust. "I know life isn’t easy for her, but women should have self-respect. I despise women who depend on men. Besides, when a relationship ends, it should end completely. Don’t you agree, Sylvia?"
My wolf snarled inside, bristling with fury at his patronizing tone.
"You’re absolutely right," I replied, my red lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. I arched an eyebrow casually. "When a relationship ends, a clean break is best."
"In that case," Zane said coldly, "where are all the things I gave you? Hurry up and return them."
"Patience," I said with deliberate nonchalance, my wolf practically preening at the opportunity to put this arrogant male in his place. "Since we’re settling accounts, Mr. Thorne, shouldn’t you first pay me for my services?"
"What services?" Zane’s brow furrowed in confusion.
With unhurried movements, I pulled out a detailed list from my purse, my heart racing with anticipation.
