Free Web NovelChapter 128: Chapter 128 Favorite Tacos
Sylvia’s POV
I buried myself in work, purposely avoiding any space to think about Caesar and Helena’s relationship. When I finally checked my phone, half an hour had already passed.
Two messages sat quietly in my inbox, making my heart skip unexpectedly.
[When are you coming home?]
[I made tacos, your favorite. Stop being angry and come try them?]
The messages were sent about twenty minutes apart, with the last one arriving just thirty minutes ago.
I had been certain that Caesar would give me the silent treatment indefinitely, eventually ending up with his precious Helena. These past few days, I’d been running away from reality, avoiding any news about Caesar’s whereabouts or activities. I had even been mentally preparing myself to receive divorce papers.
Seeing these messages stunned me. Was Caesar not angry after all? Was he actually willing to put his pride aside to comfort me?
My thumb hovered over the reply box as I pressed my lips together. Initially, I wanted to decline, but I found myself typing and deleting responses repeatedly, uncertain what to say.
When my phone suddenly rang with his name flashing on the screen, I nearly jumped. The vibration sent my wolf into a frenzy of excitement that I fought to contain. After several rings and a moment’s hesitation, I finally answered.
Neither of us spoke at first. The silence stretched between us like a living thing until Caesar’s deep voice broke through.
"Did you see my messages?" His tone carried an unusual note of uncertainty.
"Yes," I admitted, feeling strangely shy. "Sorry, I was busy and just saw them now."
"It’s fine." I could hear his throat working as he swallowed. "So... will you come home tonight?"
That simple question left me conflicted. My Alpha instincts wanted to maintain distance until I understood what was happening between him and Helena, but my wolf—and if I’m honest, my heart—yearned to return to my mate. That’s why I’d been typing and deleting responses, uncertain how I would face Caesar when I got home.
But avoiding problems wasn’t in my nature. Not anymore. I had spent three years hiding my true self for Zane, and I refused to hide from Caesar, even if it meant confronting uncomfortable truths.
"I’ll come home," I decided finally.
His voice brightened immediately. "Great, I’ll come pick you up."
"No need," I replied, already reaching for my keys. "I drove today. I’ll be home soon."
"I’ll have dinner waiting for you."
When I walked through the front door, the scene that greeted me was not what I expected. Helena was sitting at our dining table, while a beautifully prepared tray of tacos dominated the center. Despite my reservations, I had to admit they looked delicious.
I turned to Caesar. "You made these?"
He nodded, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Yes. Try them and tell me what you think."
"Oh Sylvia," Helena interjected, her voice dripping with false sweetness and obvious envy. "Cae made these specially for you. Only you could make him beg you to come home like this."
She leaned forward, her eyes glittering with challenge. "If I were in your position, I would never make Cae work so hard for my attention."
I watched Caesar’s reaction carefully. His jaw tightened, "this is between Sylvia and me," he growled, his voice dropping to that commanding Alpha tone that made werewolves instinctively submit. "You have no place in it. Helena, mind yourself, this is your final warning."
Helena immediately fell silent. Even she recognized when Caesar was truly angry rather than merely annoyed.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by his forceful defense. My suspicion that they might be putting on an act for my benefit wavered, though I wasn’t entirely convinced. Years of hiding my true nature had taught me to observe carefully before revealing my thoughts.
So instead of confronting them directly, I remained silent, watching their interaction unfold. I could feel Caesar’s eyes on me, trying to gauge my reaction. Even Helena seemed bewildered by my calm demeanor.
"Aren’t you going to say anything, Sylvia?" she finally asked. "Do you agree with what I said?"
Caesar shot her a look that would have made most wolves cower. He turned to me, tension evident in his shoulders.
"Sivi, Helena just speaks without thinking. She doesn’t mean anything by it—"
"Of course I won’t take it to heart," I interrupted, my smile deliberately pleasant as my wolf purred with satisfaction. I decided to make my position perfectly clear. "Why would I bother? After all, Caesar invited me home, not you."
I turned my gaze directly to Helena. "For all your talk, the first serving of these tacos was meant for me. Your precious ’Cae’ made them specifically for me. You’re just an afterthought."
With deliberate slowness, I took my final bite of the taco, savoring both the flavor and the moment.
Helena’s face flushed with anger, but she had no retort.
Seeing her speechless gave me all the satisfaction I needed.
Caesar’s eyes held approval as he watched me, clearly agreeing with what I’d said.
With unhurried grace, I stood from the table, completely unconcerned with their reactions as I made my way back to our bedroom. I’d made my point. The rest could wait until Helena was gone and Caesar and I could have a real conversation about boundaries.
Caesar’s POV
I watched Sylvia leave the dining room with measured steps.
This was the true Sylvia—the Alpha female who had captured my attention from the first moment I saw her. Not the meek Omega she had pretended to be for Zane, but a powerful she-wolf worthy of standing beside the Alpha King.
My mate bond thrummed with satisfaction, even as I worried about the tension between us. I needed to talk to her, to fix whatever misunderstanding had grown between us. The thought of Sylvia believing I had any interest in Helena made my wolf snarl with frustration.
I began clearing the table, deliberately ignoring Helena who remained seated.
"What are you doing?" Helena’s voice broke through my thoughts, shrill with indignation. "Why are you cleaning up after her? She ate most of it anyway!"
I continued stacking the plates without acknowledging her outburst. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
"She just waltzed off to the bedroom, leaving you to handle everything! How can you let her treat you this way? You’re the Alpha King!"
My patience, already stretched thin, snapped. I set down the plate I was holding, deliberately controlling my movements to avoid breaking it.
"This is my choice," I said, my voice deadly calm. "My mate deserves my service as much as I deserve hers."
Helena scoffed, rising from her chair. "Your mate? You barely know her! I’ve been by your side for years, Cae. Years! And you throw everything away for some arrangement with a woman who clearly doesn’t respect you!"
My wolf surged forward, and I felt my eyes flash with golden fury. "One more word about Sylvia, and I’m calling William to come get you. Test me on this, Helena."
"Why are you defending her?" Helena shrieked, her control slipping. "She was rude to me first! Why do you always take her side?"
"If you’re unhappy with the arrangements here, pack your bags and leave. No one’s stopping you."
Helena opened her mouth, then closed it abruptly when she caught the expression on my face.
She lowered her eyes, "I understand," she finally conceded, her voice small. "It won’t happen again."
I grunted in acknowledgment, not bothering to hide my skepticism. "This is the last time, Helena. I won’t warn you again."
Without waiting for her response, I turned and headed toward our bedroom.
The sound of running water greeted me as I entered the master suite. Sylvia was in the shower—likely washing away the tension of the evening. My thoughts returned to her reaction at dinner, replaying her cold dismissal of Helena and her possessive claim over me.
Was she jealous? The thought sent a thrill through me, making my wolf rumble with satisfaction. Sylvia had never shown such territorial behavior before, always keeping her emotions carefully controlled.
Perhaps this misunderstanding wasn’t entirely negative. If it forced Sylvia to confront her feelings for me—to acknowledge the mate bond that had been strengthening between us—maybe some good could come of it.
A slow smile spread across my face as I considered my next move. Maybe it was time I showed her exactly how much she meant to me.
There had only ever been her.
