Free Web NovelChapter 137: Chapter 137 Northside Mall
Sylvia’s POV
The morning sun poured through the windows of Northside Mall, bathing the luxury boutiques in golden light as Morgana and I made our way through the early weekend crowd. Despite my initial reluctance, I had to admit this retail therapy was exactly what I needed after that weird run-in with Caesar yesterday.
Morgana began, linking her arm through mine as we strolled past designer storefronts.
"This would look amazing on you, seriously. Try it on."
As I slipped into the buttery-soft leather. freёweɓnovel.com
Morgana finished, adjusting the collar of the jacket. She stepped back, examining me with a critical eye. "Holy shit, I’m good. You’re buying this."
Three boutiques and four shopping bags later, we were cracking up over coffee at the mall’s central atrium when I caught a familiar scent. I turned to see Helena strutting toward us, her signature smirk firmly in place.
"Well, well," Helena purred, her gaze sliding from me to Morgana. "look what we have here—if it isn’t the wannabe Luna."
Morgana stepped between us, her smile ice-cold. "Helena, always such a treat. I see you’re still wearing that cheap perfume that makes everyone within fifty feet want to hurl."
Helena’s eyes narrowed. "At least I can afford the real thing, not the fake crap you probably have stuffed in those bags."
"We were just leaving," I said, gathering my things. The last thing I wanted was drama in the middle of the mall.
"Chickening out already?" Helena taunted. "I’m not surprised. You’ve always been good at pretending to be something you’re not, haven’t you? First an Omega for Zane, now playing Luna for a pack that will never truly accept you." freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
Helena challenged, her attention shifting to a display of jewelry in the boutique beside us. She picked up an ornate silver bracelet, examining it with feigned interest. "Jewelry this expensive? You couldn’t afford one piece even if you worked for ten years, while I can buy whatever I want. The gap between us is bigger than you think."
Morgana’s smile turned devious. "That bracelet would look incredible on you, Helena. Very... one-of-a-kind."
Helena lit up. "You think so?"
"Absolutely. It’s totally unique, I believe. Custom-made by that designer Caesar’s always raving about—what’s his name again, Sivi?"
I blinked, getting the hint quickly. "Marcus Devereaux. Super exclusive. His pieces are basically impossible to get."
Helena’s eyes widened with interest. "I haven’t heard of him."
"No surprise there," Morgana said smoothly. "His clientele is extremely picky. I’m surprised they even have one of his pieces here."
I watched as Helena’s fingers tightened around the bracelet—a fairly ordinary piece that I’d seen in at least three other stores today.
"I’ll take it," she announced to the eager sales associate, who looked thrilled at the sudden sale.
Morgana and I shared a look as Helena paid for the bracelet—at nearly triple its actual value after Morgana casually mentioned what "similar pieces" had sold for at auction.
As Helena fastened it around her wrist with smug satisfaction, she turned back to me. "This is the difference between us, Sylvia. I understand real class and status. I was born into this world, and you’re just a tourist who got lucky."
"Is that supposed to be a threat?" I asked calmly.
The threat hung in the air between us, but before I could respond, Morgana stepped forward, her voice low and menacing.
"You seem confused about something pretty basic, Helena. You’ve never been part of our pack. You don’t get to decide who our Alpha chooses as his Luna." She leaned closer. "And honestly, the desperate thing is getting old. Caesar dumped you years ago. Get over it."
Helena’s face went bright red. "This isn’t over," she hissed, clutching her overpriced bracelet. "When Caesar finally sees right through your little act, Sylvia, I’ll be there. And I won’t go easy on you."
"Need help finding the exit?" I asked sweetly. "Or should we call security to show you out?"
With a final glare, Helena stormed off, nearly running into a group of teenagers in her haste to retreat.
Once she was out of sight, Morgana and I burst out laughing.
"Did you see her face?" Morgana gasped between giggles. "When she realizes that bracelet costs like maybe a hundred dollars..."
"You’re evil," I said, though I couldn’t stop smiling. "But brilliant."
"I know," she agreed, linking arms with me again. "Now, let’s get back to business. I saw a dress back there that would make Caesar lose his mind."
Four hours and tons of shopping bags later, we stumbled toward the mall exit, our arms laden with purchases.
"I think I need to call my assistant to come get us," I said, juggling bags while trying to reach my phone. "There’s no way we can haul all this to the parking lot."
"Don’t worry about it," Morgana said with a mysterious smile. "I have a feeling our ride is already here."
Sure enough, as we approached the main entrance, I spotted a familiar black Range Rover idling at the curb. Caesar stood beside it, arms crossed, looking simultaneously annoyed and amused.
"How did he—" I began, turning to Morgana.
She tapped her temple with a wink. "Pack mind link. The perks of being related to an Alpha. I might have mentioned we needed transportation for our shopping spree."
Caesar approached us, his eyes widening at the insane amount of shopping bags. "Did you leave anything for the other customers?"
Despite my earlier frustration with him, I couldn’t help my heart skipping at the sight of him—tall, imposing, and undeniably mine. His scent enveloped me as he drew closer, making my wolf practically purr with satisfaction.
"Don’t be such a drama queen," Morgana replied, already shoving her bags into his arms. "This is pretty tame by my standards."
"I can tell," he drawled, loading everything into the trunk like a pro.
When the last bag was secured, Morgana clapped her hands. "Perfect! Now, there’s this hot new bar downtown that everyone’s talking about. I was thinking we could—"
Caesar cut her off by pulling out his phone. After a few taps, he showed her the screen. "There’s your Uber money, plus a nice tip. Your purchases will be delivered to your apartment."
Morgana’s eyes widened at the amount. "A hundred grand? Seriously?"
"Consider it payment for keeping my mate entertained," he replied with a small smile. "And a bribe to find your own ride home."
"Deal!" Morgana exclaimed, pocketing her phone before pulling me into a quick hug. "This was a blast. We should do it again when you’re not pissed at him anymore."
Before I could protest, she’d steered me toward the passenger door, which Caesar held open. "He’s all yours," she whispered in my ear. "Don’t give him too much hell, he’s a good man, just horrible at communication. Like all Alphas."
With that parting wisdom, she waved cheerfully and headed toward the taxi stand, leaving me alone with Caesar and a trunkful of shopping bags.
"Ready to go home?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral as he held the door for me.
I slid into the leather seat, the familiar comfort of his vehicle surrounding me. "That depends," I replied, meeting his gaze directly. "Are you ready to tell me what you’ve been keeping from me?"
