Free Web NovelChapter 146: Chapter 146 Rebuild Our Relationship
Sylvia’s POV
The early morning light spilled through Caesar’s penthouse windows, bathing the room in golden warmth. I stretched languidly, my body pleasantly sore from last night’s activities.
I reached for my phone on the nightstand, scrolling through emails while mentally organizing my day. A new message notification popped up, and my good mood instantly soured when I saw the sender’s name: Hugo Gray.
*Dinner tonight? We need to discuss a potential partnership. New Moon Restaurant, 8 PM. Private room reserved.*
My wolf bristled with suspicion. This wasn’t the first time Hugo had sought me out recently. At first, I’d assumed he was looking for Selene at the company, but he always managed to corner me instead, steering conversations toward business collaborations that never quite materialized.
The timing was suspicious. After years of barely acknowledging my existence beyond obligatory pack gatherings, why the sudden interest? Especially considering our history—Hugo had once been my mother’s choice for my mate before he’d pursued Selene instead.
I had never harbored feelings for him, so his rejection hadn’t wounded me personally. But the way he’d gone about it—publicly courting my adoptive sister while I was being paraded as his potential match—had been humiliating.
And now he wanted dinner. Alone.
Something’s wrong here.
A gentle knock at the bedroom door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, setting my phone aside.
Caesar entered, already dressed in a charcoal suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. He carried two mugs of coffee, the rich aroma instantly making my mouth water.
"You look troubled," he observed, handing me one of the mugs before sitting beside me on the bed.
I took a grateful sip before answering. "Hugo Gray has been hanging around the company lately. Now he wants to meet for dinner tonight." freewebnovёl.ƈom
Caesar’s expression darkened, his Alpha presence filling the room as his wolf rose closer to the surface. "The same Hugo who chose your sister over you?"
"He didn’t choose her over me," I corrected automatically. "I never wanted him in the first place. My mother did."
"That’s not how pack politics sees it," Caesar replied, his voice deceptively calm despite the dangerous glint in his eyes. "He publicly rejected an Alpha’s daughter for her adopted sister. The insult stands regardless of your feelings."
I shrugged, trying to appear more nonchalant than I felt. "Ancient history. What concerns me is why he’s suddenly so interested in ’partnerships’ now that the company is doing well."
Caesar’s hand found mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "Are you planning to meet him?"
"I think I should," I said carefully, watching his reaction. "If only to figure out what he’s after."
Caesar was quiet for a moment, his midnight eyes unreadable. "Take Dylan with you."
I raised an eyebrow. "I don’t need a babysitter."
"Not a babysitter," he corrected, bringing my hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to my knuckles. "Insurance. Hugo may be a mediocre Alpha at best, but he’s still an Alpha. And he wants something from you."
"I’ve been managing difficult men since I presented," I reminded him.
A slow, predatory smile spread across Caesar’s face. "I’m aware of your capabilities, Sylvia. But indulge me in this. Consider it... maintaining pack harmony."
I rolled my eyes but found myself smiling. "Fine. But Dylan stays outside. I want Hugo to think I came alone."
"Deal," Caesar agreed, leaning forward to capture my lips in a kiss that quickly deepened, his coffee forgotten on the nightstand.
By the time I made it to the office, I was running late and sporting a fresh mark on my neck that my blouse barely covered. My assistant gave me a knowing look as I hurried past her desk.
"The French delegate called," she said, following me into my office. "John Sinclair wants to finalize the details of the LC Company partnership this afternoon."
I nodded, settling behind my desk. "Set it up. And push my 3 PM to tomorrow—I have a dinner meeting tonight that might run long."
"With Mr. Gray?" she asked, her expression carefully neutral.
News traveled fast in wolf circles. "Yes. Nothing to worry about."
She nodded, though her scent betrayed her concern. As she turned to leave, I added, "Oh, and if Dylan from Blood Moon Pack drops by later, send him straight in."
The day passed in a blur of meetings and calls. John Sinclair proved to be both professional and insightful, making our collaboration discussions pleasantly productive. As we wrapped up, he noticed my distracted expression.
"Everything alright, Ms. Frost?" he asked, his French accent lilting. "You seem troubled."
I forced a smile. "Just busy. Nothing to worry about."
John’s kind eyes held concern. "If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate. Our companies will be working closely together now."
"Thank you, John. I appreciate that."
After he left, I sat staring at my phone, debating whether to cancel on Hugo. My instincts were screaming that something was off, but my curiosity was stronger. What game was he playing?
My assistant knocked softly before entering. "Dylan is here to see you."
I nodded. "Send him in."
Dylan entered with the quiet confidence typical of high-ranking Betas.
"Alpha Conrad sent me,Luna." he said simply.
"I figured. You’ll be my shadow tonight, but discreetly. I want Hugo to think I’m alone."
Dylan nodded. "I’ll keep my distance unless needed. Car’s ready whenever you are."
At 7:45 PM, I arrived at New Moon Restaurant, a high-end establishment frequented by the more affluent wolves in the territory. The host led me to a private room where Hugo was already waiting.
I paused in the doorway, taking in his appearance. He’d clearly put effort into his looks tonight—his naturally striking features enhanced by designer clothes and careful styling.
"Sylvia, you came!" His voice carried a note of excitement that seemed entirely inappropriate for a business meeting.
"You asked to meet," I replied coolly, remaining near the doorway. "What’s this about?"
Hugo stepped forward, reaching for my hand. "Let me show you to your seat."
I swiftly sidestepped his touch, fixing him with a warning glare. "What are you doing?"
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Nothing. I just wanted to help you find your seat." frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"I can manage," I replied flatly, walking past him into the room. If not for my burning curiosity about his motives, I would have turned around and left immediately. This was clearly a waste of my time.
Hugo quickly recovered his composure, attempting to lighten the mood. "Why so tense? We’re just having dinner. It’s not like we haven’t done this before."
"You mean before you chose my sister?" I shot back.
Hugo’s smile faltered, after a brief hesitation, determination hardened his features. His smile returned, softer and more intimate. "Sylvia, we’ve known each other for years. Why be so formal?"
"What do you want, Alpha Gray?" My tone was ice cold.
Seeing that I wouldn’t play along with his pretense, Hugo sighed. "Let’s sit down first, shall we?"
Under my skeptical gaze, he led me to the table. I took my seat, maintaining as much distance as the intimate setting allowed. My wolf remained alert, sensing deception in every one of his carefully calculated moves.
Hugo smiled nervously across the table. "We weren’t always like this, you know."
"Like what?"
"So distant." His voice dropped to a nostalgic tone that made my skin crawl. "You used to call me ’Hugo’ We were practically engaged before... well, before everything happened. We were—"
"I didn’t come here to reminisce," I cut him off sharply. "State your business or I’m leaving."
Frustrated that his attempt to redirect the conversation had failed, Hugo finally dropped the act.
"Fine. Sylvia, I just want us to rebuild our relationship. What’s wrong with that?"
I stared at him in disbelief. "Rebuild what relationship? The one where you publicly humiliated me by pursuing my sister while my mother was still announcing you as my potential mate?"
Hugo’s expression turned indignant. "What did I do wrong?"
The sheer audacity of his question left me momentarily speechless. Even now, after everything, he still believed himself blameless.
"If you truly see nothing wrong with your actions, then I have nothing more to say to you," I replied coldly.
"Everyone acts in their own self-interest," he insisted. "That’s just nature. I did what was best for me."
My wolf snarled in disgust. This was the man my mother had once thought suitable for me—this self-absorbed, opportunistic wolf who couldn’t even recognize his own moral failings.
"Then why should I rebuild anything with you?" I asked pointedly. "What’s in it for me?"
