Free Web NovelChapter 182: Chapter 182 Blocked
Author’s POV
Sylvia led Caesar and Noah into her personal office, the tension following them like an invisible cloud. She gestured toward the seating area with a tired sigh.
"Find yourselves somewhere to sit," she said, moving toward her desk. "Once I locate my mother, we’ll head over together."
The false harmony between Caesar and Noah was painfully obvious. While Noah maintained a calm exterior, his eyes kept darting to Caesar with undisguised curiosity and suspicion.
"I hope you don’t mind me asking," Noah finally broke the silence, leaning forward slightly, "but which pack do you belong to, Mr. Caesar? I don’t believe I’ve seen you at any of the regional Alpha gatherings."
Caesar’s expression remained impassive. "That information isn’t relevant to our current situation," he replied coolly, making his distaste for the conversation clear.
Noah’s eyes narrowed. "As Sylvia’s business partner, I think it’s only natural to know who she’s—"
"Mated to?" Caesar finished for him, a dangerous edge to his voice. "That’s between her and me."
Their gazes locked in silent combat. Caesar’s momentary surprise quickly transformed into a territorial glare that would make most wolves submit. Noah, however, didn’t back down.
Sylvia noticed their staring contest and sighed heavily. "For Moon’s sake, can you two stop with the Alpha posturing? My mother is in the hospital."
She sat down at her desk, massaging her temples. "I should try to use the mindlink to reach her or James."
"That’s the fastest way," Noah agreed. "The pack bond should still be intact, even if it’s weakened."
Sylvia closed her eyes, concentrating hard. After several long moments, her face contorted with frustration. "It’s not working. I’ve been separated from the pack for too long, and after suppressing my wolf for three years..." She opened her eyes, looking defeated. "My wolf Charna is still too weak to establish a proper connection."
Caesar moved behind her chair, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Don’t strain yourself. There are other ways."
"I’ll call James directly," she decided, reaching for her phone. She dialed the number and put it on speaker, but after two rings, the call disconnected. "That’s strange. It’s like someone hung up." freēwebnovel.com
"Try again," Noah suggested, leaning forward.
Sylvia redialed, but got the same result. "Something’s not right. James would never ignore my calls, especially if Alpha Astra is hospitalized."
"Could someone be intercepting the calls?" Caesar asked, his voice low and serious.
"Selene," Sylvia whispered, her expression darkening. "She’s never wanted me back at the pack house."
Meanwhile, at Howling Heights Memorial Hospital, James stood outside Alpha Astra’s room, his phone clutched tightly in his hand as Selene glared at him.
"Why would you even consider answering her call?" Selene hissed, her fingers still on the disconnect button of James’s phone. "She abandoned us, abandoned her own mother, and now suddenly she cares?"
James’s normally gentle face hardened. "Sylvia has every right to know about her mother’s condition, Selene. She’s still Alpha Astra’s daughter—her blood daughter."
"I’ve already called her," Selene lied smoothly. "Hours ago. And look around—she’s not here, is she?" She gestured to the empty hallway. "What does that tell you about where her priorities lie?"
"I don’t believe you," James said firmly. "The Sylvia I watched grow up would never ignore news about her mother, no matter what disagreements they’ve had." freewebnovёl.ƈom
Selene’s perfectly composed face twitched slightly. "She’s changed, James. She’s not the little girl you remember. All she cares about now is the company shares and her claim to be the next Alpha." Her voice dropped to a theatrical whisper. "It’s shameful how power-hungry she’s become."
James shook his head. "I won’t accept that. Not without hearing from her myself."
He closed his eyes, attempting to establish a mindlink with Sylvia, but encountered the same barriers she had experienced. The connection was too weak, too fragmented.
Seeing an opportunity, James turned to Selene. "Why don’t you go get some lunch for us? The cafeteria food is dreadful, but there’s that deli across the street your mother likes."
Selene hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave him alone.
"Alpha Astra will want her favorite fish soup when she wakes up," he added persuasively. "You know how she gets when she’s hungry after treatments."
"Fine," Selene finally agreed. "But don’t do anything foolish while I’m gone."
The moment Selene disappeared down the hallway, James quickly redialed Sylvia’s number.
Back in the office, Sylvia’s phone rang. She snatched it up. "James? Is that you?"
"Sylvia," his familiar voice came through, filled with relief. "Thank the Moon I reached you. Did you know about your mother’s condition?"
"I just heard rumors she was hospitalized. What happened? Is she alright?" Sylvia’s voice cracked with emotion.
"She collapsed during a pack meeting this morning. The doctors are running tests, but they suspect exhaustion combined with her ongoing heart condition. She’s stable now, but she’s asking for you."
"Text me the hospital address. I’ll be there as soon as possible," Sylvia promised, already gathering her things.
"Hurry, Sylvia. And be prepared—Selene is here, and she’s determined to keep you away. She claims she already notified you."
"That lying—" Sylvia bit back her words. "I’m coming now. Thank you, James."
As she ended the call, a text message with the hospital details appeared on her screen.
"I have the location," she announced to Caesar and Noah, who had been watching her intently. "We need to go now."
Both men moved toward the door simultaneously, their temporary truce reinstated by the urgency of the situation. This wasn’t about their rivalry anymore—it was about getting Sylvia to her mother before Selene could cause any more damage.
In the hospital room, Alpha Astra stirred weakly in her sleep, murmuring a name that made James smile sadly: "Sylvia..."
