Free Web NovelChapter 34: Chapter 34 Apologize
Sylvia’s POV
For days, no news of Zane surfaced. Rumor had it he was being held in temporary detention, unlikely to be released for several days at least. My life gradually settled back into a semblance of normality, though Caesar remained as busy as ever. We rarely crossed paths in his apartment, like two ships passing in the night.
My mind was preoccupied with unspoken thoughts, making me distracted and restless. My wolf paced within me, sensing my unease but unable to soothe it.
Days slipped by like water between fingers, and soon, my mother’s birthday celebration arrived.
"Sivi," Caesar said that morning, fastening his cufflinks as he prepared to leave. "I have some matters to handle today. I might be late to the party."
The words I’d been rehearsing died on my lips. My sister Selene’s earlier text message flashed through my mind, making my fingers curl into tight fists. I’d planned to ask him about it—about the woman in the photos Selene had sent me. The blonde beauty Caesar had been photographed with, their heads bent close in conversation.
But I remained silent. Perhaps he was rushing off to meet her now—his former flame. Who was I to create drama on today of all days?
I watched him leave, my expression carefully neutral despite the hollow ache spreading through my chest. My hand instinctively pressed against my sternum, trying to physically push away the unfamiliar sensation of abandonment.
My wolf whined, confused by these new emotions. We’d never felt this way about any male before—not even Zane.
Eventually, I snapped out of my daze and retrieved the carefully wrapped gift I’d prepared for my mother. I’d specifically taken the day off work for this celebration. After slipping into an elegant emerald dress that complemented my eyes, I drove alone to the Frostfang Pack territory.
The moment I stepped through the grand entrance of our pack house, my sister’s deliberately pitched voice reached my ears.
"Sister dear, why are you alone? Didn’t you message me saying you and your husband would attend together?" Selene’s tone dripped with false concern. "I already told Mother. Isn’t this rather disappointing?"
Alpha Astra hadn’t yet made her appearance downstairs. The spacious living area was already filled with early arrivals—business associates, pack allies, and various social elites. The Frostfang Pack held considerable commercial influence, and Mother’s birthday provided the perfect networking opportunity for ambitious wolves seeking connections.
Conversations hummed throughout the room, everyone capitalizing on the chance to secure potential partnerships. The venue was packed with the powerful and the privileged.
Selene’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried just enough for me to hear every carefully chosen word. How irritating.
She wore a flowing white gown that made her look graceful and refined, her smile projecting harmless warmth. But I knew better. She was deliberately twisting the knife in my wound.
"Selene," I said evenly, not bothering to mask the edge in my voice. "My relationship isn’t dinner party entertainment. And using Mother’s birthday to stir gossip? That’s a low blow—even for you."
Her eyes narrowed slightly despite her maintained smile. "I’m only concerned for you. Mother’s birthday is significant, and any... unfortunate incidents would be embarrassing for everyone, wouldn’t they?"
We continued our verbal sparring, neither willing to yield an inch. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, sensing the challenge in her words.
Hugo appeared beside Selene as if summoned, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit. He casually slipped his arm around my sister’s waist, raising an eyebrow as he assessed me with barely disguised contempt.
"Selene is your older sister," he reminded me, his tone patronizing. "With all these people present, couldn’t you show her a little respect?"
"Hugo, it’s fine," Selene leaned against his shoulder with practiced vulnerability. "I probably sounded too worried and gave my sister the wrong impression. I just didn’t want her to face ridicule by arriving alone with so many important guests here. It’s Mother’s birthday, and I’d hate for anything to spoil it."
They presented the perfect picture of mate harmony—a strategic display meant to wound me. The irony wasn’t lost on me that Hugo had once been my betrothed. Anyone witnessing this scene would expect me to feel humiliated.
"Sister," Selene said, lips curling in that faux-sweet way she’d perfected, "your track record with men hasn’t exactly been... stellar. I only wanted to spare you more humiliation."
My wolf snarled within me, tired of playing the submissive omega role that had become second nature over the years. I lifted my chin, meeting her gaze directly—Alpha to Alpha, though only I knew it.
"Then apologize," I said softly—but every syllable cut like glass. I didn’t blink. Didn’t look away.
The moment the words left my mouth, Selene’s smile froze on her face.
She furrowed her brow, staring at me in disbelief, momentarily unable to form a response.
"Sylvia, did you come back today just to cause trouble?" Hugo interjected, his arm protectively around Selene. "Your sister only has your best interests at heart. You chased after Zane for three years, sacrificing your dignity to be near him, and how did that end? With you crawling back home in disgrace."
His words aimed straight for my open wounds, deliberately cruel and precise.
Our confrontation quickly attracted attention, drawing a small crowd of onlookers who began whispering amongst themselves.
"Isn’t that the second daughter of the Frostfang Pack? I heard she abandoned her family to chase some so-called true love."
"And the man didn’t even want her. Dropped her like yesterday’s garbage."
"Didn’t she get married recently? Where’s her husband? Why show up alone today?" fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
"Probably too embarrassed to bring him. Love-struck fools never learn, do they?"
Amid the gossip, Selene’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk.
"Sivi," she cooed, using my childhood nickname like a weapon, "I’m only concerned you might have rushed into another bad relationship. I just wanted you to bring him here so we could meet him—to protect you from suffering again like you did before."
Her words seemed to confirm the rumors circulating through the crowd.
"Selene, stop wasting your breath," Hugo scoffed, his gaze contemptuous as he looked me over. "She’s too proud to listen to anything we say. After debasing herself for years only to get rejected, with that stubborn attitude, she’ll never find happiness."
He turned, preparing to lead Selene away from the scene. The crowd had grown too large, and it was Alpha Astra’s birthday celebration after all. Creating a bigger spectacle would be inappropriate.
No one noticed that Alpha Astra herself had descended the staircase and was watching the scene unfold, her expression dark as her penetrating gaze settled on me.
"Whatever you think of my husband is irrelevant," I stated coolly, unbothered by the judging stares surrounding me. "He’s good enough for me, and that’s all that matters."
The path I’d chosen was mine alone. I had accepted my past mistakes. This time, I was willingly placing another bet on my future.
"You—" Alpha Astra began, about to intervene.
"Apologies for the delay." A deep, commanding voice sliced through the murmurs like a blade through silk.
Caesar stood in the doorway, his tall frame impeccably dressed in a custom-tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders. His striking features commanded attention, especially those penetrating eyes that seemed to look straight through anyone they focused on. An aura of power and elegance surrounded him, marking him unmistakably as someone extraordinary.
Behind him stood at least a dozen security personnel, each carrying exquisitely wrapped packages. Silently, they placed the gifts on the floor in a meticulous arrangement. There were so many that people had to step back to make room.
Even Alpha Astra appeared stunned by the spectacle, surprise evident in her usually controlled expression.
As everyone wondered about the identity of this commanding newcomer, Caesar strode purposefully across the room, directly toward me. Selene clenched her fists in disbelief, her expression morphing from smugness to shock.
Caesar’s lips curved into an apologetic smile as he reached my side. "I’m sorry, Sivi," he murmured, his voice low enough for only me to hear, though in the sudden silence of the room, his words carried. "There was an emergency at the office. I came straight from the boardroom."
He lowered his voice slightly, the corners of his mouth quirking in something almost like guilt. "But if you’re angry, I’ll find a way to make it up to you. Tonight."
My wolf practically preened inside me, satisfied by the shocked expressions surrounding us. I felt Caesar’s energy wrap around me like a protective shield, his dominant aura making it clear to everyone present that I was his—and he was mine.
"I saved you a spot," I replied, allowing myself to lean slightly into his touch when his hand settled possessively at the small of my back.
"Alpha Astra," he acknowledged my mother with a respectful nod, though there was no submission in his stance. "I hope you’ll accept my gifts and apologies for arriving late to your celebration."
