Sylvia’s POV

I never realized how massive this master bedroom was until tonight.

Without Caesar’s presence, the space felt cavernous, almost menacing—like the emptiness itself might swallow me whole. I didn’t even bother turning off the wall sconces, their warm glow providing little comfort against the void of his absence.

It’s terrifying how quickly habits form. Somewhere between our arrangement and now, I’d grown accustomed to Caesar’s presence. He had become like oxygen—invisible yet essential, gradually permeating every aspect of my life when I wasn’t looking.

I glanced at the empty space beside me, running my hand over the cool sheets. When Caesar was here, I sometimes complained the bed felt cramped, but now? It seemed large enough for three of me. Without his familiar broad back and the warmth I’d secretly grown to crave, sleep evaded me. My wolf, Charna, whined softly inside me, missing his scent and the security it brought.

The mate bond pulled uncomfortably in my chest, a physical ache I couldn’t rub away.

When morning finally arrived after a restless night, I rose earlier than usual, my body refusing to linger in the too-large bed. As I padded down the hallway, unfamiliar cooking sounds drew me to the kitchen.

An older woman with kind eyes and silver-streaked hair stood at the stove, stirring something that filled the penthouse with a mouthwatering aroma. She turned as I entered, offering a warm smile.

"Good morning, Luna Sylvia. I’m Zoe," she said with a slight accent, bowing her head respectfully. "Alpha Caesar arranged for me to prepare your meals while he’s away. I’ve made millet pumpkin porridge—he mentioned it’s your favorite."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Thank you, that’s... thoughtful," I replied, settling at the kitchen island as Zoe placed a steaming bowl before me, alongside a bamboo steamer of perfectly pleated buns.

The flavors exploded on my tongue—savory, slightly sweet, with hints of ginger and scallion. I couldn’t help the appreciative moan that escaped me.

"These are incredible," I said, already reaching for another bun. "Where did you learn to make these?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Zoe smiled, pride evident in her expression. "These are from my homeland in the East. Alpha Caesar’s parents saved me during the Great Pack Wars when my family’s territory was destroyed. I was just a young omega then."

"You’ve known Caesar since he was a child?" I asked, suddenly curious.

"Since birth," she confirmed, her eyes softening. "I was his wet nurse after his mother fell ill. That boy hardly ever cried—even then, he kept everything inside."

I paused mid-bite. "Caesar? Quiet? The man practically radiates dominance."

Zoe chuckled, shaking her head. "Oh, he’s powerful, certainly. But emotionally? That boy builds walls higher than mountains. His father taught him early that showing feelings was weakness—especially for the future Wolf King."

"He seems so... confident," I argued, thinking of Caesar’s commanding presence.

"Confidence isn’t the same as openness, Luna Sylvia." Zoe began tidying the counter. "In all my years, I’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you. Like you’re water in a desert."

"That’s..." I couldn’t find words.

"He was always such a serious child," Zoe continued, seemingly oblivious to my shock. "So responsible, carrying the weight of the Blood Moon Pack’s future on his small shoulders. The other cubs would play, but Caesar would watch from a distance, analyzing their games like battle strategies."

I tried to reconcile this image with the powerful, sometimes infuriating man I’d married. "He doesn’t seem... lonely."

"We all wear masks, Luna Sylvia. Some are just crafted more carefully than others." Zoe placed another steamed bun on my plate. "He bought this building five years ago, did you know? Right after you graduated college."

"Five years ago? But that’s..."

"Before you even met Zane," she finished for me, her expression gentle but pointed. "Caesar has always played the long game."

My mind raced with implications. The entries in that diary—the woman Caesar had been watching all along—could that have been me? Or was all of this preparation meant for someone he once loved, while I’m merely the fated mate the Moon Goddess assigned him? The more powerful the wolf, the more they resist being controlled by destiny. Was he caught in the same struggle I once faced, torn between choice and fate?

The Moon Goddess always binds the threads tightly—rejection brings irreversible pain.

What exists between us—is it love, trust, or simply our inner wolves driving us, bound together by destiny’s design?

"Try the red bean buns next," Zoe suggested, changing the subject. "They’re his favorite."

I bit into one, the sweet filling a perfect contrast to the fluffy dough. "They’re delicious," I admitted. "You’re an incredible cook."

"Food carries memories," she replied simply. "And sometimes, it’s the only way some people know how to show love."

After breakfast, as I prepared to leave for work, my thoughts remained tangled around this new perspective of Caesar.

On impulse, I pulled out my phone and texted him: Zoe’s cooking is amazing! Thank you for arranging this.

I slipped the phone into my pocket without waiting for a reply, but couldn’t ignore the small flutter of anticipation in my chest.

As I drove toward Frostline Enterprises, the questions in my heart remained unresolved.