Chapter 5

Sylvia's POV I maintained my composure as I faced my mother's penetrating stare. The tension in the room was palpable, but I refused to show weakness. "You needn't worry," I said coolly. "Zane and I are done. But since I'll be taking over Frostfang Pack eventually, I'd prefer a stable marriage with someone I don't actively despise." My mother had never approved of my connection with Alpha Zane. Partly because she saw my feelings for him as a weakness clouding my judgment, but primarily because Thorn Pack and Frostfang Pack were business rivals. Though Thorn Pack wasn't quite at our level, they were still enemies in her eyes. Truth be told,my mother's controlling nature rarely extended to my marriage prospects. Her attention had always been more focused on Selene than on me anyway. My mother's sharp eyes assessed me for a long moment, searching for any hint of deception. "Very well," she finally conceded. "Choose your own mate, but remember you agreed to the terms of our bet, Sylvia. Don't disappoint me." I nodded silently. After My mother disappeared upstairs to attend to other matters, I was left alone with Selene in the living room. Despite being sisters in name, our relationship had always been strained at best. Selene deliberately toyed with the expensive jewelry my mother had purchased for her, a smirk playing on her lips. "Sylvia, you don't actually believe you'll find anyone better than Alpha Hugo, do you?" She laughed mockingly. "Everyone in our circles knows how you debased yourself for Alpha Zane. Who would want to claim you as their Luna now?" Though the Thorn Pack's territory was in Alderwood, rumors of my relationship with Zane had spread throughout Howling Peaks like wildfire, each telling more salacious than the last. I merely glanced at Selene, feeling nothing but indifference toward my adoptive sister. In truth, I had felt relief when Hugo broke our engagement, though Selene had always harbored resentment toward me for reasons I couldn't fully comprehend. "Hugo Gray?" I raised an eyebrow, a sardonic smile forming. "Keep him if you want. Though I've heard he plays quite... liberally on the side. Perhaps regular health screenings would be wise, sis." "You—!" Selene's chest heaved with indignation. I knew the difference in how my mother treated us. Astra was harsh with me because her expectations were higher. But why should that bother Selene? Why the endless animosity? As I walked away, I could feel her gaze burning into my back, dark with unspoken resentment. She was Alpha Astra's adopted daughter, yet that never seemed enough for her. At least I hadn't been foolish enough to mask my Alpha scent just to please a man. I had more pressing matters than Selene's jealousy. Word of my newly single status spread quickly, and friends eagerly arranged introductions to potential mates. For three straight days, I met with various suitors, none of whom sparked the slightest interest in my wolf. I was just leaving my latest disappointing meeting when a familiar voice called out. "Sylvia? What a coincidence." Chloe stood nearby, arm linked possessively through Zane's, dressed in expensive designer clothes that screamed new money. Her expression remained as sweetly docile as ever, though her eyes told a different story. Beside her, Zane frowned as he took in my appearance. I knew I looked different—bold red lips, styled hair, confidence radiating from every pore. Nothing like the meek omega I'd pretended to be. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice cold. This restaurant operated on an exclusive membership basis. In his mind, someone of my supposed status shouldn't have access to such places. I quirked my lips into a playful smirk. "Why shouldn't I be here?" "Is Ms. Sylvia here to work?" Chloe's gentle laugh carried a note of false sympathy. "The pay is good, I suppose, but surely a university graduate like yourself could find better than waiting tables." "What's wrong with being a server?" I let my gaze drift lazily over her thousand-dollar outfit. "Money earned through honest work beats relying on a man's wallet any day." Chloe paled slightly, biting her lower lip in that perfectly practiced damsel-in-distress manner that made my wolf want to growl. Zane's face darkened with disgust. "There's nothing wrong with providing for my mate. When we broke up, I offered you a hundred thousand dollars as compensation, which you stubbornly refused. With that attitude, Sylvia, you're hardly qualified to work in an establishment like this." He turned to summon the manager while Chloe watched me with quiet satisfaction gleaming in her eyes. Looking at them together, I suddenly found the situation laughably absurd. If I truly had been a struggling graduate with no pack or resources—the omega I'd pretended to be—Zane's actions would have devastated my life, pushing me further into hardship. And Chloe, who should understand such vulnerability better than anyone, simply stood by watching him try to ruin me. Some "true mate" she was. The manager hurried over, concern etched on his face. "That server's got a real chip on her shoulder—seriously, you let people with that attitude work here?" Zane's tone could've iced over a hot tub. The manager's eyes widened in alarm. "Whoa, hold on—misunderstanding, Mr. Thorne. That's Ms. Sylvia, one of our black card members. Not staff." "Say what?" Zane's eyebrows shot up like he'd just heard a dog recite Shakespeare. His expression soured, nose wrinkling as though he'd caught a foul scent. "Sylvia. Spare me the theatrics. You really think this little show's gonna make me crawl back? Please." I flicked a bored glance his way, my lips twitching with amusement. "Wow. You're dumber than a box of hair." Zane's POV I couldn't believe my eyes. Sylvia—standing there like she owned the place, dripping in confidence I'd never seen before. The manager's words echoed in my ears: black card member. Something wasn't adding up. For three years, she'd been the picture of humility—wearing the same rotation of modest clothes, accepting the cheapest menu items when we dined out, never once hinting at hidden wealth. Now suddenly she was flashing black cards at one of the most exclusive establishments in the city? "Your table is ready, Ms. Sylvia," the manager announced with a deference that made my skin crawl. "The private dining room, as requested." "Thank you," she replied smoothly, her voice carrying an authority that seemed to come from nowhere. Beside me, Chloe shifted uncomfortably. "Zane, darling, perhaps we should go? Our reservation—" But I couldn't move. Something fundamental had shifted, like the ground beneath my feet had suddenly tilted. The Sylvia I knew—the quiet omega who'd worshipped the ground I walked on—was nowhere in this woman's confident posture.