Chapter 79

Sylvia's POV: The familiar motions of cooking helped calm my frayed nerves. As I chopped vegetables and seasoned the roast, I couldn't help but smile thinking of little Melody's innocent joy at the pudding earlier today. She and Noah had shown me that there was more to life than pack politics and jealous games. I'd overreacted at dinner. Caesar was my mate, even if we hadn't completed the bond yet. We needed to talk properly, to address the insecurities that kept us from truly connecting. I wanted what Noah had described – that deep, unshakeable mate bond that made everything else insignificant. The sound of voices outside made my heart leap – but then sink just as quickly. Caesar wasn't alone. "The guest room has a lovely view of the garden," his voice carried through the door. "You should be comfortable there." Helena's musical laugh followed. "You're too kind, Cae. Hotels are so impersonal, aren't they?" They entered the kitchen just as I was placing the last dish on the table. Hele