Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 169

Chapter 169: Tell Me The Truth Chapter 169: Tell Me The Truth ************** CHAPTER 169 ~Zara’s POV~ The car stopped in front of my childhood home.

As I stepped out, memories of my upbringing flooded back-the laughter, the scoldings, the quiet nights staring at the stars from the porch.  But today, the weight of the truth I was determined to uncover made the air feel heavier.

Snow was by my side in an instant, while Zade adjusted his jacket, his usual air of authority radiating from him.

“Ready?” Snow asked softly.

I nodded, though my nerves were anything but settled.

The front door swung open before we could even knock.

My brother Elias stood there, his expression neutral but his sharp eyes scanning the three of us.

“Zara,” he greeted, his tone unusually serious.

“Mom and Dad are waiting inside.” He stepped aside, his gaze lingering on Snow for a moment longer than necessary before greeting.

“Alpha Snow, nice to finally make your acquaintance.” Snow nodded.

“Likewise.” Turning to Zade, my brother greeted as well.

“Welcome.” We entered the house, and my parents rose to their feet immediately.

Liam, my father, offered a warm smile, but Selene, my mother, looked more cautious.

“Zara,” Dad said, pulling me into a quick embrace.

“You look well.” “Thank you, Dad,” I replied, my voice wavering slightly as I stepped back.

Their eyes moved past me, landing on Snow.

Both my parents stiffened, their expressions shifting to something akin to awe.

“Alpha Snow Zephyr,” my father said, inclining his head respectfully.

“Welcome to our home.” Snow gave a polite nod but said nothing.

His blue eyes swept over the room, taking in every detail like the Alpha he was.

“And who do we have here?” my mother asked, her eyes settling on Zade before glancing at my father.

I could mistake the awe in their eyes.  The reaction was immediate.

Both my parents paled slightly before quickly composing themselves.

Good, they knew him.

Before I could respond, Zade stepped forward, exuding an aura of authority that was impossible to ignore.

“I am Zade€¦” “Alpha Zade of the Golden Claw Pack,” my mother interjected.

“It is an honor, Alpha Zade,” my father said, bowing his head.

“Your reputation precedes you.” Mother nodded, her voice softer than usual.

“The Golden Claw Pack has risen to prominence in recent years.

Most who knew the pack before would recognize its strength now.” I stared at my parents in disbelief.

“You know about the Golden Claw Pack?” “Of course,” Dad replied, his gaze shifting back to Zade.

“We’ve heard stories, and you-” he paused, studying Zade intently.

“You are the spitting image of your father.” Zade’s expression remained unreadable, though his jaw tightened slightly.

“What about the Luna?” I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

“Surely, people knew her too?” Selene shook her head.

“The Luna of the Golden Claw Pack was…

elusive.

She wasn’t one for public appearances.

Those who saw her said she always wore a veil-either black or white.

No one ever saw her face.” The revelation struck me.

My resemblance to Zade and his family was easy to miss if no one had seen their Luna’s face.

She reportedly reserved her face and beauty for her husband and family.

I nodded slowly, the pieces starting to fit together in my mind.

My father cleared his throat, turning to Snow and Zade.

“Thank you for protecting Zara,” he said sincerely.

“She means everything to us.

Is there anything we can do for you?

I imagine you didn’t come here just to exchange pleasantries.” Snow stayed silent, his expression stoic as he glanced at me.

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I stepped forward.

“I believe it would be most effective to have this conversation in a sitting position.” My family looked at each other before nodding.

“I apologize, Alphas.

Please, come in and have your seat.” We each took our seats together and then I continued, “Dad, Mom, I need you to be honest with me.” Liam and Selene exchanged a wary glance, the tension in the room thickening.

“Are you my real parents?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my resolve.

Liam’s answer came quickly, too quickly.

“Yes, of course we are!” I shook my head, feeling a lump rise in my throat.

“Stop denying it and lying to me.

I know I’m not your real daughter.

Just tell me.

Are you really my parents?” Selene’s eyes flashed with something-anger?

Frustration?

I couldn’t tell as her expression hardened, a faint snicker escaping her lips.  “Watch your tone, young lady.

We raised you.

We are your parents, whether you like it or not.” The dismissive response sparked a flame of anger in Zade.

His calm demeanor shattered as he stepped, his towering presence silencing the room.

“Enough with the games.

You owe her the truth.

Now.

No more deflections.

No more lies.” Liam’s shoulders slumped, and he finally nodded, his voice heavy with resignation.

“You’re right.

Zara, you are not our biological daughter.” His words were a blow, and though I’d been expecting them, hearing them aloud still left me breathless.

Liam continued, his tone apologetic.

“We had a daughter once-our sweet Emily.

She was just three years old when we lost her.

A year later, on the anniversary of her passing, we were returning home when it happened.” “What happened?” I asked, barely managing to find my voice.

“We were driving around a bend when an incoming car swerved into our lane,” he explained, his voice cracking.

“Before we could stop or avoid it, the crash happened.

When we rushed out, we found a young girl and a woman inside.” My heart pounded as I listened, knowing exactly where this story was heading.

“The child-” Liam glanced at me, his gaze softening.

“Y-you were safer than the woman.

She wasn’t belted, and her injuries were severe.

We tried to save her, but she was on the verge of dying.” “And before she passed,” Selene interjected, her tone bitter, “she begged us to take care of the child as atonement.” “Atonement?” Zade repeated, narrowing his eyes.

“Why would she need to atone?” Selene huffed.

“She didn’t signal her turn.

That’s why the accident happened.”