Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Put a Leash Chapter 256: Put a Leash *************** CHAPTER 256 ~Zara’s POV~ The weight of the day lingered over me like a storm cloud, heavy and oppressive.

For hours, I’d exposed the rawest parts of myself-my past lives, failures, and the burdens of my rebirth.

It was exhausting, to be honest.

I wasn’t ready to reveal so much to others yet but now€¦ I had unintentionally.  And to think that someone-Delia, of all people-had dared to toss my secrets around like gossip at a tea party made my blood boil.

As I walked through the Lycan palace’s grand halls, my emotions churned.

My anger wasn’t wild or blazing.

It was cold and smouldering, simmering beneath the surface like an unyielding fire.

And the more I thought about what she did, and replayed Zade’s reaction in my mind, the angrier I became.

How dare she?

Delia had no right.

She wasn’t part of my life, my struggles, or my truths.

Yet, she had somehow overheard what was meant for my family and thought it acceptable to flaunt it.

Snow and Zade had tried to dissuade me from confronting her, but this wasn’t about them.

This wasn’t even about me anymore.

This was about principle.

The palace gardens stretched before me as I stepped outside, the sunlight casting an ethereal glow over the lush greenery.

My steps were collected and purposeful as I followed the faint trace of Delia’s scent.

I could tell a Lycan’s scent anywhere and she€¦ she had a slightly unique one like Kaid.

She wasn’t hard to find.

Perched on a stone bench near the edge of the garden, Delia looked as though she belonged in some romantic painting.  Her auburn hair shimmered under the light of the moon, and her dark eyes sparkled with mischief as she caught sight of me.

“Lady Zara,” she greeted, her voice dripping with mockery.

“What an unexpected delight.” “Delia,” I replied in a cold and controlled tone.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I stepped closer to her.

“Let’s see€¦ to think this would be how the Lycan King’s cousin and I would meet.” “Well, we were bound to be introduced to each other at some point.,” she said with a shrug.

I held back my anger.

“Yeah, sadly your lack of manners made it happen sooner.” Her expression fell slightly as her lips fell open as though she was offended.  The nerve.  She had no right to be angry after what she had done.

“What?” I continued.

“Did I stutter or did you not behave foolishly?” “Look, Zara.” At once her mask fell, replayed by the true nature and character of Delia.

She was threatened a bit or should I say, felt insulted.

I held my palm up to silence her.

“You’ve been talking about things that don’t concern you.” Her smirk returned.

“Oh, but they do concern me.

You’re staying in my cousin’s palace, after all.

And your little secrets?

They’re far too interesting to ignore.” I clenched my fists at my sides, forcing myself to stay calm.

“Whatever you think you know, keep it to yourself.

You have no idea what you’re meddling with.” Delia rose gracefully, brushing imaginary dust off her gown.

“On the contrary, I think I know quite a bit.

Reborn three times, destined to unite the Lycans and werewolves-quite the tale.

Almost too good to be true.” I stepped closer, the distance between us almost nonexistent.

My voice dropped, cold and sharp as a blade.

“This isn’t a game, Delia.

If I so much as hear a whisper of this from someone else, I’ll be coming for you.

And I promise, you won’t like the outcome.” Her laughter was soft, almost musical, but there was a sharp edge to it.

“Regret it?

My dear, you overestimate your position here.

You’re a guest in my cousin’s domain.

Tread carefully.” I leaned in, letting the weight of my aura press against hers.

“Do you know what being reborn has made me into?” My voice dropped into a dangerous whisper.

“Someone who can kill without a second thought.” I paused, letting my eyes take in her every expression before continuing, “I’ve stared danger in the face many times and I am not afraid to end anything in my path or any stumbling block-especially one as insignificant as you.” Delia’s playful façade faltered as she stood up and took a hesitant step back.

I pressed forward, letting the full force of my wolf’s aura lash out.

My eyes glinted dangerously, the red of Astrid’s presence flickering through.

“So if you value your life, Delia, keep your lips shut.

You don’t want to find out what I’m capable of.” Her confidence wavered as her smirk faded entirely.

“You’re bluffing,” she muttered, though her voice trembled.

“Try me,” I challenged, my voice low and venomous.

Her dark eyes flickered with unease, and I stepped back, finally satisfied that my point had been made.

Turning on my heel, I began to walk away when movement caught my attention.

Kaid stood near the walkway leading to the garden, his expression unreadable as he watched the exchange.

His presence alone stoked the embers of my anger.

I stalked past him, but before I could leave, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist.

“Zara,” he began, keeping his voice low, but I didn’t let him finish.

I snapped my head toward him, glaring.

“If you love your little pest, I suggest you put a leash or collar on her.

Because the next time she crosses me, she’ll pay with her life.” Kaid’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as his free hand clenched into a fist.

The flicker of Astrid’s red gaze in my eyes didn’t escape his notice.

Without waiting for his response, I yanked my hand from his grip and strode away, my heart pounding unrelentingly.

Let Delia meddle again, and she’d learn exactly what I was capable of.

As I headed back into the palace, Astrid’s voice whispered in my mind.

“She’s playing with you.

Don’t let her get to you.”  “I won’t,” I replied silently.

“She ain’t worth it and I do not mind staining my fur to tear her to pieces if need be.”  “Trust your instincts, Zara.

They’ve kept you alive this long.

Tread carefully from now on.”