Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 284

Chapter 284: In Love With You Two Chapter 284: In Love With You Two *************** CHAPTER 284 ~Zara’s POV~ As the evening wore on, we talked about lighter things-stories from my childhood, updates on the pack, and even a few funny moments from my time with Ella and Snow.

Eventually, Mum stood, smoothing the fabric of her gown.

“I’ll let you rest.

Tomorrow will be a long day, and you’ll need your energy for the celebration.

We’ll also get your gowns fitted tomorrow morning.

So, rest early.” I stood as well, walking her to the door.

“Thank you for coming to talk, Mum.

I needed it.” She cupped my cheek and stared into my eyes, with love.

“You’re stronger than you know, Zara.

Never forget that.” As she left, I closed the door behind her and leaned against it, a small smile on my lips.

************** ~Tempest’s POV~ As I stood at the old forest trail near Crescent Ridge, the cool breeze rustled through the trees.

With the weight of the decision I was about to make, my heart pounded harder with every passing second.  It was suffocating, and I wrung my hands while waiting for them to arrive.

Ryland showed up first.

His blue eyes locked onto mine as his figure emerged from the shadows of the trees.

“Tempest.” I swallowed, already sensing and expecting the storm to follow.

“Why are we meeting here?

And why didn’t you go back to your father’s pack after leaving Koda?” I hesitated, not knowing how to explain everything just yet.

“Ryland, I just…

I needed to talk to you.

To both of you.” “Both of us?” His brow furrowed, and his gaze hardened.

“What’s going on, Tempest?” Before I could answer, the sound of footsteps broke the tension.

My head snapped toward the source, and my breath hitched as Koda strode into view.

The moment his eyes landed on me, they softened.

But that gentleness didn’t last long.

His gaze flickered to Ryland, and his entire body went rigid.

His wolf tried surfacing, his aura changing as his presence was made known.

“Tempest,” Koda greeted me curtly before turning his attention to Ryland.

His jaw tightened, and a low growl rumbled in his chest.

Ryland straightened and squared his shoulders.

“Beta Koda,” he said coolly.

Koda didn’t respond.

Instead, he stalked forward, closing the distance between them.

The moment he saw Ryland’s hand resting on mine, his growl deepened, and his wolf’s aura flared.

“Get your hand off her,” Koda snarled.

Ryland’s grip on my hand tightened as he met Koda’s glare head-on.

“She called me here, Koda.

Not you.

So maybe you should back off.” In an instant, Koda lunged forward, shoving Ryland hard enough to make him stumble back a few steps and break us apart.

“Koda, stop!” I yelled, stepping between them.

But Koda wasn’t listening.

His eyes burned with fury as he advanced on Ryland again.

“I told you to stay away from her,” he growled, his fists clenched at his sides.

“And I told you,” Ryland shot back, his voice just as fiery, “that I won’t.” The tension between them was suffocating, and I could feel the charge of their wolves battling for dominance.

Koda’s wolf was on the verge of surfacing, and Ryland’s wasn’t far behind.

“Enough!” I shouted, placing a hand on Koda’s chest to stop him from taking another step.

Then, I turned to Ryland.

“Both of you, stop this right now!” “Tempest,” Koda began, his voice softer now, though the anger in his eyes hadn’t faded.

“No,” I cut him off, holding up a hand.

“I didn’t call you both here so you could rip each other apart.” Ryland took a step closer, his expression softening slightly but when he glanced at Koda, his eyes were filled with hateful glares.  “Then why did you call us here, Tempest?

What’s going on?” I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.

“I called you here because I need to say something.

To both of you.” Koda’s gaze locked onto mine, and I could see the worry creeping into his eyes.

“Tempest, what is it?

Is this about Ryland?

Is he treating you badly?

Did he hurt you?” “I need you both to listen,” I uttered firmly.

“I care about you both, but this fighting, this tension has to stop.

We can’t do this.” Ryland crossed his arms, watching to see where I was getting at.

“What are you saying, Tempest?” I turned to him, my heart aching at the pain I saw in his eyes.

“I’m saying that I can’t keep stringing you along, Ryland.

It’s not fair to you, and it’s not fair to me.” “And me?” Koda’s voice was quiet, but the hurt in his tone was unmistakable.

I met his gaze, my chest tightening.

“Koda, I came here to tell you the truth, too.

About why I’ve been distant.

About everything.” Ryland frowned, his brows drawing together.

“The truth?

What truth?” I took a shaky breath, forcing myself to look at both of them.

“The truth is…

I’m torn.

My heart is torn between the two of you.

I’ve been trying to figure out what to do, but the more time I spend with each of you, the harder it gets.” Koda’s jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides.

“So, what are you saying, Tempest?

Are you asking us to wait for you to decide?” “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head.

“I’m saying that I need to make a choice.

But I can’t do that if you two are at each other’s throats.

I need you to understand that this isn’t easy for me.

That I never wanted to hurt either of you.” Ryland exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair.

“So, what do you want from us, Tempest?” “I want you to give me time,” I said, my voice trembling.

“I need time to figure out what my heart wants.

But I€¦” I shook my head immediately.  That wasn’t what I wanted and planned.  Get a grip, Tempest, and do the right thing.

Koda’s expression softened, and he reached out to gently cup my cheek.

“If you are conflicted and need more time, then so be it, babe.

I’ll wait for you, Tempest.

As long as it takes.” Ryland’s eyes met mine, and I saw the pain there, but also a flicker of understanding.

“I just want you to be happy, Tempest.

If waiting is what you need, then I’ll wait.” No, this was not what was happening.  I shook my head once more.

“I don’t want you to wait.

That’s still stringing you two.

I want you both but I have made my decision.

I’ll drop you two.” “What?!” they chorused together.

“Or have you both.” “What?” The silence that followed my words was deafening.

Both Koda and Ryland stared at me, their expressions a mix of shock, disbelief, and confusion.  I could feel the weight of their gazes bearing down on me as my heart pounded against my ribs.

“I know how this sounds,” I began, my voice trembling.

“It’s selfish.

It’s wrong by every standard, and I wouldn’t blame either of you for walking away right now.

But I can’t lie to myself anymore, and I can’t lie to you.” Koda’s jaw tightened, his hands fisting at his sides.

“What are you saying, Tempest?” he growled.

I turned to him, my chest aching at the pain I saw in his eyes.

“I’m saying I love you, Koda.

I love your strength, your loyalty and the way you make me feel safe.

You’ve always been there for me, always put me first, and I can’t imagine my life without you in it.” His lips parted, but no words came.

I saw the flicker of hope in his gaze, but it was quickly overshadowed by something darker.

Then, I turned to Ryland, who was watching me with an intensity that made my throat tighten.  “And I love you, Ryland.

I love your fire, your determination, and the way you make me feel alive.

You challenge me in ways no one else ever has, and I can’t ignore how much you mean to me.

Furthermore, your love is kind, genuine, and selfless.

That’s more than I can ask for.” Ryland blinked, his lips pressing into a thin line.

He didn’t speak, but the warmth radiating from his gaze said more than words ever could.

I swallowed hard, my hands trembling as I clenched them into fists.

“I know I’m asking for the impossible.

I know it’s selfish of me to want you both.

But I can’t choose between you.

I’ve tried, and it’s tearing me apart.

I love you both, and I want you both in my life.” Koda’s eyes flashed with anger, and he stepped back, his hands shaking.

“You can’t be serious,” he said, his voice low and filled with disbelief.

“Koda-” I reached out for him, but he stepped further away, his expression hardening.

“No, Tempest,” he snapped, his voice rising.

“This isn’t fair.

You can’t just…

have us both.

I’m not a man who shares what’s mine, and I sure as hell won’t share you.”