Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 291

Chapter 291: Alpha Ares Chapter 291: Alpha Ares *************** CHAPTER 291 ~Ella’s POV~ “Caleb.” His name tasted strange on my tongue now.

He gave me a small smile, his green eyes searching mine before taking in my appearance.

“You look beautiful.” “Thanks,” I said coolly, taking another sip of my wine.

“You seem to have a knack for showing up when I least expect it.” He winced slightly, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Ouch.

I guess I deserve that, given how we met and all the times we ran into each other.” “I wouldn’t say ran,” I corrected.

 “Well€¦” he shrugged, “look on the bright side€¦ I always come at the right time.” Caleb’s smirk deepened as he leaned casually against the bar, his piercing green eyes locking onto mine like a hunter zeroing in on his prey.

He reached for a glass of whiskey the bartender had just placed down, swirling the amber liquid.

“Right time, huh?” I quipped, keeping my tone light but guarded.

“And what makes this the right time?” He raised the glass to his lips, pausing just before taking a sip.

“Because,” he said, teasingly, “you’re here, looking far too stunning to be standing alone.

That’s a crime in itself, you know.” I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t stop the faint smile tugging at my lips.

“Is that your go-to line?

Feels a bit€¦ rehearsed.” He chuckled, setting the glass down and leaning closer, the space between us shrinking.

“You wound me, Ella.

Do I strike you as someone who needs rehearsed lines?

Hmm?” Those words made my cheeks burn as I recalled how effortlessly he tried to chase me before we got down and dirty.  His proximity sent a warm ripple down my spine.

His distinct scent enveloped me, making it harder to keep my guard up.

“No,” I admitted, holding his gaze despite the heat rising to my cheeks.

“You strike me as someone who’s very used to getting what he wants.” “Maybe,” he mused, tilting his head.

“But only when what I want is worth it.” The meaning behind his words were clear and I felt my heartbeat quicken.

He wasn’t just talking about random desires, and we both knew it.

“And what exactly is it you want?” I asked, more like whispered.

Caleb’s smile softened, and for a moment, the playful glint in his eyes was replaced by something deeper.

“Right now?

I want to know what’s on your mind, little angel.” “Little angel,” I muttered, shaking my head even as my lips curved upward.

“You and that nickname€¦” “You like it,” he countered smoothly, his grin returning.

“Admit it.

You didn’t seem to mind when you were writhing beneath me, huh, little angel?” I sipped my wine to mask the warmth spreading across my face.

“You’re awfully confident, aren’t you?” “I have my moments,” he said with a wink.

Then, his tone softened, his gaze flicking to the glass in my hand.

“But seriously, Ella.

You’ve got this look in your eyes…

like there’s a storm brewing in there.

What’s bothering you?” His question caught me off guard, and for a second, I hesitated.

His charm and playfulness were disarming enough, but this sudden switch to sincerity had me reeling.

“It’s nothing,” I said quickly, brushing it off.

“Liar,” he countered softly, leaning in so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.

“I don’t believe you.” My pulse raced, and I struggled to find a retort.

Caleb had this way of peeling back my defenses without me even realizing it.

“Okay.” I sighed.

“Maybe it’s not nothing.

But I’m not sure it’s something I want to discuss…

at least not right now.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he straightened, his signature smirk returning.

“Fair enough.

I won’t push.” “Wow,” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Restraint.

I didn’t know you were capable of that.” “Only for you, little angel,” he said smoothly, lifting his whiskey glass in a mock toast.

“But yesterday, someone wasn’t willing to show some restraint.

How is that for me?”  “Well, that’s because my little angel never wanted me to let go.”  I laughed despite myself, shaking my head at his audacity.

“You’re ridiculous, you know that?” “Ridiculously charming,” he corrected, flashing me a grin that was both infuriating and undeniably captivating.

“You’re impossible,” I muttered, though my lips betrayed me by curving into a smile.

“Impossible to resist,” he corrected without missing a beat.

I opened my mouth to respond, but he cut me off by stepping closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

“Admit it, Ella.

I’m under your skin, aren’t I?” I swallowed hard at the unspoken tension.

“Maybe,” I muttered, the word slipping out before I could stop it.

“Good,” he said, his voice rough and full of promise.

“Because you’re definitely under mine.” For a moment, the world around us faded, and it was just the two of us.

The music, the crowd, the clinking of glasses-it all became a distant sound.

And in that moment, I hated how much power he had over me.

But more than that, I hated how much I liked it.

I knew this wasn’t love but for him to have such an effect on me€¦ It was like I was on a drug.

Just then I felt someone’s eyes on us but I ignored it and had my gaze fixed on Caleb.

“Ares!” I froze, the glass in my hand trembling slightly as I turned toward the source of the voice.

Another man approached us, his stride confident and his gaze sharp.

My breath caught in my throat as I took him in.

He was identical to Caleb-down to the piercing green eyes and chiselled jawline.

“There you are,” the man said, stopping just beside Caleb.

“I’ve been looking for you.” I blinked, glancing between them.

“Ares?” I asked.

Caleb-no, Ares-closed his eyes briefly, his jaw tightening.

When he opened them again, he looked at me, regret etched into his features.

“Ella, I can explain-” The other man smirked, clearly amused by the situation.

“Ah, so she doesn’t know.” He extended a hand toward me.

“Allow me to introduce myself.

I’m Apollo, Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack.

And this,” he gestured toward Caleb, “is my brother, Alpha Ares, leading alpha of the Iron Fang Pack.”