Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 316

Chapter 316: What Really Happened Chapter 316: What Really Happened *************** CHAPTER 316 ~Zara’s POV~ I gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white.

My heart was still pounding, my emotions tangled between anger, guilt, and something else I couldn’t name.

They didn’t believe me.

Not Aira.

Not Zade.

Only Snow had defended me, but even he had hesitated.

But this wasn’t about me.

It was about Storm.

And as I sped down the dark roads, my mind churned through everything I had seen.

The hooded figures.

The strange language.

The force field that trapped me.  Force field, just like we hear in movies but there was no scientific stuff own there.

Which means it was pure witchcraft.

And then-him.

Kent Wayne.

Or, as I had once known him, Styles.

A sick feeling twisted in my stomach.

If Kent was truly part of the Thorned Crescent, then that meant€¦ “Kane,” I whispered.

“Don’t tell me Kane is working with the Thorned Crescent.” The pieces clicked into place too easily.

Kane wanted power.

Thorned Crescent had it.

Above that, he wanted Aira and Storm.

And Thorned Crescent could help him get it.

Why was it that it was at the point where they got me distracted that Kane stole his son?

Shit.

Even the thought till now gives me jitters.

Storm was Kane’s leverage-his blood tie to Aira, Snow, and Alpha Storm’s bloodline.

If he handed Storm over to the Thorned Crescent, they would gain something valuable.

And if the Thorned Crescent was involved€¦ This was bigger than just Kane taking his son back.

My throat tightened, my pulse racing as I grabbed my phone and quickly dialled Snow.

He picked up immediately.

“Zara?” “I have something,” I said, my voice rushed.

“I think I know what Kane’s planning.” Snow was silent for a beat before exhaling.

“Where are you?

I was about searching every part pf the city for you.” I hesitated.

“I-” “Please,” he interrupted.

His voice was softer now, urgent.

“Zara, let’s talk.

I need to see you.” I swallowed hard.

I was still hurt.

Still reeling from how no one had believed me.

But this wasn’t about me.

I took a shaky breath before giving him the location of a small, secluded hotel on the outskirts of town.

“I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” he promised.

I ended the call and pressed the gas pedal, driving straight to my destination.

*******************~Thirty Minutes Later~ The hotel was quiet, tucked between tall trees that made it feel hidden from the rest of the world.

I had barely settled into my room when a knock sounded at the door.

I took a deep breath before opening it, already knowing who it would be anyway.

Snow stood there, his expression unreadable.

But his eyes-those deep blue eyes that had always held warmth-looked stormy.

Without a word, I stepped aside, letting him in.

The moment I closed the door, I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.

“I-” Before I could finish, Snow moved.

He was behind me in an instant, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

Warmth.

Strength.

Safety.

I inhaled sharply.

“Snow, I-” He didn’t let go.

Instead€¦ His grip tightened.

“I should have done this before,” he whispered against my hair.

“I should have held you, protected and defended you better when I had the chance.” I swallowed hard, my body tense against him.

I didn’t know what I was going to say, to be honest.  “Snow, loving me is one thing,” I whispered.

“But no one believed me.” He pulled back just enough to turn me toward him, his hands framing my face.

“I did,” he said, his voice filled with conviction.

“I believe you.

I love you, Zara.” Tears welled in my eyes.

“Then why-” “I was trying to handle everything at once.

Trying to make sure Aira didn’t break apart.

Trying to find Storm.

But I never doubted you.” My lip trembled.

“It felt like you did.” “I know.” He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against mine.

“And I’m sorry.

I should have told you sooner.

I should have stood by you when you needed me.” I closed my eyes, soaking in his warmth, his scent, and his presence.

It didn’t erase the pain.

But it helped.

Finally, I pulled back slightly, exhaling.

“I need to tell you what I saw.” Snow’s expression hardened.

“Start from the beginning, Zara.

Storm, he was a bit scared and wondered what was happening with you.

We need to understand that maybe then Zade and Aira will too.” At the mention of their names, I shook my head.

They were hurt.

Aira was hurt and would easily believe anything in her pain.  She needed someone to blame and I became that someone.

On the other side, Zade has his judgement clouded now due to love.

I nodded and recounted everything.

The glowing light in the forest.

The way my body had moved on its own and how I had said something else rather than to warn Storm.

The hooded figures.

The strange magic.

And then-Kent Wayne.

Snow stiffened the moment I said his name.

His jaw clenched, his grip on my waist tightening.

“Are you saying Ella’s Styles is actually Kent Wayne?” I nodded.

“And he’s part of the Thorned Crescent.” Snow cursed under his breath.

“If that’s true, then we’re dealing with more than just Kane.” I ran a hand down my face.

“Exactly.

I think Kane is working with them.

That’s why he took Storm.

He’s offering him up as some kind of bargaining chip maybe.” Snow’s entire posture radiated fury.

“That bastard.” “There’s more,” I whispered.

“The magic they used on me-it wasn’t just an illusion, Snow.

It was real.

I was trapped; I felt it.

They did something to me, and Astrid€¦ she was blocked out.

My wolf couldn’t reach me.” Snow’s grip on me tightened.

“That’s dark magic.” I swallowed.

“I figured.” Silence stretched between us, heavy.

And then, Snow pulled me into his chest again, holding me like he never wanted to let go.

“They wanted your powers, I believe.

But we’ll fix this,” he promised.  “How?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

He pulled back just enough to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn’t realised had fallen.

“We take the fight to them.”