Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 348

Chapter 348: Worried
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CHAPTER 349

~Zara’s POV~

When I asked Ella to give me a name, she froze. I could understand her initial hesitation, but I wanted to confirm if what I saw was true.

“Zara, I love you, but I cannot…”

“I am an alpha wolf, Ella. Also, I know what I am walking into. Give me a name,” I insisted.

She contemplated briefly before nodding. “Fine. Her name is Vera.”

“Vera?”

“Yes. Although I do not know her surname, I overheard someone on the phone speak her name.”

I tried to think back to my vision or whatever they were. The one with Thorned Crescent and Shadow Clave. And then it hit me.

“What colour is her powers?”

“They were blue, Zara. I… the witches have been in hiding for years. Why are they out now?”

I sighed, trying to think carefully. The witch that attacked me had a different power glow. So they weren’t same, right?

Still, for attacking her alone, this witch was a dark witch. And given that, it meant they were after me too and those closest to me.

My gaze fell back on her worried face. “Ella, I’m so sorry,” I said softly, my voice laced with guilt. “I should’ve been there. I should’ve protected you.”

She shook her head. “This isn’t your fault, Zara. I made my choice, and now I’m paying for it.”

Tears stung my eyes as I reached out to squeeze her hand. “You’re coming home with me,” I said firmly.

Ella’s eyes widened. “What?”

“I’m taking you back to the mansion,” I said. “You’ll stay with us until you’re healed. I’ll make sure nothing like this happens again.”

“Zara, you don’t have to—”

“I do,” I interrupted, my tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re my best friend, Ella. You’ve always been there for me. Let me do the same for you. Also, I’ll ask Snow’s doctor to check up on you and continue your treatment. You have nothing to worry about.”

Her lips trembled, and she nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered.

I smiled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “That’s what friends are for.”

As I sat beside her, my mind was already racing, planning how to keep her safe while finding out more about the witch who had done this.

Because one thing was certain—whoever had hurt Ella was going to pay.

While I was busy with my thoughts, I did not notice when Ella actually reached forward and touched my necklace—the enchanted one Snow had gotten for me.

I flinched instantly, which made Ella chuckle. “Relax. I’m not biting.”

She let her hand drop and wriggled her brows playfully at me. “Tell me. Who gave you that, and what’s that?”

“Snow did. It’s to protect me.”

“Against witches?”

“Umm, yeah, but it has protections and stuff.” I shrugged, nit wanting to delve deepe rinto this.

“Nice. I wish I could get something like that.”

“You don’t need that while I am here,” I assured her while ruffling her hair. Ella growled as she swatted my hand.

“Come on, get some rest, okay?”

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~Snow’s POV~

The drive to the hotel was quiet, but my thoughts weren’t. My mind churned, trying to make sense of this mess. Zara’s scent clung to my shirt from our embrace earlier, and instead of bringing me the usual comfort, it only added to my guilt.

How could I even face her when I was keeping something so monumental from her? A fated mate. Something I never asked for but now existed.

Glacier stirred in my mind as I pulled into the hotel parking lot, his restless energy an ever-present weight.

“You shouldn’t leave her,” he muttered.

“I’m checking on her,” I snapped. “Or did you forget that I had to go to the pack today?”

“And then what? You’ll walk away again? Pretend the bond doesn’t exist?”

“Shut up, Glacier.”

“She’s our mate. You can’t just—”

“I said, shut up!”

I slammed the car door shut, forcing the conversation out of my head as I strode toward Vera’s room.

When I stepped inside, the room was empty. A strange sense of unease settled in my gut as I glanced around. Everything was as I left it—her bag on the bed, the blanket folded neatly on the chair—but she was nowhere to be seen.

“Hello?” I called out, stepping further inside.

No response.

My jaw clenched as I began pacing. Where could she have gone? She didn’t have anyone in the city—or at least that’s what she told me.

I searched and searched but she was nowhere to be found. I even went as far as questioning the receptionist but no one knew.

I was already planning on going to ask for the CCTV footage when I returned to her room but halted when Glacier spoke.

“She’s fine,” Glacier said, though his voice held a hint of worry. “She’s capable.”

“But what if—”

The sound of the door opening cut my thoughts short. I whirled around just as our mate stepped inside, her cheeks flushed and hair slightly tousled, as if she’d been walking briskly.

“Where have you been?” I demanded, crossing the room in quick strides.

She blinked, startled by my tone. “I—I had something to take care of.”

“You could’ve told me,” I said, gripping her shoulders lightly. “I’ve been pacing in here for almost an hour, thinking something might’ve happened to you!”

Her wide eyes softened, and a small, almost shy smile curved her lips. “You were worried?”

Glacier purred at the question, but I ignored him, my grip on her shoulders tightening slightly. “I… N… Of course I was. After what you went through…” I exhaled sharply, stepping back and running a hand through my hair.

Vera shifted on her feet, her fingers brushing against the hem of her dress. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. I just… I needed to handle something.”

“What?” I asked, my voice still edged with frustration.

She hesitated before meeting my gaze. “Snow, you’ve been incredibly kind to me, and I’ll never forget that. But I can’t just live under your roof, relying on your generosity. I need a source of income. My parents had already arranged something before they…” Her voice faltered, and she looked away briefly.

My chest tightened as I watched her, the raw emotion in her voice making my wolf stir.

She continued, her voice softer. “There’s a job opening I’ve been preparing for. I went to confirm everything today. I’m starting tomorrow.”

“You’re what?” I asked, stunned.

She nodded firmly, a determined glint in her eyes. “It’s nothing extravagant. Just something simple to get me back on my feet.”

Conflicted wasn’t a strong enough word for what I felt at that moment. A part of me respected her independence, her desire to rebuild her life. But the bond—the bond made me want to keep her close, to protect her from everything.

“Do you really think this is a good idea?” I asked cautiously.

“It’s what I need to do,” she said quietly. “I can’t let my parents’ sacrifices go to waste by sitting here, doing nothing.”

I sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Fine. If that’s what you want…”

“Thank you,” she said, her face lighting up with a soft smile.

Glacier growled, his disapproval radiating through me.

“Don’t start,” I warned him internally.

Vera stepped closer, her smile turning playful. “So… someone was worried about me?”

“Don’t kid yourself,” I muttered, reaching for a bag I’d set on the table earlier. “Here. I got you some food. Eat and relax.”

Her eyes lit up, and she peeked inside the bag. “Thank you,” she said softly, pulling out the dishes one by one.

“When do you start work?” I asked, folding my arms.

“Tomorrow morning,” she replied, setting the food on the table.

I nodded, pulling something else from the bag—a small box. “Here. I also got you this.”

She looked at the box curiously before opening it. Her eyes widened when she saw the sleek phone nestled inside.

“A phone?” she asked, looking up at me.

“You lost yours during the attack, didn’t you? This will help you stay connected and safe.”

She smiled warmly, clutching the phone to her chest. “Thank you, Snow. You didn’t have to.”

I shrugged, trying to downplay the gesture. “It’s practical.”

She chuckled softly, her eyes lingering on me for a moment longer before turning back to her meal.

After ensuring she was settled, I stepped toward the door.

“You’re leaving?” she asked, her voice tinged with disappointment.

“Yeah,” I said. “You need rest, and I… have some things to take care of.”

She hesitated before standing and walking over to me. Without warning, she wrapped her arms around me in a gentle hug.

“Thank you,” she murmured. “For everything.”

I stiffened slightly but eventually patted her back awkwardly. “You don’t have to thank me.”

When she pulled back, there was something in her eyes—something hopeful yet guarded.

“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted honestly. “But I’ll check in on you soon. Just focus on getting through your first day.”

She nodded, stepping back with a small smile. “Goodnight, Snow.”

“Goodnight,” I replied, turning to leave.

As I walked out, I felt her gaze linger on me, and for a fleeting moment, I wondered if I’d made a mistake by leaving her here.

But as Glacier growled quietly in my mind, I pushed the thought away.

This was the right thing to do. It had to be.