Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 350

Chapter 350: At A Crossroad
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CHAPTER 350

~Snow’s POV~

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” I questioned rather sharply.

“It’s not like I knew your surname. You just…”

I stared at her, my heart racing as she tilted her head, her expression unreadable.

“You don’t have to worry,” she said after a moment. “I’m here to work, nothing more.”

But as she turned to rejoin the group, I couldn’t shake the feeling that nothing about this was as simple as she wanted me to believe.

The rest of the day passed in a haze. My mind remained stuck on Vera—Vani—and her sudden appearance in my house.

Was this fate?

I did not know. Even if it were fate, it was a cruel one.

Also, it didn’t help that Glacier was growling every few minutes, demanding I acknowledge her, accept her, and protect her.

But no. My priority was Zara. My wife who smiled at me during dinner. Her laughter was light and infectious as she told me about her day. Zara, who was completely oblivious to the storm raging within me.

And yet, I couldn’t deny it—seeing Vera here, so close, had shaken me in ways I couldn’t explain.

By the time dinner was over, I had retreated to my study, needing space, needing to think. I sat at my desk, staring at documents that might as well have been blank. My thoughts churned, chaotic and relentless.

“This is a mess,” I muttered under my breath.

“Mate is here,” Glacier rumbled. “You can’t avoid her forever.”

“I have no intention of engaging with her,” I snapped back.

“You can’t deny fate.”

“I can and I will,” I growled internally, slamming the pen down on my desk.

“Snow.”

The soft, familiar voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked up sharply to see Zara standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the dim light of the hall.

She was wearing a blue night robe, the delicate fabric tied loosely at her waist. Her hair tumbled over her shoulders, and her eyes held a mix of concern and determination.

“Zara.” I straightened in my chair. “You should be resting.”

Instead of responding, she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. The sound of the latch clicking seemed louder than it should have been.

She walked toward me, her bare feet making no sound on the carpeted floor. When she reached me, she leaned against the edge of my desk, her arms crossed.

“You’ve been distant all day,” Zara said softly, her tone laced with worry. “Talk to me, Snow. What’s wrong?”

I hesitated, glancing down at the papers scattered across my desk. “Nothing, love. Just… things with the pack. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

Zara wasn’t buying it. She reached out, brushing her fingers against my jawline. “You’re not a good liar,” she said with a small smile.

I chuckled despite myself, catching her hand and pressing a kiss to her palm. “I’m fine, Zara.”

But she wasn’t letting it go. Before I could react, she moved, sliding onto my lap as she gently pushed the chair back.

The warmth of her body against mine was both comforting and torturous. Her hands cradled my face, her thumbs brushing against my cheekbones just like we used to love.

Used to, yes, because Glacier was blinded by the matebond right now to forget how much he craved her touch.

“Snow,” she murmured, her gaze locking onto mine. “Tell me, hubby. What’s wrong?”

I hesitated, my chest tightening. Part of me wanted to spill everything—to tell her about Vera, the bond, the confusion clawing at me. But the other part of me knew that now wasn’t the time.

Finally, I sighed. “It’s… it’s about the pack,” I said, choosing my words carefully.

Her brows furrowed slightly. “Is it about your brother? Ivan’s father?”

I nodded. “That’s one aspect. But I can handle myself, love.”

She studied me for a moment, her fingers tracing slow, soothing patterns against my jaw. “What happened?”

I exhaled heavily. “Luckily, Dad managed to get the CCTV footage from that day. Some of it was fried, but they hacked enough to get a glimpse.”

Her eyes widened slightly. “And?”

“And I’ve been exonerated,” I said with a faint smile. “Everyone saw how I risked my life to help. But the scumbag still wanted me dead. The footage showed him trying to kill me even after I saved him.”

Zara’s expression darkened, her protective instincts flaring. “That bastard deserved everything he got,” she muttered.

I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re fierce, you know that?”

Her lips curved into a smirk. “Someone has to be when it comes to you.”

The tension in my chest eased slightly as we sat there, just holding each other. For the first time all day, I felt a sliver of peace.

Then Zara pulled back slightly, her eyes glinting mischievously. “I have something for you,” she said, her voice dropping to a playful whisper.

My eyebrows rose. “Oh? What is it?”

Instead of answering, she stood, stepping back from me. My gaze followed her every move as she reached for the tie of her robe.

With deliberate slowness, she undid the knot and let the fabric slip from her shoulders, pooling at her feet.

I inhaled sharply as my eyes drank her in. She stood before me in a light blue lace lingerie set that hugged every curve perfectly. The delicate fabric contrasted beautifully against her skin, and my throat went dry.

“Zara,” I murmured, my voice thick.

She stepped closer, her confidence unwavering, as she placed her hands on my shoulders. “You’ve been so tense all day,” she whispered, her lips brushing against my ear. “Let me take care of you.”

That was all it took for the tension to snap.

I stood, towering over her as my hands found her waist, pulling her flush against me. I didn’t waste time. I needed my mate, my wife and my love.

My lips captured hers in a heated kiss, one that was both possessive and reverent.