Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 356

Chapter 356: Unleashing Her Powers
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CHAPTER 356

~Zara’s POV~

My mind raced, pieces of the puzzle clicking together. “So they attacked our pack to get to me because dad wouldn’t let them. Sigh.”

My mother nodded, her face shadowed with pain. “Yes. You were only five at the time. We thought you were safe, but they infiltrated our pack during a party. They poisoned half of the pack, killing many outright, and the Thorned Crescent attacked the rest.”

My heart sank. I could barely remember that night—flashes of chaos, screams, and fire. But now the memory sharpened like a blade.

“They planned to wipe out the Golden Claw Pack entirely,” my mother said, her voice trembling. “Not just because we were the strongest pack, but because you were the heir. The last true link to the kingdom. If they could eliminate us, no one would stand in their way.”

Tears stung my eyes. “What happened to Dad?”

Her face crumpled, and for a moment, she looked away. When she met my gaze again, her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. “He died fighting to protect you. He faced them head-on, knowing it was a losing battle. But he bought us enough time to escape, Zade and I but we lost you in the process…”

I sucked in a shaky breath, my heart breaking for the father I barely remembered. “And that was when the Beta’s wife stole me from the massacre.”

“Well, you know what happened from there. Her escape cause her death and you ended up with the Zarelks.”

I felt a lump rise in my throat. “With Liam Zarek raising you as his own, he kept your true identity hidden. For years, Thorned Crescent believed you were dead. But now…”

“Now they know I’m alive,” I finished for her, my voice hardening.

“Yes,” she said. “And their plans are back on track. They want to harness your powers, to corrupt them with dark magic. With your abilities, they could dominate the werewolf packs and restore the kingdom—but under their cruel, tyrannical rule.”

My fists clenched. “They won’t get that chance.”

My mother’s expression softened with pride, but there was still a shadow of worry in her eyes. “Zara, you have the heart of a warrior, just like your father. But this fight won’t be easy. You’re not just facing Thorned Crescent or Shadow Clave—you’re facing a force that’s been growing in the shadows for decades.”

“Then I’ll train,” I said firmly. “Teach me how to unlock my powers, how to control them. I’m not letting them win, Mother.”

She reached across the desk, taking my hands in hers. “I’ll teach you everything I know. But first, we’ll need to break the seal your grandmother placed on your powers. It will be dangerous, Zara. Are you ready for that?”

I met her gaze without hesitation. “I’m ready.”

“Good,” she said, standing. “Then let’s begin. Because time is running out, and they won’t stop until they have you.”

As I followed her out of the office, my resolve hardened. My enemies had taken so much from me—my father, my pack, my childhood.

But they wouldn’t take my future.

“One question,” Mum stated as she came to a halt. “How did you defeat them when they came in your dreams?”

“I don’t know, but my powers surged out of me. And the light shone everywhere. Perhaps I have broken the seal already?”

“Hmm…” She seemed to have been deep in thought. “You were scared.”

“I…”

“You didn’t manage to break the seal, Zara. Your fear and safety forced it out of you. And that was because she stirred your powers. But that ripple had died down.”

I paused, shrugging. “Then how about we make one?”

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My mother led me out of the packhouse and into the vast training grounds. The area was expansive, stretching out beneath the open sky with scattered training dummies, weapon racks, and an elevated stone arena where warriors sparred.

It smelled of damp earth, sweat, and determination—a place where strength was forged.

I glanced around, noticing a few warriors and pack members training at a distance. Some paused to acknowledge my mother, their expressions respectful, before returning to their drills. Others whispered, their eyes flickering curiously toward me.

I barely paid them any attention. My focus was on my mother as she strode toward the center of the open field, her posture rigid with purpose.

“You say your powers stirred only in a moment of fear,” she began, rolling back her shoulders. “That’s not enough. If you’re going to face your enemies, you need to control your power—not rely on fear to awaken it.”

I nodded. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Good.” She turned to face me fully, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Then let’s see what you’ve got.”

I tensed as she raised her hands, golden light flickering to life around her fingers.

“Wait—what are you—?”

Before I could finish, she moved.

A blast of golden energy shot toward me like a spear. I barely had time to react, throwing myself to the side just in time for it to slam into the ground where I had stood, kicking up dust and debris.

“Mother!” I shouted, my heart hammering.

She didn’t respond. Instead, she lunged.

Her hands glowed brighter as she sent another burst of energy in my direction. This time, I wasn’t fast enough. The force struck my side, sending me tumbling across the field. Pain flared through my ribs as I hit the ground hard, coughing as dust clouded my vision.

“What the hell—” I gasped, pushing myself up.

“You need to wake up, Zara,” she said coldly. “If you can’t even defend yourself from me, what makes you think you’ll stand a chance against Shadow Clave?”

I barely had a second to catch my breath before she attacked again, this time with a streak of golden whips lashing toward me. I dodged, barely, but the sheer force of the wind from the strike knocked me off balance.

I rolled to my feet, my heart pounding. “Mother, I need time—!”

“Your enemies won’t give you time,” she snapped. “They will come for you when you least expect it,