Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 366

Chapter 366: Getting Her Out
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CHAPTER 366

~Snow’s POV~

The moment Zara was gone, my father leaned back in his chair, studying me intently. “Stay,” he ordered when I stood up, ready to leave.

I exhaled quietly. I had a feeling this was coming.

For a brief second, I wondered if this was about my stepbrother—or worse, Ivan. But to my surprise, it wasn’t.

“You’ve been distracted lately, son,” my father said bluntly. “What is it?”

I stiffened.

I masked my expression immediately, but I knew my father. He could read me better than most people.

“It’s nothing, Dad,” I lied smoothly. “Just that those roaches of witches want Zara. And I… I need to stop them.”

He studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. “Okay. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. The pack is yours. I am only standing in for you until you’re ready.”

I gave him a curt nod. “I know. Thank you, Father.”

His lips quirked in approval. “Good. Then focus on what’s ahead.”

He stood, signaling the conversation was over.

“Oh, and one more thing,” he added as I reached the door. “Your trip… you leave tomorrow morning. Be prepared.”

I let out a slow breath before nodding once. “Understood.”

As I stepped out of the office, my mind raced.

Tomorrow morning. That’s just what I do not need. Fine, after my trip, I will tell Zara everything.

A part of me was relieved to be leaving for a while—to put some distance between me and Vera.

But another part of me dreaded it.

Because deep down, I knew. By the time I returned, everything might be different, especially Zara.

*************

~Ella’s POV~

I sat on the couch in my room, absentmindedly running my fingers over my bandaged leg. The past few days had been a mess of emotions, pain, and confusion. My body was healing, but my mind felt cluttered.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a knock came at the door.

Before I could answer, Ares strode in, his tall frame dominating the space. He didn’t bother waiting for an invitation—typical.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he drawled, smirking as he leaned against the doorframe.

I rolled my eyes. “Who let you in?”

“Zara,” he shrugged. “I told her I’m taking you out for a walk, maybe the park, maybe the movies. Stretch your legs a little.”

I blinked. “What?”

“You heard me,” Ares said, crossing the room and plopping down beside me. He draped an arm over the back of the couch, his body angled toward mine. “You’ve been cooped up in here too long. A little fresh air won’t kill you, princess.”

Zara suddenly appeared at the door, arms crossed. “Are you sure about this, Ares?”

“Absolutely,” he answered without missing a beat. “I’ll take good care of her.”

Zara gave me a questioning look. “Ella?”

I was about to answer when a sharp headache suddenly struck, making me wince. My fingers pressed against my temple as a wave of dizziness washed over me.

“Ella?” Zara’s voice became concerned.

I blinked rapidly, trying to steady myself. My gaze flickered toward the hallway, and that’s when I saw her—Vani.

Something in me tensed, and images flashed through my mind for a brief moment. Dark blue energy. A sinister smirk. A voice in my head.

My breathing quickened. What was that?

“Ella?” Zara placed a hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I forced a smile, shaking the feeling off. The memory—if that’s what it was—felt like a dream, slipping away before I could grasp it.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, waving a hand dismissively.

“You don’t look fine,” Zara said, her brows furrowing. “If you’re not feeling well, you can stay and rest—”

“No,” I cut in quickly. “I’m good. I need this.”

Zara hesitated but eventually sighed. “Alright. Just be careful.”

Ares grinned. “She’s in safe hands.”

I wasn’t so sure about that.

***************

At the Park

The fresh air helped clear my mind a little. The park was peaceful, the soft rustling of leaves filling the quiet space around us.

Ares and I strolled side by side, his hands in his pockets, while I focused on steadying my steps. My leg still ached, but I could manage.

“So,” Ares said, glancing at me. “How does it feel to be out and about again?”

I smirked. “Like I’ve been let out of prison.”

He chuckled. “Careful, Ella. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re starting to enjoy my company.”

I scoffed. “I’d rather have a root canal.”

Ares clutched his chest dramatically. “Ouch. Right in the heart.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at my lips.

We found a bench near the lake, and I sat down with a relieved sigh, stretching out my injured leg.

Ares dropped down beside me, spreading his arms across the back of the bench. “So… you and Kent.”

I tensed. “What about him?”

Ares’s playful demeanour darkened slightly. “Do you really think he’s done with you?”

I looked away, watching the water ripple against the breeze.

“He’s engaged,” I muttered. “He has Vera now.”

Ares let out a humourless laugh. “And you believe that means anything?”

I shot him a glare. “What do you want me to say, Ares? That I’m scared? That I’m waiting for him to come after me?”

His jaw clenched, and he turned toward me fully. “I don’t want you to wait for anything. I want you to be prepared. Because the moment he comes sniffing around, I will kill him.”

Something about the intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

“You talk a lot of stuff, Ares,” I said, tilting my head. “But do you really mean it?”

His eyes flickered with something unreadable before his smirk returned. “Try me.”

There was a challenge in his tone, one I wasn’t sure how to respond to. But there was also something else. The tension between us thickened, an invisible force pulling me closer.

I didn’t know whether it was because I felt protected or was beginning to fall for him, but I wasn’t thinking when I moved.

One second, I was sitting, and the next, I was tugging his shirt, pulling him closer. His eyes widened slightly, surprised—but only for a moment.

Then his smirk vanished.