Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Kiss of Betrayal
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CHAPTER 378

~Zara’s POV~

Crystal turned one last time, her eyes locking onto Ryland’s. Something unspoken passed between them—an understanding. A promise that this wasn’t over.

Then, without another word, she walked out, Ares following close behind. The door shut behind them, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

Ella let out a slow exhale. “Well…” she muttered. “That was intense.”

Ryland stood still, staring at the door, his face unreadable. Then, finally, he let out a sharp breath, running a hand down his face.

Without looking at any of us, he muttered, “I need some air,” and walked out.

Tempest didn’t move.

She sat there, arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring at nothing.

I reached for her hand, squeezing gently. “Temp?”

She let out a hollow laugh, her voice barely above a whisper. “Fate really has a twisted sense of humour, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t have an answer.

Because, honestly?

I agreed.

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Right now, more than ever, I wanted Snow back home. I needed his calm. It was the one thing that kept me going every night when I suffered the witch’s pull. But I knew this wasn’t enough.

I left my mother’s and her training to be here with Snow but he wasn’t. This wasn’t the answer.

I needed my sanity to be kept safe and to unlock my powers.

They wanted my powers for themselves, and Dad was right for locking them for my safety. However, I am grown now and I need to better protect myself and the kingdom.

“I need to see Siona.”

I tried calling her, but the line wouldn’t connect. And driving off now wouldn’t be good either way.

I also wanted to wait for Snow before going with my least non-protected option—Kaid.

But leaving today was out of it. So, I did the next best thing: relax for the day; go about it tomorrow. My bestie and sister-in-law needed me and that was what I was going to do.

The next morning, after things had finally quieted down following the chaos of yesterday, I found myself sitting at the dining table, sipping on a cup of tea. The house felt oddly still, as if everyone was still processing the events that had unfolded.

Aira sat across from me, tapping away at her phone before letting out a sigh and bringing it to her ear. I watched as she made a call, her expression unreadable.

“Mom?” she said as soon as the line connected.

I knew immediately what the call was about. Ryland.

“He won’t be coming home yet,” Aira continued, leaning back in her chair. “Things are… complicated.”

That was putting it lightly.

I couldn’t hear what her mother said, but Aira’s face remained neutral as she nodded along to whatever conversation was happening on the other end.

After a few minutes, she sighed. “I know, Mom. I’ll keep an eye on things. Just… don’t push him or her, alright? He needs time.”

She ended the call shortly after, placing her phone on the table with a soft thud. I didn’t ask what was said—I didn’t need to. Ryland had found his mate, and things weren’t simple anymore.

Luna Star was bound to have concerns, but it wasn’t something we could fix overnight.

I let out a slow breath, placing my cup down. Maybe now was a good time to check in on my own mate.

Pulling my phone closer, I quickly dialed Snow’s number. The line barely rang twice before he picked up.

“Zara.”

His voice sent a wave of warmth through me, and I suddenly realized just how much I had missed him.

“Snow,” I exhaled, a small smile forming. “I was just about to ask how things were going, but—”

“Zara, I’m home.”

I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

Home?

“You’re back?” I asked, already pushing back my chair and standing.

“Yes. Just landed an hour ago. Where are you?”

“At the mansion,” I said quickly, already heading toward the door. “Are you coming here?”

“I’m on my way.”

Excitement bubbled up in my chest, but beneath it, there was something else—relief. Snow was back. My anchor, my safe place was finally here.

I needed him.

As I stepped outside, the sun was bright, warming my skin, but nothing compared to the warmth I felt knowing Snow was close.

And when I finally saw his car pulling up the driveway, my heart skipped a beat.

Snow was home.

The second Snow stepped out of his car, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and in the next heartbeat, he closed the distance between us.

His strong arms wrapped around my waist as he lifted me effortlessly off the ground, spinning me slightly before pulling me tightly against his chest.

I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck, my heart swelling at the familiar warmth of his embrace. “You’re really back,” I murmured against his shoulder.

“I am,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with something I couldn’t quite place—relief, maybe? Longing?

I was happy, though.

Pulling back slightly, Snow cupped my face and pressed his lips against mine in a slow, lingering kiss. It was a kiss filled with reassurance, with the silent promise that he was here now, that he wouldn’t leave again anytime soon.

But as soon as we broke apart, I noticed the way his jaw tightened, his brows furrowing slightly. His eyes flickered toward the mansion, his wolf surfacing for a brief moment.

Snow inhaled deeply. “It’s that bad, huh?”

I sighed, leaning against his chest. “It is. And… I don’t know,” I admitted truthfully. “Things have been… a mess.”

His fingers traced soothing circles on my back as he exhaled. “Okay. Let’s go in and talk.”

“Nah.” I shook my head, looking up at him. “Just relax for now. You need rest, and after that, we can talk. I doubt either of them—Ryland or Tempest—are ready to deal with it right now anyway.”

Snow studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. “Alright.”

With that, we walked inside together. An hour later, the mansion was quieter than it had been in days.

Tempest had left, her emotions too tangled for anyone to untangle for her. Richard had gone as well, needing space to clear his thoughts. No one chased after them. We all knew they needed time.

The tension that had hung over the house like a storm cloud finally lifted, leaving behind an eerie sort of calm.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Maybe now was a good time to check in on Snow. After his bath and meal, he’s been stuck in his study all afternoon. I knew he had a report to make to his father, but I thought he’d take the rest of the evening off.

I could sense him in his study, tucked away in the far wing of the mansion. A small smile tugged at my lips. Maybe I’d surprise him. He deserved a break, and I could think of a few ways to help him unwind.

But as I got closer, something shifted.

A presence. A cold, unwelcome presence that sent a shiver down my spine in an unfamiliar and familiar way.

Astrid stirred awake in my mind, alert and tense. “Something’s not right,” she warned.

I frowned, slowing my steps.

And then, as I reached the door and quietly pushed it open—

My breath caught.

There, standing too damn close to my husband, was Vani. And she was… kissing him?

I froze, my pulse roaring in my ears as I watched Snow hesitate for just a second—just one second—before his hands shot up, gripping her shoulders.

Then, with force, he pushed her away.