Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 383

Chapter 383: Big Brother is Here
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CHAPTER 383

~Zara’s POV~

I didn’t return home that night.

After the argument with Snow, after everything I had seen, I needed space. I needed to breathe, to be away from the suffocating weight of betrayal and unanswered questions.

So, I stayed at a hotel.

Alone.

I barely slept, my thoughts looping in endless circles—why didn’t he tell me? Was he planning on accepting her? Was she just a mistake he pitied, or was she something more?

I hated that I didn’t know. I hated that my heart still ached for him despite everything.

By the next morning, I decided to return home. Not because I was ready to face Vani, but because this was my house. My life. My future. I refused to let fate or some unwanted mate bond take that from me.

I bathed, dressed in a fitted white blouse and black slacks, and was brushing my hair when a knock landed on the door.

“Come in,” I called, expecting Aira or Ella.

Instead, Zade walked in.

I blinked in surprise before a warm smile spread across my lips. “Zade.”

His sharp blue eyes studied me carefully, searching. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

I chuckled lightly, shaking my head. “Well, good morning to you too, dear brother.”

He smirked but didn’t drop it. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it. Your wolf’s energy is off.”

I hesitated. “It’s nothing.”

Zade raised a brow. “You do realize lying to me is pointless, right?”

I sighed, dropping onto the edge of the bed. “It’s Snow.”

His entire posture shifted, his shoulders squaring, his expression darkening. “What did he do?”

“Nothing,” I admitted. “And… everything.”

Zade remained silent, waiting.

I let out a slow breath, but he finally spoke to me. “Aira overheard part of our argument about a maid but didn’t catch the details. She thinks it was a misunderstanding.” Zade’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Was it?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Oh, it was something, alright.” I leaned forward, clasping my hands together. “I just… I don’t know what to do. What to think.”

“Then don’t think,” Zade said simply.

I looked at him, confused. “What?”

He smiled knowingly. “You need a break. Somewhere quiet, away from all this mess, away from mate bonds and betrayals. Somewhere you can breathe.”

I tilted my head. “And where exactly is that?”

Zade’s smirk deepened. “Come on, I know just the place.”

I hesitated. I had things to deal with—Snow, Vani, the mess that was my life—but at the same time, I was exhausted.

Maybe… maybe Zade was right. Maybe I needed to clear my head before making any decisions.

“Alright,” I agreed. “Let’s go.”

Zade grinned. “Good choice.”

Thirty minutes later, I knew exactly where he had taken me.

The stables. The very place he had first brought me when I was still trying to navigate being his friend while figuring out what anchored him to me and the memories.

The horses neighed as we approached, and a strange sense of calm settled over me. Quickly, Zade whistled, and I knew what that meant.

“Seriously?” I arched a brow. “Your grand plan was to take me horseback riding?”

Zade shrugged. “It worked the first time, didn’t it? And you said you’d love to return.”

I exhaled a soft laugh, shaking my head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“But I’m right,” he added smugly.

I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue.

We saddled the horses—white for me, black for him—and rode through the familiar trails. The wind was cool, the scent of pine and damp earth filling the air. It was peaceful.

For the first time since last night, I breathed.

We rode silently for a while before Zade slowed his horse, nodding toward a familiar path.

“Come on,” he said.

I frowned. “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

I followed him, and when we reached the clearing, my breath caught in my throat.

The treehouse.

I dismounted, my fingers brushing against the old wood as memories flooded back.

The first time I had come here, Zade had told me it was his secret place, the one place he could escape. And now… now, he was bringing me back.

I turned to him, my heart aching. “Zade—”

He shook his head. “No talking. Just breathe, Zara.”

And so I did.

I climbed up the wooden steps, feeling the worn edges beneath my fingertips. It was just as I remembered. The inside smelled of aged cedar and the lingering hint of pine. I settled into the same spot I had before, leaning against the wall, pulling my knees to my chest.

Zade sat across from me, stretching his legs out, watching me carefully.

After a long moment, he spoke. “You don’t have to say anything. I just need you to know that whatever happens, I’m here.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I know.”

And I did.

Zade had always been there. Even when I didn’t realize I needed him.

I sighed, staring out the window at the vast expanse of trees. “Do you believe in fate, Zade?”

He was quiet for a moment before answering. “I believe fate is a bitch sometimes. But I also believe that we have a say in how we deal with it.”

I huffed a laugh. “That’s the most Zade answer I’ve ever heard.”

He smirked. “Well, I am me.”

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks, Zade.”

“For what?”

“For this. For knowing when I needed it.”

He reached out, ruffling my hair. “That’s what big brothers are for.”

I smiled, closing my eyes for a moment, letting the peace of the treehouse settle over me.

I still didn’t know what I was going to do. I still didn’t have the answers.

But for now…

For now, this was enough.

After about thirty minutes of complete silence, a tear rolled down my cheek, and Zade saw it. “Zara, honey.”

“Snow…” I breathed, lifting my head so no more tears would fall. “Snow has found his mate. My Snow, my husband, has a fated mate.”

Zade gasoed softly but as quickly, he rushed to me and hugged me. “Oh Zara, shhh…. big brother is here.”