Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 392

Chapter 392: Half Truth
**************

CHAPTER 392

~Kaid’s POV~

For a second, Zara did nothing—just stood there, lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to.

Her throat bobbed as she swallowed hard, her blue eyes glistening under the dim glow of the streetlights.

I waited.

She opened her mouth and then closed it.

I sighed, shaking my head. “You don’t have to say it.”

Zara blinked, surprised.

I gestured toward my car. “Get in.”

She hesitated. “Kaid—”

“I’m not letting you wander around looking like you’re about to collapse.” I met her gaze firmly but gently. “Just get in.”

For a long moment, she just stared at me, as if weighing her options.

Then, finally, she exhaled and walked around the car, slipping into the passenger seat.

I followed, starting the engine.

Whatever had happened between her and Snow… it was bad. And I had a feeling she wasn’t ready to say it out loud yet.

So, I wouldn’t push, not yet at least. I’d just make sure she wasn’t alone.

“Whenever you’re ready to talk… I’ll be here.”

Zara’s eyes dashed in my direction and I offered a calm smile. “It’s okay. I just… I just want to be free.”

I didn’t bother disturbing Zara anymore while my mind tried to figure out exactly what was happening.

Immediately, I took out my phone and texted Richard. I knew he was busy with his own shit but I also needed his help in figuring out what was happening with Zara.

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

~Snow’s POV~

By the time I got back to the mansion, I was barely holding my anger in check. My hands were clenched into fists, and my entire body vibrated with the barely controlled urge to destroy something—someone.

Vera.

I stormed down the hallway, heading straight for her room. The second I reached her door, I didn’t bother knocking. I shoved it open, the wood slamming against the wall with a loud bang.

Vera, who had been sitting on the edge of her bed, flinched, eyes wide as she turned to face me.

“Snow—”

“What the hell did you do?” I bit out, my voice dangerously low.

She swallowed hard but quickly masked her expression with one of feigned innocence. “I… I don’t understand what you mean.”

I let out a sharp, humourless laugh, stepping closer. “You don’t understand?” My wolf was raging beneath my skin, barely restrained. “You used magic on me. You made me think—” I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out. “You made me believe Zara was in my bed. You made me—”

I couldn’t even finish the sentence. The very thought of what had happened made my stomach twist in disgust.

Vera’s lips parted slightly, and for a moment, there was something almost fragile in her gaze. “I didn’t mean to deceive you like that,” she murmured, lowering her eyes. “I only wanted to soothe you. To ease your pain. She left you. Your wife left you. I couldn’t bear to see your wolf in pain and I… Snow…”

My breath came out harshly. “You call that soothing me?” I stepped even closer, my voice laced with fury. “You violated me, Vera. You violated her.”

Her eyes snapped up, a flicker of desperation in them. “Snow, I—”

“Who the hell are you?” I demanded, my voice quieter now but no less dangerous. “What are you really?”

Vera hesitated.

Then, slowly, she exhaled and dropped her gaze to the floor. When she looked back up, her expression was unreadable.

“I’m a witch,” she admitted.

The room fell into silence.

I stared at her, my pulse hammering in my ears. “What?”

“I’m a witch, Snow.” She straightened her shoulders, her hands curling into fists in her lap. “I didn’t tell you before because I knew you wouldn’t want me if you knew.”

My head spun. A witch. That explained everything—the illusions, the pull, the unnatural strength of the mate bond.

I took a step back, my mind racing. “Why? Why lie? Is our bond even real?”

Pain flashed in her eyes. “By the Moon Goddess, you know that’s not true.”

“Then why lie?” I questioned once more.

Vera let out a hollow chuckle. “Because my entire life, I’ve had to hide what I am. If people knew, they’d either fear me or try to use me.”

My jaw tightened. “And which one do you want from me, Vera? Fear? Or something else?”

She flinched, shaking her head. “Neither! I just… I just wanted a chance.”

I said nothing, waiting.

She sighed, rubbing her arms as if recalling an old pain. “The witches wanted my parents to introduce me to dark magic, but they refused. They tried to take me away before I could be corrupted. But Shadow Clave—” Her voice broke slightly. “—they sent rogue wolves after us. They killed my parents right in front of me.”

I stared at her, my anger wavering slightly at the raw emotion in her voice.

My wolf stilled, watching. Listening.

“My parents died to protect me,” she continued, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I was supposed to die too, but I escaped. And you found me, but I still cannot help hiding, feeling like they are coming for me.”

Vera exhaled shakily and wiped her tears. “I didn’t choose to be your mate, Snow. But the Moon Goddess made it so. And when I found out, I thought maybe… maybe I’d finally be safe.”

Silence stretched between us.

For the first time, I saw something beyond the deception. Beyond the manipulations. I saw the broken girl beneath it all.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Shit.

Despite everything, the mate bond pulled at me, making my chest tighten at the sight of her pain. It was instinct—wolves weren’t wired to ignore their mates.

And Vera? She felt it too.

Without warning, she surged forward and wrapped her arms around me, burying her face in my chest.

I stiffened, my hands clenching at my sides.

She was trembling. “Please,” she whispered against my shirt. “Just… just hold me for a second.”

For a brief moment, I let her. Just for a second.

Then, she tilted her head up, her lips parting slightly, her breath fanning over my jaw.

And before I could react, she leaned in to kiss me.

I jerked back instantly, grabbing her shoulders and pushing her away.

“No.”