Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 416

Chapter 416: Vera’s Ambush
**************

CHAPTER 416

~Zara’s POV~

Luna Star had a lot to say about love, about Snow, about the bond we had shared. And by the time she was done, I realised something—my anger at him had dulled. Just a little.

But it was still there, still lingering beneath my skin like an old wound that hadn’t quite healed.

I pulled into my apartment’s parking space and turned off the engine. I sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel and taking a deep breath.

I was exhausted.

Not just physically but emotionally. The conversation with Luna Star had dragged up feelings I thought I had buried. Feelings I had convinced myself didn’t matter anymore.

But they did.

I exhaled and grabbed my purse. My phone was still off—I hadn’t wanted to turn it back on until I was ready to deal with Snow. He had called multiple times, but I wasn’t ready to hear his voice just yet.

Not when my emotions were all over the place.

I stepped out of the car and walked up the stairs to my apartment. My mind was already on a hot shower and maybe a glass of wine before I dealt with whatever mess Snow wanted to talk about.

But then I felt it—a presence. Someone was inside my apartment.

Was it Snow?

I stilled, my senses sharpening instantly. My heartbeat slowed, and my muscles tensed. The air felt wrong—thick. The scent of magic lingered, dark and cloying.

It was definitely not Snow but a witch. Why and how did they find me?

I reached for the doorknob and pushed the door open slowly and there she was. Vani.

No—Vera.

She stood in the middle of my living room, her arms crossed over her chest, her lips curled into a smug smile. The shattered remains of a picture frame lay at her feet, and the sight of it made my blood turn cold.

She knew.

She knew she had been exposed.

“Zara,” Vera purred, tilting her head mockingly. “Finally thought you’d grace us with your presence.”

I shut the door behind me, keeping my face blank as I took a slow step forward.

“Vani,” I said calmly.

Her eyes flickered with amusement. “Oh, we’re still playing that game?” She chuckled and took a step toward me. “I think we’re past that, don’t you?”

My fingers twitched at my sides. My instincts screamed at me to attack, to defend myself, but I needed to understand what she was planning.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

Her smile widened. “Oh, Zara. Haven’t you figured it out yet?” She took another step closer, her aura pulsing with dark energy. “I’m here to finish what I started.”

My stomach dropped.

Shit.

I had walked straight into a trap but that did not matter. I wasn’t going to back down either because I hated her with passion right now for all she had done.

“You just couldn’t stay away, could you?” she twisted her lips. “Because of you, my mate wants me gone.”

My ears perked up. What? Did Snow already discover who she was and see the witch that she truly is?

“Well, it doesn’t matter. Once I can erase you, he will have no fog bugging his mind and finally see I am the one best for him. So do yourself a favour and stay rooted in place while I give you a quick and painful death. Hmm?”

“Vani, whatever it is you are planning…”

“Vani?” she chuckled darkly. “Meaning my prince charming hasn’t told you nor has your dum friend remembered. Look again. I am not Vani. My name’s Vera Slaton, the dark witch’s heir.”

My mind raced to my conversation with Ella. She was right. She had found Vani—Vera out and gotten attacked for it.

And yet she was right under my nose. I was a fool for letting her come close to my house and best friend.

I kept my stance firm, my fists clenched at my sides, as Vera took another slow, measured step toward me.

She was enjoying this—relishing the moment.

“You’re quiet,” she mused, tilting her head, studying me like a predator cornering its prey. “Not even a little surprise? No ‘Oh my goddess, Vera, how could you?'”

I scoffed. “Please. I figured you were a snake the moment my instincts started screaming at me whenever you were around.”

Her lips curled into a smirk. “Ah, instincts. Such a funny thing, aren’t they? Yet, you still let me stay in your home. Let me get close. How foolish.”

My jaw tightened. “You played the victim well. But I see you now. And trust me, I’m not foolish anymore.”

Vera chuckled. “Not foolish? Then why did you walk in here so easily? Did you really think I’d just sit around waiting for you to come home so we could have a chat?”

She lifted her hand, and a faint, dark glow flickered over her fingertips. The moment it did, the air around me grew heavier, colder.

A spell.

I moved instantly. I wasn’t about to wait for her to strike first.

I lunged forward, aiming straight for her throat. But just before I reached her, she flicked her wrist, and an invisible force slammed into my chest.

I flew backwards, crashing into my dining table and knocking over a chair in the process.

Pain shot through my spine, but I gritted my teeth and pushed myself up. “That all you got?”

Vera let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Oh, Zara. I forgot how fun you were.”

I wiped the blood off my lip and narrowed my eyes. “Yeah? You’ll remember me even better when I’m the last thing you see before I kill you.”

Her expression darkened. “Bold words, little wolf. But tell me, how does it feel?”

I frowned. “How does what feel?”

Vera took another step forward, her eyes glowing with power. “To know that you were never meant to have him. To know that no matter what, fate chose someone else for Snow. And it wasn’t you.”

My blood ran cold, but I forced myself to keep my face blank. “Fate can kiss my ass. Snow made his choice.”

“Yes,” Vera sneered, “he did. And he chose wrong. Because now, he will die trying to fix a mistake he never should have made.”

Something inside me snapped, and I charged. This time, I was faster.

Before she could cast another spell, I grabbed her by the wrist and twisted, yanking her arm behind her back.

She shrieked, but I didn’t let go. Instead, I spun her around and slammed my knee into her stomach. She gasped, her body folding forward.

“You talk too much,” I growled.

Vera snarled, and suddenly, dark energy exploded from her body, knocking me off my feet. I hit the ground hard, rolling to the side just as a black energy bolt shot past me, burning a hole in the floor where I had been seconds ago.

I didn’t even get a second to breathe before she was on me again.

Vera swung a ball of energy straight at my face, but I ducked, dodging just in time. I retaliated with a hard kick to her ribs, sending her stumbling back.

She spat blood onto the floor, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Then she grinned. “You’re stronger than I expected. But that won’t save you.”

I smirked. “I don’t need saving.”

Her eyes flickered. “No, but you will be needing a coffin.”