Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow - Chapter 423

Chapter 423: Quest: Retrieve the Dragon’s Golden Scale
**************

CHAPTER 423

~Zade’s POV~

I was already halfway down the road when I realized—I’d left my damn phone at home.

Cursing under my breath, I slammed my foot on the brake and put the car in reverse. I didn’t have time for this, not with everything going on, but knowing my luck, the one time I left my phone behind would be the moment someone actually needed me.

As soon as I pulled up in front of my house, I spotted movement inside through the window. My brows furrowed, and I rushed in, ready to snap at whoever had waltzed into my home without permission.

Then I saw her.

Aira stood in the middle of my living room, holding my phone in her hand, her expression tense. I paused briefly. With everything going on, I had been worried or maybe paranoid.

Whenever I was not in the pack, I stayed in one of my mansions in the city. After the whole Tempest, Ryland, Crystal, Zara and Snow mate stuff, Aira and Storm came to stay with me.

She had wanted to move into her own apartment, but I refused since I would be marrying her anyway. Soon though.

Once this whole dust settles, I plan on proposing to her if she will have me.

Aira looked like she was about to head out, no doubt to chase after me.

The sight of her, with concern written all over her face, eased some of the tension in my chest.

“You’re impossible, you know that?” she muttered, walking toward me and pressing the phone into my hand.

I smirked, taking it from her. “You were about to come after me, weren’t you?”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Who leaves their phone behind when there’s a literal crisis going on?”

“You know me. I like to make things interesting.”

Aira huffed in frustration, but her lips twitched slightly. Before she could argue, I leaned down and kissed her, my free hand settling on her waist. She melted into me for a few seconds before pulling away, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“You’re still leaving, aren’t you?”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “I need to check in with—”

Before I could finish, my phone buzzed in my hand. The name flashing on the screen made my stomach tighten.

Aira noticed my change in expression instantly. “What’s wrong?”

I glanced at her, then back at my phone. “It’s your father.”

Her brows furrowed. “Why?”

“I don’t know, but I’m gonna find out,” I said, pressing the answer button and putting the call on speaker. “Hello, Alpha. Good aft—”

“Zade, where is Snow?”

I froze.

Alpha Storm’s voice was sharp, urgent and anxious. I had never, in all my years, heard him sound like that.

“Alpha Storm?” I said, caught off guard.

“Where is my son? Have you been able to reach him?”

My stomach twisted. This wasn’t just concern—this was full-blown panic.

Zade, think.

I hesitated for a second before clearing my throat. “Yes, Alpha. I have.” There was a brief pause, a little sigh and I continued. “He called earlier on, worried about Zara’s safety.”

“Zara,” Alpha Storm repeated. His voice was tight. “Has anyone seen or heard from your sister?”

I hesitated. “No. We couldn’t… I…”

“Forget it,” he snapped, impatience bleeding into his tone. “I shall call her myself. Call me as soon as you hear anything.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I said quickly.

The line went dead. I stood there, gripping my phone while my mind raced.

Aira placed a hand on my arm, her gaze locked onto mine. “Zade?”

I exhaled sharply, turning to face her fully. “Something has happened to Snow. Your father is worried, which can only mean…”

“Mum.”

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

~Zara’s POV~

By the time I stepped out of my room, I was ready.

I had changed into fitted black leather trousers, a black shirt, and a matching leather jacket. My boots were sturdy, laced tightly and the sow rough to allow for whatever journey I was faced with, ready for whatever came next.

My blonde hair was pulled into a high bun out of my face because I wasn’t about to let anything—not even a stray strand—get in my way.

Siona was waiting for me in the living room, her expression calm yet unreadable. Sometimes I wished I knew what she was thinking. Kaid stood beside her, his arms crossed over his chest, watching me carefully.

“I have all I need,” I said firmly.

Siona nodded. “By his graces and mercy,” she murmured. “Your journey will be treacherous, child. You must venture past the Eastern lands, beyond the territories you know, and through the Serpent Cranes. From there, you must cross the Forbidden Bog, where the dead do not rest.”

A shiver crawled down my spine, but I stood my ground. I knew she did not want to mention the path yet but give or take, it was better we knew what we were facing before we ventured into it.

I was glad she eased up; maybe Kaid mentioned something while I changed.

“And after that?” Kaid asked, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.

Siona’s eyes gleamed with a golden glow. “Then, you will enter the Realm of the Dragons. At the outskirts of the forbidden mountain, you shall find a lone dragon sage.”

“A dragon sage?” Kaid’s unbelieving voice rang out. “You want us to steal from a dragon sage?”

Silence fell over the room.

“You should know the dragon prince has his own issues.”

“Issues?” Kaid repeated, more like bewildered. “This just keeps getting worse.”

“Yes. Issues. There has been a fight in court where his… For now, he is resting. Don’t worry. I know you will succeed.”

Kaid face-palmed himself. He clearly did not like this no plan—indirect death sentence of a quest, but I was. No matter the cost, I was ready to bring Snow back.

I could not live a life without him.

I exhaled, my fingers flexing at my sides. “How long do we have before Snow’s soul can no longer return?”

“Three days,” Siona said, her tone grave. “Not a second more. His body remains in stasis; my magic and yours will hold it, but it is fragile. If you fail—”

“I won’t,” I interrupted, my voice stronger than I felt. I couldn’t fail. Snow had risked everything for me, and I would do the same.