Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow

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CHAPTER 11

~Zara's POV~

The ride back home was quiet like before which I found a little upsetting. 

I knew he had a lot to ask me but kept quiet. Was he waiting for me to open up myself?

Snow…

The tension hummed between us. While his silence was one thing, I had another matter to think of… my wolf.

Astrid was forced to the surface when his wolf's aura pushed out before. Ever since our third rebirth, she'd been on a low but just now… it felt as though she was eagerly telling him of her presence while being in approval of our chosen husband. 

As soon as we arrived, standing at the porch of the house, I turned to Snow. "Thanks for the ride," I mumbled, reaching for the door handle.

But before I could step in after opening the door, Snow's hand wrapped around my wrist and he pulled me back. His grip was firm but not rough. 

I stumbled slightly but caught myself quickly, my body pressing against his and his gaze locked onto mine—intense and unwavering. 

I could feel the heat radiating from him, his eyes darkening as they bored into me. For a second, I couldn't breathe. 

What was this all about?

Astrid stirred inside me, pushing forward as if pulled by some invisible force. I could feel Snow's wolf rising to meet her, the air around us filled with their combined energy.

But then Snow's eyes glinted, a smirk spreading across his lips as he regained control effortlessly, forcing his wolf back. 

I swallowed. "What's wrong?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my voice betrayed me with a slight tremor.

Astrid was one hard beast to tame when she wanted to be stubborn.

"Shouldn't I be getting more thanks than that, wifey?" he murmured, his tone low and teasing.

I blinked, caught off guard. So that's what all this was about—the way I thanked him?

"Thanks?" I repeated, searching his face. 

Just when I thought I'd be free after saying the second magic word, I wasn't. His hold was firm, preventing me from leaving. 

I was speechless at this point, but Snow continued, "I just saved my wife from her..." 

"I didn't need your help back there. I was handling it just fine."

His smirk widened, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Is that what you call it?" I lifted my brow. "Looked to me like you were about to start a fight."

"And I would have finished it," I shot back, lifting my chin defiantly.

He chuckled softly, his breath warm against my skin. "I don't doubt that for a second, Zara. But I prefer to protect what's mine."

I scoffed, though my heart was pounding, betraying the calm facade I was putting up. "Yours?"

He leaned in closer, whispering, "Yes, mine," he said, the words like a promise and a challenge all at once. "And I take care of what's mine."

I felt a shiver run down my spine. My nerves were flamed with his warmth and every part of my body was yielding to him, betraying me. 

Before I could say anything, he hooked a finger under my chin, tilting my face up toward his. 

His sapphire eyes were deep and searching, holding mine captive. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as his face inched closer, his lips just a breath away from mine.

My heart pounded in my chest. I could feel Astrid pushing forward, urging me to close the gap, to meet him halfway and kiss him. 

I knew this was not right. Yes, we were married but we promised to not get involved in each other's personal lives. 

But now… this… it was too hard to ignore. The pull between us, our wolves, was undeniable. And the biggest traitor among them was siding with him.

Astrid!

"Glacier doesn't like you hiding your wolf from him. You're making him out like a predator."

I withheld the urge to scoff. Hell yess! They were both predators. Their aura could stop any alpha wolf dead in their tracks and put them in their place. 

Of course I'll hide her from him. I forgot to mention my wolf was naughty, way naughty for her own good.

"And I think you and I know the reason," his words interrupted my thoughts. "You're just too scared of losing control and wanting me like she does."

How the fuck did he know? I groaned internally. Whatever aura or pheromones Astrid was leaking now wasn't helping.

"No. Astrid isn't…"

"Astrid," he cut in in a seductive tone. "What a nice name, Astrid. Nice to meet you." For a moment he shut me out and focused on my wolf. 

Like a spellbound servant, Astrid pushed forward again seeing as she managed to get his attention. I bit my lower lip to keep my head sane and not let her take over.

My gaze fell on his deliciously looking lips and… what? Did I just say…

I glanced back up to see the smirk on his face grow. "Rather than staring, wifey, I can let you taste as much as you want."

I couldn't refute his words. He took that as his cue. Snow's breath brushed my lips, and I held mine, waiting, waiting…

But just as his lips were about to touch mine, the chauffeur cleared his throat loudly from beside us. The sound snapped me back to reality. I blinked, breaking the spell. I quickly pulled away, taking a step back.

Snow's eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, but he let me go. "Saved by the chauffeur," he murmured, amusement and something else in his tone.

I didn't wait for a reply.

"Goodnight," I mumbled, my voice breathless, and dashed away from his presence, feeling my cheeks burn. 

Astrid grumbled in my head, annoyed, trying to push me back toward him, but I shut her out and hurried into the house, my heart still racing.

As I reached my room, I leaned against the door, trying to steady my breathing, my mind spinning with a thousand thoughts.

Whatever game Snow was playing, I wasn't sure I knew the rules… but I was starting to think I might enjoy it.

"Oh sure you would enjoy it. I bet Glacier is…" I tamed Astrid pushing her back into my mind.