Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 498

Chapter 498: Getting Better at Control

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Chapter 498

~Snow’s POV~

Draven stared for a long moment, saying nothing. Then he placed a steady hand on my shoulder.

"You planning to tell the others?"

"Not yet," I said. "I need answers first. I’m leaving tomorrow morning to see the Lycan King’s priestess. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s her. She would be the best bet in figuring this out before I go see Zara."

Alpha Draven nodded slowly. "Alright. Be good."

I looked at him. "Draven—"

"You’re a friend," he said simply. "And a great asset to this alliance. We can’t afford to lose the strongest Alpha in the kingdom. Be safe. Find your truth. And when you’re ready, we’ll be here."

His words hit harder than I expected. I placed my hand over his for a second. "Thank you."

He nodded once more and then walked back toward the others, who were still talking by the benches, clearly unaware of the exchange.

I turned away, pulling my hood back on properly this time.

"Snow," Glacier whispered within me. "You’ll need strength for what’s coming. But you’re not alone."

I knew that. And yet, something about this change terrified me in ways even war never had.

What if I am turning into some kind of monster as punishment for cheating death and Zara?

Would Zara still find me lovable? Would she still want to be mine?

Later that night, I bid the rest of the Alphas goodnight. They didn’t question it. Zeno threw me a lazy salute, Killian smirked, and Xavier told me to get some real sleep for once.

I nodded at them all. "See you in the morning."

But even when I got inside and collapsed onto the bed, my mind was anything but quiet.

I pulled out my phone, staring at the homescreen wallpaper. Zara’s smile stared back at me. She was in nothing but her sexy bathing suit with a white net shawl tied over her hips.

I loved that picture as it made me see more than her sexy side but the beautiful creation the moon goddess bestowed on me.

The one thing that always grounded me.

I missed her. Missed her scent, her laugh, the way she talked to me like I wasn’t Alpha but just a man she loved.

I closed my eyes and imagined her voice, warm and teasing, calling me dramatic for stressing too much.

Was she alright? Was she eating well? Sleeping properly?

I opened our last chat. Her last message was hours ago.

Zara: Don’t forget to sleep. We need you strong. I love you.

I stared at it longer than I should have, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. Then I typed:

Me: I love you, too. More than I can explain. I’ll be home soon.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. But whatever this power was inside me, whatever truth Lady Siona would reveal, I’d face it.

Not just for the alliance or for the pack but for her, for Zara and the future we were fighting for.

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~Zara’s POV~

It had been a while since I trained with Siona—too long. Between the council meetings, rogue reports, and the never-ending stream of administrative nonsense, my days were consumed by strategy and politics over Zoom calls with my mother and pack.

I missed the feel of movement, the rush of magic under my skin, the way the world quieted when I was focused on something other than survival.

This morning, I woke up and stared at my calendar. Full. Again.

But for once, I didn’t care.

I turned off my phone, ignored my schedule, and pulled on my training gear—form-fitting leggings, a cropped sports top, and light boots that gave just enough grip without weighing me down.

My body was humming with restless energy, and I needed to let it out before it swallowed me whole.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated just after breakfast when I turned it on, hoping to message Snow.

Siona: I’m coming over. Gear up. No excuses.

I smiled at the message. She always knew what I needed. Without a second thought, I finished my meal and got ready to head for training.

By the time the sun was fully over the treetops, Siona stepped onto the training grounds behind the estate.

Dressed in sleek white tactical wear, her white hair was tied in a high braid, and her expression was all mischief.

"Well, well," she said, striding over. "You actually beat me here."

"I’m not always late," I shot back, stretching my arms over my head.

"You’re right," she smirked. "Sometimes you cancel altogether."

I rolled my eyes. "Just train me."

Siona grinned, pleased. "That’s what I like to hear."

We began with hand-to-hand, quick warm-up drills, kicks, blocks, and strikes. My muscle memory kicked in faster than I expected.

Siona didn’t go easy. She never did. But even as I deflected her attacks and landed a few counters, I could feel the magic stirring in my core.

Siona’s smile faded into something more serious. "Then you both need to be ready. For each other, and for what’s coming."

I looked toward the horizon, toward the direction he had gone.

"I will be."

*******

By the time Siona and I returned to the mansion, the sun had shifted high overhead. Our limbs ached in the best way, and our clothes clung to us with sweat and effort.

My skin still buzzed faintly with residual energy—my magic content, but humming like it wanted more.

"I needed that," I sighed, pushing the door open.

"You’re welcome," Siona grinned as we stepped inside. "I need to get back to Kaid, though. He’ll throw a fit if I’m late again."

I nodded. "Tell him to chill. You were doing goddess work."

She rolled her eyes playfully, already tapping into her phone as she walked down the hall. "See you tomorrow."

The door shut behind her, and just like that, the house felt... empty.

Storm and Aira were out—Storm was at school, and Aira had left with Zade earlier in the morning to check on a border incident.

Tempest had gone to visit Koda. The house was silent in a way that should’ve felt peaceful, but only made me more aware of how alone I was.

I wandered into the kitchen, muscles sore, fingers tingling. Then I stopped.

A plate of freshly baked cookies sat in the centre of the island counter.

Still warm, their sweet scent curling into the air—chocolate chip, my favourite. A small smile tugged at my lips. I didn’t know which maid had baked them, but I made a mental note to give her a raise.

I pulled a tall glass from the cabinet and opened the freezer, grabbing one of the chilled orange juices I’d been craving all week.

Then I sat down at the counter, the cold marble soothing against my arms as I bit into a cookie.

It melted in my mouth—soft, gooey, perfect. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the silence wrap around me.

The good kind of silence.

For a while, I didn’t move; I just sipped juice and finished two cookies without guilt.

As it always did lately, my mind drifted to Snow and not Davion.

I missed him more than I wanted to admit. Not just his voice or his touch, but his presence.

That intensity, the way he listened even when I wasn’t speaking, the calm he brought into every room he entered.

I glanced around, half-expecting to hear his voice calling from the door but didn’t.