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~Zara’s POV~
The house was quiet when I arrived. The lights were dimmed, and the air felt heavier than usual. As I stepped inside, I noticed Snow sitting on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly together.
"You’re home," I said, waiting for some form of reaction from him but when I got none, I prshed through. "Care to explain why you decided to play the mysterious boss and vanish during a crisis?"
His gaze lifted, and for a moment, I saw something in his eyes that made my heart falter—concern, mingled with anger.
"We need to talk," he said simply.
I crossed my arms, leaning against the wall. "About what?"
"Zade."
The name hung in the air like a bomb waiting to go off.
I straightened, narrowing my eyes. "What about him?"
"Don’t play coy with me, Zara," Snow said, standing and closing the distance between us. "I’ve seen the way he looks at you."
I scoffed, stepping back. "And? What’s your point?"
"He’s crossing a line."
"And you’re projecting," I shot back. "Zade’s your best friend, Snow. If you think there’s something going on, maybe that says more about you than him."
His jaw clenched, and I could see the battle waging inside him. "You’re my wife, Zara."
I barked out a laugh. "Your contract wife, remember? Or did you forget the terms?"
Something in his expression shifted, vulnerability, shock or was it mild anger. "That doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine. And until the contract is ovrr it stays that way."
His words were like a blow, and for a moment, I was speechless. But then the fire returned.
"Yours?" I repeated, my voice rising. "You don’t own me, Snow. I’m not some possession you can stake a claim on whenever it suits you."
Before he could respond, the sound of glass shattering cut through the air.
We both turned toward the source—his office.
Snow’s eyes darkened, and he moved swiftly, motioning for me to stay put. "Don’t move," he ordered coldly.
Ignoring him, I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me.
As we approached, the sight that greeted us sent a chill down my spine.
The window was shattered, and on Snow’s desk was a single object—a small, intricately carved dagger stabbed into a piece of paper.
Snow pulled the paper free, his eyes narrowing as he read the words scrawled in crimson ink:
"The sins of the wolf will drown in blood."
I stepped closer, my gaze flickering between the paper and Snow’s face. "What does that mean?"
Snow didn’t answer immediately, his jaw tightening as he crushed the paper in his fist.
"It means," he said finally, his voice low and dangerous, "that the war I’ve been trying to avoid just arrived at my doorstep."
And for the first time since I’d known him, I saw something in Snow’s eyes I never thought possible.
Worry.
Why?
He was an alpha and the strongest in teh whole region. He shouldn’t be scared about anything except...
"They got you before, nwo, with Aira and Storm here, and you, I cannot be certain just how many eyes are coming for you guys."
I reached up to touch his shoulder. "Snow." He spared me a glance, thankfully. "I am not teh weak girl you had to save before. Aira and I can defend ourselves."
Snow gave a weak smile before turning to face me. "Still, I cannot let anyting happen t you both as your alpha and as your husband."
My heart thudded wildly in my chest at his confession. I had never seen Snow so serious and affectionate at the same time.
Jst then the annoynmous message I got today flashe dthrough my mind and I knew I had to tell him now.
Perhaps it was linked to this note.
"Snow."
"Yes, wifey?"
"I..." I held back the need to chuckle. Now wasn;t the time. "There’s soemthing you need to see. Something concerning the leaked file."
His brows shot up and immediately he was already in battle zone. "Who?"
My chest rose and fell with each successive heavy breath I took. My gaze flickered to the pape rin his hand. "And I am guessing they are one and the same."
Snow’s already hardened expression became more serious as he placed both hands on my shoulder, making me face him completely.
"Give me a name, Zara."
I swallowed and when I pried my lips open, the name he least expected rolle dout my tongue.
"Marcus Deveraeux."
A look of confusion swept across his face.
I quickly added, holding the side of his head, feeling the slight stubbles grazing the palm of my hand.
This time, my voice was laced with uncertainty.
My wolf was right. I had a strong hunch but was afraid of how Snow would react.
So I whispered, "Taylor and I found out he might be behind the leaked files."
His hands fell to his side, and the paper along with it. His eyes narrowed, the storm swirling within them intensifying.
"I killed Marcus and you were there. So how?"
I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my breath. "Two things: either someone knows of what you did and is trying to get under your skin or somehow, miraculously, Marcus was saved and he is back for revenge."
To my surprise, Snow’s expression changed completely as an eerie laugh tore through his lips.
"Fine then, Marcus Deverreaux, bring it on."
I didn’t know whether to be scared for him or happy but whichever case it needed to go, I was ready to stand and fight beside Snow.
Without waiting for me, Snow picked up the papaer, took out his phone and placed a call to someone.
After three rings, the call connected, and his deep voice rang out. "Hello, Dare Devil."
"Alpha Snow."
"We’ve got company all over. A raised from the dead Marcus."
"Are you serious or is someone trying to play a quick one?" I heard Dare Devil’s concerned voice.
"I don’t care what they do but what matters is making sure he stays dead thoroughly. this time. We need to discuss."