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Chapter 53
~Zara’s POV~
How had I missed it? How had I been so blind, so consumed by my anger not to see it?
I turned to Scott, hoping he’d offer some different explanation. But his steady nod confirmed it.
"The master has preferred not to speak about it, ma’am, to protect Young Master Storm. It’s... delicate."
Aira chuckled softly, breaking the tension as she kissed Storm’s cheek, making him giggle.
Storm hugged his mother, wrapping his little arms around her neck. "Mum, will Daddy Snow always be my dad?" the boy asked innocently.
Snow’s face softened as he released me, walked over to them and ruffled his nephew’s hair. "For you, champ, I’ll always be your dad. Anything you want me to be, I’ll be."
Storm cheered, and Aira smiled, but I stood there, frozen, unable to comprehend the emotions that tore through me.
"Come on, love," Aira said to Storm, softly, nodding toward the chauffeur.
"Okay. Let’s give Daddy Snow some time alone with Zara."
They giggled, leaving Snow and me standing silently in the hall.
My mind spun in circles as I stared at Snow, I didn’t know what to think. Why didn’t he tell me? Why keep something so important from me?
"You should have—" My voice trembled as I struggled to find words, the anger and hurt bubbling up uncontrollably. "Why didn’t you tell me? You let me believe she was your... your—"
Snow stepped toward me, his eyes softening as he saw the betrayal in my eyes, which I could no longer keep hidden. "Zara, I didn’t think it mattered."
"Didn’t matter?" I echoed, disbelief thick in my voice. "Of course, it matters! You let me think... I thought you... she was your mistress, first love... all this time—"
"Zara." His words cut through the fog of emotions. "My apologies if I didn’t tell you sooner, Zara. But I didn’t think—"
I shook my head, backing away from him, as Astrid stirred within me. Her aura seeped out, feeding off my swirling emotions.
"You never think," I spat, my chest tightening. "All you do is control. You kept me in the dark, Snow. About something like this. When were you going to tell me? Or did you enjoy seeing me act that way?"
I knew I was stupid. I had no one but myself to blame. After Zoe’s, I assumed Aira was his ex-lover and got angry.
First, I felt disrespected, just as Ivan disrespected me with Clarissa. All the past hurt resurfaced, hence my actions since, and now only to find out what?
"Zara," he stepped forward again and reached for me. "I didn’t mean to hurt you."
But I was already too far gone. "I can’t... I can’t do this," I whispered, turning away from him.
Snow closed the distance between us in two swift steps, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me against his chest. His grip was firm, grounding me even as my mind spiralled out of control. "Listen to me."
I tried to pull away, but his hold tightened, his breath warm against my ear as he murmured, "I’m sorry. I am. But don’t push me away now."
"You should have told me."
"I know, Zara. And I’m so sorry." I could sense the regret in his voice—something very new to me when it came to Snow.
We stayed there for a few minutes, and neither of us said anything to each other.
It was Saturday, we didn’t have to bother with work today and I was emotional. Snow too.
Suddenly, the sound of his ringtone tore through the silence but Snow refused to answer his call.
"Answer," I said softly.
"No. It’s not about them but you, us."
Us?
Those words sounded foreign coming from his lips.
But deep down I wanted to believe in it. With Snow Zephyr was there really an ’us’?
The ringing stopped and just as I took a deep breath, it started again, making me jolt a little but Snow’s strong arms were there to hold me tight.
"Snow." I wriggled a bit. "Pick the call."
"If that will calm your nerves, then sure."
I did not wish to argue with him and let him believe so. Still holding me with his left hand, he reached into his pocket, took the phone out and checked the caller.
As soon as he did, I felt Snow stiffen then released me a bit. I tried to break free but my actions seemed to have awoken his senses a bit and he held me back.
"Hello, Father, good morning"
I froze realizing who it was and did not breathe.
"How are you and how is mum?"
"Pleasant son. And how is everything with the company?"
"Things are going smoothly, Father."
"And Marcus?"
"I’ve requested an intel on that. Also, we have gotten a substitute to partner with Aurora. Andrew Blake."
"Andrew. I know him. Sure, he is a good catch. If we can get him to sign the contract, then the new venture would kick start earlier and be among the top best in the city."
"Understood. Will make it happen."
"Okay, son. It was a great move." At the mention of that, Zara lifted her head, her eyes locked on his.
"Yes. I had a great assistant." His fingers pressed into her waist a little bit, and for the first time, Zara leaned back into him.
"Anyways, that’s not why I called." Snow fell silent. "It seems you have forgotten, but Snow, the summer mating season is barely days away. As the Alpha, you should oversee such events with your Luna."
"Father I..." Snow barely started when Alpha Storm’s deep voice cut in.
"Since you haven’t crowned your wife, plus your wife has not earned the title of Luna, your mother and I have been overseeing the preparations. However, I did not pass on leadership to you for nothing. You should be in the pack within two days and oversee the remaining affairs. You are Alpha for a reason, Snow. I expect better."
"Yes, father. We will be there."