***************
Chapter 59
~Zara’s POV~
But the dangerous glint in his eyes told me otherwise. I slowly moved back, my breathing ragged. He stepped forward, closing the distance between us until I had nowhere else to go but back.
My legs hit the sink behind me, and in a fluid motion, Snow wrapped one arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
My mind screamed at me to resist, but my body... my body betrayed me.
Astrid stirred inside, her energy melding with mine, and the tension in the air spiked.
My pulse quickened as Snow’s other hand glided along my bottom lip, his thumb pressing down just enough for me to instinctively part my lips.
His eyes darkened, and the moment his thumb grazed the tip of my tongue, a moan escaped before I could stop it.
Seduced by my own body’s need, I sucked on his thumb lightly, feeling the heat between us intensify. Snow’s breathing hitched, and his control slipped as desire flickered in his eyes.
With a low growl, he threw caution to the wind. His lips crashed down on mine, claiming me with a deep, possessive kiss.
The kiss was fiery, raw, and filled with the tension we’d both been trying so hard to suppress. His hands roamed my back, pulling me even closer until I was completely moulded against his naked flesh and God!! I was in heaven.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him back just as desperately. And for a moment, nothing else mattered but the feel of his lips on mine and the heat of his skin against my fingertips.
I noticed that everything about my body and skin had changed since that morning, especially when Snow was involved or mentioned.
My left hand slid down his neck to his chest. I released a moan drowned out by our kiss.
Just as things were about to spiral completely out of control, the bathroom door swung open, and my heart leapt into my chest.
A loud round of applause followed Tempest’s loud and amused voice. "Oops! Didn’t mean to interrupt!"
Snow and I broke apart in a flash, both breathing heavily as Tempest stood there, a knowing grin on her face. "But hey, if I could just steal Zara for a moment..."
I blink, my face flaming with embarrassment. Snow let out a deep breath, his lips curling into a smirk. "Sure, Tempest. Take her before she faints."
Without another word, I bolted out of the bathroom, barely able to look at Snow as I ran past Tempest, my heart still pounding from the kiss.
Tempest giggled, shooting me a sly look as she followed me out. "You two are so much fun to watch."
I groaned inwardly, completely mortified. How the hell was I supposed to face Snow after this?
************
Whatever happened with Tempest after that, my mind was never there. It kept flickering back to what happened earlier with Snow.
Soon it was time for one of the big events of the year—the summermating season.
Tonight, Snow’s pack was hosting, and the entire place buzzed with anticipation.
The full moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the estate grounds. I watched from a distance, leaning against the marble pillar near the hall’s entrance.
My senses were heightened, every sound sharper, every scent more intense. I should have felt calm, but instead, there was this buzzing energy coursing through me, one I couldn’t shake.
My eyes followed Snow as he moved through the crowd, overseeing the event like the responsible Alpha he was.
But every time one of the younger female wolves would come up to him, laughter in their voices, the sight made my insides twist with a fierce protectiveness I hadn’t felt before. A low, threatening snarl escaped me before I could stop it.
What the hell is wrong with me? I shook my head, stepping outside for air. My heart raced and my mind was cloudy. Astrid stirred inside me, her energy more restless than usual.
"Control yourself," I whispered internally. "This isn’t like you."
But it was like something primal had taken over. Every time I glanced at Snow, my pulse quickened, my wolf rushing forward, more possessive than ever.
Being in the house offered me a little insight into how things were going to work. After the formalities and mingling, everyone was to move outside at 11 p.m. in preparation for the major event when the moon was at its peak.
I leaned against one of the trees outside, trying to steady my breathing. The cool night air brushed against my skin, but instead of calming me, it only seemed to heighten the strange heat simmering just beneath the surface.
"Zara," a deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked up to find Snow standing just a few feet away, his blue eyes fixed on me, glowing faintly under the moonlight. He looked like a damn predator, and something inside me tightened at the sight of him.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked in a softer voice, more concerned than his usual commanding tone.
Had things not been weird with Astrid today, I was tempted to sass about it. Would he have me mingling and cheating on him?
What would he do if I should find my mate in there?
I shook my head at my silly thought. I had intentionally walked into the hall and through it, giving my mate a chance to click and sync, but no matter what I did... There was nothing.
All I felt was like a heat stroke breaking down my nerve defences. And that wasn’t funny without my mate’s presence.
I needed him to quench this flame and I needed...
"Zara?"
I swallowed, trying to find my words, but they wouldn’t come. His presence was overwhelming, his aura radiating out, thick with Alpha dominance.
My wolf stirred again at the only stronger presence, pushing against my control, but I shoved Astrid back down. Not now, damn it!
"I needed some air," I finally muttered, though my voice sounded foreign to my ears, rough, almost breathless.