Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187: Concerned Friends

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Chapter 187

~Tempest’s POV~

The late afternoon sunlight streamed through my room’s tall windows, casting warm golden hues across the soft lavender walls.

I sat cross-legged on my bed, absentmindedly stroking Summer’s fur in my mind as she paced restlessly. Her need for action mirrored my frustration.

"He’ll get what’s coming to him," I muttered under my breath, clenching the phone in my hands.

Summer growled softly, agreeing but clearly unsatisfied.

Just as I considered taking a long run to vent my pent-up energy, my phone buzzed in my hand, startling me. Glancing at the screen, I froze.

Ryland.

I hesitated for only a moment before answering. "Ryland?"

His deep, soothing voice came through the line. "Tempest. I heard what happened."

His words were simple, but the concern laced through them was unmistakable.

I smiled, forgetting my anger momentrarily. "Let me guess—you’re calling to stop me from hunting Kane down, aren’t you?"

There was a short pause before he sighed. "Do I need to?"

I chuckled, leaning back against the headboard. "Probably. But it’s sweet of you to check in."

"Sweet?" he echoed, and I could almost hear the amused tilt in his voice. "I wouldn’t say that. I’d call it smart. I know how you get when you’re angry, Tempest."

His teasing tone made me laugh softly. "And how do I get, Ryland?"

"Reckless," he said simply, the warmth in his tone betraying the sharpness of the word.

"Reckless?" I repeated, feigning offence. "I think you mean passionate."

"You and I both know there’s a fine line between the two," he countered and a chuckle rumbled in his throat. "I’d rather you didn’t cross it."

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling. "You worry too much."

"You don’t worry enough," he shot back, and then his voice softened. "I don’t want you getting hurt."

His sincerity was like a balm to my frayed nerves, leaving me momentarily lost on how to respond for a moment. Finally, I said, "Thank you, Ryland. Really."

"You don’t have to thank me," he replied, his tone lighter now. "Keeping you alive is part of my job."

"Oh?" I teased, leaning into the playful banter. "Is that all I am to you? A job?"

There was a brief silence before he spoke again, his voice quieter. "You know you’re more than that, Tempest."

My heart skipped a beat at the unexpected weight of his words. I quickly masked my reaction with a laugh. "Careful, Ryland. You’re starting to sound sentimental."

"And you’re starting to sound smug," he retorted, though there was no real bite to his words.