Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 189

Chapter 189: Politics

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Chapter 189

~Zara’s POV~

Since returning and discovering the truth concerning my parents, I hadn’t spent time with Ella nor discussed my new family with her.

She was my closest friend and deserved to know the truth.

The sun was beginning to set as I pulled into Ella’s apartment complex. The golden hues of twilight cast long shadows across the parking lot, and I hesitated in the car, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary.

How do you even begin to tell your best friend that your life is a lie—or rather, that it’s finally the truth?

Ella had always been my rock, my go-to when life felt like too much. I owed her honesty. But now, after everything I’d been through, I wasn’t sure how she’d take it. Would she see me differently?

I sighed and grabbed the box of pastries I’d brought as a peace offering, forcing myself out of the car.

Here goes nothing.

When I reached her door, I hesitated again. The faint hum of her television seeped through the door, and I could hear her pacing, the creak of the floorboards familiar even through the barrier.

I knocked, and after a few moments, the door opened. Ella stood there, her usually warm brown eyes clouded with something I couldn’t quite place.

"Zara," she said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey," I greeted, mustering a smile and holding up the box. "I brought pastries. Thought we could catch up."

She hesitated for a moment before stepping aside to let me in. "Sure, come in."

The living room was as cozy as ever, though the lingering tension in the air was hard to miss. Ella motioned for me to sit as she flopped onto the couch.

"You’ve been quiet lately," she said, crossing her arms. "What’s going on?"

I placed the box on the coffee table, sitting across from her. "A lot. And I mean a lot, Ella. That’s why I’m here. I wanted to tell you everything."

Her brows furrowed in concern. "You’re scaring me, Zara. Are you okay?"

I nodded, though my heart was racing. "I’m fine. Better than fine, actually. But... there’s something you need to know about me. About my family."

Ella tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Go on."

I took a deep breath, clasping my hands together. "You know how I’ve always told you my parents were distant? How I never really felt... connected to them?"

She nodded, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Well, it turns out there’s a reason for that. They’re not my biological parents."

Ella blinked, her mouth opening slightly before she closed it again. "Wait. What?"

I smiled nervously. "I found out a few weeks ago. My real family is part of the Golden Claw Pack."

Her jaw dropped. "Zara, are you serious?"

"As serious as it gets," I said, chuckling nervously. "My real mother is Zaria, the Luna of the pack. And I have a brother, Ella. We are actually siblings."

Ella’s eyes widened. "You mean it?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

Ella shook her head, still processing everything I told her. "Zara, this is... a lot. How are you handling all of this?"

"It’s been overwhelming," I admitted. "But Snow’s been amazing through it all. And Zaria—she’s been lovely and welcoming. It’s like I’ve finally found where I belong. Let’s not talk about Zade. Oh, and Andrew is my... our cousin."

Ella smiled softly, her initial shock giving way to understanding. "I’m thrilled for you, Zara. You’ve been searching for something like this for so long. You deserve it."

Her words made my throat tighten. "Thank you, Ella. That means more than you know."

We fell into silence, the tension lifting as we picked at the pastries. It felt good to talk to effortless and let her in on the truth.

But as I studied her, I noticed something was off. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and there was a tightness to her expression that hadn’t been there before.

"Ella," I said gently. "What’s going on with you? You’ve been quiet too."

She hesitated, looking down at her hands. "It’s nothing, really."

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~Luna Zaria’s POV~