Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 269

Chapter 269: Lead the Way

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Chapter 267

~Tempest’s POV~

My mother’s eyes widened slightly, though she remained silent, letting me continue.

"It wasn’t supposed to happen," I began, my voice cracking. "He confessed his love for me again, told me he was sorry for burdening me with his feelings. He even said he’d stay away if that’s what it took to make me happy. And then—"

I pressed my palms against my face, trying to push away the memory of his lips on mine, the raw emotion in his eyes as we pulled apart.

"And then I kissed him," I finished in a whisper.

The silence between us was deafening. Mum finally spoke after a minute or two, her tone calm and controlled. "Do you love him, Tempest?"

I dropped my hands, meeting her gaze. "I don’t know," I admitted. "I know I’m supposed to love Koda—he’s my mate. And I do care for him deeply. But with Ryland, it’s different. It’s like he sees parts of me I didn’t even know existed. And I... I’ve fallen for him, Mum."

Her expression softened, and she reached across the table to take my hand in hers. "Love is never simple, Tempest. And sometimes, it doesn’t follow the rules we think it should. But you have to make a choice. You can’t keep holding on to both of them—it isn’t fair to you or them."

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "I don’t want to hurt either of them."

"You will," Mum said softly but firmly. "No matter what you choose, someone will be hurt. But prolonging this indecision will only cause more pain in the end."

I nodded slowly, her words settling into the pit of my stomach like stones.

"Follow your heart," she continued. "Not your sense of duty, not your guilt. Just your heart. It will guide you where you need to be."

Taking a deep breath, I whispered, "I think I need to see Koda."

Mum squeezed my hand. "Then go to him. Speak your truth, Tempest. You owe it to yourself and to them."

Her strength and wisdom buoyed me as I left her quarters, though the uncertainty still lingered like a shadow at my heels.

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By the next day, I was already travelling to Koda’s pack to see him. I knew I couldn’t waste any more time with my decision.

The journey to Koda’s pack was a blur of nerves. As the car sped down winding roads and through dense forests, I repeatedly replayed the words I would say to him.

My heart was a chaotic mess, torn between hope and fear, and the unusual quietness of my wolf, Summer, only heightened my unease.

"You’re too tense," Summer finally said as the pack’s borders appeared.

"Can you blame me?" I muttered aloud, gripping the seatbelt tightly.

"Just don’t overthink it. Koda—our mate deserves to hear what’s on your mind."

"Easier said than done," I replied, though her words did little to ease the turmoil in my chest.

"Now how are you going to get around this?" Summer’s voice broke through my thoughts.