Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 294

Chapter 294: Change in Behaviour

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Chapter 294

~Zara’s POV~

As Ella and I walked back into the celebration, the lively chatter and clinking of glasses filled the grand hall.

The air was warm with the glow of candlelight and the vibrant energy of the pack members and guests who had come to celebrate.

Ella had visibly lightened up since our talk, a small smile tugging at her lips as she scanned the crowd.

"See? Not so bad, right?" I nudged her playfully.

Ella chuckled softly. "You’re right. I just needed some air... and some Zara wisdom."

"Always here to supply that," I teased, giving her a wink.

But as we moved through the room, weaving between groups of chatting wolves and allies, I stopped dead in my tracks.

My parents were standing just ahead, their familiar faces lighting up when they caught sight of me.

"Zara!" my foster mother, Selene, exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy as she rushed toward me. Her smile was warm, but her excitement was overwhelming. "Oh, my darling girl, look at you! You look radiant!"

Before I could react, she wrapped me in a tight hug, her perfume—vanilla and lilac—instantly triggering childhood memories.

I hugged her back, though the awkwardness tightened my chest.

"Mum," I greeted softly, stepping back as she studied my face.

My father, Liam, and my brother, Elias, approached as well, their expressions filled with happiness.

"Zara," Liam said warmly, clasping my shoulder. "It’s been far too long. How are you? And your husband—Snow, right? How is he?"

"Snow’s doing well," I said with a polite smile, though my fingers itched to find Snow in the crowd. "He’s busy, as always, but he’s here tonight. Somewhere."

"Ah, good." Selene clasped her hands together. "We’ve been meaning to meet him properly. I hear he’s quite the Alpha, strong and protective."

Elias, standing beside our parents, gave me a slight nod. "Zara. It’s good to see you."

"Elias," I acknowledged, keeping my tone neutral even as I moved forward to hug him. He had matured more since I last saw him, looking more rugged.

"Are you happy?" Selene asked suddenly, her eyes searching mine. "Truly happy, darling?"

I hesitated momentarily, but then my mind drifted to Snow—his unwavering love and calming presence. "I am. Snow makes sure of that every day."

Selene’s face softened with relief. "Good. That’s all we ever wanted for you."

I held back the urge to frown or tsk at her remarks. She previously wanted me to go back to Ivan, disregarding Snow.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, but my tension remained. They asked about my life with Snow, his pack, and my role as future Luna.

I answered their questions as best as I could, but it was hard to focus when the memories of my time in their household lingered in the back of my mind.

"And your mother?" Liam asked, breaking into my thoughts.

My lips parted in surprise at the question. "My mother?"

"Yes, Zaria," Selene said, a faint smile on her lips. "I hear you’ve been reconnecting with her."

I nodded slowly, unsure of how much to share. "It’s... been good. Better than I expected. She’s helped me understand a lot about myself, about my place in my pack."