Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 256

Chapter 256: Put a Leash

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Chapter 256

~Zara’s POV~

The weight of the day lingered over me like a storm cloud, heavy and oppressive. For hours, I’d exposed the rawest parts of myself—my past lives, failures, and the burdens of my rebirth.

It was exhausting, to be honest.

I wasn’t ready to reveal so much to others yet but now... I had unintentionally.

And to think that someone—Delia, of all people—had dared to toss my secrets around like gossip at a tea party made my blood boil.

As I walked through the Lycan palace’s grand halls, my emotions churned. My anger wasn’t wild or blazing. It was cold and smouldering, simmering beneath the surface like an unyielding fire.

And the more I thought about what she did, and replayed Zade’s reaction in my mind, the angrier I became.

How dare she?

Delia had no right. She wasn’t part of my life, my struggles, or my truths. Yet, she had somehow overheard what was meant for my family and thought it acceptable to flaunt it.

Snow and Zade had tried to dissuade me from confronting her, but this wasn’t about them. This wasn’t even about me anymore. This was about principle.

The palace gardens stretched before me as I stepped outside, the sunlight casting an ethereal glow over the lush greenery. My steps were collected and purposeful as I followed the faint trace of Delia’s scent.

I could tell a Lycan’s scent anywhere and she... she had a slightly unique one like Kaid.

She wasn’t hard to find.

Perched on a stone bench near the edge of the garden, Delia looked as though she belonged in some romantic painting.

Her auburn hair shimmered under the light of the moon, and her dark eyes sparkled with mischief as she caught sight of me.

"Lady Zara," she greeted, her voice dripping with mockery. "What an unexpected delight."

"Delia," I replied in a cold and controlled tone.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I stepped closer to her. "Let’s see... to think this would be how the Lycan King’s cousin and I would meet."

"Well, we were bound to be introduced to each other at some point.," she said with a shrug.

I held back my anger. "Yeah, sadly your lack of manners made it happen sooner."

Her expression fell slightly as her lips fell open as though she was offended.

The nerve.

Her dark eyes flickered with unease, and I stepped back, finally satisfied that my point had been made.

Turning on my heel, I began to walk away when movement caught my attention.

Kaid stood near the walkway leading to the garden, his expression unreadable as he watched the exchange. His presence alone stoked the embers of my anger.

I stalked past him, but before I could leave, his hand shot out, gripping my wrist.

"Zara," he began, keeping his voice low, but I didn’t let him finish.

I snapped my head toward him, glaring. "If you love your little pest, I suggest you put a leash or collar on her. Because the next time she crosses me, she’ll pay with her life."

Kaid’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening as his free hand clenched into a fist. The flicker of Astrid’s red gaze in my eyes didn’t escape his notice.

Without waiting for his response, I yanked my hand from his grip and strode away, my heart pounding unrelentingly.

Let Delia meddle again, and she’d learn exactly what I was capable of.

As I headed back into the palace, Astrid’s voice whispered in my mind. "She’s playing with you. Don’t let her get to you."

"I won’t," I replied silently. "She ain’t worth it and I do not mind staining my fur to tear her to pieces if need be."

"Trust your instincts, Zara. They’ve kept you alive this long. Tread carefully from now on."