***************
Chapter 343
~Snow’s POV~
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I returned to Vera’s room. I had spent far too long picking out clothes for her that my mind was a tangled mess.
Glacier had been annoyingly loud, criticising my every decision and growling possessively any time I considered leaving the store without finishing the task.
"This is ridiculous," I muttered to myself.
"No, what’s ridiculous is that you left her alone. You should have stayed."
"We’ve already been over this. I’m handling the situation."
"Not well."
Glacier’s grumbles were cut off when I reached her room and knocked lightly. "Vera, I’m back."
The door creaked open, and for a moment, I froze.
Vera stood before me in a hotel robe, her hair wrapped in a towel. Water glistened on her collarbone, and her cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she shifted awkwardly under my gaze.
Glacier growled in appreciation, louder than I anticipated, and I had to suppress the urge to groan aloud.
"Um..." Vera’s soft voice broke through the haze. She pulled the robe tighter around herself. "Is everything okay?"
I blinked, clearing my throat as I forced my gaze away. "Y-Yeah. Sorry about that. I brought you some clothes." I held out the bag awkwardly, and she hesitated before taking it.
Her lips quirked upward as she peeked inside. "Thank you," she said, her tone lighter. But when she pulled out a neatly folded bra and panties, her eyebrows shot up.
"You even got..." Her voice trailed off, and her lips twitched as though she was holding back a laugh.
I rubbed the back of my neck, clearing my throat again. "I, uh... I wasn’t sure what you needed, so I just guessed."
Her chuckle was soft, but it filled the room with an unexpected warmth—warmth that Glacier clearly loved. "You guessed my sizes perfectly?"
Damn it.
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "Must be a lucky guess. I don’t umm..."
Her blush deepened, but she smiled. "Thank you," she murmured. "I’ll, um, go change now."
I nodded, stepping aside to let her pass. "Your meal is here, too. Eat when you’re ready. After that, I’ll take you to the hospital to get checked out."
She glanced down at her arms, where her bruises had already begun to fade. "It’s healing already."
"Even so," I said firmly. "We need to be sure there’s nothing worse."
She hesitated but nodded, disappearing into the bathroom.
While she was gone, I let out a long sigh, trying to silence Glacier’s grumbling.
"She’s comfortable with you. She needs you."
"Enough, Glacier. This isn’t about us."
"It’s always about mates," he snapped back, his voice heavy with frustration.
When Vera finally emerged, she was dressed in the simple clothes I had bought, her damp hair falling over her shoulders. She looked fragile but grateful as she gave me a small smile.
"Thank you again," she said softly.
I nodded, standing. "Shall we?"
*******************
~At the Hospital~
"You’re lucky to have him." frёewebnoѵēl.com
"I’m afraid not. I have somewhere I need to be. Just rest. Relax. Order whatever you need—the bill’s on me. I’ll check on you when I return."
Vera smiled faintly. "Okay. Goodnight. And..." Her eyes glimmered with something playful. "Greet your wolf for me."
I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Goodnight."
As I walked away, I felt her gaze linger on me, but I didn’t look back. I just couldn’t. I held my ground against Glacier and walked away.
**************
~Vera’s POV~
The door shut, and I waited until I heard his footsteps fade.
My smile dropped.
I glanced at the bracelet on my wrist, its dark blue crystal gleaming faintly. I lifted my hand, and a blue glow spread from the crystal, forming a hologram in the air.
A woman’s face appeared—cold, elegant, and powerful.
"Hello, daughter," she said smoothly. "Have you met him? How did it go?"
I smiled, my earlier vulnerability replaced with confidence, dark confidence. "Yes, Mother. It went better than I could have hoped for."
"Good. So the plan is in motion?"
"Oh, Mother," I said, my smile turning wicked. "It couldn’t have been any better."
My mother nodded approvingly. "I expect updates."
"Of course. Soon, I’ll be in Snow Zephyr’s mansion."
"Good."
"Hail the Dark Witch." As the hologram faded, I whispered, "Yes, Mother. And even better because Vera Slaton just found her mate." My smile twisted into a smirk. "The Moon Goddess herself is on my side. Zara must go."
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow