Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Ryker Rylan

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Chapter 97

~Tempest’s POV~

From my window, I watched as Koda spoke to my sister in the courtyard with a serious expression on. They exchanged quiet words, and a pang of jealousy twisted in my chest.

The way he looked at her—it was the kind of look I had longed for. But it had never been for me. It never would be.

I saw her pull away most times and it broke his heart.

The words rang in my head. His heart.

What of mine? Did he ever bother how it affected me and broke my heart?

Tsk. I shook my head, ignoring Summer’s whining in my head.

Turning away from the window, I moved back into the room, my hands trembling as I gathered my things. It was time to go. Time to leave this house, this hurt, and the feelings I didn’t want to carry with me. The city would give me the space I needed.

I brought out some clothes and headed back into the closet for my box. As I reached for my bag, the door creaked open. My mother, Luna Star, entered, her eyes soft and warm as she took in the sight of my clothes and bag.

"Tempest," she began, stepping into the room. "Were you planning on leaving without saying goodbye?"

I sighed, straightening up. "I need space, Mother. I need to get out of here...away from him, away from everything."

She came closer, reaching out to take my hand, her fingers soft yet firm. "Running away from pain doesn’t make it disappear, sweetheart. It only buries it deeper."

I swallowed, her words stinging because I knew they were true. "I just need time to clear my head," I whispered, barely able to meet her gaze.

My mother gently guided me to sit on the edge of my bed, while flashing me her trade mark smile that eased my worries.

"I understand, Tempest. And I won’t stop you if this is truly what you need. But remember...healing isn’t a journey you can take alone. Don’t shut us out. And certainly don’t shut out those who care for you."

I felt my heart clench, but I gave her a small, wavering smile. "Thank you, Mother. I’ll... I’ll try."

She reached up, brushing a stray hair behind my ear with tenderness.

"Take all the time you need. But remember—your family is here for you. Always. Ignore what others have to say about us. The warring and subjugating time is over. You are a true daughter of the Ivory Crescent Pack. You are my Tempest and you are my strength."

Tears spilt out from my eyes. No matter how sad I felt, listening to my mother speak was the balm that soothed my soul.

With one last hug, she released me, and I finished packing my luggage. Once done, I took my handbag in one hand, pulling on my box with the other as we stepped out of the room together.

"Tempest." I turned to her call. "I’ll have someone drop you off at the airport or drive you to the city if you wish."

The ride was quiet, the trees blending into blurred shadows as we drove down the winding roads, leaving Ivory Crescent territory behind.

I stole glances at Ryker in the rearview mirror, his eyes firmly fixed on the road, his jaw set in that unreadable way that was beginning to drive me mad.

He was silent, stoic, but there was something about his presence that made the silence anything but peaceful. I cleared my throat, deciding I wasn’t going to spend the entire ride to the city in awkward, tense quiet.

"So... Ryker, huh?" I asked, leaning forward just enough to catch his reaction in the mirror.

He hesitated abit before answering and I coudl guess why. I never bothered to know his name even though he had seen all of me.

"Yes, Lady Tempest," he replied, his tone polite and almost detached.

"Okay, is that your first name or last name?" I asked with a smirk, watching his eyes flick up to the mirror.

"Everyone calls me Ryker," he replied simply, returning his focus to the road.

"Well, I don’t like following the crowd," I murmured, letting the smirk stretch wider as I leaned back. "So, what should I call you?"

He hesitated, glancing up again with an almost amused look that vanished before it fully took shape. "My name’s Ryker Rylan, ma’am," he said finally.

"Rylan," I repeated. "I’ll call you Rylan. It suits you."