Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow-Chapter 449: She’s Alive

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Chapter 449

~Snow’s POV~

There wasn’t much to be said after that. I leaned in and we kissed again—deeper this time, slower. There was no desperation, no panic. Just need a silent promise.

When we finally pulled apart, I chuckled softly, wiping away a tear from the corner of her eye.

"You’re going to make me cry again," I teased.

Zara rolled her eyes and smacked my shoulder lightly. "You almost died, idiot. You’re lucky that’s all I’m doing."

I grinned. "If this is what dying gets me, maybe I should do it more often."

Her brows shot up, and she gave me a warning glare.

"Joking. Totally joking," I said quickly, holding my hands up.

But she smiled. And it was the kind of smile that made my chest ache in the best way. The kind that made me want to spend every second proving I was still worthy of it.

"You better. I do not hope to have a dragon as an enemy because fighting one proved we werewolves are weak."

"Y-you fought a dragon?"

"Yeah."

"For me?" I asked. Not that I thought she lied, but knowing the extent to which Zara went for me even though I was not worth it, made my heart ache.

Tears blurred my vision and I sniffled. "Yes for you. Although I didn’t win," she chuckled. I could see it in her eyes. It felt like she was releiving the moment and she was proud about it.

Scratch that, even I was proud of her.

"I’m yours, Zara," I said softly, pulling ehr fm her train of thoughts. "For as long as you’ll have me and till the end of time."

Zara’s hand slid into mine. "I already fought for you," she whispered. "Now it’s your turn."

And gods help me... I would.

"Now, you need to shower," Zara suggested after some time.

"Yeah, I smell like death."

Zara chuckled and playfully slapped my arm. "Would you even know what death is like when you see it?"

"Now... not anymore. Anyways, I really should go. You want to join me?"

"Nope," she puffed her cheeks and pressed her lips together. "Win me first."

"I will, always."

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I left Zara and headed into the restroom in the bedroom, leaving her to her thoughts.

Since I came back to life, I hadn’t spoken to Glacier, and it was about time I checked in with my wolf.

Just as I stepped into the bathtub, my mind reeled. I’d seen death. Touched it. Felt the pull of the void. But it was she—Zara—who had pulled me back. Her voice, her hand, her will.

I owed her my life.

I relaxed into the tub and my mind drifted back to when I first felt it—the matebond with Zara.

The scent hit me harder than before. No, not just her scent—it was her. Every breath she took stirred something deep inside me like a pull.

My wolf shifted sharply in my chest, and my heart stuttered.

It couldn’t be. I’d felt this once before with Vera.

The way my soul had once aligned with hers. That undeniable connection. That need to protect and claim her. I thought I would never feel it again. I wasn’t supposed to, not like this.

But this? This hadn’t been the same as with Vera. It was stronger.

My eyes had snapped to Zara. My vision tunneled—everything else dropped away, leaving only her.

I could see her eyes glowed faintly, her pulse racing under her skin, and her breath caught when she looked back at me.

Glacier froze. Then, slowly, he asked, "Do you feel that?"

I couldn’t answer. My mouth was dry. My chest burned.

The connection between us wasn’t soft and slow. It was immediate, and it took root, refusing to let go.

Zara was my mate.

And not just by choice this time. By fate.

The bond had locked into place, not like a thread, but a chain forged in stars and time. She whispered the word I’d once feared and yet craved.

"Mate."

My soul answered before my mind could catch up.

"Mate," I breathed.

"You’re mine, Zara," I noted inwardly.

I inhaled as I took up soap and the sponge laid out for me. "Zara is mine, and I would die fighting to keep her safe."

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~Vera’s POV~

A harsh, choking gasp broke through the silence as I took in a deep breath and opened my eyes.

The forest was still black as pitch—the kind of dark that felt alive, like it watched and waited. It took a moment, but soon my vision cleared fully, and I snickered.

Slowly, I rose to my feet, my body felt like lead but as soon as I did, I felt strength return to my limbs once more.

My gaze flicked lazily to the left, where a man lay dead on the forest floor—right near the spot where I’d been barely moments ago.

"Useless," I muttered, rolling my eyes with a smirk.

He’d been one of them. One of the guards Zara had ordered to ’dispose’ of my corpse. Fool.

They all thought I was dead.

Zara especially.

And the worst part? I almost was until I took my life in my hands and saved myself.

I turned away from the man’s body and narrowed my eyes at the twisted trees ahead. My fingers twitched with leftover heat from the spell I had just used.

The night of the fight burned through my thoughts, unwelcome but vivid. I had Zara and I was ready to end her existence.

My plan had been simple. Kill her, carve out her heart, and take it to my mother for her powers.

If Mother asked, I’d simply lie that she was about to kill me. It was self-defense. No one needed to know.

Zara had stood there, barely holding on, blood on her hands and desperation in her eyes. I had conjured it—the dark sphere pulsing in my hands, thick with death and power.

I was seconds away from hurling it into her chest and watching her shatter.

But then... Snow had burst into the room like an idiot hero out of some tragic play. And took the hit for her. He just threw himself in the way, shielding her.

I watched as my mate shielded my enemy and paid the price.