Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow-Chapter 455: Meeting Mum 2

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Chapter 455

~Zara’s POV~

The moment my eyes caught the billboard, a snort escaped me before I could stop it.

WELCOME HOME, SON!

The words were bold. Flashy. Screaming in all caps at the top of the Ivory Crescent’s pack gates, painted against a backdrop of silver and blue.

Snow groaned beside me, dragging a palm down his face. "I told her no surprises."

"Looks like your mum didn’t get the memo," I laughed, nudging his arm. "Or choose to ignore it on purpose."

As we crossed through the gates, the SUV slowed, then rolled to a stop in front of the grand pack house.

The mansion came into view, beautiful and lovely but none of that held my attention.

No. What did... was the woman standing at the top of the first three stairs leading to the entrance of the house—Luna Star.

Her long white coat flowed behind her in the breeze, her thick hair braided over one shoulder, regal as always. But her eyes—those sharp, stunning eyes—shimmered with tears that hadn’t yet fallen.

She wasn’t alone. Beside her stood three pack elders, and just slightly off to the side, tall and broad and still as the mountain, was Alpha Storm.

The second the car stopped, I didn’t wait for Kaid’s warrior or even Snow. I pushed the door open and jumped out, my boots hitting the gravel with a soft crunch as I took off at a sprint.

"Luna Star!" I called, my voice already filled with emotion.

She didn’t hesitate. She stepped down two stairs at once, arms open wide.

I ran straight into her embrace.

She wrapped her arms tightly around me like a mother who has lost a child finally coming home. Her scent—floral and cool like moonlit air—hit me instantly and made my chest ache.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice cracking as I held her. "Thank you for reaching out to me... for trusting me... and for birthing him. He’s everything, and I wouldn’t have him if not for you."

Luna Star pulled back slightly and took my face in her hands, thumbs brushing over my cheeks. Her tears had finally spilled.

"No," she said gently. "It is you who have my thanks, daughter. It is you. I could never have asked the goddess for a better daughter-in-law. I would go to war for you."

My breath caught, and I had to blink away more tears.

Behind us, Snow’s voice rang out. "And there’s more, mother."

We both turned as he approached, head high but respectfully postured. "The Moon Goddess has given her to me rightfully. The bond has been remade."

He stopped in front of them and bowed his head. "Mother. Father. I apologise for everything. For not telling you sooner. For putting you through the pain of thinking I was gone."

But he didn’t get to finish.

Luna Star rushed forward with the kind of speed only a worried mother could muster and wrapped her arms around him like she might never let go.

I stepped aside, giving them space as Alpha Storm descended the steps behind her, his expression unreadable at first... but then, he placed a hand on both their backs and brought them into a firm, grounding embrace.

He said nothing—just held them. And in that silence, you could feel it all: the relief, the love, the fear that had haunted them since Snow’s death.

Snow lifted his head slightly over his mother’s shoulder to meet my gaze. His lips curved into the softest smile.

I returned it.

"Thank goodness, son."

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After the emotional reunion outside, everything moved in a haze of warmth and comfort.

We entered the pack house together, and the inside was exactly as I remembered it—elegant but welcoming.

Snow and his mother spent time talking, and not long after, lunch was served—a soft celebration.

The dining table was filled with dishes that smelled like home—baked bread, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, and Snow’s favorite honey-glazed chicken.

Luna Star made sure everyone had a full plate. Alpha Storm didn’t speak much, but his steady hand on Snow’s shoulder was worth a thousand words.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of stories, a few lingering tears, and laughter—real, raw, and healing.

But the weight of the last few days still sat in my bones. I could see it mirrored in Snow’s posture, in the way his hand never left mine.

Eventually, when the sun started to dip behind the trees, casting long shadows across the walls, Snow leaned into my ear and whispered, "Come upstairs with me?"

I nodded.

We slipped away quietly, climbed the familiar staircase, and entered Snow’s room. Nothing had changed.

The moment the door clicked shut behind us, silence settled between us. It wasn’t awkward, but intimate. The kind of quiet that spoke louder than words.

Snow turned to me, smiling. "You should rest," he said softly. "You’ve done more than enough today. Besides, I did promise Kaid, I’d give you all the rest you deserve."

Before I could respond, he added, "Let me draw a bath for you."

I blinked. "A bath?"

"A warm one. With oils. I remember the lavender and citrus blend you liked..." He offered a soft, crooked smile. "And I want to take care of you this time."

My heart fluttered but I tried not to blush. "Okay," I whispered.

Snow nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. I heard water running, the soft clinking of glass bottles, the familiar swish of oils poured into steaming water. The scent wafted into the bedroom—soothing, nostalgic.

"Zara," he called gently from the doorway. "It’s ready."

I stood, feeling the ache in my muscles. Snow stepped closer and reached for the hem of my shirt. Slowly, carefully, he helped me out of it and then moved to unbutton my trousers.

He was silent all through, delicately undressing me as though a single speech could make him hurt me. His touch was almost reverent.

And then... he stopped.

My gaze drifted down to see I was mostly undressed and smiled. I stood before him in my bra and panties, the cool air kissing my skin. But his hands hovered and didn’t move.

"Snow?" I asked softly. "What’s wrong?"

He twisted his lips slightly, looking away for a second. "I... I don’t know if I have permission or not," he finally said.

"Awwwn," Astrid cooed in my head. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her.

Snow continued. "After everything that happened. I mean, we broke up. We divorced. I let you walk away. And maybe you only saved me because you’re a good person, not because..."

I didn’t let him finish.

I reached up, grabbed his face, and kissed him hard.

It was raw. Pure. A kiss that demanded silence from doubt, a kiss that shut down the storm of what-ifs and wrapped us both in the truth we’d been circling since the moment I brought him back.

Snow gasped into it, startled, but his arms wrapped around me instantly.

When I pulled back, I looked him in the eye. "I saved you because I want you," I said breathlessly. "Because I love you. Because no matter how angry I was, no matter how broken I felt... it was always you, Snow. Now don’t you ever for once doubt that, ever."

Snow didn’t hesitate this time. He kissed me again, slower now with meaning.

His hands roamed carefully, fingertips trailing across the skin of my back, up my arms, until he reached the clasp of my bra. I gave him the smallest nod.

He undid it gently, letting it fall between us, then leaned down to kiss my collarbone, his lips lingering as if committing me to memory again.

We stood there, hearts beating in sync, breaths mingling, his forehead resting against mine.

"You’re everything," he whispered. "And I’ll never lose you again."

"You won’t have to," I whispered back. "You’re mine."

He guided me to the bathroom, where the warm water steamed gently in the tub.

"Thank you."

"Now, let me wash you up and pamper you."

The bath was the perfect temperature, the scent of the oils filling the steam. Snow lowered me into the water gently and began to scrub every inch of my skin, and after, washed my hair.

My eyes were closed as he did, and I couldn’t help but sigh at the touch of his fingers.

Then, as he was rinsing the suds, I turned to him. "Your turn."

He hesitated for a second and nodded. "Join me like always."

"Of course, love."

We switched places. He stripped quickly, the clothes landing on the tiled floor. Then he sank into the water and rested his back against the edge of the tub, his knees drawn up and bent.

"I missed this," he sighed, leaning his head back. "Us in a bath. You washing my hair."

I chuckled, grabbing a sponge and soap. "And me, always looking for trouble."

"Well, the thing is, you are always finding trouble. Not even the Moon Goddess will save you from me."

"Good thing we are alike, huh." I laughed and lathered up the sponge. "Let me scrub you clean."

I did just that. Every nook, every crevice of his neck and shoulders and back.

"Turn around," I told him.

He did, and when his back was facing me, the water lapped at his skin. His shoulder blades rose slightly with every breath, his body relaxed but not completely.

My mind was immediately transported to the times in the past when we did this together. freёwebnoѵel.com

"I love you, Snow."

"I love you most, Love."