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Chapter 108
~ Zara’s POV~
I drifted in and out of sleep, a strange sense of warmth enveloping . The steady thudding of Snow’s heart beneath my cheek pulled back from my nightmares.
Sowhere in between hazy thoughts and half-dreams, I could feel his arm wrapped firmly around , pulling close, protectively.
For a fleeting mont, I allowed myself to settle into the comfort of his touch, the steady rhythm like a lullaby that kept the shadows at bay.
But reality snapped back with vengeance when I opened my eyes, realizing that every inch of was tangled in his arms.
Gulp!
His bare chest pressed against and... was that his leg tangled in mine?
I sucked in a sharp breath, careful not to move, my face hovering just inches from his... his muscles firm against my body.
I could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his skin against mine even with the air conditioner on.
My gaze trailed down, spotting his toned chest inches from my face, his exposed collarbone, and the faint sheen of a scar there.
I swallowed hard, catching sight of his hand resting at my waist, his fingers splayed just enough to remind of how close we really were.
I needed to move—now. But as I tried to pull away, my head lifted too quickly, and the top of my skull collided with his jaw in a swift, ungraceful thud.
"Ow!" I gasped, clutching my head, and in an instant, Snow’s grip tightened around , his other hand instinctively patting my back.
"Easy, Zara, easy," he murmured, his voice low and soothing, though there was an unmistakable gruffness to it, likely from the rude awakening I’d just delivered.
Once the pain dulled, I managed to pull back slightly, frowning up at him. "Why am I wrapped up between you like this?" I demanded, unable to keep the suspicion from my voice. "Why are we... cuddling?"
He gazed at with that infuriating calm, a smirk teasing the corners of his mouth. "Well, Zara, that’s what a husband and wife are supposed to do," he said simply, the words rolling out so smoothly I didn’t know whether he was joking or being completely serious.
I huffed, trying to disentangle myself, my legs still awkwardly caught between his. Snow didn’t move, only watched with amusent as I struggled, making the whole process infinitely more difficult.
Before I could even register his next move, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to my forehead in a gentle kiss that froze on the spot.
"Good morning, wifey," he murmured. The casual intimacy in his voice took off guard.
With my heart thumping, I looked up at him, bewildered and suspicious. His eyes softened, and he reached up, cupping my face.
"Did you sleep well? Are you alright?" His gaze bore into mine, searching, and for a split second, I was sure I saw sothing genuine there—sothing deeper than what we usually shared.
I couldn’t form words, unsure what I felt at this strange turn of gentleness from him. Snow took my silence as sothing else entirely.
A flicker of a smile tugged at his lips as his gaze drifted from my eyes to my lips, lingering there with a look that made my heart skip another beat.
I swallowed, realizing what he intended a second too late. Just as I tried to pull back, his grip tightened, keeping close.
His gaze remained fixed on , drawing in, His head tilted as he leaned forward, our faces inches apart.
My breath caught, unable to tear my gaze from his as he drew closer, his eyes gleaming with sothing... possessive.
And then—a loud knock shattered the mont. We froze as the knock ca again, more insistent this ti.
"Zara!" a familiar voice called from the other side, breaking the silence. "It’s Aira. I’m back with everyone."
The word ’everyone’ lingered in the air between us, and for the first ti, I saw the faintest flicker of surprise in Snow’s eyes.
"Everyone?" I whispered, echoing the sentint, but Aira continued before I could question it further.
"Yes!" she called. "Little Storm and Layla, our pack’s healer!"
I glanced back at Snow, relieved but disappointed in a way I couldn’t quite place, but the intensity of the mont faded. Snow straightened, a small, almost sheepish smirk crossing his face as he gave a slight nod, releasing reluctantly.
"Well," he pulled away just enough to allow space, though he still looked at with that lingering warmth. "Looks like we’re having visitors."
"Yes," I replied, clearing my throat, sitting up, and smoothing my hair, trying to hide the slight fluster that still clung to .
The rational part of my mind scread at to push past whatever had just happened, to refocus on everything else going on. But the lingering heat of his touch seed to resist the logic I tried so hard to grasp.
Snow stood up, walking over to the door just as it swung open. Aira stepped in, her face lighting up when she saw sitting up.
Her warmth brought a sense of normalcy back into the room as little Storm trailed behind her, his eyes wide with excitent, and beside him was Layla, an older woman with wise eyes and a calm presence.
"Zara!" Aira rushed forward, embracing tightly. "I’m so glad you’re alright."
"Thank you," I whispered, returning the hug. I was happy she was here.
Aira pulled back, her gaze filled with relief as she gave a once-over, before looking briefly at Snow, who watched us with a small smile.
Layla stepped forward, observing as she looked over. "Let’s see how you’re holding up, dear," she said kindly. "We’ll get that wolfsbane out of your system in no ti."
Snow waited by the door as Layla examined . I t his eyes and he smiled.
Then I darted my gaze back to Layla and the things she brought out from her bag—herbs.
As if sensing my confusion, she lifted the herbs in front of . "The nine herbs. Best in removing wolfsbane from your system."
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