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Chapter 379
~Snow’s POV~
Ever since I arrived, I had been locked in my study for hours, drowning myself in work, trying to ignore the restless pull in my chest—the mate bond pull.
Glacier was agitated and pacing within like a caged beast. It wasn’t because of Zara—no, she was my peace, my anchor. It was because of her.
Vera.
Ever since I returned, I had done everything in my power to avoid her. To avoid the whispers of the mate bond I had long since buried under my love for Zara.
But my wolf? He wasn’t letting it go.
"She is hurting."
"She is not our mate, Glacier," I growled in my mind. "Zara is. End of discussion."
"You cannot deny the bond forever. The moon does not make mistakes."
I gritted my teeth, shutting my laptop with a frustrated sigh. I needed to clear my head. Maybe tomorrow, I could take Zara on our honeymoon, just the two of us. No pack business, no witches, no past—just us.
I would tell her everything then.
I ran a hand through my hair, already feeling lighter at the thought of escaping with my mate, when suddenly—the pull hit , sharply and suddenly it was so unrelenting.
A knock ca at my study door, but before I could answer, she stepped inside.
Vera.
I clenched my fists beneath my desk as I fought the mate bond’s instinctual reaction to her presence.
"Alpha Snow," she greeted softly, a small smile on her lips. In her hands, she held a steaming cup of coffee. "I thought you might need this."
I didn’t respond imdiately, my jaw tightening.
"Vera," I said carefully. "You shouldn’t be here."
She frowned slightly, tilting her head. "I was just worried about you. You’ve been locked up in here since you got back. I called even during your trip, but you didn’t answer. Were you avoiding ?"
"Of course not," I lied smoothly, my voice even. "I was just busy."
She took a slow step closer. "Are you sure?"
"Vani, umm Vera," I said, more firmly this ti. "You need to leave."
My wolf growled lowly at my words, but I ignored him.
Vani sighed, looking away as if she was contemplating sothing. And then, just as she took another step forward, she tripped.
The coffee cup slipped from her grasp, tilting forward.
"Ah!"
The scalding liquid spilled down her arm, the sharp hiss of burning skin filling the room.
Without thinking, I moved. I caught her before she could hit the ground, my arms wrapping around her to steady her.
She trembled slightly, her burned arm still steaming.
"Shit," I muttered, checking her wound. The skin was red and already beginning to blister. My wolf hated seeing her hurt.
Glacier was growling uncontrollably within .
I swallowed the instinct to comfort her and instead kept my tone firm. "Go to the butler. He’ll give you honey and salt. Your wolf’s healing abilities will take care of the rest."
Vani nodded, her eyes wide with unshed tears. "I—I will. But, Snow... I actually ca here to ask for your help with Zara."
I stiffened imdiately, my protective instincts flaring. "What about Zara?"
She hesitated, biting her lip. "I... I accidentally broke one of her favourite vases. She was really upset and scolded . I didn’t an to, but..." Her voice wavered, her expression softening.
I exhaled, forcing myself to look away. This was wrong.
But my wolf disagreed. He hated seeing his mate cry, even if she wasn’t the mate I had chosen.
Against my better judgnt, I reached out and patted her shoulder. "It’s alright. I’ll talk to her."
Vani’s eyes flickered with sothing unreadable. "Thank you," she whispered, stepping even closer.
Too close.
I was about to step back when, suddenly, her hands slid up my chest and I tensed for a mont. Then, she kissed .
My entire body tensed.
I tried to pull away, but Glacier fought , the mate bond’s pull snapping tightly around like chains. Just for a second, I froze. My wolf begged to respond and make a claim.
But I couldn’t. No. I forced him shut and pulled back. And that was the exact mont when I heard her—a sharp gasp echoed from the doorway.
The mate bond shattered like glass in my mind.
Vani barely had ti to break away before a forceful slap landed across her face. My head snapped up just as Vani stumbled backward, clutching her cheek.
Zara.
"You dare touch my mate?" she hissed, her entire body trembling with rage.
But before she could move again, I was suddenly between them. I did not think. I acted on instincts—Glacier’s instincts—and I rushed forward, shoving her back.
Zara held her ground, standing there, rage burning in her blue eyes, her breathing uneven, her fists clenched as she stared at .
But the worst part? The mate mark on her neck was flaring red, a clear sign of betrayal.
Fuck.
Before I could say a word, Zara’s hand struck again, but this ti, it landed on .
The sharp slap echoed in the study, and for a mont, everything stilled. I barely felt the pain. What hurt more was the broken look in her eyes.
Vani trembled under her gaze. "Zara," I breathed, stepping forward, but she stepped back, her breathing ragged.
Her voice trembled, but it was strong. "Don’t." And I felt my heart sink.
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~Zara’s POV~
Pain.
Raw, blinding pain tore through the mont I walked into the study and saw her.
Vani’s hands were on him and her lips on my husband.
I didn’t think—I acted.
The second they broke apart, my body moved on its own. My palm collided with Vani’s cheek with a sharp crack, sending her stumbling backward.
"You dare touch my mate?" I hissed, my entire body trembling with rage.
But before I could move again, Snow was suddenly between us. His hands shoved back with force.
I barely stumbled, my stamina keeping upright, but the shock of what he had just done was far worse than the impact.
Snow pushed —for her.
Everything inside snapped.
Slap.
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