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Chapter 400
~Snow’s POV~
Later That Night – Gazebo
The crisp night air did little to soothe my frustration.
I sat in the gazebo, a glass of whiskey in hand, staring blankly at the moonlit garden.
I had signed the papers.
I had done what Zara wanted.
So why did it feel like I had just made the biggest mistake of my life?
"Drinking alone?"
I exhaled harshly. "Go away, Vera."
Ignoring , she glided into the gazebo, carrying a tray with a small cake and another glass of whiskey.
"Don’t be like that," she cooed, setting it down in front of . "I thought we could celebrate. After all, you’re finally free."
I scoffed, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. "I’m not free."
Vera’s eyes flickered dangerously, but she kept her tone light. "Not yet. But soon."
I set my glass down with more force than necessary, leaning back in my seat. "What do you really want, Vera?"
She sat beside , her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "I want you to be happy."
I gave a bitter laugh. "Bullshit."
She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
"Alright," she admitted, "I want us to be happy. And we can be, Snow."
I shot her a sharp look. "You and I will never be a ’we.’"
Her fingers clenched subtly against the table before she forced herself to relax.
"Then bring her back."
I stiffened.
Vera leaned in slightly, her expression unreadable. "Bring Zara ho."
I narrowed my eyes. "Why the sudden change? I thought you wanted her gone. You wanted us to be happy?"
"I do," she said smoothly, "but I also know you. And if bringing her back makes you see as less of a threat, then I’ll help."
My jaw tightened.
I didn’t trust her.
Not for a damn second. And the more she spoke, the more she confird my friends’ words. I didn’t know her well enough, so how could I just fall for her sob story?
But if Vera thought supporting would get her closer to whatever twisted plan she had, she was dead wrong.
I would play her ga.
And then, I would burn her whole fucking world down.
For Zara.
’Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.’
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~Vera’s POV~
Rage simred inside like a slow-burning fire. Snow was slipping further away. And it was all because of her.
Zara.
That pathetic excuse of a woman who had stolen everything that should have been mine.
I paced my room, my nails digging into my palms. The more Snow distanced himself, the more I realized sothing—I was losing.
And I didn’t like losing.
I stopped abruptly, my mind made up. If I couldn’t have Snow, then no one could.
Especially not her.
Without wasting another second, I grabbed my cloak and slipped out of the mansion, my steps quick and silent as I made my way to the gardens, then beyond, into the darkness of the forest.
The night was thick with mist, the towering trees looming like ancient sentinels. The further I walked, the deeper the shadows stretched, wrapping around like a cloak of secrecy.
I knew exactly where I was going.
A hidden clearing nestled in the heart of the forest—a place where only those who truly understood the dark arts dared to step foot.
The mont I reached it, I exhaled sharply and dropped to my knees, pulling out the small pouch tied to my waist.
Inside was everything I needed—white salt, blackthorn ash, crushed bones, and the blood of a wolf.
I drew a perfect circle around myself with the white salt, carving ancient symbols into the dirt—symbols of summoning and power.
Of death.
As I worked, the air grew heavy and thick with dark energy. The trees surrounding seed to tremble, whispering warnings, but I didn’t care.
This had to be done.
I placed a small black candle in the center of the circle, my lips parting as I began to chant.
The ancient words left my tongue in a hushed, rhythmic whisper, curling into the air like tendrils of smoke. My pulse quickened as power surged through my veins.
The fla of the candle flickered—then exploded into a dark crimson hue.
The earth beneath trembled.
A sudden gust of wind howled through the clearing, and from within the depths of the shadows, sothing answered.
The air rippled.
And then—he appeared.
A towering figure materialized within the summoning circle, his presence dripping with raw, unbridled power.
He wasn’t a re werewolf.
He was sothing worse.
Half-wolf, half-demon. A nightmare incarnate.
His skin was dark as the void itself, with glowing veins of crimson tracing intricate patterns up his arms. His wolf-like eyes burned with a malevolent hunger, and his lips curled in a cruel smirk.
"You called, little witch?" His voice was deep, rough—dangerous.
I lifted my chin, masking the slight tremor in my fingers. "I have a task for you."
His smirk widened, revealing sharp, gleaming teeth. "Oh? And what does a desperate woman like you need from ?"
I stepped forward, the wind whipping my hair around my face. "There’s a girl. A problem."
His burning gaze flickered with amusent. "And you want her gone."
"Yes." I clenched my fists. "She’s in my way. Zara Zephyr. The mont she steps foot near Snow Zephyr’s mansion, I want you to capture her. Kill her if necessary."
The creature humd, tilting his head. "A simple request."
I nodded, my breath shallow. "Do this for , and I will give you whatever you desire."
A dark chuckle rumbled from his chest. "Oh, I already know what I want."
Before I could react, he lifted a single clawed finger and dragged it through the air.
A searing pain blood in my chest, spreading like wildfire. I gasped, doubling over as heat surged through , binding us.
A contract.
Magic pulsed through the clearing, locking us together in an unbreakable deal.
The demon-wolf grinned, his voice a sinister whisper.
"It’s done."
And just like that, Zara’s fate was sealed.
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