Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow Chapter 491: The Love Birds’ Visit

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Chapter 491

~Zara’s POV~

I hadn’t even dropped my keys on the entryway table before I sensed them—voices, ones I recognised and laughter.

Then his scent.

I paused mid-step, eyes narrowing as I toed off my heels and made my way toward the living room.

Sure enough, there she was—Ella—curled up on the couch, cheeks flushed with that unmistakable glow.

And beside her, lounging like he had every right to be there, was none other than Richard, the Lycan King’s Beta.

I blinked.

She was smiling at him—that smile that spoke volus and love. He was smiling back.

I blinked again.

"Okay," I said slowly, setting my bag down on the nearest chair. "What the heck is going on, girl?"

Ella looked up, startled, but not guilty. Richard turned his head calmly toward , lips twitching. I scanned the room instinctively, nose twitching for any trace of Kaid.

No scent. No presence, but then again, he could have masked his scent, right?

I exhaled. "One question," I said, levelling my gaze at Richard. "Did Kaid send you?"

"Zara, seriously," Ella groaned, already covering her face.

"I gotta ask," I said, lifting a brow. "Because there’s hardly anything that King won’t do to keep tabs. I an, is there a cara in the fruit bowl? Should I check?"

Richard actually laughed, shaking his head. "No, I promise. I’m here not on his behalf." He glanced sideways at Ella, his voice softening. "I’m here with her."

My brows lifted. "Interesting. Please, sit."

"We’re already—" Ella started, but I waved a hand and dropped into the armchair opposite them.

As if on cue, one of the housemaids drifted in with a silver tray—snacks, drinks, the usual courtesy fare. I thanked her, but my eyes were fixed on the pair on my couch.

Ella looked... giddy. Too giddy.

I narrowed my eyes at her and took a slow sip from my glass of fruit juice. "Care to explain what’s got you all flushed and fluttery, hmm?"

Ella opened her mouth, but I held up a hand. "Wait. Let guess. You’re pregnant?"

She froze. Richard blinked and choked on his drink.

"You guys already—?" I leaned forward dramatically. "You did it, didn’t you?"

Ella looked like she might lt into the sofa. "Zara!"

But I was having too much fun now.

"Oh my goddess," I said, eyes wide and mock-scandalised. "You have! Or wait—wait." I pointed a finger at Richard. "You haven’t, have you?"

Richard cleared his throat and turned his gaze anywhere but at . "That’s... uh... private."

"Ohhhh, you haven’t," I said, grinning like a cat who caught the canary. "What are you waiting for? The next moon cycle? A handwritten decree from Kaid?"

Ella squealed and threw a cushion at , but it missed and thudded uselessly to the floor. "Zara, please!"

I laughed, loud and full, the sound filling the room with sothing warm and bright that I hadn’t felt in days. Not since everything with Snow... and Vera.

"You’re too easy to fluster," I said, wiping at my eyes as my laughter died down. "I’m teasing. But seriously. You two look... good."

Richard smiled, this ti more relaxed, like he wasn’t expecting approval and didn’t need it—but appreciated it anyway.

Ella, cheeks still pink, gave a narrow-eyed glare. "You’re impossible."

"Did you forget what I was like when Snow and I started?" I smirked. "When we got newly married? The chaos. The teasing. The long, awkward silences in the halls. And then you! You literally scread fuck him!"

"You made them awkward," she shot back. "And yes, I stand by it. He was a walking male testosterone, telling you he needed to be inside you, but you were... I an the tension was just so..."

"True," I agreed with a grin. "But they were fun." I glanced at Richard, then back at Ella. "What do you have to say for yourself, hmm?"

Ella looked at , and for once, didn’t laugh or scoff. Instead, she gave a small, genuine smile and shrugged. "I’m not sure what this is yet. But it feels... safe. And that’s new."

I nodded once, thoughtfully. "Then that’s all that matters."

No one spoke for a mont. Just the sound of the ice shifting in our glasses and the low hum of the house breathing around us.

And for that mont, we were all just... still.

Ella shifted on the couch, clearly bracing herself. That quiet kind of bracing, where soone’s about to say sothing that matters but is praying you don’t throw another taphorical shoe at their face.

I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, no. You’re doing the thing."

"What thing?" she asked, too quickly.

"That squirmy thing you do when you’re about to say sothing major and hope I don’t make it bigger than it is."

"I’m not—"

"Ella."

She sighed. "Fine."

Then, straightening her spine a little like she was steeling herself for war, she said, "We’re giving ourselves a chance."

I blinked. "To do what? Kiss more or get pregnant?"

"Zara!" Ella huffed as I chuckled at her. "To be a couple, Zara. Like... a real one. We are willing to give ourselves a chance with the matebond."

I clutched my chest dramatically. "Oh stars. You said the C-word."

Richard let out a soft laugh beside her and rubbed the back of his neck like he was half-proud, half-busted.

"A couple, huh?" I drawled, resting my chin on my palm. "So this is serious? Committed? Romantic walks? Matching towels?"

"Not the towels," Richard said, deadpan. "But yeah. Serious."

Ella pouted. "Definitely towels."

I held back the urge to burst into deep laughter as I watched them.

I recalled my past life and how far I had co, living life like it was my first ti. Especially knowing the fact that I wouldn’t be losing my friend because of a mistakeable relationship and a guy who wasn’t worthy of her tears.

If only she knew how devastating my last life was without her.

I arched a brow. "Well, look at you both—full-on relationship vibes. I’m so proud. I might cry."

"You’re impossible," Ella muttered, but she was smiling too hard to be mad.

Then Richard turned to , his expression gentler but more resolved. "There’s more."

"More than the couple reveal?" I gasped. "Is she pregnant and moving in?"

He chuckled, leaning back with one arm draped over the back of the couch behind Ella. "What’s with you and , getting her pregnant?"

I shrugged sincerely. "Maybe it ans you two would finally fuck and get serious, because if you don’t," my gaze darkened, "I’m coming for you."

Before my words could settle in deeply, watching as both their faces lost their smiles, I burst into another peal of laughter.

"Gosh, it’s so funny."

Richard sighed. I knew, probably in his mind, he wondered if that would have been what he dealt with if I had beco Luna by marrying Kaid.

"I’m taking her with to the Lycan Kingdom."

Ella gave a small nod, sliding her hand over his.

My eyes widened, but this ti it wasn’t mock-shock—it was real. "You’re leaving?"

"We’re leaving," Richard corrected softly.

"Just for a while," Ella added quickly. "I’m not abandoning you. I’ll be back."

I looked between them, the way their fingers brushed, the comfort in their closeness. Then I exhaled and gave them both a slow smile. "Wow."

"You okay?" Ella asked.

"I’m happy," I said honestly. "You deserve this. You deserve soone who looks at you like you’re their favorite Chapter."

Ella looked like she might cry for real now, so I quickly grinned again and waved a hand. "Okay, okay, enough feelings. Back to the important stuff."

Richard groaned. "Oh goddess."

"So." I leaned in. "Truthfully, answer . Have we done the deed yet or is the Lycan Kingdom gonna get the premiere show?"

"Zara!" Ella yelped, face flaming.

"I’m just saying! Man’s got muscles and dark bedroom energy. Don’t tell you’ve been holding out."

Ella buried her face in her hands, but Richard... oh, poor guy. He just shook his head and laughed, even if his ears were visibly turning red.

"Not that it’s your business," he said, "but the Kingdom will be... informative."

I blinked. "Informative? Did you just use a diplomatic term to describe sex?"

Ella groaned louder. "Stop. Both of you."

"I’m not even mad," I said, sipping my drink. "I’m just proud. That’s Alpha-level self-control. But don’t hold back too long or you’re gonna pop sothing."

Richard chuckled under his breath. "You are so much worse than Kaid."

"Please, Kaid wishes he had my flair."

Ella finally peeked up through her fingers, eyes shining. "You’re not mad?"

I smiled and reached out to take her hand. "I’m not mad. I’m in love with the fact that you’re in love. Or at least halfway there. That bond is no joke."

Richard looked at Ella, and the way he stared at her said it all. Not halfway. Full speed. No hesitation.

Ella turned to him slowly, visibly calming under his gaze.

"Well," I said with a grin, "just make sure I get a front row seat to the wedding... and maybe don’t na your first pup after unless you want them cursed with sarcasm."

"I’m not naming my kid Zara," Richard muttered.

"Why not? It’s powerful. Elegant. Impossible to ignore," I countered.

"Exactly," he said, and Ella burst into laughter beside him.

We sat there for a while— curled in my favorite chair, legs tucked beneath , Ella still nestled close to Richard like she wasn’t even aware of it. Like it had beco instinct.

I watched them with a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.

"So," I said, stretching my arms behind my head, "how long before you two start fighting over closet space?"