Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow Chapter 498: Getting Better at Control

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Chapter 498

~Snow’s POV~

Draven stared for a long mont, saying nothing. Then he placed a steady hand on my shoulder.

"You planning to tell the others?"

"Not yet," I said. "I need answers first. I’m leaving tomorrow morning to see the Lycan King’s priestess. If anyone knows what’s going on, it’s her. She would be the best bet in figuring this out before I go see Zara."

Alpha Draven nodded slowly. "Alright. Be good."

I looked at him. "Draven—"

"You’re a friend," he said simply. "And a great asset to this alliance. We can’t afford to lose the strongest Alpha in the kingdom. Be safe. Find your truth. And when you’re ready, we’ll be here."

His words hit harder than I expected. I placed my hand over his for a second. "Thank you."

He nodded once more and then walked back toward the others, who were still talking by the benches, clearly unaware of the exchange.

I turned away, pulling my hood back on properly this ti.

"Snow," Glacier whispered within . "You’ll need strength for what’s coming. But you’re not alone."

I knew that. And yet, sothing about this change terrified in ways even war never had.

What if I am turning into so kind of monster as punishnt for cheating death and Zara?

Would Zara still find lovable? Would she still want to be mine?

Later that night, I bid the rest of the Alphas goodnight. They didn’t question it. Zeno threw a lazy salute, Killian smirked, and Xavier told to get so real sleep for once.

I nodded at them all. "See you in the morning."

But even when I got inside and collapsed onto the bed, my mind was anything but quiet.

I pulled out my phone, staring at the hoscreen wallpaper. Zara’s smile stared back at . She was in nothing but her sexy bathing suit with a white net shawl tied over her hips.

I loved that picture as it made see more than her sexy side but the beautiful creation the moon goddess bestowed on .

The one thing that always grounded .

I missed her. Missed her scent, her laugh, the way she talked to like I wasn’t Alpha but just a man she loved.

I closed my eyes and imagined her voice, warm and teasing, calling dramatic for stressing too much.

Was she alright? Was she eating well? Sleeping properly?

I opened our last chat. Her last ssage was hours ago.

Zara:Don’t forget to sleep. We need you strong. I love you.

I stared at it longer than I should have, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. Then I typed:

:I love you, too. More than I can explain. I’ll be ho soon.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. But whatever this power was inside , whatever truth Lady Siona would reveal, I’d face it.

Not just for the alliance or for the pack but for her, for Zara and the future we were fighting for.

**************

~Zara’s POV~

It had been a while since I trained with Siona—too long. Between the council etings, rogue reports, and the never-ending stream of administrative nonsense, my days were consud by strategy and politics over Zoom calls with my mother and pack.

I missed the feel of movent, the rush of magic under my skin, the way the world quieted when I was focused on sothing other than survival.

This morning, I woke up and stared at my calendar. Full. Again.

But for once, I didn’t care.

I turned off my phone, ignored my schedule, and pulled on my training gear—form-fitting leggings, a cropped sports top, and light boots that gave just enough grip without weighing down.

My body was humming with restless energy, and I needed to let it out before it swallowed whole.

As if on cue, my phone vibrated just after breakfast when I turned it on, hoping to ssage Snow.

Siona:I’m coming over. Gear up. No excuses.

I smiled at the ssage. She always knew what I needed. Without a second thought, I finished my al and got ready to head for training.

By the ti the sun was fully over the treetops, Siona stepped onto the training grounds behind the estate.

Dressed in sleek white tactical wear, her white hair was tied in a high braid, and her expression was all mischief.

"Well, well," she said, striding over. "You actually beat here."

"I’m not always late," I shot back, stretching my arms over my head.

"You’re right," she smirked. "Sotis you cancel altogether."

I rolled my eyes. "Just train ."

Siona grinned, pleased. "That’s what I like to hear."

We began with hand-to-hand, quick warm-up drills, kicks, blocks, and strikes. My muscle mory kicked in faster than I expected.

Siona didn’t go easy. She never did. But even as I deflected her attacks and landed a few counters, I could feel the magic stirring in my core.

It was wild and eager.

"You’ve been holding back," she said, breathless as we broke apart. "Your body’s stronger, but your energy’s... twitchy. You’re bottling it."

"I know," I panted. "I just haven’t had a chance to release—"

"No more excuses."

She took three steps back and her hands flared with light. A pale, fiery aura danced around her fingers, swirling into a blade-like construct.

"Let’s channel it," she said. "Magic to magic."

I nodded and focused. The wind picked up around us, responding to my intent. I reached inward, pulling at the tight coil of energy buried deep in my gut.

A flicker sparked in my palms—blue at first, then streaks of silver. It pulsed familiarly and dangerously.

I stepped into a stance and flung it forward. Siona deflected the blast with a twist of her wrist. "More control."

I breathed deep and tried again.

The next burst was sharper, focused like a spear. She caught it midair and hurled a fireball in return.

I dodged left, letting it explode behind , then snapped my hand forward, casting a barrier. The impact sent a ripple through my shield, but it held.

"Yes!" she called. "Good reaction!"

We circled each other, throwing bursts of energy, then closing the distance with enhanced speed.

My magic surged through my limbs, boosting my strikes, empowering my dodges.

Every ti Siona launched a challenge—telekinetic grabs, fire arcs, energy shields—I responded with sothing sharper, sothing stronger.

A flare of wind magic knocked her back, just slightly.

She landed in a crouch, panting. "You’re getting better."

I didn’t answer because I was already moving, casting runes mid-step. Blue sigils burned into the air as I ran past them, drawing their power into my fists.

Siona t with a counter spell, but I cut through it, magic crackling across my arms.

When our hands clashed in the final strike, a wave of energy rippled out from the impact, pushing dust and leaves outward in a wide circle.

We both stood there, unmoving, breathing heavily.

Siona blinked, then laughed. "Now that’s what I wanted to see."

I dropped my arms, letting the glow fade. "So? Am I ready?"

"You’re not just ready," she said, stepping closer. "You’re stabilizing. You’ve always had raw power, Zara, but now? Now you’re learning how to use it."

She placed her hand on my shoulder. "Keep training. Push further. If sothing big is coming, your magic will be key."

I nodded, still catching my breath. "I can feel it, you know. Sothing’s shifting. Snow... sothing’s changing with him, too."

Siona’s smile faded into sothing more serious. "Then you both need to be ready. For each other, and for what’s coming."

I looked toward the horizon, toward the direction he had gone.

"I will be."

*******

By the ti Siona and I returned to the mansion, the sun had shifted high overhead. Our limbs ached in the best way, and our clothes clung to us with sweat and effort.

My skin still buzzed faintly with residual energy—my magic content, but humming like it wanted more.

"I needed that," I sighed, pushing the door open.

"You’re welco," Siona grinned as we stepped inside. "I need to get back to Kaid, though. He’ll throw a fit if I’m late again."

I nodded. "Tell him to chill. You were doing goddess work."

She rolled her eyes playfully, already tapping into her phone as she walked down the hall. "See you tomorrow."

The door shut behind her, and just like that, the house felt... empty.

Storm and Aira were out—Storm was at school, and Aira had left with Zade earlier in the morning to check on a border incident.

Tempest had gone to visit Koda. The house was silent in a way that should’ve felt peaceful, but only made more aware of how alone I was.

I wandered into the kitchen, muscles sore, fingers tingling. Then I stopped.

A plate of freshly baked cookies sat in the centre of the island counter.

Still warm, their sweet scent curling into the air—chocolate chip, my favourite. A small smile tugged at my lips. I didn’t know which maid had baked them, but I made a ntal note to give her a raise.

I pulled a tall glass from the cabinet and opened the freezer, grabbing one of the chilled orange juices I’d been craving all week.

Then I sat down at the counter, the cold marble soothing against my arms as I bit into a cookie.

It lted in my mouth—soft, gooey, perfect. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the silence wrap around .

The good kind of silence.

For a while, I didn’t move; I just sipped juice and finished two cookies without guilt.

As it always did lately, my mind drifted to Snow and not Davion.

I missed him more than I wanted to admit. Not just his voice or his touch, but his presence.

That intensity, the way he listened even when I wasn’t speaking, the calm he brought into every room he entered.

I glanced around, half-expecting to hear his voice calling from the door but didn’t.