Contract Marriage With Alpha Snow novel Chapter 495

Chapter 495: Meeting Alpha Xavier

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Chapter 495

~Crystal’s POV~

The late afternoon sun dipped low behind the tall trees surrounding the pack’s central training field, casting long golden shadows across the sparring ring.

I stood on the porch of the administration building, clipboard in hand, checking off the last few equipment orders and troop assignments.

My wolf was restless, pacing inside me like she sensed something was about to shift.

And she wasn’t wrong.

"Hey."

I turned at the familiar voice and there he was. Ryland. Dressed down in a dark fitted tee and jeans, his usual crisp demeanor softened by a hint of something more—maybe nerves. Maybe hope.

"You’re early," I said, smiling.

He shrugged with that easy confidence of his, though his eyes were watching me closely. "Didn’t want to risk being late. You might’ve changed your mind."

"I almost did." I raised a brow playfully, stepping off the porch. "But only because I thought you’d show up in a suit and ruin the mood."

He laughed, stepping beside me. "I left the suit for serious matters. This... this is something else."

"Something else?" I echoed, leading the way down the gravel path that led toward the gardens. "So are you saying that we are not serious, you and I?"

"We are," Richard countered instantly.

"Okay..." I drawled, enjoying how he fumbled for the right words.

He nodded after some time as though he had already found the answer he was looking for. "This is a beginning for us, and I wanted to make you feel comfortable."

We walked quietly for a while, our footsteps crunching over fallen leaves, the hush of the woods wrapping around us. The air smelled like pine and early blossoms. It was peaceful, familiar, and strangely electric with him beside me.

Ryland broke the silence first. "I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday."

I didn’t look at him, but I slowed my steps just a little. "And?"

"I don’t want you to feel like a second choice. You never were. I just wasn’t brave enough to admit where my heart was until I let go of what was weighing me down."

That got me. I stopped and turned to him, eyes searching. "Do you mean that?"

He stepped in, closing the space between us, his voice dropping. "With everything in me."

I blinked, surprised by the emotion in his tone. "So... why now?"

Ryland smiled gently, brushing a thumb across my cheek like he was afraid I’d vanish. "Because I don’t want another day to pass without you knowing how I feel. And because you’re the one I count on—even when I didn’t deserve it."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny box. I froze.

"It’s not a ring," he said quickly, lips twitching at my startled expression. "Not yet."

I exhaled, laughing. "Good, I was about to panic."

He opened the box to reveal a delicate silver pendant—shaped like a crescent moon wrapped around a crystal. "It reminded me of you. Quiet strength. Beauty without trying. Light in the dark."

My breath caught. It was simple, yet... personal. Perfect.

"I want to take you out, Crystal," Ryland said. "Not just today. For real. A proper relationship. If you’ll have me."

I stared at him, my throat suddenly tight. "You sure?"

"I’ve never been more sure of anything."

I took the necklace with trembling fingers, then met his gaze. "Okay, Ryland. You’re on."

He grinned and offered his arm. "Shall we?"

We walked into the evening together—me with a new necklace around my neck and him with a quiet smile that hadn’t left his face since I said yes.

And somewhere deep inside me, my wolf exhaled in contentment.

Maybe this time, I’d finally found the one who wouldn’t walk away.

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~Snow’s POV~

The morning sky stretched over Alexander’s estate like a canvas of pale blue silk, streaked with wisps of soft cloud. It was early, but not quiet.

Warriors moved with intent, and the courtyard bustled with preparation as Draven, Zeno, Alexander, and I prepared to depart.

The final phase of our journey had arrived.

It was time to get the influence of the five regions while preparing with the Lycans.

An all out war meant that no side was safe.

Alpha Alexander stood tall by the open terrace, his blond hair catching the rising sunlight. He looked sharp in a dark leather vest, the mark of his pack etched boldly on his left shoulder.

But today, there was something different about him—a ripple in the bond that echoed outward, subtle yet undeniable.

I approached him just as he embraced his mate, Luna Aelira. Her golden hair shimmered like sunlight itself, her wolf energy radiating calm strength.

"You’re sure about this?" she asked softly, her fingers brushing along his jaw.

Then, in one fluid moment, he leaned in and bit her gently along the crook of her neck, right where her mark already rested. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

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