CHAPTER 477: IN FOR A SURPRISE

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Chapter 477

~Snow’s POV~

When we got downstairs, Zara and Tempest were locked in an embrace while I turned to the window, watching Koda climbed out of the driver’s side, his eyes taking in the scene.

Tempest marched toward me, arms crossed. Before I could utter any word of greeting, she spoke first as I turned to face her. "Want to explain why you sent me a cryptic message in the middle of the night? I thought it was a war threat."

I raised both hands. "I needed you here fast."

She stopped inches from me, eyes narrowed. "So you lied?"

"I didn’t lie. I just... exaggerated."

Her nostrils flared. "You pulled me away from something very important. Do you know what it took for me to leave?"

Zara cleared her throat from beside me. "Let him explain first."

Tempest threw her hands up. "Fine. Talk."

I glanced between them, then looked at Koda. "There’s been chatter from the western border. Draven’s scouts intercepted two rogue packs crossing the territory lines. They were masked—no scents, no markings."

Tempest’s expression shifted. "That’s... coordinated."

"Exactly. That’s also why I’m going to meet with Draven. Alone."

"No," Tempest snapped. "You’re not going alone. I’ll come."

"No, you won’t," I said. "You just got back. You need to rest. Koda needs you. And I also need your help with Zara."

Koda raised a brow but said nothing.

"I’m not a china doll, Snow," Tempest retorted.

"Exactly my point. We do not need protecting, honey."

"No one said you were. But I’m the head of this house. I’ve made my decision," I declared, hoping that using my alpha voice would help seal in my command but those two were on eheck of a stubborn pair.

Tempest snorted. "We’ll see."

Koda stepped forward then, resting a hand lightly on her back. "Temp... maybe let him handle this. Just this once."

Tempest turned to him, something unspoken passing between them. I could see it in her eyes, the way her shoulders tensed, her clenched fist, her body language, everything—that she wanted to say something to refute me but instead, her jaw tightened, then she sighed.

"Fine. But you owe me."

"I always do."

I turned back to Zara, who looked half amused, half exasperated. "Go already," she muttered. "Before Tempest and I change our mind."

I kissed her one last time, and this one lingered, full of heat and promise.

"Bye, guys. Be vigilant and keep everyone safe."

I hugged Tempest and whispered in her ears. "You’re glowing, big sis. And I love it."

Then I headed out as one of the maids came to pick up my luggage while we headed out.

I climbed into the car, started the engine, and pulled away from the house, watching her in the rearview mirror until she was a blur.

Because no matter what I faced out there, no matter how ugly the road got...

Zara would be waiting when I got back.

And this time, I wouldn’t keep her waiting long.

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~Tempest’s POV~

The sound of Snow’s car faded into the distance, but the tension he’d stirred up lingered like static in the air.

I crossed my arms and turned toward Zara. "You’re too soft on him."

Zara didn’t even blink. "He’s my mate."

"That doesn’t make him right," I muttered, pacing a few steps before stopping. "Next time he tries to manipulate me with a ’this is urgent’ message, I’m kicking his ass."

Zara smiled faintly. "You could try."

Koda chuckled beside me warmly, and the sound settled the fire in my chest just enough to stop me from calling Snow back and chewing him out properly.

Instead, I turned my glare on Koda. "And you. You didn’t even defend me. Again."

"I didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire," he said with that irritatingly calm expression he wore when he knew I was about to explode.

I narrowed my eyes. "Coward."

He smirked. "Tactical observer."

"Ugh," I groaned, scrubbing a hand through my hair. "I can’t believe I dropped everything for that stunt."

"You didn’t drop everything," Koda said, stepping closer, his voice quiet. "You made a choice."

I looked up at him. He was too close now, heat rolling off him in slow waves. His hand brushed mine, just enough to remind me how last night ended—half-dressed, half-wrecked, and entirely his.

I swallowed. "Yeah, well. Next time I’ll choose differently."

He didn’t reply. Just watched me with that unreadable gaze, like he could see straight through the armour I hadn’t had time to rebuild yet.

"You still mad?" he asked in a low voice.

I tilted my head, letting the question sit. "Not mad. Irritated. There’s a difference."

"You sure?"

"No," I admitted. "Urgh. I am scared, alright. Scared of things going so bad and losing Snowagain."

Without waiting for an invitation, his hand found the back of my neck. My breath caught.

"You want to be distracted?" he asked, mouth close to my ear.

My skin broke out in goosebumps. I hated how easy it was with him, how just his voice could turn my spine to water.

But I didn’t pull away.

Instead, I leaned in, my nose brushing his. "You planning on distracting me?"

He growled low in his throat, and in one smooth motion, we left Zara alone, that’s if she hadn’t already left us, and he backed me into the wall of the packhouse.

Déjà vu.

His lips caught mine in a hungry kiss, hands anchoring my hips. I melted into him, fingers tangled in his shirt, tugging it loose. His teeth grazed my lower lip, then he pulled back, breathing hard.

"Upstairs," he rasped. "Your room. Now."

We didn’t make it far. Just enough to lock the bedroom door before we were tangled again. Koda backed me against the wall.

Clothes hit the floor in a mess of fabric and urgency. Koda’s mouth found my collarbone, then lower. He moved us towards the bed as he sucked at my breast, tongue flicking against the peak until I cried out, thighs trembling.

His hands splayed across my hips, holding me in place as he moved lower.

He knelt between my legs, spread me with rough, sure hands, and devoured me like he hadn’t eaten in days.

I forgot to breathe.

My fingers clutched the edge of the bed as he worked me open, slow and relentless. His tongue found a rhythm that stole my sanity, his fingers joining in a moment later, curling just right.

"Gods—Koda—"

He didn’t stop not even when I came apart with a sharp cry, hips jerking off the bed.

He climbed back up, kissed me with the taste of me still on his lips, and held me through the aftershocks, murmuring things I didn’t quite catch.

I stared up at the ceiling, heart still hammering.

"Was that the distraction you had in mind?" I asked when I could speak again.

"Close enough," he murmured, brushing sweat-slick hair from my face.

We lay in silence for a few minutes, tangled in sheets and each other.

Finally, I turned my head. "I hate that you’re always right."

"I’m not always right."

"Yes, you are. And it’s annoying."

He grinned. "Admit it. You like it."

I didn’t reply. Mostly because I couldn’t deny it. But the quiet didn’t last.

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~Author’s POV~

The palace was quiet, as it always was at this hour. But silence didn’t calm him. It never had.

Davion paced the length of his chamber barefoot, dressed only in black trousers and an open silk robe, his long silver hair with purple colour at the tips, trailing behind him like smoke.

His fingers were clenched around the now-crumpled letter he’d been carrying for the past hour.

He’d read it four times already. Still, he stopped again, unfolded it with slow, sharp movements, and read the words as if they might change.

From the Unified Council of Dragon Houses

Prince Davion Draco of the Obsidian Flame, your ascension has been delayed long enough. As per the laws of the Thirteenth Accord, you must choose a bride and wed before the next blood moon.

Failure to comply will result in your claim being reviewed and possibly revoked. We await your formal response with the name of your chosen bride and the date of your union.

—Signed, Lord Halrex on behalf of the High Council.

Davion’s jaw clenched.

He dropped the letter onto the mahogany table beside him and turned toward the tall glass window overlooking the glowing spires of the Dragon Palace.

The sky outside was a shade of velvet blue, the moon half-full and high. The night should’ve been calming, but his chest tightened instead.

His voice was low, more growl than words. "Zara Gold. If you had just agreed to my proposal and married me... I wouldn’t be in this situation."

He leaned against the window frame, one hand braced on the cool glass. The flickering torchlight reflected off his pale skin and the lean, hard planes of his chest. His breath fogged the glass.

Zara had been one of a kind, not to fall for his wealth and power.

She never flinched.

Which was probably why he’d never been able to forget her.

Davion turned away from the window and ran a hand through his hair, dragging it back from his face. He moved to the fireplace, tossing the letter into the flames. The parchment curled and blackened instantly.

His shoulders dropped as he exhaled slowly, deeply, trying to push the pressure away.

Then he froze.

A ripple danced through his spine, a sharp, sudden jolt like a storm shifting far in the distance.

His body stiffened. Something was wrong.