18 Floors Above the Apocalypse

Chapter 524

Jasper eyed Snowflake, the stubborn glint in her eyes undimmed even in defeat. "Snowflake hasn't been tamed," he mused. "She's just bowing to reality for now."

Surviving in the Arctic was no picnic, and a lone wolf like her would've eventually been snuffed out by humans, but then she met Cooper...

Their love was the real deal, no question. She chose to stay, but that didn't mean she wanted this life for her pups.

So, she raised them until they were old enough, then started teaching them the ropes of survival.

Stella got it. "Does Snowflake want to send Hugo back to the wild?"

That's what Jasper thought. Why else would such a close-knit couple be at each other's throats?

Even the best couples have their brawls, neither willing to back down.

Stella felt torn. Hugo had grown quite attached to her, and the idea of him being driven away was gut-wrenching.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say she doted on him like a cherished grandchild.

But Snowflake was Hugo's real mom, and each species had its own way of living. Stella had no right to make decisions for them.

Suddenly, Stella thought of Daniel. He'd almost made it to the courthouse, ready to tie the knot, but in the end, he chose to accept a mission from the state.

In that moment, she understood Snowflake's actions.

It hurt, but Stella didn't interfere. She just turned and walked away.

If Snowflake was Hugo's mom, then Rosie was like a second mom to them.

She couldn't fully grasp it, but she took her brother's words to heart.

That evening, the couple came home with the kids.

Despite the rough play, only minor scrapes were visible, and the silent treatment between the adults began.

The next day, Snowflake took Hugo out again.

Predictably, another fierce battle broke out, but Cooper didn't run to Stella to complain.

He probably knew Stella was protective and might go after Snowflake.

Stella was both amused and concerned but chose not to step in.

She kept a close watch, though. Snowflake was smart-maybe she'd taken Stella's previous advice to heart, just like her own mother might've taught her.

Snowflake's fishing skills were top-notch. She wouldn't eat the deformed fish, instead teaching her pups the tricks of the trade.

was initially scared of fishing, but the scent of

a month of training, they could catch live fish

joyfully towards Stella and

when Cooper had caught a live fish during the early days of

her heart heavy with reluctance. "Learn well from

you have to go it

of conflict, Cooper was visibly

but appeared to have come to terms with

out every day, leading her pups either to the sea or to the mountains,

on for three

you could wear a tee,

freezing. But greenery was starting to flourish around

in front of the RV, scanning the

was no

had first arrived, the sea was only a couple hundred meters away. Now, it was tens of kilometers distant, and the

now sprouted seaweed-like grasses in several places,

in thought, Stella heard a pained

away, biting him if he

Snowflake drove him further away, several

their child, not speaking to each

clearly unhappy,

back one night, and before reaching home, Snowflake chased

sad

Oh, her precious grandpup!

a week, Hugo truly

window, watching the pouring rain

and gently scratched

after half a month, Hugo's

the strained relationship between the couple eventually

time passed, Snowflake regained her liveliness and began to

Rosie started to show

increasingly silent,

she would sit on a rock, gazing into the distance

thought Rosie was just missing Hugo, but

much deliberation, she

had asked, but Rosie only smiled, "Sis, I'm

the answer remained the same, but Rosie's periods of

stopped tending the garden

and gently stroked her head. "Is there something you can't tell your brother?" Rosie came

promised our parents I'd take care of you,

Rosie remained silent.

sat with