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.

fishing, but the scent

more than a month of training,

joyfully towards Stella

remembered when Cooper had caught a live fish during the early

down to pet Alpha's head, her heart heavy with reluctance. "Learn well

go it alone, steer clear of

conflict, Cooper was visibly

heartbroken but appeared to have come

pups either to the sea or to the mountains, moving with agility across the

training went on for three

one moment you could wear

freezing. But greenery was starting to flourish around the

of the RV, scanning the distant sea with her

was no longer

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

once barren land now

heard a

away, biting him if he

but with each bite, Snowflake drove him

several times over their child, not speaking to

unhappy, but

one night, and before reaching

hearing the sad cries, covered

Oh, her precious grandpup!

a week, Hugo truly

by the window, watching the pouring rain all day, neither eating

and gently scratched her head

after

between

time passed, Snowflake regained her liveliness and began to eat

to

departure, she had become increasingly silent, often burning the food

she would sit on a rock, gazing into the distance

first, Stella thought Rosie was just missing Hugo, but then she

she spoke to

asked, but Rosie

and the answer remained the same, but Rosie's periods of absent-mindedness

garden and caring

head. "Is there something

me your brother anymore?" Jasper patted her shoulder. "I promised our parents I'd take

Rosie remained silent.

just sat with