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.

Stella's handouts and was initially scared of fishing, but the scent

month of training, they could

joyfully towards Stella and dropped it

a live fish during the early

to pet Alpha's head, her heart heavy with

to go it

of conflict, Cooper was visibly

heartbroken but appeared to have come to

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

on for three months,

moment you could wear a tee,

starting to flourish

the RV, scanning the distant sea

was no longer in

tens of kilometers distant, and the salty scent of the sea was gone.

was once barren land now sprouted seaweed-like grasses

heard a pained cry in the

was driving Hugo away, biting him if he

drove him further away, several

times over their child, not

unhappy, but she

night, and before reaching home, Snowflake chased him away

the sad cries,

Oh, her precious grandpup!

a week, Hugo

pouring rain all day, neither eating nor

approached and gently scratched her

after half a month, Hugo's shadow

between the couple eventually

time passed, Snowflake regained her liveliness

started to show signs of

she had become increasingly silent, often burning

sit on a rock, gazing into the distance and losing

Hugo, but then she realized Rosie

deliberation, she

had asked, but Rosie only smiled,

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

garden and caring

head. "Is there something you can't tell your

consider me your brother anymore?" Jasper patted her shoulder. "I promised our parents I'd take care of you, and your sister-in-law is worried

Rosie remained silent.

just sat with