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.

scent of blood soon

of training, they could

carrying a live fish, sprinted joyfully towards Stella

had caught a live

her heart heavy with reluctance. "Learn well from your mom, and

go it alone, steer

of conflict, Cooper was

seemed heartbroken but appeared to have come to

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

on for three months, from autumn

moment you could wear

greenery was starting to flourish around

in front of the RV, scanning the distant sea with

no longer in

couple hundred meters away. Now, it was tens of kilometers distant, and the salty scent of the sea was gone. The reduced marine influence meant

What was once barren land now sprouted seaweed-like grasses in

Stella heard a pained cry

away,

Snowflake drove him further away, several kilometers

fought several times over their child, not

unhappy, but

back one night, and before reaching home, Snowflake

the sad cries,

Oh, her precious grandpup!

week,

by the window, watching the pouring rain

gently scratched her head with

winter cold was bone-chilling, and after

the strained relationship between the

her liveliness and began

started to show

she had become increasingly silent,

would sit on a rock, gazing into

Rosie was just missing Hugo, but then she realized Rosie was lost in

she spoke

had asked, but Rosie only smiled,

too, and the answer remained the same, but Rosie's periods

the garden and

"Is

patted her shoulder. "I promised our parents

Rosie remained silent.

just sat with