Chapter 74

Guilt settled in Nora’s chest. “I know, sweetheart. I’ve just been busy.”

Abby brightened. “That’s okay! Guess what? I started painting! Uncle Cole got me a big sketchbook, and I drew a picture of you!”

Nora blinked in surprise. “You did?”

Abby nodded enthusiastically. “Wait! Let me show you!”

She disappeared off–screen, rustling through papers.

Nora glanced at Cole. His face was unreadable, but there was a quiet softness in his eyes.

A moment later, Abby returned, holding up a simple drawing–her and Nora standing together, both smiling.

Nora’s throat tightened. “That’s beautiful, Abby,” she said warmly. “You’re very talented.”

Abby beamed. “Come see me soon, okay?”

Before Nora could respond, a voice called Abby’s name from the background. The little girl pouted. “I have to go! Bye, Auntie! Bye, Uncle Cole!”

The call ended. Silence lingered between Nora and Cole.

The two strolled through Spa Hills at night, the sound of rustling leaves and distant murmurs of other guests filling the silence between them.

The moonlight cast long shadows along the pathway, and the cool night breeze carried the faint scent of pine and mineral water from the hot springs.

Cole’s phone call with Abby had ended minutes ago, yet the words still lingered in Nora’s mind.

When he had turned to her and said, “Abby likes you a lot,” there had been something strange in his tone–something softer than she had ever heard from him before.

glanced at him from the corner

her mind, Cole had always been a powerful and cold werewolf, a man of few words and even fewer

emotions.

commanded attention, not through arrogance

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Clupter 24

a look on his face that could be called

has a tender side after all,”

On the side of the road, a figure stood watching them, her delicate features barely concealed by the flickering light from the

Linda.

in the

she masked it well with a pleasant smile as she

her voice smooth

even glancing at Nora, she tilted her head slightly and asked, “Are you coming to the

understood her position in the

to. With

she murmured. “You two enjoy

for a response, her footsteps quiet against the stone

party

the lodge was buzzing with excitement. The party was about to begin. Laughter and music spilled from the

high spirits, leaned toward Alex with an amused glint in his eyes.

hesitated, He wasn’t sure she wanted to follow that

Nora joining the party made him uneasy, as

laughter, the occasional

chat..

could respond, Arnold stood

he

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