After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Arnold’s voice came through, casual but with an undertone of something unspoken. “Are you free today? Alex wants to hang out with Abby.”

Cole leaned against the wall, glancing toward Nora, who had gone back to reading but seemed slightly aware of his presence. He replied evenly, “I’m taking Abby out today. Maybe another time.”

Arnold let out a short chuckle. “You’ve been going out more lately.”

Cole smirked faintly, though there was an edge of something else in his expression. “Abby’s been opening up more.

She’s not as reserved as before.”

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call, but as Cole slipped his phone back into his pocket, something lingered in his mind.

Arnold knew all of this knowledge–probably even more than Cole did–but he had never been willing to teach

Nora.

His eyes darkened slightly at the thought.

The marriage between Arnold and Nora had always been surrounded by rumors.

Many people say that it was Nora’s underhanded tactics that forced Arnold to have to marry her in the first place.

Cole had believed it too, once. But after spending time with her, after seeing how she carried herself with quiet dignity, it was getting harder to reconcile that image with reality.

And then there was Linda–the woman who had somehow inserted herself between them.

anyone had been underhanded, wasn’t it

ignore the fact that Arnold had always resented the very idea of ‘mates‘–that he had resisted his connection to Nora

rebellion against fate, against something he

aware of what he truly

quickly, their conversation stretching longer

even the nature of ambition. Cole found himself surprised at how easy it

knowledgeable; she had a sharp, analytical mind, the kind that dissected

realized how much time had slipped away, the sun was already beginning

99.1%

the large

bathed the room in warmth, making the atmosphere feel strangely intimate,

finally closed her book, her fingers resting lightly on the worn cover,

satisfied expression flickered across her face, “Thanks for today,” she said, her voice carrying an unspoken

his chair, a relaxed smile forming, “You can ask me anything, anytime. I won’t mind.”

by his gentleness. She had expected professionalism, maybe some casual politeness, but this–this warmth was unexpected. It lingered between them, like an

side of the room, Elisa had been

been a constant background melody throughout the afternoon.

they were all preparing to leave, a strange but comfortable

Cole watched Nora step away, he found himself speaking without

slightly, her expression unreadable, but there was something steady in her voice. “See you

the silence of the car giving her space to think.

they were simply acquaintances. That was

sharing her observations with Alexander. She leaned against the doorframe of his office, arms crossed, a knowing smile playing

glanced up at