After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

Chapter 122

Something unreadable flickered across his face. Not anger, not surprise–just something quiet, buried beneath layers

of restraint.

Linda, however, had no such restraint. Her lips curled slightly, and in a voice just loud enough for Arnold to hear, she mused, “I didn’t realize Nora was here too. And is that Cole with her?”

Arnold’s eyes lingered on Nora a second longer before he finally looked away. His voice was indifferent. “Probably

a coincidence.”

Linda tilted her head slightly, watching Nora with an expression that was difficult to decipher–something between amusement and calculation.

Alex, still engrossed in the festival, barely noticed the exchange. He was too busy tugging at Linda’s hand, eyes wide with excitement. “Can we go get the fire now?” he asked eagerly.

Linda smiled down at him, her fingers brushing through his hair in a way that looked so natural, so effortless. “Of

course.”

Nora, having turned back to face the celebration, caught sight of them just as Alex led Linda toward the sacred

flame.

Her heart gave a sharp, painful lurch.

It wasn’t the sight of Arnold that made her feel unsteady. It wasn’t even Linda’s presence.

It was Alex.

The way he reached for Linda, the way he sought her out first, when once upon a time, it had always been Nora’s

hand he held onto so tightly.

realized just how much things had

the

for the

in slightly, voice quiet but firm. “Did you

blinked, caught off guard.

H

her. “Did

important part of the Frostwolf Celebration. Each family took a small ember from the central fire, carrying it home as a symbol of

always brought one in the past–always carried Alex in

she had forgotten.

Aluba father

99.2%

Chapter 122

realization settled over her, pressing against the ache in her chest.

looked back toward Alex–saw him excitedly holding onto Linda, preparing to receive the ember from the sacred fire–she realized that maybe, just maybe, she had

didn’t bring any. Let’s forget about

detached than she intended, but

had never been particularly drawn to these traditions. The only reason she had participated all these years was because of Alex. He had always loved the Frostwolf Celebration, delighting in every part of the ritual, from the dancers to

this year was

wasn’t by her side.

from the altar, Abby reached out and pressed a small

declared cheerfully.

Nora froze.

in her chest, unexpected

touched something deep within her, something

Cole, who had been quiet beside

said casually. “I was just here to keep the kids company. If that’s the case, I’ll come along, too.”

tone, as if he had sensed her hesitation and chosen, without pressing, to

stand beside her.