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.

hadn’t realized just how

must have noticed the shift

for the

quiet but firm.

off guard.

H

Flame of Winter,” Cole reminded her.

was an important part of the Frostwolf Celebration. Each family took a small ember from the central

Alex in her arms as they collected their blessing

this year, she

I left Aluba father and son

99.2%

Chapter 122

sharp wave of realization settled over her, pressing against the ache in her

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 been the only

retracted her gaze, shaking her head slightly. “I didn’t bring any. Let’s

came out more detached than she intended, but she

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

year was

wasn’t by her side.

step back from the altar, Abby reached out and pressed a small copper basin into her

Auntie, you can come with us this year!” Abby declared cheerfully. “I’ll share half of my warmth and happiness

Nora froze.

her chest,

something deep within her, something she had

respond, Cole, who had been quiet beside her, spoke up.

here to keep the kids company. If that’s the case, I’ll come along,

was something reassuring in his tone, as if he had sensed

stand beside her.