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.

how much

have noticed the

the

slightly, voice quiet but firm. “Did

off guard. “What?”

H

the Shared Flame of Winter,” Cole reminded her. “Did

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

the past–always carried Alex in her arms

she

Aluba father

99.2%

Chapter 122

her, pressing against

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

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

words came out more detached than she intended, but she didn’t

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 the shared flame. And because he had loved it, she had stood beside him, carrying the ember home

year was different.

wasn’t by

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

declared cheerfully. “I’ll share

Nora froze.

her

say. The gesture was simple, yet it touched something deep within her, something she had

who had been quiet beside her, spoke

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

reassuring in his tone, as if he had sensed her

stand beside her.