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 much

have noticed the shift in

for the

leaned in slightly, voice quiet but firm. “Did

off guard.

H

Winter,” Cole reminded her. “Did you bring anything

a small ember from the central fire, carrying it home as a symbol of

in the past–always carried Alex in

year, she had

left Aluba father and son went craz

99.2%

Chapter 122

of realization settled over her, pressing against the ache

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

retracted her gaze, shaking her head slightly. “I didn’t bring any. Let’s forget about it this year.”

out more detached than she intended, but she

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

this year

wasn’t by her side.

Abby

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

Nora froze.

bloomed in her chest, unexpected and disarming.

yet it touched something deep within her, something she had been trying to ignore all night–the feeling of being left

she could respond, Cole, who had been quiet beside her, spoke

didn’t bring one either,” he said casually. “I was just here to keep the kids company. If that’s the case,

his tone, as if he had

stand beside her.