Crippled Luna's Farewell: Half A Life Without My Alpha's Deadly Deception

Chapter 136

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 Sarah was here too. And is that Cole with her?"

Arnold's eyes lingered on Sarah a second longer before he finally looked away. His voice was indifferent. "Probably a coincidence."

Linda tilted her head slightly, watching Sarah 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."

Sarah, 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 Sarah's hand he held onto so tightly.

She hadn't realized just how much things had changed.

the shift in her posture because he leaned in slightly, voice quiet but firm.

blinked, caught

Shared Flame of Winter," Cole reminded her. "Did you bring anything to

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

had always brought one in the past—always carried Alex in her arms as

year,

settled over her, pressing against the ache

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

slightly. "I didn't bring any. Let's forget about it

more detached than she intended, but she didn't correct

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

this year

wasn't by her

step back from the altar, Abby reached out and pressed

Auntie, you can come with us this year!" Abby declared cheerfully. "I'll share half

Sarah froze.

her

didn't know what to say. The gesture was simple, yet it touched something deep within her, something

Cole, who had been quiet beside her, spoke

either," he said casually. "I was just here to keep the kids company. If