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.

leaned in slightly, voice quiet but firm. "Did you bring

blinked, caught off

of Winter," Cole reminded her. "Did you

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

carried Alex in her

year, she

realization settled over her,

as she 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

her gaze, shaking her head slightly. "I didn't bring any. Let's forget about it

came out more detached than she intended,

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 the shared flame. And because he had loved it, she

this year was

by

as she was about to step back from the altar, Abby reached out and pressed

can come with us this year!" Abby declared cheerfully. "I'll share half of my warmth

Sarah froze.

bloomed in her chest, unexpected

say. The gesture was simple, yet it touched something deep within her, something she had been trying to ignore all night-the

respond, Cole, who had been

bring one either," he said casually. "I was just here to keep the kids company. If that's the case, I'll come