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.
She hadn’t realized just how much things had changed.
Cole must have noticed the shift in he
container for the fire?”
posture because he leaned in slightly, voice quiet but firm. “Did you bring a
Nora blinked, caught off guard. “What?”
H
“For the Shared Flame of Winter,” Cole reminded her. “Did you bring anything to carry it?”
The ritual was an important part of the Frostwolf Celebration. Each family took a small ember from the central fire, carrying it home as a symbol of unity and strength.
She had always brought one in the past–always carried Alex in her arms as they collected their blessing together.
But this year, she had forgotten.
After I left Aluba father and son went craz
99.2%
Chapter 122
A sharp wave of realization settled over her, pressing against the ache in her chest.
And 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 been the only one still holding onto the past.
Nora retracted her gaze, shaking her head slightly. “I didn’t bring any. Let’s forget about it this year.”
The words came out more detached than she intended, but she didn’t correct herself.
She had never been 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 had stood beside him, carrying the ember home with careful hands, year after year.
But this year was different.
Alex wasn’t by her side.
Just as she was about to step back from the altar, Abby reached out and pressed a small copper basin into her hands.
“Then, Auntie, you can come with us this year!” Abby declared cheerfully. “I’ll share half of my warmth and happiness with you, okay?”
Nora froze.
A warmth bloomed in her chest, unexpected and disarming.
For a moment, she didn’t know what to say. The gesture was simple, yet it touched something deep within her, something she had been trying to ignore all night–the feeling of being left behind.
Before she could respond, Cole, who had been quiet beside her, spoke up.
“I didn’t bring one either,” he said casually. “I was just here to keep the kids company. If that’s the case, I’ll come along, too.”
There was something reassuring in his tone, as if he had sensed her hesitation and chosen, without pressing, to
stand beside her.
Nora exhaled softly and finally nodded. “Alright.”
Together, they stepped toward the altar where the sacred fire blazed, its embers crackling as the elder overseeing the ritual handed them small fragments of burning wood. The flames danced within the basin, warm but contained,
a symbol of unity and shared strength.
The elder murmured a blessing in the old tongue, his voice deep and reverent. “May this fire bring you warmth through the coldest nights and strength through the harshest storms. May the pack always be your home.”
Nora lowered her gaze, absorbing the words.
07:16
After I left, Alpha father and son went craze
99.5%
Chapter 122
From a distance, Arnold watched.
fis expression was subtle–barely changed–but there was something in the way his gaze lingered on them. Not quite curiosity, not quite indifference, Something in between.
Linda noticed as well. Her fingers tightened slightly around Alex’s small hand, though her expression remained pleasant as she continued speaking to him.
197
As the event slowly drew to a close, Nora said her goodbyes to Cole and left, intending to pick up some necessities at the nearby mall.
The night air was crisp, and the sounds of laughter and celebration in the plaza faded as she made her way to the quiet mall,
Cole stood still, silently watching Nora’s figure until it disappeared completely.
At that moment, a strong hand tapped Cole on the shoulder.
“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
