Chapter 74
Guilt settled in Nora’s chest. “I know, sweetheart. I’ve just been busy.”
Abby brightened. “That’s okay! Guess what? I started painting! Uncle Cole got me a big sketchbook, and I drew a picture of you!”
Nora blinked in surprise. “You did?”
Abby nodded enthusiastically. “Wait! Let me show you!”
She disappeared off–screen, rustling through papers.
Nora glanced at Cole. His face was unreadable, but there was a quiet softness in his eyes.
A moment later, Abby returned, holding up a simple drawing–her and Nora standing together, both smiling.
Nora’s throat tightened. “That’s beautiful, Abby,” she said warmly. “You’re very talented.”
Abby beamed. “Come see me soon, okay?”
Before Nora could respond, a voice called Abby’s name from the background. The little girl pouted. “I have to go! Bye, Auntie! Bye, Uncle Cole!”
The call ended. Silence lingered between Nora and Cole.
The two strolled through Spa Hills at night, the sound of rustling leaves and distant murmurs of other guests filling the silence between them.
The moonlight cast long shadows along the pathway, and the cool night breeze carried the faint scent of pine and mineral water from the hot springs.
Cole’s phone call with Abby had ended minutes ago, yet the words still lingered in Nora’s mind.
When he had turned to her and said, “Abby likes you a lot,” there had been something strange in his tone–something softer than she had ever heard from him before.
She glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
In her mind, Cole had always been a powerful and cold werewolf, a man of few words and even fewer
emotions.
His presence commanded attention, not through arrogance but through sheer dominance.
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Clupter 24
It was rare to see a look on his face that could be called gentle, yet tonight, there was something almost warm in his expression.
*So he has a tender side after all,” she mused.
Their peaceful stroll didn’t last much longer. On the side of the road, a figure stood watching them, her delicate features barely concealed by the flickering light from the nearby lodge lanterns.
Linda.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the sight of them walking side by side.
Something about it made her uncomfortable, though she masked it well with a pleasant smile as she approached.
“Cole,” she greeted, her voice smooth and sweet.
Then, without even glancing at Nora, she tilted her head slightly and asked, “Are you coming to the tonight?”
Nora immediately understood her position in the conversation–uninvited, unacknowledged.
It was something she had grown accustomed to. With practiced ease, she stepped back.
“I have a meeting tonight,” she murmured. “You two enjoy the party.”
She turned and left without waiting for a response, her footsteps quiet against the stone path.
party
By the time night fell completely, the lodge was buzzing with excitement. The party was about to begin. Laughter and music spilled from the event hall, filling the air with an almost intoxicating energy.
Charles, in high spirits, leaned toward Alex with an amused glint in his eyes. “Go ask your mom if she wants to come,” he suggested.
Alex hesitated, He wasn’t sure she wanted to follow that order.
The idea of Nora joining the party made him uneasy, as if her presence would somehow disrupt the relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere.
The night had been going smoothly–chatter, soft laughter, the occasional clinking of glases.. Chit and
chat..
But before he could respond, Arnold stood up.
“I’ll go,” he stated simply.
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Chapter 74
The room fell silent for a moment. The soft murmur of conversation died down, replaced by a quiet. tension that settled over the guests. Even Linda, who had been chatting with a group of acquaintance stiffened slightly at his words.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret
I still don’t see the regret from her husband and son No divorce yet I would like to see Nora and Cole hooking up together...
neverending story.....repeated same story lines....boring...
What a bad spot for the book to come to an end, I truly do hope there is more to come would be sad to not have a ending to this story........
This page has repeated same story lines that was already said.......
Iam kinda wondering if the writer may speak another language??? Cause iam noting that some of the words kind of seem like another language I could be wrong but every page has a spelling mistake it's making it hard to understand most of what is happening in the book....
Iam loving this book so far but it would have been much better if someone had prof read it 1st there is alot of spelling mistakes some of which I knew what was meant but some I have no clue at all....
Is there any more...