After I left Alpha father and son went crazy with regret

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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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.

No one had expected that.

Arnold was not the type to involve himself in trivial matters. He never went out of his way to do anything unnecessary, and inviting Nora to the party was certainly unnecessary. It made people wonder-why was he bothering?

Linda's fingers curled slightly against the stem of her glass.

A faint frown touched her lips as she took a slow sip of wine, trying to mask the unease pooling in her stomach.

She wasn't the only one who noticed-eyes darted in her direction, waiting for her reaction.

Meanwhile, in the quiet solitude of her room, Nora was fully immersed in her work.

The soft glow of her laptop screen illuminated her face as she scrolled through documents, adjusting details on the presentation slides.

The deadline for her project loomed close, and she had no time for distractions.

A sudden knock on the door pulled her out of her concentration.

Without looking up, she called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and she half-expected to see a staff member or maybe Alex, but when she turned her head, it was Arnold.

She blinked, caught off guard. "You?"

Arnold stepped inside, his gaze steady. The dim lighting softened the sharp lines of his face, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Are you going to the party?"

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