Chapter 266\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan POV\u00a0<\/p>\n
The park sat just beyond the eastern edge of the city, bordered by old trees and wide stretches of grass that had been left deliberately untamed. It was one of the few places in Silver Fang that felt untouched by politics-no council halls, no carved stone symbols, no reminders of legacy pressing down from every angle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just space.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hadn\u2019t realized how badly I needed that until we arrived.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie walked ahead of me, one of the boys balanced on each hip as they wriggled in an attempt to get free, their attention already caught by the open field.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped short without meaning to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This was the place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The memory rose unbidden-sharp and vivid. Two small boys giggling in the grass, guarded too closely by Cassian as he watched me with open unease. Ellie standing between me and them, fierce and terrified, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The first moment I\u2019d truly seen what I had nearly lost.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, the boys shrieked with laughter as Ellie lowered them to the ground. They got up on their shaky little legs and chased each other, their joy unguarded, their movements free and clumsy and perfect. No watchers hovering at a distance. No tension coiled in Ellie\u2019s shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just children playing in the open.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie glanced back at me, catching my expression. Her lips curved into a soft smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re doing that thing,\u201d she said quietly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat thing?\u201d I asked, though I knew.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking like you\u2019re trying not to breathe too hard in case the moment breaks,\u201d she replied. \u201cLike you think this is some dream you\u2019ll wake out of.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I huffed out a breath. \u201cIt feels\u2026 unreal.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stepped closer, brushing her hand against mine, \u201cThat\u2019s because you spent so long believing this was impossible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t argue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We followed the boys farther into the park as they toddled and crawled in turn, exploring the new environment with excitement. We ended up taking a bench near the center where the grass dipped slightly, and the land sloped toward a shallow pond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A few families were scattered nearby-some children kicking a ball, others perched on blankets with parents watching idly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 266\u00a0<\/p>\n
820\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a while, no one noticed us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let myself relax into that anonymity, my attention fixed on August and Ian as they discovered sticks, leaves, and a patch of flowers they promptly attempted to dismantle. Ellie laughed softly beside me, the sound easy and unrestrained in a way it hadn\u2019t always been.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This this was what I\u2019d fought for without fully realizing it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Not power. Not a crown.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Normalcy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t last.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A woman walking past slowed, her gaze lingering on us before her steps faltered entirely. Her eyes widened slightly, flicking between Ellie, the boys, and me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She hesitated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I felt it immediately-the shift in the air, the familiar tightening in my chest. Years of instinct warned me what came next. Scrutiny. Judgment. Fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Instead, she approached slowly, hands clasped together as if grounding herself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAlpha Nolan,\u201d she said, voice thick with emotion. \u201cI-sorry. I don\u2019t mean to intrude.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie straightened instinctively, though she didn\u2019t pull away from me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d I said evenly. \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The woman shook her head quickly. \u201cI just wanted to say\u2026 thank you.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
>>\u00a0<\/p>\n
She gestured toward the boys, who were now attempting to climb a low rock near the flowerbed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSeeing you here. Seeing this. It means more than you probably realize.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I wasn\u2019t sure how to respond.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pressed on, words tumbling out. \u201cMy mate and I lost our daughter years ago, during the border conflicts. Watching you fight to protect your children, even when it cost you everything\u2026 it reminded us what leadership is supposed to look like.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ellie\u2019s fingers tightened around mine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know some people questioned why you hid them,\u201d the woman continued. \u201cBut I understand. Any parent would do the same. Any good one, anyway.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My throat tightened unexpectedly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d I managed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She smiled, eyes shining. \u201cYou have our support. In the election-and beyond it.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 266\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
She stepped back then, giving a small bow before moving on.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sat there in stunned silence. .\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was only the beginning.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More people noticed. Slowly at first-curious glances, whispers carried on the breeze. Then a man approached with his young son, who stared openly at August and Ian with something like awe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey look happy,\u201d the man said simply. \u201cIt\u2019s good to see laughter around the packhouse again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another offered a nod of respect. Another clasped my forearm briefly, murmuring words of encouragement. Some said nothing at all, only smiled as they passed, their expressions soft with something I hadn\u2019t expected to see directed at me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
P\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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