The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 105

Chapter 105

**Paige’s POV **

+25 Points

When I get to Jaxon’s bedroom door, I just stand there for a second, preparing myself. I’m not sure what version of my sister I’m about to walk into. Will she be curled up in a ball and shaking, angry, or pretending she’s fine?

“Poppy, can I come in?” I say softly to the door.

“Yeah,” she responds immediately. That’s a good sign at least.

I nudge the door open with my shoulder.

Poppy is perched on the edge of Jaxon’s bed. She’s clean and wearing clothes I don’t recognise; she must’ve been given some at the healer’s cabin. She looks both too young and far too grown up at the same time. Her eyes meet mine, wide and tired, but calm.

“Hey,” I smile gently before nudging the door shut behind me. “I brought coffee.”

Her gaze drops to the cups in my hands, and a flicker of gratitude flashes over her face. She takes one of the cups carefully, both hands wrapped around it like she needs the warmth.

“Thanks,” she breathes.

I sit beside her and the silence stretches for a moment, filled only by the faint sounds of laughter drifting up from the kitchen.

Poppy sips the coffee, then exhales. “What a night,” she half laughs.

“Yeah,” I smile, unsure what else to say.

“When I woke up this morning, before I opened my eyes, I thought it was all some wild dream, but then I realised the bed I was in was far too comfortable to be mine.”

I nod. “I think I did that for about a week. It all feels too crazy to be real, right?”

“Yeah,” she sighs. “Pizza night would have been so much better here. I can’t believe you were keeping this place hidden from me.”

“I would have told you, I just couldn’t, not yet. I didn’t…”

“Trust me,” she cuts in.

I study her profile, my heart aching. “No, Pops. I trust you. I just didn’t want to drag you into this. You saw last night how dangerous it can be.”

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+25 Points

“Then why did you stay? Why not run with Jax the moment you knew the danger?” She asks, her voice trembling, as if she is holding back a sob.

I take a breath, ready to tell her the truth she clearly has not worked out yet. “I stayed for Jax. He has to be here with his pack.”

“No, Jax isn’t like them,” Poppy shakes her head, her eyes desperate as they search mine.” I’ve been there since the day he was born. He’s human, Paige,” she insists.

“For now he is,” I say gently. “But when he turns 18, he will shift. He needs to be ready for when that time comes, and it’s not something I can help with, not really. He needs to be around people who understand him, he needs his dad.”

Poppy stares down at the cup in her hands and blows out a breath. “How long have you known?”

“Only since I came here and found Ryder. Trust me, it was a shock. You are handling all of this much better than I did.”

She swallows. “I’m not sure about that. I keep seeing it. The blood. The way his body changed.”

Her voice cracks on the last word, and I slip an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in against me. She doesn’t resist.

“I know,” I whisper, pressing my cheek to the top of her head. “I can’t make it go away, but I’m here, always.”

She leans into me, coffee still clutched tightly in her hands.

“How is Leo?”

She lets out a snort that’s almost a laugh. “He’s going to be okay. They heal crazy fast, you know? The healer insisted he just needs to rest, and then he will be as good as new.”

“They do,” I smile.

Poppy pulls back to look at me. “Are you happy here, Paige, with them?”

I don’t hesitate. “Yes. Despite the danger, and juggling a new relationship with four men, I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and Jaxon is too. He’s thriving here.”

“I knew it!” She almost shrieks, and just like that, I have my sister back. At least for now.

“It’s a lot. I’m still coming to terms with it, to be honest, but they’re amazing. They don’t make it as complicated as I expected it would be.

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“Oh my God, what’s the s*x like? Do you all do it separately or…”

“Poppy!” I hiss. “They have excellent hearing, you know?”

+25 Points

“Oops, sorry,” she drops her voice to a whisper. “But seriously, you need to tell me, because in this book I was reading, they did it every which way you can imagine.”

“You are relentless,” I roll my eyes, but I can’t keep the smile from my face. “It’s still kind of new, and we’ve had a lot to deal with, so let me get back to you when I’ve had the full experience.”

Poppy’s eyes light up with excitement. It’s such a typical Poppy reaction. I’ve brought her up never to feel ashamed to discuss these kinds of topics with me.

I change the subject quickly. “Jaxon’s downstairs making pancakes for breakfast. He’s very proud of himself.”

Surprise crosses her face. “He’s cooking?”

“Yep, he’s head chef today. If you come down, he’ll probably demand you be his taste tester.”

“Gosh, that boy is so sweet I could eat him,” she says, already standing.

“He adores you,” I tell her. “And he’d love to see you this morning.”

The sound of clattering pans and Ryder’s voice carries up the stairs as we make our way

of my hand. down. Poppy’s steps are confident, but she doesn’t let go

The moment we step into the kitchen, Jaxon spots us. His whole face lights up, eyes wide, his hair still sticking out in a dozen different directions from sleep and flour–dusted across his cheek like war paint.

“Auntie Pops!” he cheers, nearly dropping the wooden spoon in his hand. He bolts toward her. “You had a sleepover?”

She’s about to speak when her eyes land on her jacket, her face pales slightly, and for a second I think she might cry. But then Jax beams at her like she’s the most important person in the world, and she snaps out of whatever flashback she was having.

“I did,” she says, “and I heard you are head chief this morning, so I just had to come and try your cooking.”

Jaxon grabs her hand, tugging her toward the island. “Yes. You have to try my pancakes! I made the batter and everything.”

Ryder, still standing at the stove, glances over his shoulder with a smirk. “And by ‘made,’ he

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means he spilt half the flour and taste–tested the other half of the chocolate chips.”

25 Pointe

“Dad!” Jaxon protests, then turns to Poppy with mock seriousness. “Don’t listen to him. These are the best pancakes ever.”

He’s already climbing onto a stool to put a fresh pancake from the stack onto a plate, his tongue poking out in concentration. Poppy laughs under her breath and takes the seat.

I slip onto the stool next to her, my heart loosening in my chest as I watch Jaxon push a plate in front of her with a proud grin.

“There,” he declares. “Try it.”

Poppy picks up her fork and takes a bite.

Jax leans in, watching her eagerly.

Poppy swallows, then smiles. “Best pancakes I’ve ever had.”

Jaxon beams so brightly I swear it could light the whole room.

Footsteps sound on the stairs, and I look up to see Callen. His hair is damp from a shower, and he looks a little paler than usual. He gives us a lazy smile, dropping into the chair on Poppy’s other side.

“Smells good in here. I’m starving.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be resting?” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“I was, but I’m starving, and you guys are making too much noise.” He says with a smirk, and I narrow my eyes at him. We weren’t being loud.

The back door opens then, and Parker and Remy walk in, both carrying empty coffee cups. Parker swoops down behind me, brushing a quick kiss to my cheek before taking a seat.

“How long have you been back?” I ask.

“Just long enough to drink a coffee.”

“Aww, look at us, all eating breakfast together,” Callen grins, then winks at Poppy. “Glad to see our guest survived the night.”

Poppy lifts a brow, suspicious. “Survived? Should I be worried?”

“Only if Paige tells you all the details,” he shoots back smoothly, his grin wicked.

Heat shoots into my cheeks, and Poppy lets out a delighted giggle, covering her mouth with

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