The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108

** Paige’s POV **

For a second, I can’t breathe. Everything in the room stills, even the air feels frozen. My sister is limp in the arms of a man I barely know, and the sound of that one word, “mine,” still echoes in my head.

No one moves. Not Leo, who’s standing there like the ground has been ripped out from under him. Not Remy, who looks ready to throw himself between them. Not even Parker, though I can feel his tension from across the room, assessing and ready.

Then, my body finally remembers how to move.

“Poppy!” My voice cracks as I push forward, shoving past Remy to reach her, Jake doesn’t let go, he just holds her tighter, one arm supporting her back, the other cupping the side of her face like she’s something precious. His expression is fierce, protective, and completely calm.

“What did you do to her?” I demand, panic spiking so fast my hands shake.

Jake lifts his gaze to mine. “She’s not hurt. The bond overwhelmed her. Her body shut down for a moment. She’ll wake soon.”

Jake finally moves toward the bed, laying Poppy down with such care. He brushes her hair away from her face before straightening and facing us again. “She needs rest. The dual bond hit her harder than most could handle.”

Dual bond.

The words feel unreal and familiar at the same time.

Remy runs a hand through his hair, looking between the two men. “This shouldn’t even be possible,” he mutters, mostly to himself. “Another human with multiple mates that aren’t twins? The odds of this happening once are almost unheard of, but to happen twice is unbelievable.”

“Actually, I know a story about this. The details are hazy, as my parents told it to me when I was a child, but Ronnie may know more,” Jake says as he looks over Poppy.

“Stories,” I echo numbly. “As in myths? Legends?”

He gives a slow nod. “From what I remember, my mum called them moon children. They create strong werewolf lines without having a wolf themselves. When they join a pack, the pack usually gets an increased rate of mate matches.” His eyes flick toward Poppy’s sleeping form. “If it’s true, then whatever’s coming… it’s big.”

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Chapter 100

#25 Points)

I move to stand beside the bed, brushing my fingers against Poppy’s hand. She’s still warm, still breathing, but seeing her like this twists something deep inside me. Even though she’s younger than me, she’s always been the strong one, the one who could handle anything. Seeing her knocked unconscious by something none of us understand is terrifying.

Leo takes a step forward, but Jake’s eyes snap to him, flashing with his wolf in warning. “Stay back,” he says quietly.

Leo growls under his breath. “You don’t get to tell me to stay away from my mate.”

“She’s our mate,” Jake counters, his tone calm, but the dominance in it is obvious.

I don’t know why I assumed he’d be less dominant because he’s a healer. I just always imagined them as soft souls, but then I remember Nina, and how she spoke to me. Her soul

is far from soft.

Remy moves quickly, positioning himself between them before the tension can explode. Enough. Both of you. She doesn’t need this right now.”

Leo drags a shaking hand through his hair, breathing hard, then turns away, his fists clenched. “This can’t be happening,” he mutters, his voice raw. “It’s not possible. She’s mine. I

felt it.”

“You did,” Jake says softly. “And so did I. She is overwhelmed, and you touching her right now will only make it worse. Give her some time.”

The silence that follows is deafening.

My heart feels like it’s splitting in two for Poppy and whatever this means. Because I’ve seen what true bonds look like. I’ve felt them. They’re beautiful and powerful, but they can also feel like they’re destroying you when you’re pulled in opposite directions.

Remy glances at me. “We should give them space. Let her rest, let him calm down.”

I nod, but I can’t bring myself to leave. Not yet. I need to see her eyes open. I need to know she’s okay.

Jake moves beside her again, pressing two fingers gently against her pulse. “She’s strong. She’ll wake soon,” he murmurs, pride leaking through his tone.

Behind me, Leo’s quiet voice cuts through the silence, full of heartbreak. “Then what?”

Jake looks up, meeting his gaze with that steady, unshakable calm. “Then we see if she wants this, if she wants us.”

I want to tell them that she already has a life, that she has chosen a path and is determined

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Chapter 102

$25 Points?

to stick to it, but I know it’s not my place. Poppy has to have this discussion with them when she is ready.

Leo growls in frustration again, and Jake approaches him cautiously. “Leo, I am not your enemy. We are on the same side, and if she accepts this, accepts us, then we are about to become a lot closer than either of us ever imagined. You are still recovering from a near–fatal injury, and I’m still your healer, so please let me check you over.”

Leo’s eyes search his for a moment before he exhales, and his shoulders sag a little, then he nods. Jake checks his pulse and straps a blood pressure cuff to his arm.

“She’s going to be okay, Paige,” Parker says softly, his hand resting on my shoulder.

I nod, watching my sister breathe. She looks so peaceful like this, her expression soft. You’d never guess she was overwhelmed or stressed just from looking at her.

“Almost back to full health,” Jake says as he removes the cuff from Leo’s arm. “You were lucky she was there. I’m almost certain you wouldn’t have made it if she hadn’t got that bullet out in time. I’m interested in seeing what kind of bullet it was that stopped you from healing. You have no signs of wolfsbane poisoning.”

Remy clears his throat before speaking. “We have a cleanup crew going in later today to clean the scene. I’ll have the bullet brought to you.”

“Perfect.” Jake nods. “If they have something new that stops us from healing, we need to figure out what it is as soon as possible.”

The room feels heavy after that. Leo paces a few feet away, his energy like a live wire, while Jake stays at Poppy’s side, steady and still. They’re opposites in every way, like fire and water, but both look like they’d burn the world down if it meant protecting her.

I sink into the chair by the bed, watching Poppy’s chest rise and fall. I count the seconds between each breath, reassuring myself in the rhythm of it. I can’t shake the image of her. falling, one moment standing, the next collapsing into his arms like her body had just given

1. up.

“Are you sure she’s not in danger?” I whisper.

Jake nods without looking up. “Her system’s just overloaded. Think of this as a reboot of sorts.”

His voice is soft and certain. It should be comforting, but the way he explains it makes my stomach twist.

Parker and Remy are quiet; their eyes have that faraway look that tells me they’re locked in a

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private conversation. Maybe keeping Ryder and Callen informed

I glance at Leo, his expression hits me like a punch. He’s trying so hard to hold it together, but his fear is impossible to miss. His jaw clenches every time Jake brushes a hand against Poppy’s arm, he’s scared she will choose Jake and not him. I doubt my sister will do that, she’s an all–or–nothing kind of girl.

Finally, I can’t stand the silence anymore. “She’s not just your mate,” I say quietly, breaking the air between them. “She’s my sister, and she’s scared of this new world enough as it is. When she wakes up, she’s going to need both of you to be patient, not territorial”

Jake looks at me, then, really looks, and I see something gentle in his expression. “You care deeply,” he says, his tone thoughtful. “That’s good. She’ll need your guidance.”

Before I can respond, a low sound slips from Poppy’s throat, a faint, breathy noise like a sigh. I shoot to my feet, my heart hammering.

“Poppy?” I say, leaning closer.

Her fingers twitch. Then her eyes flutter open, slow and dazed, before her gaze focuses. Confusion washes over her features first, then the sharp pinch of fear when she realises where she is, and who she’s staring up at.

She tries to sit up, but Jake’s hand presses gently to her shoulder. “Easy,” he murmurs. “You passed out. Don’t push yourself.”

Her eyes dart around the room, wild and unfocused until they land on Leo. “What happened?”

Leo steps forward, his voice breaking. “You fainted. He…” He gestures toward Jake, the words catching in his throat. “He said you’re his mate too.”

The colour drains from her face. “No,” she breathes, shaking her head. “No, that’s not… that can’t be right. I already…”

Her voice fractures, tears filling her eyes. Jake stays still beside her, his expression unreadable but his presence a steady calm in the middle of her storm.

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