The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 120

Chapter 120

**Paige’s POV **

I feel something stirring in my chest that’s not nerves or self–doubt; it’s purpose.

“I want to be there,” I say.

All four heads turn toward me.

Ryder frowns, worry creasing his brow. “Paige…”

“I’m serious,” I say, stepping closer. “I want to be part of the meeting.”

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Callen exhales sharply. “Babe, this isn’t just a discussion. These are Alphas. Old–school ones that don’t interact with humans or follow any of their social constructs. They don’t even let their Lunas sit in on council unless it’s to pour tea.”

“Then maybe it’s time they see one who can speak for herself,” I counter.

Ryder’s gaze softens, but there’s hesitation there, his protective instincts pushing to the front. “It’s not that I don’t believe in you. I do. But this meeting could get tense. Hunters aren’t just a threat, they’re a reminder of everything those packs fear. I don’t want you walking into a room full of wolves who might see you as a symbol of weakness.”

The words sting more than I expect. “Because I’m human?”

He hesitates. “Because they’ll think you are. They don’t understand what you’ve become, and we don’t want them suspecting you may be a Moon Child. You heard Ronnie. Alphas took advantage of them and used them as breeding stock.”

Parker clears his throat, trying to diffuse the tension. “Rye’s not wrong. Josh and Marcus both have sharp tempers and are always looking for ways to strengthen their packs. If they get any hint of what you might be, they’ll want that for themselves. They’ll try to force mate matches with any future females from your bloodline.”

“So what?” I ask quietly. “We just hide? Pretend I don’t exist? That I’m not the Luna you

chose?”

That makes them all pause.

Remy leans forward in his chair. “It’s not about pretending, Paige. It’s about safety. You being there would draw attention, questions we’re not ready to answer yet. Especially if someone from inside our own pack is still leaking information.”

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I understand their logic. Every word they say makes sense. But something inside me… that spark that’s been building ever since I stood my ground and left Greg, since I started taking control of my own story, it won’t let me back down.

I take a deep breath. “You all keep saying I’m Luna. That I’m the heart of this pack. But if I can’t stand beside you when it matters most, then what am I really? A title? A symbol you keep tucked away when it’s inconvenient?”

“Paige…” Ryder starts, but I cut him off.

“I didn’t go through all this just to sit quietly in the corner while the world decides our fate. If I am a moon child, then this pack is going to get stronger, and we can protect any children that I, Poppy or Jaxon have. You made me your Luna, and that means I don’t just get the bond and the love and the home. It means I get the responsibility, too. If I can’t face other Alphas without flinching, how can the pack believe in me?”

The room goes silent. My voice echoes faintly off the walls, the words hanging heavy

between us.

Ryder’s eyes search mine, a storm of emotion swirling there, pride, frustration, and something deeper I can’t quite name.

Callen’s lips twitch like he’s trying not to smile. “Well,” he says after a beat, “damn.”

Remy gives a low whistle. “She’s got a point.”

Parker leans back, crossing his arms with a faint grin. “A very persuasive point.”

Ryder doesn’t speak right away. He just studies me, slow and deliberate, like he’s weighing every possible outcome in his head. Then finally, he exhales.

“If we do this,” he says, “we do it on our terms. You don’t sit in the background, and you don’t bow your head. You walk in beside me and Callen as the Luna of this pack. But you also understand that it’s not going to be easy. They’ll test you.”

“Good,” I say, voice steady. “I’m done being underestimated.”

That earns me a flicker of a smile from him, full of pride and affection. “Then we’d better get you ready.”

After we. Drop Jaxon off with Regina and the rest of the pack kids, it’s all systems go.

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of preparation. Ryder and Callen review the security layout for the hall while Remy briefs the enforcers who’ll stand guard outside. I spend most of my time with Parker, going over names, titles, and histories. I pay attention to his every word, trying to learn everything I can about pack customs and the dos and don’ts of

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addressing other pack leaders.

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By the time evening comes, my head is pounding, but I refuse to slow down. Every question I ask, every note I take earns me another glance from one of them. I feel their respect. It’s the kind that says they believe in me, that they think I can do this.

Parker closes the folder with a thud. “That’s enough for tonight,” he says. “If you keep going, you’ll burn out before you even step in the room.”

“I’m fine,” I protest, though my eyes sting from reading.

He leans across the island, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You don’t need to prove anything to us, Paige.”

I meet his gaze. “Maybe not. But I need to prove it to myself.”

His mouth curves into a faint, proud half–smile that almost undoes me. “Then I guess tomorrow we show them what our Luna can do.”

That night, I barely sleep. My mind runs through everything I’ve learned and what might happen tomorrow. I try to plan what to say, what to avoid, how to hold myself when every eye in the room turns to me. But beneath the nerves, there’s something steadier. A quiet

conviction that wasn’t there before.

By morning, I’m shaking with anticipation. I skip breakfast, opting for chamomile tea instead of coffee to calm my nerves.

While Ryder takes Jax to Regina, I dress carefully, not formal, but respectable, at least by human standards, which I guess means nothing here, but it feels right to me. I wear black trousers, a fitted blouse with the top buttons open and hair pinned up to make sure my mate marks are clearly visible.

When I look in the mirror, I smile, standing a little straighter as I run my fingers over my mate marks. Seeing them like this, and knowing what it means to my men, fills me with pride and a confidence I definitely need today.

When I step into the kitchen, the guys are all there. They pause when they see me.

Ryder’s gaze catches mine first, and something softens in his expression. I feel a quiet pride through the bond that says more than words ever could.

Callen gives a low whistle. “Well, if that doesn’t say ‘badass Luna,‘ I don’t know what does.”

Remy gives me a small smile. “You look strong.”

Parker just grins and adds, “And terrifying. In the best way.”

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I roll my eyes but can’t stop the warmth blooming in my chest. “Good. Let’s make sure they remember that.”

Ryder steps beside me, offering his arm. “Ready?”

I take it. “As I’ll ever be.”

Callen comes to stand on my other side and takes my hand, giving it a small, reassuring

squeeze.

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