The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 93

** Paige’s POV **

+25 Points

The card looks so small compared to Ryder’s big hand, but the way he holds it like it’s as fragile and priceless as glass makes my chest ache. His whole world is right here, wrapped in the arms of a six–year–old who has no idea how much power he holds over us both.

Ryder tucks the card into his pocket where I’d put the birth certificate earlier before Jaxon’s squeals of laughter echo through the cabin as Ryder swings him up into his arms. I watch the way Ryder presses his cheek into our son’s hair, the way his whole body softens when Jax tightens his grip. My throat tightens, because I’ve waited so long to see this, Jax being loved the way he always deserved, and Ryder not as the boy who left me, or even the Alpha I’ve had to learn to trust again, but as a father, and he’s perfect at it.

I force myself to blink away the tears stinging my eyes before Jax can notice them and start worrying. He’s too young to understand how precious this moment is, too young to know how many sleepless nights I spent wondering if this day would ever come. That homemade little card with its messy green paint and stick figures means more than all the official paperwork in the world.

I lean into Parker, slipping my hand into his. His thumb brushes over my knuckles, soothing me, while Callen leans casually against the counter, a grin tugging at his mouth as he watches Ryder and Jax. Remy stands a little apart from us, his expression neutral, but his eyes are warm. I love this, having all of them, my mates and my son, together under one roof.

We might have hunters on our backs, and our future is uncertain, but right now I feel safe. Not just hopeful, not just clinging to survival, but happy, safe and so full of love I could burst.

Ryder catches my gaze over Jaxon’s shoulder. There’s a shine in his eyes that he doesn’t try to hide, and I feel the silent vow in it. He’s not letting go of either of us again, and I fully believe him.

I decided not to tell Jaxon about the name change until tomorrow. It’s already been a lot for him today, and I want to figure out a way to make it special for him.

By the time the dishes are cleared away after dinner, Jaxon is yawning into his hot chocolate, and the air in the cabin feels charged. It isn’t obvious, at least not if I’d not been paying attention, but I’ve been watching them all day. Ryder with that secretive little smirk, Callen and Remy with their knowing glances, and Parker… Parker with his eyes on me like I’m the only thing in the room.

It’s him that unsettles me the most. Not in a bad way, just… in a way that makes my skin

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tingle whenever he’s near. He doesn’t touch me more than usual, but when he does, it’s charged. A hand on my waist as he passes behind me sends shivers down my spine, the softest brush of his thumb over my wrist when I hand him a plate almost makes me drop it, the slow way his gaze drops to my mouth when I speak has my mind playing out all sorts of scenarios. It’s enough to set my nerves on fire and leave me wondering what he isn’t saying.

Jaxon fights sleep for as long as he can, but Ryder eventually scoops him up with a laugh and disappears toward the back room where we keep the laundry. I expect Ryder to get him into his pyjamas before taking him up to bed, but a few minutes later Jax comes sprinting back out in his pyjamas, clutching a pillow.

“We’re camping outside tonight!” he announces proudly with a wide grin.

I blink. “Camping?”

Ryder follows behind him, carrying blankets and looking smug. “Just in the garden. He wanted a tent, and I figured… why not?”

Jax bounces on his toes, practically vibrating. “Mum, can I please? Dad says it’s just for one night, and he’ll stay with me, and we are going to make a fire!”

I give Ryder a look, the kind that’s supposed to silently communicate, ‘You could’ve maybe discussed this with me first, but he only shrugs and gives me an awkward smile. Jax’s eyes are wide and hopeful, and I already know the answer before I even open my mouth.

“Okay,” I sigh, ruffling his hair. “But only because your dad’s staying with you, and you’d better brush

your teeth first.”

“Yes!” He shoots off towards the bathroom, leaving me alone with Ryder.

“You planned this?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.

His mouth quirks. “Guilty.”

“Why?”

He leans down, close enough that his breath brushes my ear. “Because I have a lot to make up for with him, and because sometimes, Paige, a little space is exactly what you need.”

Before I can ask what that means, Parker appears at my side, his hand warm on the small of my back. The contact is barely there, but it sends a ripple of heat down my spine.

“Let them have their fun,” Parker says smoothly. “I’ll make sure you’re not lonely.”

The way he says it makes my breath catch. Ryder claps him on the shoulder as he passes, not a trace of jealousy in his grin. “Don’t keep her up too late,” he teases before disappearing

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out the door with Jax trailing behind him, chattering excitedly about roasting marshmallows.

Callen and Remy exchange a look, then both stand from their seats. “Patrol duty,” Callen says, his tone light but his eyes unreadable. “We’ll be out most of the night.”

And then it’s just me and Parker.

The cabin feels impossibly quiet now that everyone else has left. Parker doesn’t rush to fill the silence. He just watches me, his eyes heated and his thumb tracing slow circles on my

hip.

My heart thuds in my chest. “So it’s just the two of us tonight.”

His smile is small, secretive. “I just wanted you all to myself for one night.”

The way he says it makes heat curl low in my stomach. Right now, the only thing I can think about is Parker, and the way he’s looking at me like he’s about to break down every last one of my defences.

It all clicks at once. The secret smiles, Ryder distracting Jax with camping, Callen and Remy leaving for patrol without complaint. This isn’t random. They cleared the way.

I suck in a sharp breath, and Parker’s eyes darken at the sound, his eyes landing on my mouth again. My heart slams against my ribs, every nerve in my body alive with sudden awareness. They’ve given us space, given him the chance he’s been waiting for.

My throat goes dry. He’s finally going to complete the bond.

The thought sends a tremor through me so strong I have to curl my hands into fists to hide it. My whole body feels like it’s vibrating with a dizzying mix of anticipation and raw desire.

Parker doesn’t move fast. He never does. He steps closer with deliberate patience, like he wants me to feel every second of this heat between us. His hand slides from my hip to the small of my back, pulling me gently against him until the heat of his body seeps into mine.

“Paige,” he breathes. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?”

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