The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 188

** Paige’s POV **

They’re all looking at me.

My mates, Jake and Poppy, Ronnie still clutching his book Like it’s going to answer every question we haven’t even thought of yet, and Jaxon. My sweet Jax, he looks at me like l’ve just told him l’ve bought the entire Lego shop.

Outside, nine wolves stand in a perfect circle, eyes glowing faintly gold and silver, their bodies unmoving, their attention fixed outward. Protecting me as if I’m something sacred. I need to find a way to send them away, not because I don’t want them, but because there has to be more to their second chance than me. They have people who love them waiting for them.

I swallow, but it does nothing to loosen the tight knot forming in my chest. It’s not fear I feel, not anymore. I still feel like the girl who used to cry doing her tax returns, who once burned instant noodles, who spent years trying to figure out how to protect herself and her son, and who only recently learned she wasn’t human.

A goddess?… A reincarnation?.. Eos?… Aurora?… The Dawn mother? It all feels impossible, but so right at the same time.

I bury my face in Ryder’s chest for a moment, inhaling the steady, grounding scent of pine and smoke and him. His arms tighten around me, a large hand splayed betweenmy shoulder blades like he could hold the whole world together by holding me. Maybe he can. Maybe that’s what keeps me breathing.

Jaxon shifts in my lap and looks up at me with those big blue eyes again, wide and hopeful. “You’re still my mummy, right?”

Something inside me cracks, soft and warm and terrifyingly tender.

I cradle his cheek. “Of course I am. Nothing will ever change that.”

He grins like I’ve just told him Christmas came early, then settles back against me, small and brave and completely unfazed by the idea that his mother might be a reincarnated goddess.

Kids adapt faster than anyone; it’s adults who break, and right now… I feel like I’m standing on the edge of something hyge and unknown, teetering on the ledge of a huge cliff with no idea what’s waiting below.

When I tift my head, all four of them are watching me with the same fierce, overwhelming devotion that makes my chest ache.

Remy’s jaw is tight, his eyes stormy and far too soft for someone who acts allergic to emotions. Parker’s hand is still curled around my thigh like he’s afraid i’ll disappear.

Ryder’s thumb strokes the back of my shoulder blade in soothing circles, slow and steady. Callen stands by thewindow, but he glances at me every few seconds, protective and worried and silently begging me to tell him I’m okay. I don’t know if l am, but I know I’m not alone.

Ronnie clears his throat, like he’s afraid of interrupting something. “Paige.. if you want to ask questions, or yell, or run outside and scream, I promise we’ll understand.”

I take a breath.

It comes out shaky. “How am I supposed to feel right now?

Because I don’t… I don’t feel like a goddess. I don’t feel powerful. I feel like my bones are buzzing and my heart is too big for my chest, and everyone is staring at me like I’m

‘ “Hope,” Ryder says softly.

My breath catches.

“Light,” Parker adds.

“Balance,” Remy murmurs.

Callen sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re our freckles. That hasn’t changed.”

Poppy steps closer, her voice trembling. “You don’t have to understand it all today. You don’t have to be anything but you.”

Jake nods. “Identity crises are statistically overwhelming.

It’s normal to…””Jake,” Callen says, “stop before she panics twice.”

Jake shuts his notebook.

I close my eyes for a moment, letting the warmth from the four of them settle around me like a cocoon.

“Why now?” I whisper.

Ronnie flips a page. “Eos was reborn when the world needed her most. Every legend says the same thing, her power rises in response to a threat, or an imbalance between sun and moon, or corruption spreading beyond what the gods could contain.”

Ifeel a tremor of something like recognition in my chest.

Power, soft but sharp, swelling under my ribs.

“What threat?” Parker asks tightly.

Ronnie hesitates. “I don’t know. The texts don’t agree.

Some say it’s an external enemy. Others say it’s an internal rot. Some say it’s both.”

Callen mutters, “Fantastic. Love a good vague prophecy.”

Poppy tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “But we do know one thing for sure.”

“Which is?” I ask.

Her eyes soften. “You have four mates for a reason. Ronnie said Eos needs anchors, moon, sun, life, death, dark, dawn.

Balance in all things.”Jake flips open a fresh page. “It aligns with historical patterns. Every recorded reincarnation of a Dawn entity had multiple partners tied to different elemental or emotional aspects.”

Callen squints. “Are you saying I’m an element?”

Jake shrugs. “Emotionally? Yes.”

Remy snorts. “His is rage.”

“Yours is trauma,” Callen fires back.

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