The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 191

** Paige’s POV**

The air around us is so still it feels held in place, like the world itself has paused

The blond male kneels on the grass in front of me, human now, still glowing faintly with that soft gold-silver shimmer that clings to all the Twiceborn. His hair falls over his forehead as he bows his head.

I should feel awkward. A naked stranger on his knees in front of me? But instead… I feel calm, like this moment was always waiting for me.

“You called, Goddess,” he whispers.

My breath stutters. “I… I’m not…”

He lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. They’re wolf-gold threaded with silver, shining softly in the sunlight. There’s no confusion in them anymore, just devotion, recognition and something like relief. He looks so young, l’d say still a teen, but he has his wolf, so he must be at least 18.

“You are,” he says simply, “whether or not you accept it.”

I swallow. “Then… what should I call you?”

He blinks, as if the question pulls up a memory. “Blaine.”

“Blaine,” I repeat quietly.His breath shudders out like the sound of his name on my. lips matters more than anything. I take a step closer, slow and respectful. He doesn’t flinch. If anything, he straightens slightly, chest rising, shoulders back, like he wants to be seen fully.

“Do you remember…” I hesitate. “Anything?”

His gaze flickers. Pain shadows his features.

“Not everything,” he murmurs. “Not clearly. Pieces, sounds. A woman’s scream. The sting of a bullet. The cold.” He presses a hand against his chest where one of the worst wounds once was. “Mostly, I remember dying.”

My heart clenches.

“But then there was warmth,” he whispers, eyes brightening. “A surge.. like sunlight poured into my veins, giving me life, while moonlight soothed every torn place.

Like I was being rebuilt piece by piece.” His voice cracks. “I felt you before I opened my eyes. I felt you pull me back.”

“I didn’t know what I was doing.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.” His voice softens. “You saved us.”

All nine wolves behind him exhale at the same time, making a low sound that’s almost like they’re agreeing.

I lower myself to sit on the step so I’m at his eye level. “I didn’t mean for you to be bound to me like this.””We’re not bound.” Blaine shakes his head gently. “We’re anchored.”

I blink. “Anchored?”

“To light, to purpose.

” He tilts his head. “To you.”

A shiver runs through me.

“Blaine… how do you feel now?” I ask softly. “Are you in pain? Confused? Hungry? Something?”

He smiles. It’s small, but real. “I feel… alive. More alive than I ever was before.”

He adjusts his position, not to hide himself, but to sit more comfortably on the ground.

“When you… fixed us,” he says, choosing his words carefully, “it wasn’t just healing the body. You burned away everything dark, everything wrong. We feel peaceful now. There are no negative thoughts or feelings, just gratefulness and a powerful urge to protect.”

“appreciate your protection,” I smile. “But you don’t have to guard me constantly. You have a second chance at life; you should go home to your family.”

His eyes meet mine, and he blinks. “Family,” he whispers, as if the word is new to him.

Something twists with unease inside of me.

“Don’t you remember your family?” I ask. “I’m sure they’reworried about you.”

Blaine glances around at the rest of the Twiceborn, then his eyes move back to me. I have a new family now, but yes, I remember my parents, and my little sister, Rosie,” he says with a fond smile.

“Then go to them,” I encourage.

Blaine shakes his head. “Our place is with you now, we are not the same people our families once knew.”

I nod, processing his words. I understand what he’s saying, but at the same time, I know that if this were Jaxon or any of my mates, I’d want them back, no matter how much they may have changed.

“I’m sure they won’t care; they loved who you were, and they’ll love who you are now.”

“Then I will visit them when the time is right,” he murmurs, bowing his head again, his hands resting loosely on his knees. “But until then… this is where| belong.”

I nod slowly. I don’t argue. Not because I agree yet, but because arguing with someone who just clawed his way back from death probably requires more emotional stability than I currently possess.

Before I can think about what to say next, the cabin door behind me swings open.

The energy changes instantly. My bond flares as Ryder,Callen, Remy, Parker, Jake, and Poppy step outside.

Ryder steps forward, his voice tight but controlled. “Paige.

We need to talk.”

I swallow. “What about? Is Jax okay?”

“He’s fine,” Remy answers. “It’s Nina.”

A cold ripple of tension ghosts down my spine.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify