The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 199

** Paige’s POV **

I wake to warmth. Not sunlight or the lingering glow beneath my skin, but warmth that feels alive. That feels wrapped in love. The kind of warmth that only comes from my mates.

Ryder’s arm is draped over my waist, heavy and protective even in sleep. His breath is slow against the back of my neck, steady, as though he’s holding the entire world still just so I can rest a little longer.

My body aches, not painfully, but in a way that reminds me that something monumental happened last night. gave him my mark.

I feel it before I even move. A soft hum deep in my chest, answering the steady beat of Ryder’s heart where he’s pressed against me.

He’s mine. I claimed him the way he claimed me.

My fingers tremble as I brush them lightly over his forearm. The contact sends a soft pulse through the bond, warm and comforting, and Ryder tightens his grip around me instinctively, still asleep, yet still aware of me.

For a few breaths, I just lie there, wrapped in him. Safe, wanted, chosen, loved.

Loved… the word still makes my chest tighten. Because hesaid it… and I said it back. It wasn’t the first time, but it was the first time we both felt what that simple word means to each other.

“Paige,” Ryder mumbles behind me, his voice still rough from sleep. “You’re thinking loud again.

A small smite tugs at my mouth. “Go back to sleep.”

“No,” he breathes, and his arm slides up, curling around me and pulling me even closer. “Not letting you leave this bed yet.”

“I wasn’t trying to leave.”

“You were thinking about it.”

“Ryder…”

He nuzzles the back of my neck, the brush of his stubble making me shiver. “You’re not walking anywhere until | check that you’re okay.”

“I am,” I say softly.

He hums as if he doesn’t fully believe me, then shifts me gently onto my back so he can look at me properly.

His eyes darken the second he sees the shimmer still beneath my skin.

My eyes land on my mark, a subtle shimmer, on his skin, right over his heart. I think it’s slightly different from Parker’s, but I can’t say how exactly. I’d need to look atthem both side by side, which I definitely won’t complain. about. In fact, I can’t wait to mark Callen and Remy too, then I’ll have the perfect excuse to get them all shirtless and examine them properly… for scientific purposes, of course.

His eyes follow my gaze, and he touches it with the tips of his fingers. “You really did it.”

“I think the evidence is right there,” I tease.

Ryder swallows hard, eyes locked on the still-faint symbol etched into his skin. It feels different from what expected.”

“Different how?”

“Like it isn’t on my body,” he says slowly. “It’s… in my soul.” His thumb brushes the edges of the mark, and the bond flares between us, warm and bright. “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

Emotions swell in my chest, and before I can speak, he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Paige,” he murmurs against my skin, “thank you.”

I open my mouth to respond, but a knock interrupts us.

Ryder sighs. “Of course.”

Another knock.

“Guys?” Poppy’s soft voice comes through the door. “Are you alive in there? We’ve got breakfast started, everyone is here, and I’m about to wake Jax up.”

“Okay, thanks, Pops,” I call back. “We’ll be down soon.”

Ryder groans into my neck. I’m banning everyone from this house.”

“You can’t ban my sister.”

“Watch me.”

1 hold back a laugh and sit up, tugging the blanket with. me. “We should go before she kicks the door down.”

“She wouldn’t.”

“She absolutely would.”

He gives me a grudging look because he knows I’m right.

He forces himself to move, stretching, rolling his shoulders. His gaze flicks to me again, softer now. “You’re sure you’re okay?”

“For the hundredth time, yes.”

He snorts. “IIl accept that answer… for the next five minutes.”

I brush my fingers over his new mark, and he shivers. “It looks good on you.”

“Do that again, and we won’t be leaving this bed for at least another hour,” he warns.Heat blooms over my cheeks. “Rye…”

“Breakfast!” Poppy shouts from downstairs.

Ryder stares at the door. “I’m moving us into the woods.”

“We are already in the woods.”

“Further into the woods, so far that no one will ever find uS.”

“Ryder.”

He sighs dramatically, reminding me of Callen. “Fine.”

We shower quickly and dress before we head downstairs.

The scent of bacon, toast, and coffee hits me before we even reach the bottom step.

Callen leans against the counter, already smirking. I just know he’s about to test out another ridiculous nickname.” Morning, my glowstick.”

I roll my eyes, fighting back a smile.

Remy gives me a slow, assessing once-over.

“You look stronger today.”

I nod, because I feel stronger.

Parker steps forward, brushing a soft kiss to my cheek.” Hey, sunshine. Did you sleep okay?”

“Yes, but I missed the three of you.”Jake and Leo are plating up food. Ronnie is pouring coffee, and Poppy oozes stressed energy whilst she pours Jaxon a glass of milk.

Nina and Blaine stand by the back door, quiet and watchful, the Twiceborn presence feeling strangely natural now, like they’ve always belonged here.

And then there’s Jaxon. He runs straight at me the second he sees me.

“Mummy!”

I kneel just in time to catch him, lifting him into my arms.

He squeezes my neck so tight I nearly lose my breath.

“You look shiny again!” he announces proudly.

I blush. “Do I?”

“Uh-huh! Like a Christmas fairy.”

Ryder laughs,behind me. “That’s… accurate.”

Poppy sits down, tapping her fingers on the table. “Okay.

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