The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 2

** Poppy’s POV **

I close the bedroom door behind Leo and walk into the bathroom. I push open the door and stop. Because they really did think of everything.

Fresh towels are folded neatly on the rack. The counter is stocked with toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a fancy- looking razor, and even a small box of tampons tucked discreetly into the drawer.

My throat tightens unexpectedly. They didn’t just make space for me; they prepared for me.

I step back into the bedroom just to take it all in. The quiet of the room settles around me again, broken only by the faint sound of Jake moving around downstairs. My hand slips into the front pocket of the hoodie I borrowed from Paige after Liora spat up on my jacket. A small smile tugs at my lips.

I have the sweetest nephew, a sister who loves me fiercely, and a brand-new niece to adore. I have a place that finally feels like home, and two incredible men who have shown more patience and grace than I probably deserve.

Even after everything… they still want me here. Everything I thought I’d lost is suddenly within reach again, and yet something inside me still feels incomplete.

It doesn’t feel wrong exactly, just unfinished. Like I’m standing in the right place, surrounded by everything I should want, but there’s still a quiet space somewhere inside me that none of it quite reaches. A missing piece I can’t quite name.

The feeling lingers just long enough to make my chest tighten before I shake it off. Maybe it’s just nerves. Maybe it’s the aftermath of everything that’s happened. Or maybe I’m just not used to feeling this settled yet.

The voice stirs softly at the edge of my thoughts. “You are not finished yet.”

A chill runs down my spine.

My hand wraps around the phone in my pocket. The one I’ve been ignoring since I arrived last night. I pick it up and unlock the screen, and several notifications pop up immediately.

Two from Paige, one from Annie, which I plan to ignore, and one from the unknown number that had texted me on the bus yesterday.

My lips twitch… Alaric. Of course he didn’t let that go. For a moment, I consider ignoring it again. Then curiosity wins, and I open the message thread. There’s another message waiting.

Unknown: You can’t get away that easily.

I snort quietly and type back before I can talk myself out of it.

Me: You were given a perfectly good number.

The reply comes almost immediately.

Unknown: Perfectly good for avoiding me.

Okay… fair. I sit on the edge of the bed, tucking my legs underneath me.

Me: How did you even get this number?

Three little dots appear, then disappear, then reappear again.

Unknown: I have my ways. My eyes narrow slightly as I type my response.

Me: That’s not an answer.

Unknown: Sure it is. You just don’t like it.

I laugh quietly under my breath. Yep, definitely Alaric. The arrogance alone gives him away.

Me: Did you bribe someone?

Unknown: Maybe.

Me: Threaten someone?

Unknown: Also possible.

I think of the few people who he could have got my number from. There are only four possibilities. The obvious one is my coworker, Erika. Then there’s my employer, my landlord, or Paul, the guy who worked alternate shifts to me. I really hope he didn’t threaten any of them.

Me: You’re ridiculous.

Unknown: You’re the one who started it.

I lean back slightly on the bed, smiling to myself.

Me: Started what?

The reply comes slower this time. I’m just about to toss my phone onto the bed and head into the shower when the three dots appear again.

Unknown: The game.

My smile fades slightly at that. Game? For a moment, I picture Alaric leaning casually against the bus station wall, that smug grin on his face.

Typical cocky werewolf behaviour.

Me: You’re assuming I’m playing.

The typing bubble appears again.

Unknown: You gave out the wrong number.

My lips twitch. Okay, he has a point.

Me: Maybe I just didn’t want you to find me.

The reply comes instantly.

Unknown: And yet, here we are.

I stare at the screen for a second. Fair point.

Me: You’re persistent.

Unknown: Thanks for noticing.

I shake my head, amused. I grab the T-shirt Leo gave me as I stand up. Me: I’m busy.

Unknown: That sounds suspicious.

Me: It’s called having a life.

Unknown: I’ll believe that when I see it.

I roll my eyes.

Me: You’re insufferable.

Unknown: And yet you’re still texting me.

I pause; he’s not wrong.

Me: Don’t read into it.

Jake slides a huge plate onto the tabletop in front of me. It’s loaded with eggs and toast. Then a second plate follows; this one has pancakes, berries, and what looks like syrup or honey.

My eyebrows lift. “You cooked all of this?”

Jake shrugs as if it’s nothing. “I’ve been practicing.”

Leo leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “He’s been preparing for this moment for eight months.”

Jake shoots him a glare. “It takes time to perfect things.”

I pick up a fork, giving Jake an appreciative smile before I tuck in, going straight for the pancakes.

“Well,” I say after the first bite, “whatever you perfected… it worked.”

Jake’s shoulders relax slightly, and he takes the seat beside Leo. We eat quietly for a minute. The peaceful silence lasts just long enough that my guard drops.

Then Leo speaks. “You flinched earlier.”

The fork pauses halfway to my mouth, and I glance up. Jake is watching me carefully now, too. My stomach tightens.

“When?” I ask lightly, even though I know exactly what he’s referring to.

“On the couch,” Leo says.

“Did you really have a cramp?” Jake asks gently. I set the fork down slowly. They noticed, of course they did. They’re wolves, and I’m a terrible liar. “It was nothing,” I say quickly. “Just a muscle twitch.”

Leo studies me. Jake doesn’t; he drops his gaze to his plate instead, which somehow feels worse.

“We’re not asking because we think you’re lying,” Jake says quietly. “We’re asking because you flinched as if something scared you.”

“And if there’s something bothering you, we need to address it. The last thing we want is you getting overwhelmed and taking off again.

My stomach drops. For a second, I don’t know what to say. Then I force a small shrug.

“It was just a muscle twitch.”

Neither of them responds immediately. Leo leans back slightly in his chair, and I know he’s not buying it.

Jake nods once. “Okay.”

Then they both start eating again. They don’t push or interrogate; they don’t stare at me with suspicion. Which somehow makes guilt twist deeper in my gut. They trust me enough not to force it, and I’m already keeping secrets.

The voice stirs faintly in the back of my mind.

“Not secrets.”

‘Helpful… Thanks.’

I think back at it before I pick my fork back up. Across the table, Leo watches me for a long moment, his eyes flashing with concern before finally looking away. Jake reaches for the coffee pot and pours three mugs without asking.

The moment passes, but something quiet has shifted. They know something is happening, and they’re waiting for me to decide when to tell them. I just wish I understood it myself.

One thing is clear… I need to find a way to reassure them, and fast. I can’t leave them living in fear that I might disappear again; they don’t deserve that.