The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 2

** Jake’s POV **

None of what is happening is chance or coincidence. I don’t let the thought settle. I don’t let it spiral because that won’t help. Standing still right now feels like the worst possible option, so I move.

The clinic doors swing shut behind me as I head straight down the corridor, my focus already shifting, but not to the baby this time. I’ve seen enough there to know I won’t find answers by staring at something that shouldn’t exist.

I need something to compare it to. Something I understand.

“Jake?” my assistant calls after me.

“Keep monitoring both babies,” I say without slowing. “Call me if anything changes.”

“What am I looking for?”

I hesitate for half a second.

“Anything that doesn’t make sense.”

She doesn’t question it. Good, she’s learning fast.

I push into the next room without knocking, the warmth of the space hitting me immediately. It’s quieter in here, and that should be calming, but it isn’t. Paige is already there, perched on the edge of the bed as if she refused to lie down properly. Of course she did.

Ryder stands close at her side, one arm braced behind her back. Callen leans against the wall, watching her with narrowed eyes. Parker gently passes the baby to Remy, who bounces her softly, trying to keep the room calm.

Leo stayed outside with Poppy. Which is a relief; I don’t want her to notice how on edge I am right now.

Paige looks up as I enter.

“I’m fine,” she says again.

I ignore her and seriously consider if it’s possible to ban those words. Every time a patient tells me they’re fine, they’re usually hiding something big.

“Sit back,” I tell her.

She lets out a frustrated sigh. “Jake…”

“Sit. Back.”

That does it. She rolls her eyes, but she shifts, letting Ryder guide her down properly this time. I step in close, my hand already reaching for her wrist.

Her pulse is strong and steady, but there’s a hitch. Not a massive concern for her; she’s always been slightly different, but there’s something just… off about it. Like the rhythm is right, but the feel of it isn’t quite where it should be.

“Are you still feeling lightheaded?” I ask.

“No, it was only for a second,” she says. “I told you, I stood up too fast.”

“And I told you that you were already standing,” Callen mumbles, earning himself a glare from his mate.

I don’t react. I’m too focused on what I’m feeling. Her energy is still there, strong and alive, but there’s a dip. I would have put

it down to having a newborn, but with everything going on lately, I’m not ruling anything out.

“When did it start?” I ask.

Paige hesitates, her gaze flitting between her mates before she answers.

“When we arrived outside the clinic to see the tree.”

Of course it did. It happened right when she touched Poppy, but I’m not ready to admit that. I release her wrist slowly, my mind already moving ahead.

“You need to rest,” I say.

“I am resting,” she argues. “I walked outside, Jake, I didn’t run a marathon.”

“You’re not leaving the clinic again today. I want to keep you in for observation.”

She opens her mouth to argue.

“It’s not up for discussion,” I cut in. “I don’t take risks with my patients, especially not our Luna.”

Ryder nods once. “She’ll stay.”

“Don’t worry, Mum, I’ll look after everything at home,” Jaxon says sweetly, coming to her side.

Paige exhales and forces a smile for Jax, but she’s clearly annoyed. She doesn’t push it further, though, and that tells me everything I need to know. She feels it too. She just doesn’t understand it yet.

I step back.

“My assistant will be in soon to run some bloods,” I say, already turning toward the door. “Call me if anything changes.” “Jake,” Paige calls.

I pause. “Yes?”

Her expression softens slightly. “You’re worrying.”

I don’t answer that because she’s right, and I don’t have time to pretend otherwise.

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