The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 2

** Jake’s POV **

Leo raises his brows. “What kind of something?”

“It’s from old records he’s been studying,” I explain.

“What kind of records?” Poppy asks.

“Accounts from before most of our history was properly documented. He’s only been able to translate small fragments, but it’s enough to get the gist…”

“Get to the point, Jake,” Leo says.

I nod once.

“There are references to voices,” I say. “But not as something as simple as dual souls. It’s described more like a connection to something beyond.”

Poppy lets out a quiet, humourless laugh. “That’s not better.”

“I know,” I say. “But listen.”

I look directly at her now.

“In those records, there’s mention of something that loosely translates to the First Light. A stage where instinct, memory, and something older start to overlap.”

She shakes her head immediately. “No.”

“I’m not saying that’s what this is,” I reply, forcing calm into my tone. “I’m saying parts of it match.”

“Parts of what?” Leo asks.

I hesitate again.

“The rest of it ties into something else,” I say.

Poppy crosses her arms, defensive again. “Of course it does.”

I meet her gaze.

“The Lunarae.”

Leo frowns slightly. “That’s what Ronnie thought Paige was… before everything else.”

“Exactly,” I say. “And we already know Poppy isn’t just human. That was never really in question, not with who her sister is.” Poppy’s arms tighten across her chest.

“That doesn’t mean I’m whatever Paige is,” she says.

“I’m not saying you are,” I reply calmly. “If anything, this suggests the opposite.”

That gets both of their attention.

“What do you mean?” Leo asks.

I shift slightly, choosing my words carefully.

“Paige’s power followed a pattern,” I explain. “Unpredictable at first, but always external. It pushed outward. It affected the world around her in ways we could see, even when she couldn’t control it yet.”

I glance at Poppy. “This… doesn’t feel like that.”

Her brow furrows.

“Then what does it feel like?” she asks.

“Internal,” I say. “Like it’s rooted in you. Not something you’re channeling, but something you’re connected to. Something that’s been there longer than you realise.”

Poppy shifts her weight, uneasy.

“You said the Lunarae were connected to something bigger,” Leo presses.

“They were,” I nod. “But even those accounts don’t describe this. Not like this. This is… more aware. More direct.”

Poppy lets out a quiet breath. “So that’s reassuring.”

“It’s not meant to be,” I say. “It’s meant to be honest.”

She rolls her eyes, but there’s no real malice behind it.

“So what are you saying?” she asks. “That I’m some kind of… off-brand version of Paige?”

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