The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 206

** Paige’s POV **

I’m having a moment where I genuinely believe I might drown in all the changes happening in my life, but I can’t, there are too many people relying on me. As always, Parker senses I need him, and he wraps an arm around me as we discuss the Twiceborn and how we can help them readapt.

A few short months ago, I’d never have thought I could be useful in a fight like this. That I could be the one that saves them. I’m so happy that I can, but I also don’t want to’lose myself in the process.

I can only hope that when this is all over, when the hunters are no longer an issue, that I can return to some normality. That I can live a peaceful life with my family and life can be as normal as it gets for a family like ours.

The folder sits open in front of me. It’s just paper and ink, but the weight of it feels like a threat pressed to my chest.

Ronnie taps it once, calm as ever. “I’ve pieced together everything our surveillance gathered, plus information from other packs. I have the hunters’ patterns, their funding trails, the people they’ve planted in police departments, hospitals, schools… even the university Annie attended.”

I swallow, and the coffee in my stomach churns.”They’ve been preparing for years,” Remy mutters, voice low. “Long before Paige came into the picture.”

“Maybe,” Ronnie says. “But Paige accelerated their plans when she took Jaxon away.”

I wrap my fingers tighter around my cup, trying to hide how unsteady my hands have become. It would be easier? if the faint hum under my skin weren’t making everything. feel too bright. I feel like my nerves are turned up too high today.

Ryder studies me with a frown. “Paige. Where did your head just go?”

“Nowhere,” | lie, realising | just missed half the conversation.

My mind feels like it’s everywhere… Greg. The hunters.

Annie’s confession. The Twiceborn. This impossible power humming beneath my skin like it has a heartbeat of its own, and beneath that… something else, something new waking in me. A new gift maybe?

I shove the thoughts away. Not now. I need to focus.

“We need to move,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady.” We should get to Greg before the hunters start wondering why Annie hasn’t reported back and go looking for her.”

Callen nods. “Then let’s go get him.”

“No.” Ryder’s tone slices through the air like a blade. “We do this smartly.”He turns to Ronnie. “What’s our best move?”

Ronnie clears his throat, flipping open the folder. Pages flash… maps, invoices, photographs of men in military-style gear who probably go home and kiss their wives before trying to murder people like us.

He spreads three pages in front of me. “Greg moves in patterns. Routine, predictable, ego-driven. He’lt be at the cafe first thing this morning for his usual breakfast.”

I blink. Looking at the snapshot of him in one of the small local cafes two streets from our old home. I never knew he went there; he never mentioned it, and I can guess why.

Annie had worked there before she and Poppy had left to go to uni together.

I flick back through the file, stopping when I get to a photo I recognise. I stare at the image of Greg. He’s wearing his wedding suit and laughing. Jaxon is beside him, smiling like the sun, blissfully unaware that the man holding his hand was planning to hand him over like property.

Strangely… I feel nothing. No pain. No betrayal. Just an odd, hollow ache.

“Paige.” Ryder’s voice is softer now. “You don’t have to face him today.”

“Yes,” I say quietly. “I do.”

Ryder shakes his head. “You had a big night. Two big nights. Your power is growing, and your glow is all overthe place. You need rest.”

I tap my fingers against my knee, trying to calm the hum beneath my skin.

“I don’t need rest,” I whisper. “I need closure. I need to end this, to know our son is safe, and finally to start living our lives.”

Remy leans forward, elbows on the table. “If we go today, we go prepared. Not emotionally raw.”

I meet his eyes; he’s right. But my instincts?… They aren’t afraid. If anything, they’re pushing me forward. Urging me. Something inside me, something more than the Dawn, feels like it knows exactly what it’s doing.

“Paige?” Parker murmurs.

He’s been watching me quietly this whole time.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asks. “You seem… different.”

That hum flutters again, low and soft inside me.

“I’m fine,” I say too quickly.

He tilts his head, his wolf-senses clearly picking up something I wish he wouldn’t. Before he can question it, I stand.

“We go in an hour. No confrontation. No speeches. No fighting unless they make the first move. I need eyes on Greg. I need to feel him out and see how my power reacts,see if he’s communicating with anyone.”

Ryder stands too. “And if he is?”

My power stirs in answer.

“Then we purify that too,” I say softly.

The room goes silent.

Ryder nods, resigned to the fact that this is happening whether he likes it or not. “We can take the same team as yesterday. Blaine and Nina will guard Jaxon.”

“No,” I say instantly.

Every head snaps toward me.

I clear my throat. “I don’t want Poppy anywhere near Greg.

Jaxon can stay with her today with the Twiceborn guarding them both.”

Ryder considers this, then nods once. “Leo and Jake stay with them then.”

Callen stretches his neck. “Great. So what are the rest of us doing? Because watching Greg eat avocado toast does not feel productive to me.”

“We’re not watching,” Ronnie corrects. “We’re observing Paige’s reaction to him. There’s no pressure to make contact today; we follow Paige’s lead.”

“Then we go once Jax is up and has had breakfast,”I say.Ryder inhales slowly. “Together.”

Something in his tone softens the knot inside me.

“Together,” I repeat

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