The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 212

** Paige’s POV **

The moment my feet land on the gravel at the edge of the forest, I exhale for what feels like the first time in hours.

The familiar scent of pine and smoke drifts through the alr. This is home, my safe place. A place Greg never touched.

Callen is at my side first, his eyes scanning me top to toe Like I might suddenly collapse. Remy is right behind him, his shoulders tight and jaw clenched.

They don’t say anything, but the moment they step closer to me, I feel it through the bond… a tug, a hum, a shift.

Something in me is different, and they feel it.

Callen narrows his eyes at me. “Are you okay, firefly?”

He asks casually, testing out yet another pet name, which I pretend to hate… but his gaze is sharp.

I nod. “Just tired.”

A lie that all of them can feel, but none of them push, which tells me they think whatever they’re sensing is because of what happened with Greg.

Good. I’m not ready for that conversation yet. Not here, * and not until we’ve all had time to catch our breaths.

The walk to the cabin is quiet. Callen positions himself on my left, Remy on my right, Ryder and Parker behind me.Ronnie trails further back with Baline and Hayden, who are both already back in their wolf forms, their eyes scanning the trees. Every few steps, Remy bumps his shoulder gently into mine as if making sure I’m still real.

When we reach the porch, the door swings open and Poppy barrels out, her eyes wide.

She grabs me instantly. “Tell me everything right now.”

Ryder’s hand slides to the small of my back, warm and steady. “I’ll put Jax to bed,” he murmurs. “You have a catch up with Poppy.”

Jaxon walks sleepily out the door. “Mummy?”

My heart clenches. I crouch down and kiss his cheek. “I’m okay, baby. Go with Daddy. I’ll be in soon.”

He nods, small arms tightening around Ryder’s neck as he scoops him up. The moment they disappear inside, Poppy pulls me into the living room. I sink onto the sofa as if my bones have finally admitted they’re tired.

“It happened fast,” I say quietly. “We were walking away.

Greg came running out of the house… shouting, and then someone shot him.”

Poppy freezes.

All the light and movement drain from her face.

“He’s dead?” she whispers.I nod once.

Something dark flickers through her eyes. Not quite grief or horror. It’s more like recognition and acceptance.

Poppy sits down slowly beside me, her fingers wrapping around mine. “Then that’s the only ending he was ever going to get.” Her voice is calm and flat. Not unkind, just certain.

A chill travels up my spine. Leo looks at her for too long.

Ronnie’s expression shifts, something like understanding flickering across it. All of us realising Poppy doesn’t see this as a tragedy; she sees it as balance.

Poppy squeezes my hand again. “Paige… he hurt you for years. He endangered Jaxon. He worked with hunters. He deserved what he got.”

I swallow around the lump in my throat.

“I just don’t want this to follow us,” I whisper. “I want peace.”

“You’ll have it,” Poppy says softly, “especially now he’s gone.”

The certainty in her tone should be shocking, but it isn’t.

After everyone leaves, I stand alone in the living room for a moment, the silence wrapping around me like a thick blanket. The glow inside me stirs again… gentle, warm, almost responsive. Then footsteps approach behind me.

All four of my mates swarm in like a wall of heat andworry and love.

“Paige?” Remy says softly. “Look at us.”

I do, and for the first time all day, something cracks open in my chest, a rush of relief washing through me.

“You’re all staring at me like I’m about to explode,” | joke. weakly.

“You are,” Callen says. “Emotionally. And possibly magically.”

Remy steps closer, cupping my cheek. “Whatever it is… whatever you’re holding… we can take it. You don’t have to pretend with us.”

I inhale shakily, glancing at Ryder, who gives me the smallest of nods, then at Parker, who fights to keep the smile from his face. Then, I place my hand over my stomach.

They both inhale at once. Remy moves first, his eyes searching mine with disbelief. “That’s what I felt earlier?”

I nod.

Callen takes my other hand, warming it between both of his. His voice is soft, trembling. “Paige.. are you sure?”

“No,” I admit honestly. “But something inside me feels… new… alive. Not like a gift awakening. Not like the Dawn.

This is something different, something small.”Callen releases my hand, looking a little faint as he sits heavily on the coffee table in front of me, staring at my hand on my stomach like it’s the centre of the universe.

“Are you telling us,” he says slowly, “that you might be pregnant with our pup?”

His voice breaks on the last word

My throat closes up. “I’m telling you that something is happening. Something that feels good, and pure.”

The boys don’t breathe. Not a sound.

Then Remy drops to his knees in front of me and rests his forehead gently against my thigh, hands trembling around mine.

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