The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 220

220 /227

** Paige’s POV **

I almost drift off, not because I’m tired, but because I’m so unbelievably content right now, and I don’t want to move.

Callen’s arm is wrapped around me, heavy and sure across my waist, his chest pressed warm and solid to my back.

His breathing is slow and even, feeling just as content as me. He’s just holding me, but it feels like so much more than that.

The room is dim, the afternoon light filtering in through the thin curtains, painting everything in soft gold.

My fingers trail gently over his forearm, tracing the faint lines of muscle beneath my touch. The bond hums low and steady between us, no longer searching, no longer restless. It feels like a deep, quiet lake instead of the rushing current it’s been for so long. It’s safe now, anchored.

Callen shifts slightly behind me, his chin brushing the crown of my head. His grip tightens just a fraction.

“Hey,” he says softly.

I smile before I can stop myself.

“I thought you’d fallen asleep.”

He huffs a quiet breath against my hair. “I didn’t want to miss it.””Miss what?”

“This,” he says simply, “the after.”

That makes my chest ache in the best way.

I turn carefully in his arms, sliding one leg over his, fitting myself against him until we’re face to face. His hand comes up automatically, cupping my cheek like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly, his thumb brushing beneath my eye. “You went very still.”

I nod. “I was… settling.”

He smiles then. It’s small, real, and a little awed.

“Yeah,” he says. “Me too.”

Silence stretches between us, comfortable and warm. The bond doesn’t pull or tug. It just is.

“I felt it when you marked me,” he says after a moment.” Not like the others. Not louder.”

“Clearer,” I whisper.

His breath catches.

“That’s exactly it.” His forehead rests against mine. •

Emotion swells in my chest.

“I was scared i’d change you.”

“You did,” he says gently. “But not into someone else.”His hand slides down, pressing flat over his chest, right where the faint symbol rests over his heart… my mark. My claim.

“You gave me direction,” he continues. “You didn’t take anything from me, Paige. You gave me somewhere to stand.”

My throat tightens.

– “I don’t feel… split anymore,” he adds quietly. “Like I’m always pulling in three directions at once.”

The bond pulses softly in agreement.

Hean in, pressing my forehead to his, breathing him in. “I didn’t do it because the Dawn demanded it.”

“I know.”

“I did it because I wanted to; I wanted to make you mine the same way I’m yours.”

“I was already yours; this just makes it official,” he smiles.

I close my eyes, feeling it fully… the steady presence of the others wrapped around us even from a distance.

“Now we’re anchored.”

Something fierce flickers through his gaze.

“Good,” he murmurs. “Because whatever comes next… it doesn’t get you without going through me.””I love you, Callen. I know I don’t say it enough, but I do.

“You don’t need to say it, because I feel it, and I hope you feel how much I love you too.”

“I do.” I smile through blurry eyes as emotion spills over.

Callen pulls me in tighter, and I rest my cheek against his chest, absorbing the feel of his skin pressed to mine. The bond flares warm and steady, and we both fall silent again.

The silence doesn’t stay empty for long. It deepens. The bond warms, then slowly unfurls, like something stretching after being held too tightly for too long. A soft pressure blooms behind my ribs, not painful or urgent… just awake.

I inhale, and the world answers with life.

My breath catches as sensation spills outward, flowing through me as easily as blood through my veins. It’s not a surge of power, not the wild flare l’ve learned to brace for when my gifts react instinctively.