The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 268

Book 2 ~ Chapter 33

** Jake’s POV **

+25 Points

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.”

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Book 2 Chapter 33

+25 Points

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, 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.

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Book 2 Chapter 33

I pause. “Yes?”

Her expression softens slightly. “You

worrying.”

+25 Points

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

Pushing open the door directly opposite, I pop my head into the lab, where the soft humming of the equipment greets me. I find Ronnie here speaking with Hiro, our youngest and brightest lab tech.

“I want blood samples from everyone here as soon as possible,” I instruct.

Hiro’s eyes widen. “Everyone?”

“That’s what I said,” I nod. “If they’re in this clinic, I want their blood. Make sure the babies and Jax get numbing cream first.”

“On it,” he says, jumping to his feet. “I’ll have Mira start collecting samples. Anything in particular I’m looking for?”

My eyes meet Ronnie’s, and he gives me an approving nod.

“Everything.”

Hiro’s hands still, full of sample pots. “That’s going to take some time.”

“Then we’d better hurry.” I force a smile. “Call in help if you have to.”

I don’t go back to Poppy yet. Because if I’m right, then I need to confirm it before I bring this anywhere near her.

“Where are you?” I ask Leo.

“Back in the living quarters for now, but I’m not sure how long I can keep her in here for.” He responds quickly.

Good. I want her close, but not close enough for her to see me. I step outside again, scanning the surroundings until I find what I’m looking for.

One of the Twiceborn. He’s crouched behind the fallen tree, his head tilted slightly as if he’s listening to something no one else can hear.

“Blaine,” I call.

His head snaps toward me instantly with that odd awareness and recognition they all seem to have. Then he moves fast and silent. He’s too animated for someone who used to be dead. He stops a few feet in front of me.

“You called,” he says.

His voice is steady.

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<Book 2 Chapter 33

“I need to check something,” I reply.

He nods once without hesitation. “Ofurse.”

+25 Points

I assume Paige has already mentioned I wanted to check up on the Twiceborn cause he doesn’t question it at all.

I step closer, reaching for his wrist the same way I did Paige’s. The moment I touch him, I feel it. The difference all the Twiceborn carry. They don’t feel wrong or broken; they just have a different energy to the rest of the pack.

The energy inside him is stable and strong in a way that shouldn’t be possible. That’s all Paige’s doing, her gift of a life restored. But beneath that, there’s a subtle shift. A faint current moving

under the surface. I narrow my eyes slightly, focusing harder.

“Have you felt anything unusual?” I ask.

He tilts his head slightly.

“Since when?”

“Last night.”

“I wouldn’t say unusual,” he says slowly. “Just quieter.”

My stomach tightens.

“Quieter how?”

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