The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 269

Book 2 ~ Chapter 34

** Poppy’s POV **

+25 Points

Jake still hasn’t come back, and I’m starting to suspect he’s avoiding me. Maybe seeing my mating mark bothered him more than we realised. Leo is the polar opposite and hasn’t let more than a few

inches separate us since the tree almost fell on me

A strange, uneasy feeling settles low in my stomach. I’m not waiting any longer. If I’ve upset him, I

need to fix it.

“I’m going to find Jake,” I say, pulling the door open

“He’s probably still checking Paige over,” Leo says, close on my heel. “You know what he’s like when

something doesn’t make sense.”

Yeah, I do, but that’s not what this feels like. This feels as if he left, and didn’t want to come back.

My chest tightens slightly at that thought.

“Right,” I say, even though I’m not convinced. “Then the least I can do is help him make sense of

whatever it is.”

Ryder steps out of the room Paige is in as we approach.

“I’m just going home to grab some stuff for Paige. Jake’s keeping her in for a while for observation, “he explains without me asking.

“Makes sense,” I nod. “How is she?”

Ryder rubs a hand over the back of his neck, blowing out a breath.

“I think she’s okay, but there’s something going on with her. Was she like this after she Jaxon?”

I go still for a second, my gaze dropping as my mind drags me back there. Those weeks weren’t normal. Nothing about them was. Grief, exhaustion, just trying to hold it together for Jax because he was all we had left.

For a moment, it feels like I’m back in that house. Too quiet. Too heavy. Like the walls were pressing in and darkness was weighing us down. I don’t think we opened the curtains for an entire week.

“Loss leaves marks,” the voice murmurs softly.

Leo’s steady warmth presses to my back, and I blink, pushing the memories away.

“It was… different back then. Everything was.” I shake my head slightly. “Honestly, I don’t think I would’ve noticed. We were just surviving.”

Ryder studies me, something shifting behind his eyes.

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Book 2 – Chapter 34

He nods slowly. “Yeah,” he exhales. “I get that.”

His gaze drifts briefly toward the do

vhere Paige is resting.

+25 Points

“But this isn’t that,” he adds, quieter now.

That uneasy feeling creeps back under my skin.

“It could be something simple, like low iron or exhaustion. Jake will figure it out,” I say, forcing a smile.

I’m not sure which of us I’m trying to convince more.

“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right,” he nods, but I can tell he doesn’t fully believe me either. “I should get

going. I want to get back before Jake comes to see her again.”

“He’s not still in there?” I ask, gesturing towards the door.

“No, left a few minutes ago,” Rye calls over his shoulder as he walks towards the exit.

If he’s not with Paige, then why didn’t he come to find us? Is he actively avoiding me? I take a step forward anyway. If he’s avoiding me, I’ll just… not let him.

“Poppy!” someone calls my name before I can make it outside.

I stop and turn, spotting Jake’s assistant jogging down the corridor toward me.

“Mira?” I say. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, well, no, not exactly,” she pauses, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. “Jake’s asked for blood samples from everyone.”

1 blink.

“Everyone?”

She nods. “Everyone in the clinic, that includes the two of you.”

Leo exhales sharply beside me. “Of course he has.”

I glance at him. “You sound surprised.”

“I’m not,” he grumbles. “Just… annoyed.”

“Shocking,” I say dryly.

He huffs, but his hand stays firm on my back.

“What’s he looking for?” I ask Mira.

She shakes her head. “Everything, apparently.”

That doesn’t make me feel better at all.

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< Book 2

that

Chapter 34

“Right,” I say slowly. “Do you need some help?”

“Actually,” her gaze flicks between m and Leo. “I could use some help, if you’re up for it.”

Leo tenses immediately. “She doesn’t…”

“Of course,” I cut in.

He looks down at me. “Poppy.”

+25 Points

“I’m fine,” I say, softer this time. “And if Jake’s running tests on everyone, I’d rather be involved than sitting around overthinking it.’

That earns me a look.

Mira brightens slightly. “Great. Thank you. I just need you to apply numbing cream before we take samples.”

“That I can do,” I nod.

“Perfect,” she says. “We’re starting with the kids. Jaxon’s in Paige’s room, Liora too, and the twins

are…”

“In the maternity room,” I finish.

“Exactly,” she nods and hands me a small tray, neatly laid out with gloves, wipes, and the cream.

“Just a small amount on the inside of the arm and the back of the hand,” she says. “I’ll come round

after to take the samples.”

“Got it.”

She gives me a grateful smile before heading off down the corridor.

“Let’s get this over with,” I mutter,

Leo doesn’t move.

I glance up at him. “What?”

He studies me for a moment, his expression unreadable.

“Nothing,” he says finally, “I’m coming with you.”

“I didn’t doubt it.”

His hand presses more firmly to my back as we head inside, guiding me down the corridor like he doesn’t quite trust the space between us.

We stop briefly at Paige’s room first; she is sleeping, so I move quietly. Jaxon makes a face at the cream but sits still, brave as ever, while I apply it to his arm. Liora sleeps through hers entirely, curled against Remy’s chest as if nothing in the word could touch her.

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<Book 2 Chapter 34

“See?” I say lightly as we step back into the corridor “Easy.”

+25 Ponts

Leo doesn’t answer. His attention is ready shifting down the hall. Towards the maternity room. I adjust my grip on the tray, ignoring the way something tightens in my chest ain, and push the door open gently. I shouldn’t be here. That’s my first thought as I step into the room. Not because I’m not allowed, but something in me hesitates anyway, like I’m crossing into a space I don’t quite belong in.

It smells faintly sweet in here, warm and clean with that soft, powdery scent that seems to cling to newborns and everything around them. It should be comforting. It almost is.

Leo’s hand brushes lightly against the small of my back as I pause in the doorway.

“You okay?” he murmurs.

I nod quickly. “Yeah. I just don’t want to interrupt.”

“You won’t,” he says.

y

Inside, the mother looks up, her expression brightening instantly when she sees us.

“Hey,” she says softly. “Come in.”

I force a smile and step forward, my feet moving before my brain fully catches up. The room is calm and peaceful. One of the fathers is half-asleep in the chair, the other watching the babies as if they might disappear if he blinks too long.

“They’ve been perfect,” he says, as if he still can’t quite believe it.

I smile, even as something in me feels uneasy, which is ridiculous; they’re just babies.

“Can I?” I gesture vaguely, not even sure what I’m asking.

The mother smiles, already shifting one of the babies slightly.

“Of course,”

I step closer, and the moment I look down at them, something shifts. It’s subtle, but it’s there. A soft pull that feels familiar, yet wrong somehow.

The babies stir almost in unison. One of them opens his eyes, and for a second, it feels like he’s looking right at me. My fingers twitch at my side.

“They’re important.” The voice slips through my mind, soft and certain. Clearer than it’s ever been.

I freeze.

“What?” I whisper under my breath

Leo’s hand tightens slightly at my back. “What?”

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