“He always has been, even before he was born.”
Ryder sits up then, pulling me against him. “Will you tell me now? I want to know everything, from the moment you found out you were pregnant, to his birth, first steps, first words. I want to know it all.”
I search his eyes, seeing his desperation, and nod. “On one condition: you go back out there and bring in the last of the wine,” I say, motioning to the tent door.
He doesn’t hesitate, scrambling out of the bed and running out completely naked, returning a moment later with the wine bottle, two glasses and a triumphant grin.
He sets the glasses down with a bow, like a warrior returning from a hunt and presenting me with his bounty, and I can’t help but laugh at the sight of him naked, smug, and completely unashamed.
“Impressive,” I tease as I take the bottle from him.
“Damn right.” He crawls back onto the bed, settling beside me with a boyish grin that makes my heart squeeze. “You set the terms, and I delivered. Now you have to tell me everything.”
I pour the wine carefully, handing him a glass before lifting mine. “To second chances,” I whisper.
His smile softens, and he clinks his glass against mine. “To forever.”
The bond hums between us as we drink, and I know I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life, especially the way his eyes don’t leave me, watching me like I’m the only thing he’s ever needed.
I curl against him again with my glass balanced in my hand, and begin. “I still remember the day I found out like it was yesterday. I thought my heart was going to stop right there in my parents’ bathroom as the test flashed with a positive result. I was terrified, Rye, and I felt so alone. I thought my parents would lose their minds, and they kind of did, but the second we all heard his heartbeat at my first midwife appointment…” My throat tightens, and I pause, swallowing hard. “We all fell instantly in love, and I felt like I wasn’t alone anymore. Like he’d been sent to keep me going.”
Ryder’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently. His eyes are wet, though he doesn’t look away.
I smile through the ache in my chest that comes from him. “His first kick nearly knocked me over. He was so strong even then, just like you. And when he was born…” I shake my head, the memory flooding me with warmth. “He had the loudest cry. I swear the whole ward knew
Jaxon had arrived, but when they put him on my chest, he went quiet. He just stared up at me with those big blue eyes. It was like knew me, Rye. He knew I was his mum.”
A tear slides down Ryder’s cheek, and he doesn’t bother wiping it away. “Goddess, Paige,” he whispers, his voice breaking. “I should have been there.”
I reach up to wipe his cheek. “You’re here now. You’ll hear the rest of his story, every detail. You’ll be part of the rest of it too.”
He leans into my touch, kissing my palm, his voice low. “I’ll never stop being grateful for him and for you. For this chance to make it right.”
His arms wrap around me again, and I believe him. I believe in us. The future no longer feels uncertain. It feels exciting, just waiting for us to write it together.
The first thing Jaxon does when we get back to the house is kick off his trainers and sprint to the living room like it’s been waiting forever for this moment. His little voice echoes down through the house, announcing to anyone within earshot what game we’ll be playing first.
Parker goes straight to the kitchen. “I’ll get the pizzas started.”
“Can you stick some of those southern fried chicken drumsticks in too? I’m starving,” Remy calls after him as he follows me into the living room.
“And some wedges,” I add.
“Like a pack of damn wolves,” Parker mutters under his breath.
“It’s for Jax. He’s a growing little alpha, he needs all the extra calories,” I tease.
“Yeah, the kid eats better than half of our warriors,” Remy grumbles.
The living room is chaos within minutes. Cushions on the floor, Jaxon’s hoodie abandoned by the sofa, controllers and game boxes scattered everywhere.
“Alright, little man,” I say, sinking onto the sofa and grabbing a controller. “You ready to lose?”
He narrows his eyes at me with a look that could rival Ryder’s when he’s trying to stare down an enemy. “I’m going to crush you, Uncle Cal.”
Remy nearly spits his drink laughing. “He’s definitely Ryder’s kid.”
We play. I let Jaxon win the first round because the joy on his face when the screen flashes with his victory is worth more than any ego trip. He jumps to his feet, spinning in a ridiculous dance, and Remy eggs him on with cheers.
But by the second round, the kid doesn’t need my help. He’s quick, sharper than most adults
I’ve played against, and Remy joins him in teaming up to annihilate me. His laughter fills the room until my cheeks ache from smiling. It’s impossible not to be infected by his cheeky giggles.
I let it wash over me. The normalcy of it all. It’s the kind of night I used to dream about when I found out I had a twin brother. I thought we’d have this together one day… a home, a mate, pups running around causing chaos. Two halves of the same whole, raising a family side by side with our mate. I thought when we finally made it official with our mate, we’d do it together.
Instead, he’s out there mating with Paige right now, and I’m here babysitting his son.
Bitterness creeps in, uninvited. I shove it down before it can take over. Because the truth is, they need this. Ryder needs to shed the ghosts he’s carried for too long, and Paige deserves his whole focus. She deserves to feel chosen, not like she’s being shared from the start. Still, the ache pulses in my chest.
The pack-link hums to life for their hourly check-in, tugging me from my thoughts.
“All quiet on the eastern border.”
“No movement from our target. He’s still home with the female,” one of the scouts watching
Greg reports.
“Copy that,” I answer, leaning back onto the sofa. “Rotation is in three hours. Can someone double-check the southern line?”
“Already done.” Ronnie reports.
Another voice cuts in, Carter this time. “North’s clear. The only thing I’ve seen in two hours is a herd of deer.”
“Good. Let’s hope it stays that way,” I reply.
The reassurance helps, but I don’t fully relax. The hunters have been too quiet lately, and quiet never lasts, not when they have a pack in their sights.
“Uncle Cal, you’re not even trying!” Jaxon whines, pulling my attention back to the game.
I grin, shaking my head. “You think you can beat me without trying? Watch this.”
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