She softens, her hand closing over mine. “I don’t need the whole story. Just… tell me you’re safe. Tell me Jax is safe.”
Emotion sticks in my throat. “We’re safe. I promise.”
Her eyes search mine for a long moment. Then she nods. “Alright. But Paige… if you ever need me, you call. No matter what.”
I nod, fighting off the tears. “I know.”
I hear Parker laughing downstairs. The sound is comforting, and for a moment, I let myself believe this could work. That I can balance both worlds without putting my sister in danger. But then the way Poppy watches me with suspicion tells me she won’t stop digging forever.
I just hope that when the time comes… she’s ready for the truth.
** Paige’s POV **
By the time we make it back home after dinner with Poppy, I’m exhausted. I love my sister so much, but she can be hard work, especially if she thinks there is a mystery to solve. I can’t blame her, though. If the roles were reversed, I’d be the same. I know she is only looking out for me and Jax, but for her own sake I wish she would just drop it.
I’d love to tell her everything, of course I would. She’s one of the most important people in my life, but if sharing this with her can put her in danger and make people in the pack distrust me even more, then it’s best to keep it from her, at least for now.
On the way home, Jax had convinced all the guys to have one game on the Xbox with him before bed. I don’t like his new obsession with the games console, but he did so well today that I agreed to it. Plus, it seems to be a good bonding tool for him and the guys.
Within minutes, they’re all glued to the TV screen, cheering Jax on as he races Callen.
“I’m going to shower,” I say, excusing myself.
The guys all give me a look, one that says they know I just need a few minutes alone to process everything.
Upstairs, the house is quiet. I drop my bag on the bed, kick off my shoes, and flop down beside it. That’s when I remember the pile of mail I shoved inside earlier.
I debate leaving it until the morning, but curiosity wins. It’s my first mail at that address, so I know most of it will be bills, but there could be something interesting.
Most of it is what I expected: electricity bill, water bill, broadband setup confirmation, medical forms from the village doctors. I sort them into a neat pile as I go through them, ready to deal with tomorrow.
Then, two official-looking envelopes catch my eye, giving me a sense of dread before I even open them.
The first one is a petition for divorce.
My name, his name, a list of signatures and demands. My throat closes up as I stare at it. It shouldn’t hurt. I don’t love Greg, but something about seeing it there in black and white feels more like a threat. I doubt he cares about rushing a divorce, he just used it as a way to let me know he has my address.
I drop it on the bed. I don’t care what his demands are; he can have the house and everything in it. I was already prepared to let it all go, now I’m even more sure I want nothing from him apart from never seeing him again.
When I rip the second envelope open, it nearly slips from my fingers as I read the header.
The Family Court in Somerfield County.
Re: Application under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989
I hold my breath as my eyes skim over the important parts.
Dear Ms Thompson,
Please be advised that the Court has received an application made by Mr Gregory Thompson in relation to your child, Jaxon Wilson.
Mr Thompson has applied for:
A Child Arrangements Order seeking joint custody and contact with the child.
The Court has issued proceedings, and a copy of Mr Thompson’s application is enclosed with this letter. You are named as the respondent in this matter.
A First Hearing Dispute Resolution Appointment (FHDRA) has been scheduled as follows:
Date: 14/11/2025
Time: 10:30AM
You are required to attend. The purpose of this hearing will be to identify the issues in dispute, consider safeguarding information, and determine how the case should proceed.
Failure to attend may result in decisions being made in your absence.
“No,” I whisper, clutching the paper tighter. My heart stutters, my stomach flips. He can’t do this. He can’t be anywhere near Jax.
I shove it aside before panic can overwhelm me completely. I can’t even bring myself to read the second page.
The letter sits on top of the stack, mocking me. Greg wants access to Jaxon. He wants to drag us into court, into the human system, where words like werewolf and hunter mean nothing. This is going to risk everything, and worse, it’s going to put Jaxon right in the middle.
Thoughts of running, taking Jaxon and fleeing the country fly through my mind, but I quickly dismiss them. Jaxon needs a pack, his place is here.
I swallow hard, shoving the papers back into the envelope just as I hear footsteps rushing towards me.
I press the envelopes against my chest, my heart racing and my hands trembling. I can’t hide this from them. But right now I don’t know how to tell them without destroying this fragile peace we have. Since I arrived, I feel like I’ve brought them nothing but stress and danger.
The bedroom door swings open. Ryder’s worried gaze landing straight on me as he strides across the room with Remy right behind him. The bond between us hums like a live wire, carrying my fear and panic straight to them.
“Paige,” Ryder’s voice is cautious, like he’s afraid I’m about to break. He’s on me in seconds, crouching in front of the bed, his big hands on my knees. His eyes search mine. “What happened?”
Remy is quieter, but just as intense. He leans against the wall with his arms crossed, his gaze fixed on me like he’s trying to read my mind. “You’re scared, tell us why so we can fix it.”
The paper crinkles in my hands as I exhale and hold out both envelopes. “You’re not going to like this.”
Ryder doesn’t hesitate, he takes them from my hands. His brow furrows as he scans the divorce paperwork first. The tension in his shoulders eases, and he huffs out a humourless laugh.
“Well, that’s one thing settled,” he says, tossing it onto the bed. “You’re almost free of him for good.”
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