Remy follows without hesitation now, his shoulders still tense but his steps eager. I tug him up the stairs, into my room, and close the door behind us.
“Clothes off. Now.” My voice leaves no room for argument.
He obeys instantly, lifting his shirt over his head whilst kicking his boots off. He doesn’t look at me, just waits, shoulders squared like a soldier awaiting command. My chest swells with pride, desire, and something much darker.
“Good,” I say, circling him slowly. “Tonight, you’ll do exactly as I say. No holding back, no sneaky tricks. You understand?”
“Yes,” he breathes, his eyes blazing with need.
I grip his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Say it properly.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
That’s all it takes for control to lock into place. My wolf purrs with satisfaction as I push him gently back toward the bed.
** Paige’s POV **
I wake up with a smile, still basking in everything that happened last night. Ryder snores softly beside me, and I lie there just watching him and examining the bond that links me to him.
It feels different with him, more intense somehow. Maybe because I already had a connection with Rye. When I mated with Remy, we were practically strangers, but I already loved Ryder. I’ve loved him for years.
I listen to the sounds outside the tent, the quiet movement of a small animal, birds singing in the trees and I feel at peace, like I’m right where I’m supposed to be. City life was never for me. I hate the busyness of it, the traffic, the people, the mundane jobs. Everything feels better here. Even on grey days when it rains, it still feels magical here rather than sucking the energy from me. The only parts I truly miss are Poppy and the coffee shops.
That reminds me, Poppy is visiting for dinner today. Something I’m equally looking forward to and dreading. I don’t want to lie to her, and I don’t want Jax to have to lie to her either, but what other choice do we have? To protect her and the pack, we have to lie.
So that means I’m going to have to spend the day coaching Jax. He can’t mention the wolves, or that we’ve been staying at the cabin this whole time. He will have to pretend he’s enjoying his new school, and that everything is normal.
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asks, his voice startling me.
“Good morning,” I smile, rolling onto my side to face him again. “I was just thinking.”
“Good morning, mate,” he says with a boyish grin as his eyes flick to the spot on my neck he’d marked me, on the opposite side to Remy’s. “What were you thinking about? You felt… guilty?”
I blow out a breath. There’s really no hiding anything from him now. “I’m just worried about Poppy’s visit today. I hate lying to her, and I hate even more that I have to make Jaxon lie.”
Ryder’s eyes soften, and he reaches out to stroke my cheek. “I know it’s not easy, and it’s not that she can’t be trusted, but it’s for the best she doesn’t know. Besides, this is Jaxon’s life now. This is a secret he will have to keep for the rest of his life. Look at this as practice for him. If he does slip up, then we know Poppy will keep quiet to protect him.”
“I know,” I nod. “It doesn’t make it any easier though. Since we lost our parents, me and Jax have been all she had, and now we are living a life we can’t even tell her about. It just feels wrong, like I’m living in a different world to her.”
Ryder is quiet for a moment, lost in thought. “I’m sorry I’ve put you in this position, Paige. The last thing I want is to come between you and your sister. Let’s try to keep her out of this until we have dealt with the hunters, and then, if this still bothers you, we can tell her.” he offers.
“I thought that wasn’t allowed unless a human is a wolf’s mate?” I ask.
“It’s not, but for you, we can make an exception,” he shrugs.
“No, Rye.” I shake my head. “I appreciate you’d bend the rules for me, but that’s only going to make the pack hate me more than they already do. If I ever want to be accepted, I need to play by the rules. I’ll figure this out with Poppy, it’s just going to be different for a while.”
“You’re already such a good Luna, you are going to have the pack wrapped around your finger in no time,” he smiles, pulling me into him.
I hesitate, then glance up at him. “Rye… what does a Luna actually do? I know it means being your mate, but beyond that, what’s expected of me?”
Ryder’s expression softens, like he’s been waiting for this moment. “A Luna is more than just the alpha’s partner, Paige. You’re the heart of the pack. Where I make the hard calls, you’ll be the one they come to for balance and compassion. You’ll be the steady voice when tempers flare, the one who listens when others are too afraid to bring something to me or Callen directly. You’ll sit beside us during meetings, help settle disputes, and make sure no wolf feels forgotten. It’s more than duty, it’s your presence. A Luna reminds the pack what we are fighting for… family, loyalty, a place where we all belong. You’ll be their home, as much as you’re mine.”
I swallow as his words sink in. “That sounds… huge, Ryder. I’m not sure I’m cut out for it. I mean, I can barely wrap my head around this world half the time, and you’re talking about me guiding it?”
He cups my face gently. “That’s exactly why you’ll be good at it. You don’t see people as ranks or roles, Paige, you see them as they are. You listen, you care, you fight for the people you love. That’s what a Luna does. We will teach you the rest, all the formal stuff and traditions. But the part that matters?… You already have it in you.”
A lump forms in my throat. “And what if I mess it up? What if the pack never accepts me?”
Ryder leans in, his forehead resting against mine. “Then they’ll have me to answer to, but I don’t think it’ll come to that. You’re already winning them over without even trying. Give it time, and they won’t just accept you, they’ll follow you.”
His certainty eases something in my chest, and I let myself believe maybe he’s right. Maybe I could be their Luna.
I blow out a breath. “Well, I guess I don’t have much choice, do I? Whether I’m ready or not,
I’ve got to step up.”
Ryder grins at me. “That’s my girl. And don’t think you’re doing this alone. You’ve got me, you’ve got the others, and we’ve got Jax.”
That makes me smile. “Speaking of which, we’re going to need to coach him before Poppy arrives. He’s not exactly the best at keeping secrets.”
“True,” Ryder agrees with a low chuckle. “But I’ve got an idea. We’ll turn it into a game. Jaxon won’t just be keeping a secret, he’ll be on a mission. Just like he was yesterday.”
“A mission?” I raise an eyebrow.
Ryder’s grin turns wicked. “Yeah. Secret agent Alpha training. He’s got to stay undercover today, make sure Auntie Poppy doesn’t learn anything she’s not supposed to. If he treats it like a spy game, he’ll take it seriously.”
I shake my head, laughing softly. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously brilliant,” he corrects, kissing my forehead before sitting up and reaching for his shirt. “Trust me, mate. That boy will eat it up.”
We finally climb out of bed, pulling on yesterday’s clothes before leaving the tent. The walk back through the woods is peaceful, the morning air cool against my skin and filled with the sound of birdsong. Ryder holds my hand, and we walk together for the first time as fully bonded mates, it feels good. I let myself believe this is normal. This is our life now… quiet mornings, simple tasks, and the six of us finding our new balance together as a family.
When the cabin comes into view, Jaxon is already waiting on the porch with Parker. Jax’s hair is sticking up in all directions, and he has a huge grin on his face. “Mum! Dad! You’re back!” He barrels down the steps, launching himself straight into Ryder’s arms.
“Morning, pup,” Ryder laughs, spinning him once before setting him down. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” Jax declares. “Parker said we had to wait for you.”
Inside, the smell of frying bacon makes my stomach growl. Callen and Remy are cooking. They both look happier today, like something changed with them last night too. I busy myself setting the table. Ryder pours orange juice while Jax babbles about how he beat Uncle Cal at Xbox last night. I can’t stop smiling as I watch them, my little family, messy and perfect.
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