Callen is the first to respond. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure if you and Parker have already discussed with her about sealing your bonds yet, but I think you should hold off for the time being. If her body is already answering to us the way it is, is it wise for two more to lock in? It could make things worse for her.”
“Oh, that’s easy for you to say now that you are already bonded to her.” Callen snaps. “It’s driving me mad that I’ve not claimed her yet, my wolf is becoming impatient.”
Ever the voice of reason, Parker responds next. “He’s right, Cal. We can wait. We should wait, at least until this heat cycle is over.”
“Okay, we wait. We won’t pressure her into completing anything.” Callen gives in. “At least it gives us more time to plan making it perfect for her, but let it be known, that if I turn out to be the man who says ‘later’ and then has the world take that later away in some fight with the hunters. I’ll haunt your asses forever.”
Remy snorts a laugh out loud, drawing Paige’s attention, and she narrows her eyes at him.
“Smooth, Rem, real smooth. No ass haunting for you now,” Callen teases.
“Okay, conversation over. Let’s get home,” I grumble.
I look at Jax working together with his new friends, and hate that I have to pull him away. Tomorrow I’ll make plans for Regina to start teaching the kids in the village. If we can’t take them to school, then we will bring the school to them. Jaxon needs it.
With my hand on Paige’s back, I guide her toward the small clearing where Callen has the kids building a lopsided fort. I crouch and pick up a long stick, then hand it to Jax. “Good job,
I tell him, and I mean it. He looks up with a bright grin, and for a second I forget all the problems we are dealing with. He has a way of doing that, his smile and giggles drowning out everything else.
Later, when we’re home and the day is over, we will all sit with Paige and talk things through.
The kids small fort collapses with a clatter of sticks, and the whole group bursts into laughter. My son’s cheeks are pink from running, and his grin is wide enough to brighten anyone’s day. My chest aches with pride, love, and the bone-deep instinct to protect him no matter what.
I clear my throat. “Come on, bud, it’s time to head home.”
The change in him is instant. His shoulders drop, his lower lip pops out, and he drags his foot against the dirt. “But Dad…” His voice is small, pleading. “I don’t want to go yet. I’m having so much fun.”
I ready myself for our first disagreement, but before I can speak, Paige puts a hand on my arm. “Rye,” she says softly, “he’s having fun. Can’t we give him a little longer?” Her eyes lock onto mine, warm but tired.
I should say no. She should be home, resting and having us look after her. But one look at Jaxon’s hopeful face and Paige’s gentle persuasion, and my wolf practically rolls onto his back in surrender. How can I say no to these two?
I sigh. “Fine. A little longer.”
“Thanks, Dad!” Jax cheers before darting back into the group.
“Thanks, Rye. It’s good for him to have some company his own age,” Paige squeezes my arm.
Parker, who’s been leaning against a tree with his arms folded, pushes off the trunk and holds a hand out to Paige. “While he’s playing, do you want to take a little walk? Get a feel for the pack grounds?”
Paige hesitates for a second, but then nods. “Yeah. That would be nice.”
“I’ll come too,” Remy says, already scanning the area like he expects trouble to spring from the bushes.
I don’t argue. The pack grounds are safe, and Parker and Remy can protect her, they’ll keep her close. I stay behind with Callen, both of us turning back toward the fort where the kids are already rebuilding.
Jax waves at us with a stick in hand. “Come help, Uncle Cal!”
Callen grins and crouches down beside him, his big hands steadying the lopsided walls of twigs. He laughs and talks softly to the kids. I can see how much he loves it, being here, being the fun uncle, teaching Jax while making it interesting. My throat tightens. He’s a good father figure, he deserves this relationship with Jax.
I crouch in the grass, keeping an eye on the treeline while watching the kids. That’s when she appears.
An older girl, just turned nineteen if I remember right, approaches from the path. She’s tall, dark-haired, and slim, the way our kind always are. She’s smiling as she comes closer, but it isn’t the kind of smile meant for children. It’s angled straight at Callen. Here we go again. “Hey,” she drawls, pushing her hair over one shoulder. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.” Callen glances up at her briefly. “Yeah, they’re keeping me busy.” He turns back to Jaxon, fixing a crooked branch in the fort.
She steps closer, lowering her voice just enough that the kids won’t catch it, but I hear every word. “I’ve not seen you around much lately.”
“I’ve been busy,” Callen replies shortly.
She smiles, unaffected. “Shame. We could’ve had some fun. Someone like you shouldn’t be wasting their time on a human.” Her eyes flick toward the direction Paige left, then back to him. “She can’t give you what I can.”
A growl rips out of me before Callen even has a chance to answer. My wolf bristles, clawing at my insides, the possessive rage instant. But Callen handles it faster than I do. He straightens to his full height, his gaze cold and his voice heavy with his wolf’s rage.
“Don’t. I’ve got everything I want already. Don’t ever disrespect my mate again.”
The girl flinches, her mask slipping as anger replaces her flirtation, and she hisses, “You’ll regret it when she fails you.” Then she spins on her heel and stalks off, muttering under her breath.
I watch her retreat, my hands clenching into fists. My wolf wants to chase her, to make sure she never dares open her mouth again, but Callen exhales hard, shaking his head. “She’s not worth it,” he says, more to himself than to me.
I step closer, lowering my voice. “You handled that better than I would have. Please don’t tell me you have a history with her.”
Callen smirks faintly, though his eyes are still stormy. “Nah, although it’s not the first time she has tried to get my attention, she’s just a young girl aiming high.”
“Fancies herself as Luna, huh?” I snort, shaking my head,
“Don’t they all at that age? She’ll mature in the next year or two and be embarrassed about her behaviour.”
The kids cheer as the fort finally stands without collapsing. I smile at them, telling them what a great job they’ve done, but my thoughts are on Paige, out there walking the village with Parker and Remy. I’m glad she wasn’t here to witness that, especially not while she is feeling so vulnerable. Our pack members won’t dismiss her or make shitty comments any longer. I’ll fight every last one of them if I have to.
**Paige’s POV **
The sound of children’s laughter fades behind me as we step onto one of the narrow dirt paths on the outskirts of the small village. I almost stop right there, because every instinct in me screams to turn back and keep Jaxon in sight.
Parker’s hand brushes mine, his calming energy flowing through me from the briefest touch.” He’s fine,” he says softly, as though he can feel my worry, and maybe he can. “Callen and Ryder won’t let anything touch him.”
I nod, even though my chest still feels too tight. “I know, I trust them. It’s just… he looks so happy. He acts like he belongs, and I’m scared someone might say something to make him feel like he doesn’t.”
“He does belong, you both do,” Parker replies without hesitation.
Remy snorts, falling into step on my other side. “And if anyone else tries to say otherwise, I’ll take their words and make them choke on them.”
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