“It’s stunning. Tell me about the pack. What are they like?”
“Well, you have already met Regina. She runs the school making sure our pups get an education and mingle with other kids safely. It’s important that…”
“The head teacher?” She cut in.
“That’s the one,” I nod.
“But she looks so… normal.”
“What?… You didn’t notice her hairy palms?” I tease, and Paige flinches back, her gaze shifting to my hands.
I turn them over slowly, showing her my bare palms.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that,” she cringes.
“It’s okay,” I laugh. “It’s a lot to take in.
“So, is that why Jax was so taken by her?”
“Yes, he has good instincts. He would have sensed she was kin.”
“This is insane,” she breathes, sitting back to lean against the back of the bench.
“But at least it’s not boring,” I offer, trying to lighten the mood.
We sit in silence for a moment, her gaze fixed on something in the distance. I hear Callen return and glance back through the window to see him stomping up the stairs buck naked. We should probably leave some shorts near the back of the house. We keep stashes of clothes further out near to the town. Usually, we don’t need clothes to return home as we never have guests that aren’t completely comfortable with nakedness.
“You okay, Rem?” I ask in the mind link.
“Leave me alone,” he snaps.
“Okay, but if you need me, just shout.”
The door opens a few seconds later and Callen steps out. He’s wearing shorts now, and he places three bottles of beer on the table before he flops down into the chair with a sigh. He runs a hand through his hair and I think he looks more stressed than I’ve ever seen hun.
“It’s you, isn’t it?” Paige says abruptly, her gaze on Callen.
“What’s me?” he asks, glancing at me, and I shrug
“Why Remy doesn’t want me here,” she says, and Called’s eyes go wide, filled with panic as he flicks his gaze between the two of us.
Shit.
“He thinks I’m not good enough for you,” she adds quickly, and I suspect she is covering herself, realising she has possibly just outed him to me.
Callen doesn’t speak, he just leans forward to pick up a beer and chugs half the bottle. His eyes meet mine and I just shrug again, playing dumb.
“He just thinks you’ll hurt his alphas. He’s protective. He will come around,” Callen says, finally.
“Fair enough. I don’t blame him. I should probably get going soon. Give you all some space to talk it out, and it’s almost Jaxon’s bedtime. Which way is it back to my house?” Paige asks and Callen sits up straighter.
I brace for what is about to come.
“Paige, you can’t leave. You need to stay here,” Callen says softly.
“I won’t leave the town, but I have my own house. I have commitments. Jaxon has school and I have things to sort out, not to mention the fact I need to check in with my sister. I’d also feel much safer in my house.”
“You don’t feel safe here? You are probably safer than you have ever been in your life,” Callen frowns.
“No, I don’t feel safe,” she admits, and I see the pain on Cal’s face, her words hitting him like a punch to the gut.
I know this because I feel the same. If my mate doesn’t feel safe here in our home, then we are failing her.
“Shit. Paige,” he sighs. “How about you and Jax stay here tonight, then in the morning we will take you home and work out where we go from there? Otherwise, Ryder and I will be staying at your place, and I’m pretty sure your bed will not be big enough for the three of us.’
“I am not sharing a bed with either of you,” she snorts.
“Fine, then you can explain to your neighbours why you have a pair of wolves sleeping on your doorstep,” Callen shrugs, taking another swig of his beer.
I want to add that it will be three wolves on her doorstep, but now is not the time to drop that bombshell. I pick up a beer and take a gulp to keep myself from saying anything.
“You don’t trust that I will stay?” She asks.
“Not 100% no, but it’s not just that. You are our mate. Our wolves won’t rest without knowing you are guarded. Please, just stay here tonight. We have spare bedrooms. We can work the rest out tomorrow,” he pleads.
“Fine, but Jax and I will share a room. Keep Remy away from us,” she huffs.
My wolf relaxes, knowing she’ll be staying.
**Ryder’s POV **
I still feel like this is all some crazy dream. Maybe I hit my head, and I’m in a coma, and any minute now I’m going to wake up. It doesn’t feel real, sitting on my couch, Xbox controller in hand, my son beside me. My son. A living, breathing little person who looks like me and smiles like Paige.
“That’s it. Now go faster!” Jaxon cheers, bouncing in his seat as I drive my virtual car around the track and then straight into a wall for the third time.
I’ve played this racing game a thousand times. I can beat everyone, except Parker. But tonight? I’m happily getting smoked by a six-year-old just to hear the joy in his voice. I’d lose every race for the rest of my life if it meant he’d keep looking at me like I’m his hero.
When he beats me again, for the second time, he doesn’t brag. He just pats my arm and says, “It’s okay, you were closer that time.” No teasing, no smug smile. Just kindness. Paige has raised him so well it makes my chest ache. He’s got this soft heart and bright spirit. So polite and full of compassion. I want to wrap him up and never let anyone dim his light.
Every time I look at him, I want to cry. Not just with mourning for everything I’ve missed, but with sheer pride. He’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.
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