I nod. “Thanks for checking in.”
He hesitates, then leans forward and brushes his knuckles gently over my arm. “I meant what I said. You’re not alone in this.”.
I swallow past the lump in my throat and give him a small smile. “I’m starting to believe that.”
Parker gives me one last lingering look, then nods at Ryder in the living room before heading to the door When it clicks shut behind him, it feels like part of me goes with him
“You okay?” Ryder asks from the floor, half buried in a pile of Lego:
“I’m not sure” I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake the ghost of Parker’s touch from my skin.
Ryder rises and brushes off his jeans. “We can talk if you want? I think I can help you.”
I exhale and glance into the living room, where Jaxon is now lining up toy cars in perfect rows. “Okay, but I have to get him to his afternoon session at school first.”
“Then let’s take him together,” Ryder says, offering me a smile. “Unless you want some space?”
(( Chapter
“No,” I say quickly. Too quickly. “I want you there.”
He nods, his eyes softening and a smile forming on his face.
We get Jaxon ready without a fuss, his little body buzzing with exent as he throws his backpack over one shoulder and tells us he’s decided to name the red truck “Blaster”
As we walk down the path that leads to the school, Ryder slips his fingers between mine. I let him. The contact is exactly what I need, and it sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach. I have imagined this moment for years. Walking down the street, hand in hand with Ryder, our son running ahead, like a real family. But I can’t stop the way my thoughts drift to Parker’s eyes, or the gentle way he said you’re not alone. I can’t stop the images of Callen and Remy in the woods.
I don’t know what’s happening to me. I only know that something’s begun and there’s no going back now
The walk to school is warm and breezy. It’s the kind of summer afternoon that smells like freshly cut grass and makes everything feel that little bit easier to deal with. Jaxon skips ahead of us, chattering nonstop about which truck would win in a race, Blaster or his new Lego dinosaur truck creation, and Ryder responds with enthusiasm.
I let the sound of their conversation wrap around me. This part feels right. Easy. Jaxon is glowing, Ryder is relaxed, and for a minute, the chaos inside me goes quiet.
The school comes into view between tall trees. We enter through the front door, and some of the staff nod politely to Ryder as they pass. No one says anything directly, but I can feel the way they look at us. At him.
He’s not just any dad showing up at school, he’s the Alpha, and now everyone knows he has an heir. Which
I still haven’t wrapped my head around.
Jaxon barely gives us a backward glance as he runs to join a group of kids who shout his name in welcome
“He’ll be okay?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.
“He’ll thrive,” Ryder says, watching him with a kind of pride that causes a lump to form in my throat.” Especially with you behind him.”
I smile, and we turn to leave, only to stop short at the door as Callen steps through the school gate, his sunglasses pushed up into his hair and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. My stomach tightens at the sight of him.
“Paige His voice is low, and his eyes flick between Ryder and me like he’s trying to solve a puzzle.
“Hey, I manage, keeping my tone neutral.
“You got a minute?” he asks, gaze locked on mine. “We should talk”
I glance at Ryder, whose posture has become more protective. He doesn’t speak, and I hate I might be causing an issue between them.
“I know,” I say quickly, trying to cut the tension. “But now’s not the time.”
His jaw ticks. “Paige…”
“I will talk to you,” interrupt. “Just… not here. Not in front of the school. Later, okay?”
Something flickers across his face, concern and hurt, maybe, or frustration, but he nods stiffly.
“I’ll hold you to that,” he says.
Then he brushes past us without another word, heading toward the field where the kids are already gathering for their sports session.
I let out a shaky breath as we walk away.
“Are you okay?” Ryder asks.
“No.” I huff a quiet laugh. “But I will be.”
We don’t speak for a while. The sun is warm, and the streets peaceful, and I let myself enjoy the silence as we walk side by side through the village. As we pass the little corner shop, I see a sign that reads ‘Ice cream and toys.”
“Do we have time for a detour?” I ask, tilting my head toward it.
Ryder grins. “Always.”
Inside, I try to go straight for the ice cream freezer, but Ryder gently steers me toward the toy aisle with at wink
“What’s he got at home already?” he asks.
“Not much, to be honest. We kind of left our old place in a rush. I only managed to grab a few of his favourites and what was already in the car.” I admit, and I notice him stiffen. “He had so much Lego, probably too much.” him for not pushing the subject.
I can tell he wants to ask why we left, but he doesn’t, and I appreciate him for not pushing.
“There’s no such thing as too much Lego,” he says with mock seriousness.
He picks out a new set, some kind of space-themed fortress with three alien mini-figures and a tiny Then we pick our ice cream before Ryder insists on paying.
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