Jaxon is my anchor. He’s my why.
Parker steps back inside, his footsteps quiet. “Morning, little man.”
Jaxon lifts his head with a sleepy grin and turns to face him. “Hi, Parker.”
“Are you hungry?”
Jaxon nods enthusiastically, and Parker gives me a nod before he heads toward the kitchen, pulling out a pan.
I carry Jaxon to the living room and sit him on the couch, tucking a blanket around him, and put on one of his favourite cartoons on the TV so I can help with breakfast.
Back in the kitchen, I find Parker already cracking eggs.
“You okay?” he asks without looking over.
I grab the bread and start popping slices into the toaster. “Yeah. I think I just needed a minute.” Our hands bump at the edge of the counter, and my chest tightens. My body hasn’t forgotten what almost happened outside. Neither has he. I can feel the tension radiating from him even though his expression stays calm.
“Have you heard from Callen this morning?” I ask.
Parker shakes his head. “Remy checked in on him on his way to patrol. He said he was still sleeping but healing, and his colour was better.”
I nod. “So this wolfsbane… it’s toxic to you?”
“Yes, it’s not something we can recover from alone. It’s toxic to you too, so don’t be touching it.”
“I don’t even know what it is,” I shrug.
“A wildflower. It’s pretty common and doesn’t really do anything unless we ingest it, or it gets into our bloodstream. The hunters like to make darts from it, or coat their knives in it if they want to draw out a death.”
“Lovely,” I say with a grimace.
We work in companionable silence for a while, and I’m grateful for it. Because my thoughts are anything but quiet.
There’s still heat under my skin from that almost-kiss, a pull that hasn’t let up. I can still feel the ghost of his fingers on my cheek. The weight of his gaze. The desire that was building without permission.
He didn’t kiss me because I didn’t say the words. I wanted him to, but he didn’t.
I feel like Parker truly sees me, not just the mate bond, not just the desire, but the part of me that’s afraid, and he respects it. He respects me. That makes something in my chest ache.
He flips the eggs in the pan, then glances over at me with a faint smile. “You’re thinking too loudly.”
I huff a quiet laugh. “Sorry. I’ll try to think quieter.”
“Don’t,” he says, passing me a plate. “I wish I could really hear them, it would make it so much easier for me to help you navigate all this.”
I glance at him, the tug in my chest growing heavier.
How did this happen? How does someone I barely know become someone I don’t want to imagine my life without?
We move around each other easily, sliding toast onto plates, pouring juice, plating eggs, all while the weight of what almost happened plays on repeat in my mind.
Parker passes me a fork, our fingers brushing again, and this time I don’t pull away. I just hold his gaze a second longer than necessary and let the moment settle between us like a quiet promise.
One I’m not ready to make, but one I don’t want to walk away from either.
I know that before I make any big decisions, I need to know more. I need to know exactly what it is I’m signing up for, and out of the four of them, there’s one who I feel safest to have that conversation with.
“Parker, later, if we get some time alone. Can you explain how a mate bond is completed, and how it will affect me?” I ask.
Parker looks temporarily stunned and glances around nervously before he nods. “Of course.”
N.O Darling
Sorry for the lack of updates. I have had a migraine and had to limit my screen time for a couple of days. Thank you for all your support
**Paige’s POV **
Ryder appears not long after we finish eating, his hair still damp from a shower. His shirt clings to his chest, like he didn’t dry off properly. He looks exhausted, but more himself than yesterday. His eyes find mine, and he smiles.
“Hey,” he says, his voice still a little sleepy.
“Morning,” I smile. “You look better.”
He steps into the room, leaning down to kiss the top of Jaxon’s head as he passes. “I feel better. Slept like a rock.”
Parker gives him a quiet nod and goes back to clearing plates. I can sense tension between them, and I hope I’m not the cause of it.
“I was thinking,” Ryder says, turning to me, “if you’re up for it, I can take you to see Callen.”
My heart stutters. “Now?”
He nods. “It’s quiet out there. Patrols are up. He’s stable. Figured we should go sooner rather than later, and he would love to see you.”
“I do,” I say quickly. “Thank you.”
Parker glances up. “I’ll stay here with Jax.”
“You sure?” I ask, searching his face.
He offers me a soft smile, one that settles something deep in my chest. “Positive. You’ll feel better once you see him.”
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply