Carry 32_The Lost Pack

Paige’s POV **

 Parker’s words soothe something inside me.

 I nod slowly, blinking back the tears behind my eyes. “I don’t even know where to start.”

 “Then don’t.” Parker’s voice is calm, solid. “Startter. Right now, just be here.” 

 I nce toward the living room. Jaxon’sughter floats out, and Ryder’s amused voice follows. That should be enough for me. It is enough, but then I nce back at Parker, and there’s this current between <ol><li>us. A quiet hum. Not loud or overwhelming like it is with Callen or Ryder, but it’s no less real. </li></ol>

 You have this way of saying the right thing,” I murmur, part using, but mostly grateful.

 He shrugs. “Comes with the territory.”

 “What territory is that?” I ask, my voice soft.

 His eyes linger on mine a little too long. “The one where I care.”

 It’s too much. I look away. I can’t do this. I can’t. But that warmth in my chest says otherwise. That flutter

 of recognition I’ve felt around all of them that speaks of something more.

 I turn back to the counter, gripping it like an anchor. “Don’t.”

 “I’m not doing anything,” he says, and I think he means it.

 That’s the worst part. I don’t think he is trying anything, and still… I feel it. I feel him.

 “need to figure out what’s real,” I whisper. “I feel like I’m breaking apart.”

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 He doesn’t answer right away. When he does, his voice is low. “I think you’re stronger than you know, Paige, and no one expects you to be unbreakable.”

 I don’t realise I’m crying until a tear sshes onto the counter. I wipe it away before anyone else can see

 and draw in a breath.

 ver seen him, and that’s because of

 Behind me, the pleasant sounds of Ryder and Jaxon filter through the haze of my spiralling thoughts. Jaxon sounds like a different child already. He’s happier than I’ve these men, his pack I wish it was that easy for me, too.

 I turn to face Parker again, and this time, I let the silence hang as I really look at him. He doesn’t look

 away, and neither do I

 “Mummy, please can I have a drink?” Jaxon calls, snapping me out of whatever was just happening

 between me and Parker

 “Yes, milk or juice?” I ask, forcing my voice to be light.

 “Milk please,” he chimes.

 店

 I turn my back on Parker to get Jaxon’s no–spill cup. Thest thing I need is a milk spill.

 “Here you go, baby,” I smile down at Jax, and he takes the cup from me with a whispered, “Thank you,” and mumbles something about not being a baby.

 “Do you want anything?” ask Rye.

 He looks up at me from his ce on the floor and I feel like he’s studying me.

 “No, thanks,” he finally says, shaking his head.

 When I walk back into the kitchen, Parker shifts, resting his forearms on his knees, his gaze flicking toward

 the hallway before sliding back to me.

 “Remy said you were upset this morning,” he says

 cautiously.

 I wince. “I didn’t mean to snap at him. He caught me off guard, or on guard, I guess.

 Parker’s eyes stay on mine. “What happened?”

 “He tried to talk to me and I thought he was messing with me, so I said some things I shouldn’t. I didn’t

 even give him a chance,” I admit.

 He nods and exhales through his nose. “Remy’s stronger than you think, but he’s not invincible. None of us

 are. He’s not been very weing towards you, and it’s understandable you’d not trust him yet.”

 I nod, unsure what else to say, and then there’s a pause, heavy but not ufortable. He straightens with

 a sigh, ncing at the time on his phone before he stands.

 “I should go. I’ve got patrol duty soon, and Remy will never let me live it down if I’mte again.” His tone is light and teasing, but there’s something else in it, like he doesn’t really want to leave.

 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 onest 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 nce 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 “ster”

 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, ster 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 rxed, and for a minute, the chaos inside me goes quiet.

 The schooles 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 nce as he runs to join a group of kids who shout his name in

 wee

 “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 sunsses 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 nce at Ryder, whose posture has be 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 quietugh. “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 vige. 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 ce 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.

 Outside, Ryder gestures to a wooden bench under the shop window, and I take a seat.

 “You didn’t have to buy him anything.” I say softly as he sits beside me.

 He shrugs. “I wanted to. I’ve missed so much. If I can be here now, even in small ways… I will.”

 w rover.

 I look at him, really look at him. There’s so much weight in his eyes, so much want. Not just for me, but for this life we’re building for Jaxon.

 I reach for his hand and squeeze it gently.

 “Thank you,” I whisper.

 He looks over at me and smiles, and the chaos in my mind stills. Even if just for now.

 We spend the next hour catching up. I tell him about my work, and he tells me about his pack members and how much he can’t wait for me and Jax to meet them. It feels so natural with him, almost like we were never apart. Like this, he makes me feel like a giddy teenager all over again.

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Carry 32