Carry 35_The Lost Pack

**Paige’s POV **

 The knock on the door is urgent. I’m already on my feet before it <bes a second time, with my heart hammering so hard I can feel it in my throat.

 I peek through the spy hole and then wrench the door open to find Parker standing there, dried blood

 crusted down one side of his face.

 “Oh my god,” I gasp, reaching out to touch his face without thinking. “Are you okay?” 

 Parker closes his eyes at my touch and nods, cupping his hand over mine.

 “The others?” I ask, afraid to hear his answer.

 in a

 They’re okay,” Parker says quickly, his voice low. “Callen’s in a bad way, but alive.”

 My knees almost give out. Parker’s handsnd on my hips to steady me and I grip the doorframe to stay

 upright, the wave of relief crashing over me so fast it makes my eyes sting.

 “Come on,” he urges. “We’re getting Regina and the kids. Ryder wants you and Jaxon at our ce. Under

 protection.”

 “Okay” I nod. “But let me get you a cloth first. You’ll scare the kids turning up like that.”

 I rush into the kitchen before he can respond. I grab a clean towel and run it under the tap. I wring it out

 and turn back, only to find Parker is now right behind me.

 “Sh’t,” I breathe. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

 “Sorry.” He says, looking guilty as he takes the wet towel from my hand.

 He wipes it over his face and then gives me a look. Silently asking if it’s better. I shake my head and I hold my hand out. He ces the towel in my hand and I slowly bring it up to his face, like he might flinch away from my touch. He doesn’t. His eyes watch me with an intensity I don’t know how to interpret as I wipe the

 blood from his temple.

 “Is this yours?” I ask, my voice shaky.

 “Probably I took a decent blow to the head,” he says with a grimace. “It’s healed now.”

 “Wow, you really heal that fast?”

 “Yes, as long as there’s no wolfsbane or silver involved,” he nods.

 “Ryder said Callen had been hit with wolfsbane Does that mean he’s not healing?” I ask, worry twisting in

 my gut.

 “The healers are working on him. Once they get him stable, they’ll drain it from his system. Luckily, he has a twin that can donate a decent amount of blood,” he exins “We should go. The others are waiting”

 Chapter 35:

 I nod, grabbing my jacket and slipping on my shoes without even thinking. There will be time for questionster. There’s no time for fear, not yet. That part willeter. For now, I just have to move.

 Parker leads me down the path, and I finally see them, the others he mentioned. Big, powerful wolves in human skin. I count three. One of them has a long scar across his jaw and a look in his eyes that says he’s

 seen too much.

 He nods at me. “You must be Paige.”

 I swallow, my voice shaky when I answer. “Yeah.”

 “I’m Ronnie. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Although, I wish it was under better circumstances. We’ll keep you

 safe.”

 I nod stiffly, not sure what to say. I know Ronnie is the guy that saved Callen and Ryder, the man they

 consider a father, but now doesn’t feel like the right time for a meet and greet with him.

 The other two give me nods that seem more like bows, and then they move into formation around us as

 we walk towards the school. I’m not sure how to react to being protected by what feels like a walking

 army.

 When the schooles into view, Ronnie and the two others jog ahead while Parker stays by my

 side.

 “They’re checking the perimeter for any strange scents before Regina brings the kids out,” Parker exins,

 before I even get a chance to ask.

 “Would the hunters target the school?” I ask, my pulse picking up its pace again.

 “No, there are too many humans around. They might scout it and watch from a distance, though. If they’ve been anywhere near, we’ll know.”

 The thought of Jaxon in their sights makes my stomach twist. Images sh through my mind of grabbing

 him and running far from here. Moving to a busy city where hunters wouldn’t dare strike. I could surround

 him with humans, drown him in noise and crowds.

 But how long could I keep him safe that way?

 Eventually, we’d be alone again. Eventually, his wolf woulde, and he’d face it with no one to guide him. No pack that understands him. Just a frightened boy in a strange body, wandering the woods and praying

 no one saw what he had turned into

 I can’t do that to him. He deserves more than fear and istion. He deserves to belong, and he can only have that here, with the people that would put their lives on the line to protect him

 “It’s all clear,” Parker says, snapping me out of my thoughts

 I blink at him, still half caught in ns for Jaxon’s future “How do you know?”

 He nces toward the woods, then back at me like the answer should be obvious.

 “The guys didn’t pick up any scent. No broken branches, no fresh tracks Nothing to suggest anyone’s been near”

 There’s something in his tone that makes me realise he thinks I’m doubting them.

 “I’m not questioning their skills,” I say quickly, holding up a hand. “I just mean… how are you getting that

 information?”

 a

 Parker’s mouth curves into a faint smile, a little less guarded now. “Right. Sorry. I forgot this is all still new

 to you.” He taps the side of his head. “Mind link. Pack members can talk to each other telepathically”

 I

 I stare at him for a second, trying to wrap my head around it. “Like… you can hear them? In your head?”

 He nods. “Clear as if they’re standing right next to me.”

 I exhale slowly, imagining how that must work. “That’s… incredible. Kind of terrifying, but incredible.”

 He chuckles. “You get used to it. Comes in handy, especially when things go sideways.”

 I nce toward the tree line again. “So that’s how Ryder knew the second something went wrong.” 

 “Exactly.” Parker’s voice softens. “We’re never really alone out here.”

 That thought is bothforting and overwhelming..

 Η

 We reach the school gates and the front doors open. Regina pops her head out and locks eyes with

 Parker. He gives her a nod, and she ushers out a small group of kids. Jaxon spots me first.

 “Mummy!” he shouts, breaking free from the group and running toward me.

 I crouch just in time to catch him in my arms. He smells like home. I hold him tight, breathing him in like I

 haven’t seen him in years.

 “You’re okay.” I whisper, smoothing my hand over his dark hair.

 His small hands pat my face. “Are you crying?”

 “No, baby,” I lie, sniffling. “Just happy to see you.”

 “Where’s my dad?” He asks, looking from Parker, to Ronnie and the other men.

 “He’s busy, but you’ll see him soon,” I smile, standing and taking his hand in mine as Regina and the other kids approach

 “Ready to move? Parker asks

 Regina nods once and gathers the rest of the children like it’s a fire drill. The children are quiet and look worried. Do they know what happened?

 “Remember, children, we need to stay quiet, so our enforcers can focus on the surrounding sounds. This is just practice, like we’ve done before, so don’t be scared,” Regina says, her tone so soft and calm that I almost believe her, too.

 “What’s an enforcer?” Jax asks.

 Ronnie crouches in front of him. “Hi, Jaxon. I’m Ronnie, and I’m so happy to meet you. Your dad has told

 (Chapter 35

 me so much about you. Enforcers are like soldiers, and you’ve been chosen to help train them. So we need you to keep really quiet so they can practice. Once we get back to the house, you can ask your questions, but for now, we need you to be silent. Can you do that?”

 “Yes, sir,” Jax nods, taking his role very seriously and saluting Ronnie.

 Ronnie salutes back at him before ruffling his hair and standing with a smile.

 We start moving as a group; me, Jaxon, Regina, six kids, and the tight formation of enforcers around us. Parker keeps pace beside me and Ronnie walks directly behind Jaxon as if shielding him.

 The walk to Ryder’s cabin feels longer than it should. Every snapped twig and rustling bush makes pulse jump. The tense silence just makes me more nervous, and I have to fight the urge to speak just to break the tension. Just when it starts to be too much, Parker’s hand brushes against mine. The brief

 touch calming me more than words could.

 When we finally see the cabin through the trees, I almost cry again because Ryder is standing on the

 porch, waiting.

 He looks rough. He’s shirtless with dirt and blood streaked across his skin, but when his eyesnd on me,

 something fierce and warm lights inside him. His shoulders drop just a little and his jaw unclenches.

 Hees down the steps in three quick strides, pulling us both into his arms. One around me. One

 around Jaxon. His body trembles with tension as he exhales into my hair.

 “Thank the moon,” he breathes. “You’re here.”

 Jaxon wiggles between us. “Daddy?”

 “I’m here, buddy.” Ryder presses a kiss to the top of his head, then one to my temple.

 “How bad is he?” I whisper.

 He doesn’t answer right away.

 “He’s alive,” Ryder finally says. “That’s what matters.”

 I nod, because I don’t know what else to do. If I let myself think about it, about Callen, I’ll fall apart.

 Ronnie clears his throat behind us. “The perimeter’s set. I’ve got three guards rotating outside, two on the back windows, one in the trees. Anyonees close, we’ll know”

 “Thank you,” Ryder says. “Get the rest of the kids home. I’ll meet you back at the healers soon.”

 Ronnie nods and jogs to catch up with the group while Parker flops down in a chair on the porch.

 “Daddy, what have you been doing? You’re all dirty. I think you need a swim in the big bath,” Jaxon says, as he studies Ryder with a wrinkled nose.

 Ryder lets out augh that’s half amused, half exhausted. “Yeah, I do”

 Jaxon nods seriously. “And lots of soap.”

 4 Chapter 35

 I smile, the tightness in my chest easing for the first time all afternoon. There are still questions, still

 danger, but we’re safe for now.

 Ryder catches my eye, his fingers brushing mine. “Come inside.”

 I follow him in, with Jaxon skipping between us, talking excitedly about his training mission with the

 soldiers and Parker at my back.

 I hope with everything in me that Callen and Remy will be back with us soon.

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Carry 35