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The first thing Jaxon does when we get back to the house is kick off his trainers and sprint to the living room like it’s been waiting forever for this moment. His little voice echoes down through the house, announcing to anyone within earshot what game we’ll be ying first.
Parker goes straight to the kitchen. “I’ll get the pizzas started.”
“Can you stick some of those southern fried chicken drumsticks in too? I’m starving,” Remy
calls after him as he follows me into the living room.
“And some wedges,” I add.
“Like a pack of damn wolves,” Parker mutters under his breath.
“It’s for Jax. He’s a growing little alpha, he needs all the extra calories,” I tease.
“Yeah, the kid eats better than half of our warriors,” Remy grumbles.
The living room is chaos within minutes. Cushions on the floor, Jaxon’s hoodie abandoned by
the sofa, controllers and game boxes scattered everywhere.
<b>“</b>Alright, little man,” I say, sinking onto the sofa and grabbing a controller. “You ready to lose?”
He narrows his eyes at me with a look that could rival Ryder’s when he’s trying to stare down an enemy. “I’m going to crush you, Uncle Cal.”
Remy nearly spits his drinkughing. “He’s definitely Ryder’s kid.”
We y. I let Jaxon win the first round because the joy on his face when the screen shes
with his victory is worth more than any ego trip. He jumps to his feet, spinning in a ridiculous dance, and <i>Remy </i>eggs him on with cheers.
But by the second round, the kid doesn’t need my help. He’s quick, sharper than most adults
I’ve yed against, and Remy joins him in teaming up to annihte me. Hisughter fills the
room until my cheeks ache from smiling. It’s impossible not to be infected by his cheeky
giggles.
I let it wash over me. The normalcy of it all. It’s the kind of night I used to dream about when I found out I had a twin brother. I thought we’d have this together one day… a home, a mate,
pups running around causing chaos. Two halves of the same whole, raising a family side by
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side with our mate. I thought when we finally made it official with our mate, we’d do it
together.
Instead, he’s out there mating with Paige right now, and I’m here babysitting his son.
Bitterness creeps in, uninvited. I shove it down before it can take over. Because the truth is,
they need this. Ryder needs to shed the ghosts he’s carried for too long, and Paige deserves
his whole focus. She deserves to feel chosen, not like she’s being shared from the start. Still,
the ache pulses in my chest.
The pack–link hums to life for their hourly check–in, tugging me from my thoughts.
“All quiet on the eastern border.”
“No movement from our target. He’s still home with the female,” one of the scouts watching
Greg reports.
“Copy that,” I answer, leaning back onto the sofa. “Rotation is in three hours. Can someone
double–check the southern line?”
<b>“</b>Already done.” Ronnie reports.
Another voice cuts in, Carter this time. “North’s clear. The only thing I’ve seen in two hours is
a herd of deer.”
“Good. Let’s hope it stays that way,” I reply.
The reassurance helps, but I don’t fully rx. The hunters have been too quiettely, and
quiet neversts, not when they have a pack in their sights.
“Uncle Cal, you’re not even trying!” Jaxon whines, pulling my attention back to the game.
I grin, shaking my head. “You think you can beat me without trying? Watch this.”
“Food is ready!” Parker calls, and I hit pause, already moving towards the kitchen.
My stomach has been rumbling since the food started cooking, and the smell filled the
house.
“Better hope your uncle Callen doesn’t eat all of this before we sit down,” Parker says as
Jaxon follows me in.
“Oi, if anyone’s stealing slices early, it’s you.” I scoff, pointing at the pizza on the te with a slice obviously missing.
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< Chapter 70
Jaxon gasps dramatically, clutching Parker’s jeans. “You started without us?<b>” </b>
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Parker puts a hand over his heart and stands straight. “Just testing the quality is good enough for our future alpha,” he deres with a bow, making Jax giggle.
After food, the four of us go back to y in the living room. The next few rounds are chaos, but the good kind. Jaxon throws himself across Parker’sp to snatch a controller, Parker uses him of cheating, and I nearly choke on my drinkughing at the pair of them. Even Remy cracks a smile from his chair, though he doesn’t join in this time. Something is bothering him.
When the game finally winds down, Jaxon copses in the middle of the sofa, crumbs on his shirt and a victorious grin on his face that slowly fades. He’s asleep within minutes, the
controller slipping from his hand.
Parker gently pries it from his hand and drapes a nket over him. “Out like a light,” he
whispers.
I nod, but my gaze flicks to Remy. He’s restless, his jaw tight and fingers tapping on the
armrest. His eyes flick to the window like he’s hearing something we can’t.
“You heading out?” I ask.
“Thinking of starting patrol early,” he says, his voice gruff.
Parker and I share a look. There’s definitely something bothering him again. Since he gave in
to the bond with Paige, he’s not been as eager to be on patrol.
Remy clenches his jaw, standing too fast. “I need some air.”
I stand too. “I’ll walk with you.”
Parker doesn’t stop me. Just gives me a nod of understanding and scoops Jax up to carry
him to bed.
Outside, the night is cool, and moonlight shines silver on the grass, soothing my wolf as it
touches my skin.
“What’s going on, Rem?” I ask.
Remy paces at the edge of the porch, his fists clenched. “I’m fine.”
“Bullshit,” I scoff.
His head snaps toward me, eyes shing with his wolf. “Drop it, Callen.”
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< Chapter 70
I step closer. “Don’t shut me out. If something is wrong, then tell me, let me help.”
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“You wouldn’t understand because you don’t know what this feels like yet. The bond doesn’t
care that I’m not the one touching her right now, I feel it anyway. It’s like my every nerve is on fire. It’s taking everything I have not to go find her,” he says, voice strained.
I low out a breath. I’d forgotten about this part, because he’s right, I don’t feel it yet.
“She’s ours, Remy. Even if Ryder’s the one touching her, the bond doesn’t care. It bleeds
through, and I may not know exactly how that feels for you, but I do understand. I know this
is not how any of us ever expected our mating to go. I always thought I’d be with Rye when it
happened, but now everything has changed, and we all have to work around it.
<i>” </i>
He clears his throat, but he doesn’t speak. The tension in him is clear as day. He’s close to
snapping.
I put a hand on his shoulder. “So it seems you’ve got two choices here. Either you let me help
you find a way to block this out, to shut the bond down enough that it doesn’t drive you feral,
<b>or</b><b>…</b>” I pause, lowering my voice to a whisper as I lean in. “Or youe upstairs with me, and
I’ll help you take the edge off another way.”
His breath catches. For a moment he just stares, torn between torment and temptation, the
wolf in him pacing, urging him to go to his mate.
I don’t move or push him to decide. I just let him see the truth in my eyes. That I meant it.
That I won’t let him deal with this alone.
The pack–link hums again with quiet check–ins, confirming the borders are still safe.
I run my fingers down Remy’s arm, and he closes his eyes, his lips parting slightly as he tilts his head back. His breath stutters, a shiver running through him as my fingers trace lower,
wrapping around his wrist.
“Callen<i>…</i><i>” </i>he breathes, half a warning, half a plea.
“I’m right here,” I murmur, stepping in close until my chest almost touches his. “You don’t
need to fight this alone. Not tonight.”
His jaw clenches, his teeth grinding like he’s trying to resist, but then he exhales and nods. Okay.”
tt
That single word ignites something in me. I lean in, capturing his mouth with mine. He kisses me back with a desperate hunger, his hands fisting in my shirt like he’s drowning, and I’m his
<Chapter 70
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air. I know exactly what he needs from me tonight, and it’s not soft and sweet. He needs me to pull him out of his own head; he needs me to take control for him.
I slide my hand up the back of his neck, tugging him closer. “Good,” I say against his mouth. ” You’re going to follow my orders tonight, aren’t you?”
His answering groan sends fire down my spine.
“Yes, Alpha,” he whispers, and for the first time, my wolf bes interested in him too.
Interesting.
I nip his bottom lip before pulling back, breathless. “That’s what I needed to hear.”
I take his hand, not giving him the chance to second–guess, and lead him back inside.
Parker’s already upstairs with Jax, and the house is quiet and dark.
Remy follows without hesitation now, his shoulders still tense but his steps eager. I tug him
up the stairs, into my room, and close the door behind us.
“Clothes off. Now.” My voice leaves no room for argument.
He obeys instantly, lifting his shirt over his head whilst kicking his boots off. He doesn’t look at me, just waits, shoulders squared like a soldier awaitingmand. My chest swells with pride, desire, and something much darker.
“Good,” I say, circling him slowly. “Tonight, you’ll do exactly as I say. No holding back, no sneaky tricks. You understand?”
“Yes,” he breathes, his eyes zing with need.
I grip his chin, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Say it properly.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
That’s all it takes for control to lock into ce. My wolf purrs with satisfaction as I push him
gently back toward the bed.
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