Thank you so much to everyone reading so far and thank for all the comments, gems and the review! It helps my book reach more readers and makes me smile. ❤️
** Paige’s POV ** After breakfast, Callen heads upstairs to shower and Jaxon starts begging to use the big bath before school this afternoon. “Please, mummy, just a quick one,” he pleads. “Okay, but let me shower and get dressed first,” I smile, leaning over to ruffle his hair. “Yes! Did you hear that, dad? She said yes,” he bounces excitedly on the stool. Ryder smiles at us over his shoulder from the sink where he’s running water to wash the dishes. “I did, bud.” “Are you excited about going to school today?” I ask. “Yes,” he nods enthusiastically, “but not as excited about swimming in the bath.” “I can bathe him while you shower,” Ryder offers, and Jaxon bounces in his chair again, pleading with his eyes and clasping his hands together. I can sense Ryder’s hesitation. He’s unsure if he’s overstepping, worried I don’t trust him enough yet. “Do you even know how?” I ask, raising a brow at Rye. “Believe it or not, I’ve been washing myself for
** Parker’s POV ** I follow Remy through the back door and into the morning chill. The sun is over the treetops, casting shadows across the grass, but the warmth hasn’t reached us yet. Remy’s pacing along the tree line, his jaw tight, hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie like he’s trying to hold himself together. He doesn’t look at me when I stop beside him. He just stares out toward the forest like it might offer him an escape. “You okay?” I ask. He laughs bitterly. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I shrug, giving him time to decide if he wants to talk. The silence is brief before Remy exhales and shakes his head. “I can’t do this anymore, Parker. I can’t keep pretending I’m fine when I’m not.” “I know,” I say softly. His eyes finally meet mine. They’re bloodshot, like he’s barely slept. “Do you?” “Yes, I’ve known for a while.” His shoulders stiffen. “Known what?” “That you’re in love with him.” He blinks, then swallows hard, his voice crack
** Paige’s POV ** I wake up to warmth. Surrounded by body heat. It’s everywhere. I blink, and it takes a second for my brain to catch up. Callen is behind me, one arm around my waist, his warm breath on the back of my neck. Ryder is in front of me, one leg thrown over mine. I’m sandwiched, naked, and sore in all the best ways. My cheeks flame as I’m hit with the full memory of last night. The things they said. The way they touched me. The way I let them. Crap! What did I do? Panic flutters in my chest, but under the awkwardness and the ‘what now?’… there’s something else. A sense of rightness. Like I’ve crossed some invisible line and found solid ground here between these men… or shifters. Christ. This is all still insane. Ryder stirs, inhaling deeply before his eyes open. For a long moment, he just looks at me. As if he’s scared that if he blinks, I’ll disappear. Then he smiles. “Morning, beautiful.” I make a noise that could be a
** Paige’s POV ** The moment the word leaves my lips, the energy in the room shifts. Callen gets to his feet, far too graceful for a regular human male. He looks predatory as he looks down at me, but when he extends a hand to me, it feels more like an offer than a demand. He’s still giving me a choice, a chance to back out. My breath catches in my throat as I slide my fingers into his. He pulls me to my feet and I almost crash into his chest. Ryder stands behind me, and I feel the heat of his body before I feel his touch. His hand rests lightly on my lower back. The small contact and the feeling of them boxing me in makes my knees weak. Without a word, the pair guide me upstairs. The air feels heavier with every step, charged with a raw desire that threatens to suffocate me. When we reach Ryder’s bedroom, Callen nudges the door open and leads me inside. It’s dimly lit, moonlight spilling across the bed, illuminating it like a stage. Everything in me screams t
** Paige’s POV ** After hours of tossing and turning, I gave up trying to sleep. I’m not sure how I knew, but some strange instinct told me I’d find Callen and Ryder downstairs. At the bottom of the steps, I turn to my left. The doorway to the living room is open, and I move to stand in the doorway, hesitating when I see them both there. What am I doing? This is such a bad idea, but if I can’t sleep, then I may as well spend the time getting more answers. “Couldn’t sleep?” Ryder asks, and I shake my head. “Too many thoughts. Too much change,” I say, cutting myself off before I launch into a full ramble, explaining why I can’t sleep even though I’m exhausted. I move further into the room and sit on the floor, leaning against the couch. I’m so close to both brothers, just the slightest movement either way and we’d touch. It’s tempting, too tempting. I guess this is the part of the mate bond that Callen warned me I’d struggle to resit. Callen sits up, com
** Ryder’s POV ** I knew this moment was coming, but I didn’t expect the full force of it to hit me like this. Poppy stares me down like she’s the parent here, like she’s preparing to rip every secret from my chest with her bare hands. I shift my weight, leaning against the counter and trying to look casual, but there’s no hiding from her stare. I have to remind myself she is a young human girl, and I am a powerful alpha of an entire pack of werewolves. Paige stands nearby, watching me nervously, and Callen looks like he’s one poorly timed comment away from bursting into laughter. “Ryder Madden,” Poppy says again, chastising me like a child. “You better have a damn good explanation for where you’ve been the last seven years. You disappeared. No calls. No texts. Just gone without a trace. You just left her, left them without a word. Who does that?” I inhale deeply and nod, holding up my hands. “I know. I deserve your anger. I do.” “Damn right you do,” she say