** Paige’s POV **
The soft, golden light of morning spills across my bedroom, and I turn toward the window, watching the sun rise with quiet contentment and a sense of new beginnings.
I feel like a new woman today. No more worrying about Greg or his moods. No more scrambling to cook his breakfast before he rushes off to work.
A sour note creeps into my thoughts, as I wonder if he even misses me. He probably didn’t waste a second inviting Leanne over. She likely slept in my bed, and is making his breakfast right now.
With an irritated sigh, I toss back the covers and swing my legs out of bed. I won’t waste another minute thinking about Greg, not today. This is the first day of the rest of my life, and I won’t let him or Leanne cast a shadow over it.
“Hi, Mummy,” Jax says as he pads into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and still wearing his Lego pyjamas.
“Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” I ask as I dish scrambled eggs onto our plates to go with the buttered toast.
“Yes. My bed is so soft. It’s like a big fluffy cloud,” he replies with a sleepy smile.
“Good. Come, eat your breakfast. Afterward, we can go explore the town before our meeting at the school.”
He climbs up onto the stool at the breakfast bar, and I set his plate down before pouring us both a glass of orange juice.
Once we finish eating, I help Jaxon get dressed, and then we head out to the park. Since it’s a school day, the place is empty, just the two of us enjoying the quiet, which is a pleasant change.
I push Jax on the swing, then watch him zoom down the slide again and again. When he runs over to the monkey bars, I follow, standing beneath him in case he slips. They’re higher than I’d like, but his face is set with determination. There’s no way I’m talking him out of attempting it.
Jaxon grabs the first bar with his small hand.
“That’s it. Now swing and reach for the next one,” I say, encouraging him.
I stay close, ready to catch him.
“Good job. Keep going,” I cheer as he dangles from the metal rungs.
He swings his body and reaches for the next bar, catching it with a grunt. But as he tries to lunge for the third, he loses momentum. His fingers barely graze it before he falls right into my waiting arms.
“That was a good try, baby. You just rushed it a little,” I say, setting him gently down.
Jaxon frowns, already stomping back to the ladder for another go. This time, he doesn’t even make it to the second bar before slipping.
“I hate this stupid thing!” he yells, his voice echoing through the empty park.
“Jax, calm down. It’s okay, you’ll get it eventually,” I say, trying to soothe him.
“No!” he cries, collapsing onto the rubber floor, his fists pounding and legs kicking in frustration.
“Shh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I know it’s frustrating, but getting angry won’t help.”
I kneel beside him, pulling him into my arms. He rarely throws tantrums like this, but after everything he’s been through the last few days, I can’t say I’m surprised. I had been expecting some kind of outburst from him.
“Calm it, pup,” a deep voice rumbles from behind us, and instantly, Jaxon stills in my arms. He draws in a shaky breath, his little chest rising and falling as he calms.
I turn, and my gaze locks with a pair of stunning blue eyes that have haunted my dreams for years.
Ryder.
His eyes widen when he sees me, then flicker to Jaxon. I can’t speak. I’m frozen, torn between the urge to run into his arms or demand an explanation.
“Sorry,” he says quickly, shaking his head like he’s trying to clear it. “You must be new in town. I’m Callen.”
“Callen?” I repeat, frowning.
I must’ve misheard. This is Ryder. He’s changed, yes, broader, and more defined, but those eyes? I’d recognise them anywhere. They’re the same eyes my son has.
“Yeah, Callen Harris,” he says, extending a hand. “And you are?”
I glance at his outstretched hand, looking for the small birthmark Ryder always had, but it’s gone. How can this be? How can someone look so much like Ryder… but not be him?
“I’m Paige, and this is my son, Jaxon,” I reply.
I reach for his hand, but Jaxon beats me to it, grabbing Callen’s hand and hopping to his feet before wrapping his arms around him in a spontaneous hug.
Callen laughs softly, ruffling Jax’s hair like they’ve known each other forever. I get to my feet and then stand there, stunned. Jax never warms up to strangers this quickly, especially men.
Does he sense something? Some kind of connection? Because there is no way Callen and Ryder aren’t related.
Ryder never knew his birth parents. Could Callen be a twin he never knew about? But what are the odds I’d run into both of them? And how would I even bring that up? For all I know, Callen was adopted too and has no idea. I’ll need to tread carefully and try to find out more before I mention anything.
I gently pull Jaxon back from the stranger, making a mental note to talk to him about stranger danger later.
“Where are you two from?” Callen asks.
“We just moved up from the south,” I tell him. “What about you? Have you lived here long?”
“About four years. Do you have family here?”
“Not in town. My sister’s at the university in the next town over. We moved to be closer to her.”
“Sweet. Does your husband know anyone here?” he asks, nodding toward the wedding ring I’d forgotten I was still wearing.
My stomach twists. I’d forgotten I was wearing the ring. I slip it off and tuck it into my back pocket.
“Oh, no. It’s just me and Jax now.”
“Sorry to hear that. If you need help to settle in, let me know. The school’s fantastic, and there are some great places to eat. I’d be happy to give you a tour,” he offers, flashing a smile that makes my heart stutter. He’s so much like Ryder.
“Thanks, but we actually have an appointment at the school soon,” I say.
“I’m headed there too. Let me walk you,” he replies.
“Thanks. Do you have kids there?” I ask as we stroll.
“No, I run the sports sessions for some of the… high-energy kids.”
“Will you teach me sports?” Jaxon pipes up.
“You bet. What kind do you like?”
“I don’t know. My teachers said I’m too strong to play with the others.”
“Well, that won’t be a problem here. We’ve got lots of strong kids. Did your dad teach you any?”
“No. I haven’t met my dad yet. But I think he’ll come back for me when he can,” Jaxon says with heartbreaking hope.
“I’m sure he will,” Callen says gently, then gives me an apologetic look.
I can tell he has questions, but thankfully he doesn’t ask.
At the school, Callen shows us to reception and goes to find the headteacher. A short time later, a slim woman with short blond hair and warm brown eyes greets us.
To my surprise, Jaxon wraps his arms around her in a hug.
What is going on with him? Is he just feeling lost and insecure without Greg? Or is there something deeper happening here?
** Callen’s POV ** Trying to do the sports session with the pups is difficult today. Not because the kids are being difficult, but because I can’t get my mind off the absolute goddess of a woman I’d met on the way here. Her auburn hair had hung in loose curls down her back and I envisioned myself wrapping it around my hand and pulling her head back as I rut into her from behind. Her crystal-blue eyes had mesmerised me and I wanted to see them staring up at me whilst she kneels in front of me and sucks on my c*ck. What a shame she is human and imagining doing all that to her is as far as I can go. As joint Alpha of our little ragtag pack, I have to lead by example, and interspecies dating is something we have forbidden. I am curious about her situation. She said she had recently separated from her husband, and the kid said he didn’t know his father, that his father was missing. Which is really sh*tty, because that boy is 100% a wolf shifter, and I suspect his mother has no
** Paige’s POV ** The soft, golden light of morning spills across my bedroom, and I turn toward the window, watching the sun rise with quiet contentment and a sense of new beginnings. I feel like a new woman today. No more worrying about Greg or his moods. No more scrambling to cook his breakfast before he rushes off to work. A sour note creeps into my thoughts, as I wonder if he even misses me. He probably didn’t waste a second inviting Leanne over. She likely slept in my bed, and is making his breakfast right now. With an irritated sigh, I toss back the covers and swing my legs out of bed. I won’t waste another minute thinking about Greg, not today. This is the first day of the rest of my life, and I won’t let him or Leanne cast a shadow over it. “Hi, Mummy,” Jax says as he pads into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and still wearing his Lego pyjamas. “Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” I ask as I dish scrambled eggs onto our plates to go with the buttered toast.
** Paige’s POV ** The four-hour drive takes us a little longer because of my inability to follow simple instructions from my sat nav. When we finally cross the border of our new town, I feel a sudden wash of calm. As I slow down, the rustic wooden “Welcome to Cinderwood” sign makes me smile. “This is it,” I say to Jax, who immediately turns his gaze to the window to take in our new home. “Where is Auntie Pops?” he asks. “I think she is at our new house waiting for us.” At a slow pace, I drive through the picturesque town. Taking time to admire the old-style houses and clean streets. I point out a park and the small school to Jaxon, and he talks excitedly about finding new friends. As we arrive at the small town house I’ve rented, I see Poppy and her friend Annie waiting on the front porch for us. I had arranged for her to collect the keys from the landlord. “Auntie Pops!” Jaxon yells with enthusiasm as I open my car door. “Hey, little J, I’ve missed you,” Poppy s
Chapter 2** Paige’s POV **“I know what you’ve been doing, Greg,” I say, when I come downstairs the next morning to find him eating a bowl of cereal at the dining table.The words have barely left my mouth before his face twists into a bitter scowl. He looks up at me, spoon halfway to his mouth.“Oh, and what is it you think I’ve been doing?” he says, his tone mocking.I dropped the phone on the table in front of him. The screen lights up with even more texts. Her name. Her face. The texts.Leanne: Good morning, handsome.Leanne: I miss your touch.Leanne: Tonight, after she’s asleep?Leanne: You make me feel alive again.Alive!I was here slowly dying while he was in someone else’s arms, making them feel alive.“Do you love her?” My voice cracks a little. I hate that. Hate how small and weak I sound.Greg stares at the phone like it’s a weapon, and maybe it is because I’m finally done playing the soft-hearted fool who cleaned up the mess and smiled through neglect.“She doesn’t mean
Chapter 1** Paige’s POV **The day I buried my parents, with my newborn son in my arms and my teenage sister clinging to my side, I made myself a promise: survive, no matter what it takes.“I’m sorry, Paige, but there’s nothing I can do. Jaxon has caused another child to require hospital treatment. Following school policy, we have no other choice than to exclude him permanently,” Mrs Bailey, my son’s head teacher, says.“It was clearly an accident. He would never purposely hurt someone, especially not his best friend,” I defend, unable to believe they can exclude such a young child.“I’m sure he didn’t intend to hurt him so severely, but the fact remains that he did. I have to consider the welfare of our other students. Which means we can’t accommodate him in this school any longer. I am going to write a recommendation for him to be considered for a place in a school more suited to deal with his behaviour,” Mrs Bailey explains with a sympathetic smile.“So you are just giving up on h