** Paige’s POV **The clearing is packed with wolves. Some shifted, some still in human form, all eyes are trained on us as Ryder and Callen lead us forward. Jaxon squeezes my hand tighter, his little chest puffed out, completely unbothered by the weight of so many gazes. I wish I had half his confidence.Ryder’s voice carries, steady and commanding. “Phoenix Pack. Thank you for joining us on such short notice. I know rumours have been spreading, and you’ve all waited for answers. Today, you’ll have them.”A ripple of anticipation sweeps through the pack. Callen steps closer, his hand brushing my back, steadying me. “This is Paige.” His voice is firm, unapologetic. “She is our mate.”Gasps, murmurs. Someone in the back snarls softly. My pulse kicks up, but Ryder doesn’t give anyone a chance to speak.“And this,” he continues, lifting Jaxon effortlessly into his arms, “is my son. The alpha heir.”Silence. Then, as if on instinct, bodies bend low. Dozens of wolves bow to the little
** Remy’s POV **The bond thrums steadily between us, not the sharp, unrelenting pull it used to be when I fought it, but a deep, grounding hum. It doesn’t feel like chains anymore, binding me to something I don’t want. It feels like… peace.I should be angry with Callen. Hell, part of me still is. He pushed me into this, manoeuvred me into a corner until I had no choice but to face what I wanted. What I needed. I hated him for that, for stripping away the walls I’d spent most of my life building. But then watching him with her? The anger bled out of me.I thought it would shred me, seeing his mouth on Paige, his hands roaming where mine should be. I braced for jealousy to burn through me, to make me lash out like the reckless bastard I usually am. Instead, I felt… fascinated. Hot all over. Like watching him unravel her was somehow feeding a hunger inside me too.And our goddess, Paige, had welcomed us both, with no hesitation or fear. Just trust I’m not sure I deserve. The way sh
** Paige’s POV ** Remy is the first to stir, rolling onto his side, propping himself up on one elbow so he can look at me. His face is flushed, damp with sweat, but his eyes are softer than I’ve ever seen them. I can feel him through the bond, all tangled hunger and tenderness, and it makes my throat tighten. “I tried so hard to stay away,” he admits quietly, brushing a strand of hair from my face with shaking fingers. “Thought it would keep you safer. But all it did was tear me apart.” I cup his cheek. “I don’t want distance, Remy. I want you. All of you. Even when it’s messy.” His lips part, his eyes burning, and before he can answer, Callen lets out a low, satisfied sigh beside me. He drapes a strong arm around my waist, tugging me against his chest, sandwiching me between them. “Finally,” he mutters, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “It feels like I’ve been waiting forever for him to pull his head out of his ass.” Remy shoots him a glare. “You set me up.”
** Paige’s POV **Callen leans down, pressing a slow kiss against my inner thigh, deliberately taunting him. “Not a game,” he murmurs against my skin. “A reminder.” He grins wickedly as he looks up at Remy. “She’s ours, Rem, and we are hers. You can’t keep running from it.”Something inside Remy snaps.In one swift motion, he’s on me, hauling me up by the waist and pulling me against his chest, his mouth crushing mine in a kiss that steals every thought from my head. It’s fierce, but underneath the fire there’s something raw, something that trembles with need.I melt into him, fingers trailing over his bare chest, drinking him in like I’ve been starving. His muscles are hard and defined, and I trace over them with admiration. He’s perfection.Behind us, Callen chuckles. “Finally.”Remy tears his mouth from mine, his forehead pressing to mine as his breath comes ragged. “You drive me insane,” he whispers, voice hoarse. His hands tighten on my hips, like he’s scared to let go. “I ca
** Paige’s POV **When the back door shuts behind them, it makes my chest ache. Ryder, Parker, and Remy vanish into the night together. I stand there far longer than I should, staring at the door like it might swing back open, like one of them might come rushing back with a grin and an apology that they couldn’t bear to leave me tonight… but no one does.I press my lips together and turn away, blinking hard. I want all of them around me. They’re my mates, my anchors, the ones who make me feel whole without even trying. The house feels too big when they’re gone, too still, even with Callen here and Jaxon tucked up safely in his bed.I can’t complain. I won’t. This is about safety, about keeping me and Jax alive while hunters still want to get to us. They’re out there, risking themselves, while I get the luxury of warmth and shelter. That should be enough.It doesn’t stop the disappointment from twisting in my stomach, though.What stings most is Remy. Everyone insisted he should ta
** Paige’s POV **Ryder finally stops pacing, his gaze locked on me. I can see so much pain and fury in his eyes.He blows out a shaky breath. “Paige, can you take a walk with me outside?”I nod and take the hand he offers me, letting him pull me up. The night air is cool and fresh and feels good on my flushed face. The moment the door closes behind us, Ryder pulls me into his arms, hugging me desperately.“I failed you.” His voice is low and rough. It cuts straight through me. “Both of you. I knew better than to leave you unprotected. I knew what kind of world this was, and still… I wasn’t there.”“Ryder…”“No!” He pulls back, and my breath catches. His eyes glow faintly, his wolf riding him hard. Grief and rage war behind his eyes.“Don’t tell me it isn’t my fault. You were vulnerable because of me. Jaxon was vulnerable because of me. And he…” Ryder’s chest heaves. “He could have taken everything. He was right there in your home, in your life, while I was hiding here.”The angui