Chapter 61

** Paige’s POV **

“That was so much harder than I expected,” I admit, my eyes meeting Ryder’s.

“You held your ground,” he says, voice low, pride and fury mixed in his tone. “You didn’t back down once.”

“I wanted to,” I admit, my throat tight. “The way they looked at me… like I didn’t belong. Like I was some… mistake. I wanted to turn and run.”

“You’re not a mistake.” Callen soothes. “You’re the one thing they don’t know how to handle. You are a change, and that terrifies them.”

I feel Remy’s need to touch me, but he doesn’t know if it’s the right time. I decide for him, catching his hand and squeezing it. His shoulders drop slightly, his jaw unclenching. “Let them talk,” he says, softer now. “They’ll see who you are soon enough. I’ll make sure of it.”

Parker clears his throat, stepping closer. “They’ll fight it. Some harder than others. But the pack isn’t blind, Paige. They saw the way Jaxon carries Ryder’s blood. That you were strong enough to produce such a powerful alpha. I don