** Parker’s POV ** “I need you guys to get to us right now. Ryder is about to shift in the middle of town and I have the human with me.” Callen’s voice comes through the mind link with an urgency that has me on my feet and running before he has finished his sentence. “Where are you exactly?” Remy asks as he runs beside me. “Elm Street, close to the school.” I push my legs as fast as they’ll go. My wolf form is much faster, but we’re heading into town where the humans are. So I would need to shift back, which would leave me naked. “What triggered it?” I ask. Ryder is the last person I’d expect to lose control. Something big must have happened. Usually, once we are out of our teenage years, we can control our shifts unless it’s triggered by injury, extreme emotional turmoil, or sometimes by trying to deny a mate bond. “He’s had a bit of a shock, plus he’s found his mate,” Callen says, and I see my brother’s steps falter. “Is she your mate, too?” He asks.
** Paige’s POV ** I knew it was Ryder in the street in front of me, even from behind I recognise him. His name slips from my mouth without permission, and he turns in my direction, making my heart feel as though it drops into my stomach. I’m not ready. I’d told myself I was. I’ve rehearsed every possible version of what I’d say if I ever saw him again. But none of it matters. Because the moment Ryder is in front of me, everything inside me collapses. Six years vanished in a breath. He is still a foot taller than me, intensely familiar. The same broad shoulders, the same ocean-blue eyes that once looked at me with admiration, only now they are heavier, haunted even. His jaw is sharper, his face a little leaner, a little more shadowed. Maybe life hadn’t been kind to him either. But God help me, he is still the most beautiful kind of wreck. He drops to his knees when he sees me. Just... drops like the world has just fallen from under his feet. His chest heaves as if someo
** Ryder’s POV ** I wake up with a jolt. The weather forecast said there may be some light rain, but this sounds torrential. Paige sleeps peacefully tucked against my side, completely unbothered by the rain that pounds the tent. I can hear her soft breathing and the steady beat of her heart in her chest. Wait... how can I hear her heart? A shooting pain travels up my spine. It’s like nothing I have ever felt before. It’s intense and causes a fine sheen of sweat to cover my skin. Did I sleep with a stone digging into my spine? I gently shift Paige, not wanting to wake her, but I need to move, to stretch out my spine because this pain is getting unbearable. I unzip the door slowly and crawl from the tent with a barely contained whimper, grabbing my bundle of clothes and my boots. The pain eases as I stand straight, and I almost sag in relief. The rain that sounded so heavy inside the tent was nothing more than a light shower. It feels so good against my skin that feels lik
** Paige’s POV ** Under no circumstances do you spring a surprise like this on Ryder Madden. Especially when I’m so filled with anger and likely to snap at him. The Ryder I knew had a very short temper, and whilst I’m confident he wouldn’t hurt me. I’m sure he will find someone to pick a fight with, and that won’t end well. The last thing I need is for him to end up in prison just when I finally found him. Hatred simmers in me. How could he do this? Why couldn’t he pick up a phone and let me know he was okay? Hell, he could have even emailed me, or sent a postcard, a carrier pigeon… anything. All these years I’ve struggled, raising our child alone whilst grieving for him and my parents, and he’s been here, reunited with his brother and pretending I never existed. I’m happy he’s alive and well, and that he has found family, but I can’t help but be furious, too. How do I handle this? There’s no guidebook for my situation. “Where did Cal go?” Jax asks as he comes d
** Callen’s POV ** This woman is so hot, but she is also odd, or maybe unwell? Is it rude to ask? She had started asking me questions about my family and then started acting strange. I hadn’t missed the slight tremor in her hands, or the way she had gripped the countertop as if it was the only thing keeping her upright. She had gone as pale as a ghost and her voice had gone a few octaves higher. Maybe she just had period cramps or something, which would explain her practically pushing me out of the door part way through our conversation. I had thought everything was going well right up until that moment. She hadn’t even let me say goodbye to Jaxon. I replay the whole evening and my every interaction with her over and over in my head as I walk back home. What did I do to upset her? What am I missing? “Where are you?” I ask Remy in the mind link. “Just about to head home. Why? "How’s it going with the pretty lady?” he responds. “You’re not jealous, are you, Rem?”
** Paige’s POV ** The school was fantastic, and all the staff were very welcoming. The head teacher, who prefers to be called Regina rather than Mrs Green, didn’t seem at all phased when I explained Jaxon’s history at his previous school. By the time the tour was over, Jax had already made friends with a few of the kids, and he hadn’t wanted to leave. Regina had agreed for him to start with half days tomorrow before he starts full-time next week. The walk back through town had been nice. We had stopped for ice cream at a small parlour. Then we had picked up some art supplies from a craft shop, so Jaxon can sit in the garden and paint, whilst I call the utility companies to get everything set up. I’m still on hold with the internet company when there’s a knock at the door. I glance at Jax, who is still sitting in the back garden painting, and move to answer the door. Poppy hadn’t said she was visiting today, and we don’t know anyone here yet, so I’m tempted to ig