bChapter /bb83 /b

    **Paige’s POV **

    The sound of children’sughter fades behind me as we step onto one of the narrow dirt paths on the outskirts of the small vige. I almost stop right there, because every instinct in me screams to turn back and keep Jaxon in sight.

    Parker’s hand brushes mine, his calming energy flowing through me from the briefest touch.” He’s fine,” he says softly, as though he can feel my worry, and maybe he can. “Callen and Ryder won’t let anything touch him.”

    I nod, even though my chest still feels too tight. “I know, I trust them. It’s just… he looks so happy. He acts like he belongs, and I’m scared someone might say something to make him

    feel like he doesn’t.”

    “He does belong, you both do,i” /iParker replies without hesitation.

    Remy snorts, falling into step on my other side. “And if anyone else tries to say otherwise, I’ll take their words and make them choke on them.”

    I smile faintly. That’s so very Remy, gruff and blunt.

    The path opens into arger space, and another cluster of cabins surrounds a well at the centre. Women chat by the well, their voices low but their eyes not–so–subtle as they follow me. A couple of men stack wood near the far side, their nces curious as they nod towards Remy and Parker. It almost feels like we’ve gone back in time here, apart from the modern–day clothes.

    I tuck my hands into my pockets, feeling like every eye is on me, judging me. “They’re staring.

    ”

    “They’re always staring,” Remy mutters, his jaw tight. “Doesn’t mean they don’t like you.”

    Parker leans close enough that his arm brushes mine, sending a flood of heat through me. Look at it this way, they’ve never seen anyone like you. A human fated to four like this, and the strongest four in the pack no less. Even for a female wolf, that’s rare.” His smile is proud. “You scare them, Paige, and that’s a good thing.”

    I blink at him, confused. “Scare them?”

    “Of course,” he shrugs. “Because if the Moon Goddess tied you to us, to this pack, then it means you’re stronger than they’ll ever give you credit for. They just don’t know it yet.”

    That eases something in me. I feel taller somehow.

    More Rewards

    We move through the vige, Remy scanning the treeline like he expects an ambush any moment. Just his instincts I guess, because if there was a threat I know they wouldn’t be walking me around so out in the open like this. Parker points out things as we go, where the healer lives, where they keep supplies, which cabins belong to Regina, Ronnie and a few

    enforcers I’ve met.

    Even though the whispers have stopped, I still hear them in my mind, the words hitting me with every sideways nce or outright stare…human, weak, doesn’t belong.

    I keep my chin up anyway.

    Parker’s hand presses to the small of my back as we stop near the well. His touch is warm and protective, but not possessive. “You doing okay?” he whispers.

    “I’m trying,” I admit. “But it feels like every step I take, someone’s judging me for something I

    don’t understand.”

    “They don’t get to judge youi,” /iRemy cuts in. His voice is hard, but when I nce up at him, his eyes are soft. “You’re ours. That’s the only judgment that counts.”

    “And if you can change Remy’s mind about you, the rest of the pack will be easy,” Parker whispers, his tone teasing.

    “Thanks,” I say, unable to keep the smile from my face as Remy rolls his eyes.

    We stand there for a moment longer, the three of us watching as pack life moves on around us. I get a sense that the longer I’m here, the more they see me, the easier this will be. The tension never quite leaves me, but it’s eased by the steady presence of Remy and

    Parker beside me. I know that no matter how many stares I get, I’m not facing them alone.

    Eventually, we start to head back toward the clearing. Halfway there, something changes in the bond that links me to Ryder. It’s almost like a sudden shift in weather, a tension rolling in that isn’t mine. I don’t hear words, but I feel his mood, his anger.

    I pick up my pace, all my thoughts on Jaxon and what might have happened to make Ryder feel this way. “Something is wrong with Rye. He’s pissed.”

    Remy and Parker keep pace with me, both of them silent in the way they are when they’remunicating through the mind–link.

    “Are they okay?” I ask when they stay silent for a second longer than I can wait.

    Parker slides a reassuring hand around my shoulders, forcing me to slow. “They’re fine,” he says. “Just a pack member overstepping. It’s already dealt with.”

    More Rewards F

    I blow out a breath and try to calm myself. I wish this mind–link stuff were easier for me. I can’t seem tomunicate that way whilst doing anything else at the same time, even breathing. Every time I’ve tried, one of the guys has been there, reminding me to breathe, which just breaks my concentration.

    “Don’t let it worry you. Whatever set him off was handled,” Remy adds, mistaking the reason. for my current frustration.

    “I wish I could master this mind–link stuff,” I admit quietly.

    “Give it time,” Parker says. “You feel the emotions, that’s enough.” He squeezes my

    shoulders.

    Children’sughter hits my ears moments before the small clearinges into view. From here I can see Ryder right where we left him, Callen beside him as they watch the kids run around their small fort. As if sensing my eyes on them, both men turn to look at us, and my heart flutters in my chest. Something deep and possessive inside of me screams that they

    are mine as my eyes meet theirs.

    “Everything okay?” I ask quietly when we are close enough that Ryder reaches out to take my

    hand.

    “Yes,” Ryder’s voice is low when he answers. “Someone was rude, but Cal dealt with it.” He squeezes my fingers.

    I let myself ept that for now. Jax is stillughing, and my mates are all around me, that’s enough. My shoulders drop a fraction. The pack is messy, and their opinions won’t change overnight, but I’m willing to wait for them, to show them I’m not here to take anything from

    them.

    By the time we head back toward the house, Jax has dirt streaked across his cheeks and is so hyped up that we get endless chatter from him. He tells us exaggerated stories about the fort they built, and every so often his imagination res up, as he tries to make the whole thing sound like the most epic battle in history.

    When we reach the cabin, Jaxon isining about how hungry he is, and between the six of us we manage to throw something together: chicken pasta, garlic bread, and sd. It’s simple, but exactly what we all need. Jax sits between Ryder and me as he talks with his mouth full about everything he learned from the other kids today.

    It feels so right. Almost like a normal family eating dinner together at the table.

    I nce up more than once to catch Parker watching us with a faint smile, like he can’t quite believe this is real either. Callen eats quickly, sneaking extra slices of garlic bread onto his te when he thinks no one’s looking. Remy listens more than he speaks, but every so often

    he catches my eye and there’s warmth there.

    More Rewards

    After dinner, we fall into an easy routine. Ryder runs Jaxon a bath while I help him out of his dirty clothes. Callen, Remy and Parker clean up the kitchen.

    When Jaxon’s eyes get heavy, I take him up to bed. He clings to my neck as I tuck him in, his little voice thick with sleep. “I like it here, Mummy. Please don’t make me leave.”

    My heart twists. I smooth his hair back and kiss his forehead. “We’re not going anywhere, baby. This is home now. I promise.”

    He’s asleep before I can even whisper goodnight.

    I watch him for a moment before gently closing the door. The house is quieter now, the kind of quiet that makes every sound louder, and my stomach twists in knots as I realise whates next.

    All afternoon I’ve pushed it to the back of my mind, knowing that eventually, I can’t avoid the conversation I need to have with my mates. I need to know what they might expect from me. What I’m actually ready to give. It feels too soon to have these conversations, but apparently being mated to four wolf shifters speeds things up. We might not be ready to make these kinds of decisions yet, but my body is not giving us much of a choice.

    I also want to let Callen and Parker know I think it’s time to seal our bond, because I can’t stand this. I can’t stand not being connected to them the way I am connected to Ryder and Remy. I need to feel them with me, even when I can’t see them.

    I rub my sweaty palms against my sides as I walk back toward the living room. They’re all there, waiting, as though they know I nned to have this talk with them tonight.

    The sight of them, my mates, makes my pulse quicken. The bond hums in my chest, warm and insistent, giving me bothfort and fear. I swallow hard. There’s no more avoiding it now. Tonight, we talk, no holding back. Because that’s the only way we make this work.

    bE /b

    1.2K

    bComments /b