bChapter /bb84 /b

    **Paige’s POV **

    The air in the living room feels heavier than it should, like it knows what’sing. Ryder sits back on the couch, legs spread, shoulders rxed in a way that doesn’t fool me for a second. He’s watching me, his eyes too intense to be casual. Callen leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and tension in his shoulders. Parker’s got his arms crossed. He’s quiet as usual, but there’s a look in his eye that gives him away. And Remy… he’s pacing near the window, trying to look like he doesn’t care, but the restless energy rolling off him is obvious.

    I think they’re waiting for me to start.

    I stand there for a moment, shifting from foot to foot, trying to find the right words. My stomach twists itself into tighter knots the longer the silence stretches.

    Finally, I sit down on the rug across from them, curling my legs under me. I feel as though I need the distance between us to face what I’m about to say.

    “So, we need to talk about some stuff,” I start, “and I’ve been putting this off because I thought it was too soon for such big topics, but we can’t avoid this any longer.”

    Four pairs of eyes lock on me, but none of them push.

    “I love being with you. All of you,” I say, my throat bing tight. “But the truth is, I’m terrified. I’ve been thrown into a world I didn’t even know existed, and I’m learning as I go, but this heat thing is moving too fast for me to keep up.”

    “You’re our mate,” Callen says softly. “That’s not something you have to learn as you go. It just is. Same with the heat cycle. None of us expected it, but it’s nothing to be scared of.”

    I shake my head. “But that’s the thing. To you, it just is. To me, it’s… everything I don’t understand. The bonds. The heat. The expectations of what I’m supposed to give you.”

    Remy stops pacing, his jaw tightening. “You’re already giving us enough,” he says.

    “Am I? Because part of me wonders if you expect things from me that I can’t give right now. Children, for one.” I force the words out. “I know what Cora said, and I know what your instincts tell you. But I need you to hear me when I say… I don’t know if I want more kids. I don’t even know if I can. Jaxon is… he’s my world, but I didn’t n him. I’ve spent thest few years trying to give Greg the child he wanted, only to be disappointed and feel like a failure each month that it didn’t happen. And the thought of being pushed into something like that again.” My voice cracks, and I have to stop, pressing my hands over my eyes.

     Chapter 84

    More Rewards

    The silence that follows is deafening. When I finally lower my hands, I meet Ryder’s gaze first. He’s calm, too calm, but I feel the bond hum with a mix of emotions before he even

    speaks.

    “No one will push you into anything you don’t want,” he says firmly. “Not me. Not them. You get to decide, Paige. Your body, your choice.”

    Relief floods me at his words, even as guilt gnaws at me. “But that’s not how it works for you, “I whisper. “Wolves are meant to have children. To grow packs. If I say ino/i, I’m keeping you from what you’re meant to have.”

    “You’re what I’m meant to have,” Parker says, his voice quiet but convincing. His arms uncross as he steps forward, crouching in front of me so I have no choice but to meet his eyes. “If the goddess gave me you, then she knew what she was doing. Whether we have ten kids or just Jax, it doesn’t matter. I didn’t fall in love with you because of what you could give me. I love you because you’re you.”

    My throat tightens again, tears threatening to spill out. “And what about the bonds? I’m already sealed to Ryder and Remy, but not to you and Callen. Doesn’t it drive you mad? Don’t you resent me for not giving in yet?”

    Callen makes a low sound, almost a growl, but when he speaks his words are steady. “Yes. It drives me mad. Every day my wolf ws at me, demanding I im you. But resentment?” He shakes his head. “No. I’d rather wait until you’re ready than force you and ruin what we have. I can handle this, but what I can’t handle is losing you because I pushed too hard.”

    My heart squeezes at that, and I take a breath before I speak again. “I am ready. If you are sure you can wait for me to decide if I want more kids, that you are okay with it if I decide I don’t want any more, then I’m ready toplete the bond with you both.”

    “bs/bb**/bt,” Callen curses, and I look at him.

    He gives me a guilty look before he shares a look with the others.

    “Paige,” Parker says softly, putting a hand on my knee. “We want to, you have no idea how much, how we’ve been waiting for you to say the words, but we decided earlier that it’s not a good time.”

    “What? Why? Did I do something…”

    “No,” he cuts me off before I can spiral into a panic. “We just think that we should slow this down. You’ve already been forced into a heat cycle from taking two mates. We don’t know whatpleting two more bonds could do to you right now.”

    The weight pressing down on me eases, just a little. “You all decided this without me? Don’t I

    More Hewards i

    deserve a say in it?”

    They fall quiet again, and I can sense the guilting from Ryder and Remy.

    “You’re right.” Parker sighs. “We should have included you in that decision, and for that, I’m sorry, but the oue would have been the same.”

    “Paige, your safety and well–being are our priority. But that doesn’t mean we had the right to make these decisions without you. I’m sorry.” Ryder offers.

    Callen rubs a hand over his face before looking at me. “Yeah, that was pretty shitty of us. I guess we are learning as we go too. Please forgive us.”

    “Let’s do this the right way,” Remy says, his voice softer than usual. “Paige, we think taking two more mates right now could be too much for you. Are you willing to wait at least until after this heat cycle?”

    I think about it. I know they expect me to just agree to this, but there’s something inside me that’s insisting that now is the time, that I need them to im me.

    I give each of them a pointed look. “No.”

    Callen bursts outughing, shocking us all. Before anyone can question him, he stands from the couch and scoops me up off the floor. “Goddess, I bf/bb*****/bg love you,” heughs before kissing me like I’ve just given him the best news.

    When he pulls back and grins at me, I can’t help but smile at him.

    “I’m on her side. Whatever the argument, I agree with her,” he says, puffing his chest out. Just say the iwords/i, baby, and I’ll do it right here, right now.”

    “For bf/b**k’s sake, Cal,” Rye groans.

    i” /i

    “You say you’re worried about what it could do to me, but what else is there that could happen? I already have wolfy gifts, I’m in heat. What’s left? I might turn into a wolf too? iSeems /ithat would make things easier all round.” I counter, looking between Ryder, Remy and Parker.

    “She’s got a point,” Callen says, backing me up, but I feel like he would agree with just about anything I said right now.

    “She idoes/i, Parker nods, stepping closer to me.

    “I knew iyou /itwo wouldn’tst long,” Remy sighs. “You won’t get a wolf, Paige, we are born, never made.b” /b

    F:

    “Then what risk is there left?” I ask.

    More Rewards Y

    “The heat could get more intense,” Ryder offers, but I can tell he’s already giving in by the defeat in his voice.

    “So, more s*x? I have condoms, so I don’t see the issue,” I shrug.

    “There isn’t one,” Callen says, turning to face me and pushing my hair back from my shoulders to look at my neck. “Now I just need to find the perfect ce. Maybe right over the top of Ryder’s,” he says, stroking his fingertip over the mating mark and making me shiver.

    Ryder lets out a low growl, and Callen shoots me a wicked grin and winks.

    “Fine, if it’s what the three of you really want, then I have no right to stop it, but Paige, if your heat does get more intense. I hope you are ready for what will happen, for what it will do to us,” Ryder warns, and something about his voice makes me flush with heat. That familiar need is starting to pool in my core.

    I am so ready.

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