The Lost Pack (Paige) novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139

** Ryder’s POV **

+25 Points

Dinner feels almost normal. The sound of laughter, the warmth of the kitchen, the way Paige’s smile makes everything else bearable. For a while, we pretend everything’s fine, but even as I laugh at Jaxon’s terrible joke, a part of me stays on alert. The scent of worry clings to Remy, faint but unmistakable. Callen feels it too. I can see it in the way his jaw ticks, in the glances he keeps throwing at the window.

By the time we finish eating, the sun’s dipped behind the trees and the air outside is cooling. We clean up fast. Jaxon helps stack dishes while Callen checks his phone, waiting for Jake’s update on the water tests. When the message comes through, he exhales hard.

“Clear,” he says. “No trace of toxin this time.”

Relief floods through the room like a breath we’ve all been holding.

“Well, that’s something at least,” Paige smiles softly, brushing a damp curl from her cheek.

“It’s good news,” I say, though I can’t bring myself to relax completely. “But we’re not letting our guard down.”

Callen nods. “Jake’s going to keep testing twice a day as a precaution, but he’s confident we will be able to detect it by scent alone.”

“Good,” I reply. “We’ll tell the pack tonight.”

We head out together not long after, the night air crisp and cool as we make our way toward the pack centre. I carry Jaxon while Paige walks beside me, her hand brushing mine every few steps, a quiet reminder of what I’m fighting for. Remy trails behind with Callen and Parker, their voices low as they discuss the next patrol rota.

When we reach the healer’s cabin, Jaxon is already half–asleep against my shoulder. Poppy opens the door before we knock, her eyes locking on Jax with a fond smile.

“Rough day?” she asks gently.

“When is it not these days?” Paige says with a tired laugh.

Poppy takes Jax from my arms, and he barely stirs. “He’ll be safe here,” she promises.

“I know.” Paige hesitates for a second, brushing a hand through our son’s hair before she finally steps back. “Be good for Aunty Pop’s, we will be back soon.”

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Jaxon wraps his arms around Poppy’s neck and snuggles in, mumbling something about a

story.

We thank Poppy and head toward the clearing in the centre. The meeting hall glows beside our usual meeting spot, lights spilling out into the night. Even before we reach the doors, I can hear the hum of voices inside. The pack is already gathering, and I can feel their anxious and uncertain energy. I hope we can bring them the reassurance they need.

We decided to hold the meeting inside tonight. With extra enforcers on patrol and families keeping their children at home, the numbers are small enough to manage safely. I can feel the tension in the air, a quiet unease that hasn’t left the pack since the poison incident. It gnaws at me, and I hate knowing they’re worried, even when there’s nothing I can do to erase it completely.

Anyone who couldn’t be here in person has already been briefed, or has someone present to relay the information through the mind–link. The mind–link is a vital gift, but it can’t replace the reassurance of being here, together.

We could have run the pack meet entirely through the mind–link, but it wouldn’t feel right. Seeing them. Watching the pack recognise that we’re not hiding, that we’re facing this head–on, makes a difference. It shows them we are present, alert, and ready to protect them, every mate, every child, every wolf under our care.

I glance at Callen, Paige, Parker, and Remy before I pull open the door. They feel it too. The responsibility. The weight of knowing that the pack’s safety is in our hands, but together we’re strong, and we’ll get through this.

Inside, the air is thick with tension. Every face turns toward us as we enter. Callen and I move to the front, the others taking their places beside us. Paige stands tall, chin lifted, and something about her presence steadies me.

When the low chatter quiets, I step forward.

“Thank you all for coming on short notice,” I begin. “I know the last few days have been difficult, and I know fear has been running high. That’s understandable, we’ve had incidents none of us expected. But we’re not powerless, and we’re not alone.”

I glance at Callen, who steps up beside me.

“The results from the water tests came back clear,” he announces. “The tap supply is safe for now, but we’re still being cautious. We’ll have bottled water available for everyone until Jake gives us the all–clear long–term.”

A ripple of relief moves through the crowd, but there’s still some unease.

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Callen continues, “That said, we’re asking everyone to scent check their water before drinking, washing or cooking with it. The toxin we found has a distinct bitter and metallic scent. If anything smells off, don’t take chances. Report it and switch to bottled.”

I take over again, my voice steady. “Any natural water sources, creeks, rivers and ponds, are off–limits until further notice. Whatever’s contaminating them is coming from outside our borders, and we’re not risking anyone’s life until we know where it’s coming from.”

A few heads nod. Others glance uneasily at one another.

“And one more thing,” I add, my tone firm. “Stay clear of the borders. We’ve had signs of hunter activity creeping closer. Leave that to the enforcers.”

Paige shifts beside me, her gaze scanning the crowd. I can feel her tension, the protective edge in her growing energy that hums beneath the surface.

Remy steps forward next. “We’re increasing patrols and working with enforcers from the River and Midnight packs to strengthen our defences. Some of them are here tonight. Please make them feel welcome. They’re risking their lives to stand with us.”

Applause ripples through the room, hesitant at first, then stronger. It fills me with a sense of pride.

Parker steps forward next. “We would also like to say thank you to everyone who’s donated blood for emergency treatment, and remind everyone that if poisoning happens again, speed is everything. Don’t wait for symptoms. Get to the healers immediately. No hesitation, no pride. Just get help, even if you’re not sure. We’d rather treat you unnecessarily than leave it

too late.”

His words land heavily, and murmurs ripple across the room. I give them a moment to settle and then take a deep breath before addressing them again.

“I know some of you are scared,” I say finally. “You should be. What we’re facing is dangerous. The hunters have changed tactics, they’re using poison, taunts and stealth. They want to make us doubt ourselves, to turn that fear inward until we tear apart what they couldn’t destroy from the outside.”

I sweep my gaze over the crowd, trying to make eye contact with as many as possible, needing them to feel seen. I see faces I’ve fought beside, laughed with, and mourned with; these are my people, and I want them to know that. “But here’s the thing, they won’t win. Not because they’re not trying hard enough, but because we’re stronger than fear. We’re a pack. We protect our own. We stand together.”

The room goes still, everyone focused.

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