The Lost Pack

** Paige’s POV **

The soft, golden light of morning spills across my bedroom, and I turn toward the window, watching the sun rise with quiet contentment and a sense of new beginnings.

I feel like a new woman today. No more worrying about Greg or his moods. No more scrambling to cook his breakfast before he rushes off to work.

A sour note creeps into my thoughts, as I wonder if he even misses me. He probably didn’t waste a second inviting Leanne over. She likely slept in my bed, and is making his breakfast right now.

With an irritated sigh, I toss back the covers and swing my legs out of bed. I won’t waste another minute thinking about Greg, not today. This is the first day of the rest of my life, and I won’t let him or Leanne cast a shadow over it.

“Hi, Mummy,” Jax says as he pads into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and still wearing his Lego pyjamas.

“Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” I ask as I dish scrambled eggs onto our plates to go with the buttered toast.

“Yes. My bed is so soft. It’s like a big fluffy cloud,” he replies with a sleepy smile.

“Good. Come, eat your breakfast. Afterward, we can go explore the town before our meeting at the school.”

He climbs up onto the stool at the breakfast bar, and I set his plate down before pouring us both a glass of orange juice.

Once we finish eating, I help Jaxon get dressed, and then we head out to the park. Since it’s a school day, the place is empty, just the two of us enjoying the quiet, which is a pleasant change.

I push Jax on the swing, then watch him zoom down the slide again and again. When he runs over to the monkey bars, I follow, standing beneath him in case he slips. They’re higher than I’d like, but his face is set with determination. There’s no way I’m talking him out of attempting it.

Jaxon grabs the first bar with his small hand.

“That’s it. Now swing and reach for the next one,” I say, encouraging him.

I stay close, ready to catch him.

“Good job. Keep going,” I cheer as he dangles from the metal rungs.

He swings his body and reaches for the next bar, catching it with a grunt. But as he tries to lunge for the third, he loses momentum. His fingers barely graze it before he falls right into my waiting arms.

“That was a good try, baby. You just rushed it a little,” I say, setting him gently down.

Jaxon frowns, already stomping back to the ladder for another go. This time, he doesn’t even make it to the second bar before slipping.

“I hate this stupid thing!” he yells, his voice echoing through the empty park.

“Jax, calm down. It’s okay, you’ll get it eventually,” I say, trying to soothe him.

“No!” he cries, collapsing onto the rubber floor, his fists pounding and legs kicking in frustration.

“Shh, sweetheart, it’s okay. I know it’s frustrating, but getting angry won’t help.”

I kneel beside him, pulling him into my arms. He rarely throws tantrums like this, but after everything he’s been through the last few days, I can’t say I’m surprised. I had been expecting some kind of outburst from him.

“Calm it, pup,” a deep voice rumbles from behind us, and instantly, Jaxon stills in my arms. He draws in a shaky breath, his little chest rising and falling as he calms.

I turn, and my gaze locks with a pair of stunning blue eyes that have haunted my dreams for years.

Ryder.

His eyes widen when he sees me, then flicker to Jaxon. I can’t speak. I’m frozen, torn between the urge to run into his arms or demand an explanation.

“Sorry,” he says quickly, shaking his head like he’s trying to clear it. “You must be new in town. I’m Callen.”

“Callen?” I repeat, frowning.

I must’ve misheard. This is Ryder. He’s changed, yes, broader, and more defined, but those eyes? I’d recognise them anywhere. They’re the same eyes my son has.

“Yeah, Callen Harris,” he says, extending a hand. “And you are?”

I glance at his outstretched hand, looking for the small birthmark Ryder always had, but it’s gone. How can this be? How can someone look so much like Ryder… but not be him?

“I’m Paige, and this is my son, Jaxon,” I reply.

I reach for his hand, but Jaxon beats me to it, grabbing Callen’s hand and hopping to his feet before wrapping his arms around him in a spontaneous hug.

Callen laughs softly, ruffling Jax’s hair like they’ve known each other forever. I get to my feet and then stand there, stunned. Jax never warms up to strangers this quickly, especially men.

Does he sense something? Some kind of connection? Because there is no way Callen and Ryder aren’t related.

Ryder never knew his birth parents. Could Callen be a twin he never knew about? But what are the odds I’d run into both of them? And how would I even bring that up? For all I know, Callen was adopted too and has no idea. I’ll need to tread carefully and try to find out more before I mention anything.

I gently pull Jaxon back from the stranger, making a mental note to talk to him about stranger danger later.

“Where are you two from?” Callen asks.

“We just moved up from the south,” I tell him. “What about you? Have you lived here long?”

“About four years. Do you have family here?”

“Not in town. My sister’s at the university in the next town over. We moved to be closer to her.”

“Sweet. Does your husband know anyone here?” he asks, nodding toward the wedding ring I’d forgotten I was still wearing.

My stomach twists. I’d forgotten I was wearing the ring. I slip it off and tuck it into my back pocket.

“Oh, no. It’s just me and Jax now.”

“Sorry to hear that. If you need help to settle in, let me know. The school’s fantastic, and there are some great places to eat. I’d be happy to give you a tour,” he offers, flashing a smile that makes my heart stutter. He’s so much like Ryder.

“Thanks, but we actually have an appointment at the school soon,” I say.

“I’m headed there too. Let me walk you,” he replies.

“Thanks. Do you have kids there?” I ask as we stroll.

“No, I run the sports sessions for some of the… high-energy kids.”

“Will you teach me sports?” Jaxon pipes up.

“You bet. What kind do you like?”

“I don’t know. My teachers said I’m too strong to play with the others.”

“Well, that won’t be a problem here. We’ve got lots of strong kids. Did your dad teach you any?”

“No. I haven’t met my dad yet. But I think he’ll come back for me when he can,” Jaxon says with heartbreaking hope.

“I’m sure he will,” Callen says gently, then gives me an apologetic look.

I can tell he has questions, but thankfully he doesn’t ask.

At the school, Callen shows us to reception and goes to find the headteacher. A short time later, a slim woman with short blond hair and warm brown eyes greets us.

To my surprise, Jaxon wraps his arms around her in a hug.

What is going on with him? Is he just feeling lost and insecure without Greg? Or is there something deeper happening here?