Chapter 43

Paige's POV "Paige!" I walked past an ice cream shop and felt my heart skip a beat when I heard Naomi's cheerful voice calling my name. The young girl waved enthusiastically while sitting beside her father, Noah, who was staring at me with those intense black eyes that still haunted my dreams. Tiana stirred restlessly inside me, recognizing her mate's scent even from this distance. Damn it. Walking this route was clearly a mistake. Naomi's innocent face looked up at me as she signaled me to join them, flashing that sweet smile that made it impossible to refuse.Despite every instinct in my body screaming to flee, I couldn't hurt a pup's feelings. I reluctantly entered the ice cream shop and approached their table, deliberately avoiding Noah's gaze. But I could feel him—the warmth of his presence, the whisky-and-cedar scent that clung to him, the intensity of his stare burning into my skin. "Paige, I missed you! Do you want some ice cream?" Naomi asked, her eyes bright with childlike exc