Chapter 229

** Paige’s POV ** The sentence lands heavily, but I can’t say I’m totally shocked. “What?” I ask softly. She finally looks at me then, eyes bright and too guarded all at once. “I’m not staying, Paige. Not here. Not now.” My chest tightens, but I don’t interrupt. “I need space,” she continues, her voice shaking just slightly. “To figure things out. To understand what’s happening to me without everyone watching. Without… expectations.” There it is. The truth underneath the tension I’ve been feeling for days. “I love you,” she says quickly, like she’s afraid I’ll misunderstand. “I love Jax. I love this pack, but if I stay, I think I’ll disappear into what everyone needs me to be.” I step closer slowly, giving her the chance to pull away if she needs to. She doesn’t. “Okay,” I say quietly. “Then we’ll figure out how to do this safely. On your terms.” Her breath stutters. “You’re not angry?” “No,” I say honestly. “I’m scared, and I want you close, but that’s selfish, and I trust you to do w