Chapter 47

**Paige’s POV ** The day had been a strange blur of laughter and tension. Jaxon’s delighted squeals as Ryder chased him through the long grass, Callen’s amused smile when he caught him. The four of us spending time together like that was nice. It felt almost like a family; I just missed two others. I feel them more with every hour that passes. I feel the ache of their absence, which is strange. Especially with Remy, who I have no physical relationship with. By the time the sun dipped low, I was exhausted and cranky. When Parker returned from patrol, I felt a little better, until Ryder had to leave for his patrol. Will it always feel this way if they’re not near me? Like a piece of my soul is missing? As if Callen and Parker can sense how unsettled I am, they pull me into Parker’s room and wrap themselves around me in the bed. Their steady presence easing the ache in my chest enough for me to sleep. The sound that wakes me isn’t the one I expect. It’s not the soft creak of a floorboard