Chapter 202

** Callen’s POV ** The moment Annie collapses into Paige’s arms, something inside my chest twists. It’s not jealousy exactly. It’s more of a pressure. Like the weight of everything we’ve survived is suddenly pushing down on all of us at once, and I want to be the one in her arms. Paige holds Annie like she’s comforting a child. Poppy joins in too, wrapping both of them in a fierce hug. Jake hovers close, one hand on Poppy’s back, Leo beside him like a silent shadow. The emotion in the room is thick enough to choke on. Ryder steps back, Parker moves with him, and Remy subtly shifts to my left like we’re forming an instinctive barrier around Paige. We don’t need to touch her to protect her. We just stand there, ready, but I’m not sure what for. That’s when the mind-link snaps open. A private thread just between the wolves in the room. “We need to talk. Now. Before we move her anywhere,” Ryder says. “Agreed.” Remy nods subtly. “Shouldn’t we be discussing this with them?” Jake asks, tiltin