Chapter 153

** Callen’s POV ** The walk back from the creek is quieter than it should be. Even the forest feels quiet. Birds are still singing somewhere above, and the wind rustles through the trees, but it’s all background noise. The real silence is with us. Paige hasn’t said a word since Ronnie’s last comment, and honestly, none of us have. She walks ahead of me, just behind Ryder, her shoulders squared, but her head slightly lowered, like she’s holding something heavy inside. Every now and then, a flicker of light catches on her skin, maybe sunlight through the trees, maybe something else. I can’t tell anymore. I keep close. Not hovering, exactly, but near enough that if she stumbles or that strange warmth in her chest turns into something worse, I can reach her before she hits the ground. My wolf’s on edge, pacing restlessly just under my skin. She’s fine, I tell him, but even I don’t sound convinced. Ryder glances back once, checking her the same way I am, before turning forward again. Remy b