Chapter 190

** Ryder’s POV ** The room grows tense the moment the back door closes behind Paige and Poppy. Jaxon is the first to break the quiet. He tugs on my sleeve, his eyes wide and hopeful. “Daddy… can I play Xbox?” The innocence in his voice softens something inside of me. After everything that’s happened… the hunters, the Twiceborn, Paige nearly burning herself out, hearing something so normal feels like finally being able to breathe again. “Yeah, buddy,” I smile, brushing his hair back. “Go ahead.” His whole face lights up. He sprints to the console as if he’s training for the Olympics, grabbing his controller from where he left it the other day. “Remember the rules,” I call. “Volume low. No shouting at the imaginary people.” Jaxon snorts. “They’re real, Daddy.” I roll my eyes and head for the kitchen, motioning the others to follow. We need to talk whilst Paige isn’t here, but not where Jax can hear us. Paige is outside with Poppy right now, getting the breather she desperately needed, bu