Page 14 of Baby and the Beast

“Okay, first question. Have you done anything to break human laws?”

“Not yet,” Jesse admitted, and bit by bit the whole story came out.

Ricoh smiled ruefully. “That’s actually not as bad as some of the horror stories we’ve heard about omega wolves.” He sighed. “Those you wouldn’t believe.” He looked at Jesse’s car. “Is he in there?”

Jesse shook his head and explained about Seth.

This the wolf was really concerned about. “He’s human?”

“He won’t say anything.”

“Are you sure?” Ricoh seemed doubtful.

Jesse nodded. “He’s not like that. He didn’t have to help either of us.”

Ricoh nodded. “Okay, this is what’s going to happen. Go back and get your son and any of your things. Get a cab to the east entrance of Greer Park, and someone will be waiting for you. Don’t worry about the fare, we will cover it. You will be taken to the pack house.”

“Pack house?” Jesse repeated. It sounded very wolfish.

Ricoh nodded. “You will have lodging, medical attention, and support there for as long as you need. We can set you up with documents and childcare while you look for a job. Shifters generally stay there a few days or a few months until they get on their feet. It’s a little full this month so you will have to share a room.”

“Where is it?” Jesse asked, astounded he’d never come across it with all his wanderings.

“Sorry, Jesse. I can’t say until you come back. We protect a lot of vulnerable shifters there. Many who are in permanent danger.”

Jesse nodded. He understood. But what about Seth?

Ricoh smiled. “We have everything to set you up with a new identity. We have contacts in just about ten states, so you have plenty of choice of where to get away. The main thing is you and your son will be safe.”

Choice?What a choice.

“The only thing we ask is that you keep our identity and location secret. There are too many vulnerable shifters needing our help to risk the humans ever finding out.”

Jesse knew. He understood, he really did. It was going to kill him, but he had to put Maddox first.

Seth was making breakfast when Jesse let himself into the kitchen, and Maddox was asleep and in a car seat that Seth had somehow made appear. Well, he was fairly sure cash had been involved, and they’d had a delivery yesterday. Maddox also had a blue teddy bear tucked into his side in the seat. That was new.

“How did it go?” Seth asked casually and got a plate out of the oven, carefully setting it down at the table and pouring a coffee. “Eat,” he instructed.

Jesse sat down as he was told and picked up the fork, glancing at Seth. “Aren’t you eating?”

“I will later,” Seth said, pouring himself a coffee before he sat.

Jesse suddenly wasn’t very hungry, and he pushed the food around while he told Seth what had happened. Everything. When he was done, he looked up at Seth beseechingly.

“You have no choice,” Seth said in a kind, forgiving voice that told Jesse he was the bigger man. Far better than Jesse. “These are the only people that can help Maddox, and he’s what’s important.”

You’re important, Jesse wanted to shout, but all he did was nod. He stood up to take the food he’d barely touched to the sink.

“I’ve got it,” Seth said gently and took it off him. “You go grab a shower and get your things ready.”

Jesse couldn’t even look at him, just bolted up the stairs. He almost didn’t want to shower. Didn’t want to rid himself of Seth’s smell. He knew Ricoh would have been able to smell Seth, but he didn’t care. That was probably why he’d said what he had.

In twenty minutes, Jesse came downstairs with the bag that Seth had given him, the spare diapers, and Maddox’s clothes that Seth had bought for him. Seth was patting Maddox’s back, and an empty bottle stood on the table. “He’s just been changed as well, and you have two extra bottles in case it takes you a while to get there.”

“I have to call a cab.” Jesse wanted to say where he was going, but he’d promised, and Seth didn’t ask. Seth stood when Jesse packed the bottles, pulled on his coat, and forced his reluctant feet into his boots, and called a cab for him.

“Just promise me one thing,” Seth said quietly and came close when he was done. He kissed Maddox gently and held him out for Jesse to take.

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