Page 50 of Baby and the Beast

"You have a lot of books," Nash observed, nodding toward the shelves.

"Helps pass the time," Casimir replied.

"Do you have a favorite?"

Casimir hesitated, then crossed to the shelf and pulled out a worn paperback. He handed it to Nash.

"'The Call of the Wild,'" Nash read. "I've never read it."

"It's about a dog who finds his true nature," Casimir said. "After everything's taken from him."

Nash opened his mouth, but Casimir didn't give him a chance to comment. "You need to make a decision. We can leave tomorrow, or the next day, and have a chance of getting down the mountain, or you'll both be holed up here for three months at least."

Nash stared, his mouth slightly open. "Three months? I... I didn't realize we were that isolated."

Casimir moved to the window, peering out at the darkness. "Winter's just starting. This storm is early, but there'll be more. The pass to the village gets blocked completely by January."

"I need to get to the Shifter Rescue Center," Nash said quietly. "It's somewhere near Asheville."

"Asheville?" Casimir turned, frowning. "That's more than sixty miles from here."

Nash's face fell. He looked down at Copper, sleeping peacefully in his arms. "I know it sounds crazy. I've been traveling for months. All I had was a rumor—a place where any shifter breed could get help, no questions asked."

"And you believe this place exists?"

"I have to," Nash whispered. "For her sake."

Casimir returned to his chair, sitting heavily. "Tell me."

Nash took a deep breath. "My father is the leader of our clan. We're small, maybe forty shifters total. Most fox shifters keep to themselves, but our clan has always been... traditional."

"Meaning?"

"Pure bloodlines," Nash said bitterly. "No mating with other shifters, let alone humans. When my father realized I was pregnant with a mixed baby..." His voice faltered. "He said he'dwait until I delivered, then take her away. Said it would be merciful."

Casimir's jaw tightened. "So you ran."

"I had to." Nash adjusted the blanket around Copper. "My oldest brother helped me. He'd heard about this rescue place from a wolf shifter he met at the edge of our territory. Gave me some money and told me to go."

"Alone? While pregnant?"

Nash smiled faintly. "Foxes are resourceful. And my brother couldn't come—he has a mate and kits. If my father had suspected him..." He shook his head.

"And now?"

"Now I need to find the rescue center." Nash met Casimir's eyes directly. "They can protect her. Teach her about both sides of her heritage."

Casimir was silent for a long moment. "If this place exists, and if we could reach it... what then?"

"What do you mean?"

"For you," Casimir clarified. "What happens to you?"

Nash looked surprised, as if he hadn't considered the question. "I... I don't know. I'd stay with her, if they'd let me."

"And if they won't?"

"Then I'd figure something out." Nash's voice hardened with determination. "I won't abandon her."

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