Page 64 of Baby and the Beast

Liam carried on to the main doors just as they opened and a huge man walked out, his arm protectively circling a smaller one. A tall woman walked out behind them. “That’s Alpha Ryker and his mate Emmett. Chrissy is one of Ryker’s security team and is mated to Dinah, one of the best cooks I ever met. You’ll meet them all, eventually.”

Casimir couldn’t help his stiffening posture at the word “Alpha” and memories that he’d been doing his best to forget tried to surface once more. It was all he could do to stop his fingers from tracing the scar on his face. Liam stopped the truck and they climbed out. Nash unfastened Copper and Casimir grabbed their bags before Liam could. The smaller man—Emmett—jogged down, smiling when he caught sight of Nash and Copper.

"Welcome to Blue Ridge Pack," Emmett said, his eyes immediately going to Copper. "Oh, she's beautiful. How old?"

Nash blinked, momentarily overwhelmed by the warmth of the greeting. "Four days," he managed. "Just four days."

Ryker stepped forward, his massive frame making even Casimir look average-sized. But his eyes were kind as he nodded at Nash. "You're safe now. Both of you."

Casimir stood slightly apart, the bags slung over his shoulder, watching the interaction with careful eyes. He could feel the power emanating from Ryker—the natural authority of an alpha, but without the hardness he remembered from Remelle's father.

"Liam says you helped deliver the little one," Ryker addressed Casimir directly. "We owe you our thanks."

Casimir shrugged uncomfortably. "Nash did all the work."

Emmett laughed, a warm sound that seemed to lighten the air around them. "That's definitely true. I remember exactly how much work it was." He turned to Nash with a sympathetic smile. "You must be exhausted. Let's get you both inside where it's warm."

As they walked toward the lodge, Casimir noticed how Ryker positioned himself, keeping his body between his mate and any potential threat. The protective stance was subtle, but unmistakable.

Inside, the lodge was even more impressive—high ceilings with exposed beams, a massive stone fireplace dominating one wall, but surrounded by a protective child-proof grille. Comfortable furniture arranged in welcoming clusters, and at the other end huge bench like tables and chairs and a large kitchen. But what struck Casimir most was the noise—children laughing somewhere deeper in the building, multiple conversations happening at once, the domestic sounds of a meal being prepared.

It was overwhelming after so many years of silence.

"Marco will want to check you both over," Emmett was saying to Nash. "He's our medic."

"Thank you," Nash replied, his voice thick with emotion. "I wasn't sure... I mean, I hoped this place was real, but..."

"I know exactly how you feel," Emmett said gently. "I was overwhelmed, too. Until I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t even know shifters existed or that I was an omega."

An image of Remelle entered his head, and he remembered his shock as he’d seen her shift. He tried to block the image though, because her laughter and smiles were always replaced by the one of her dead and bloody body.

A tall, dark-haired man appeared from a hallway, medical bag in hand. "Liam texted ahead. I'm Marco," he introduced himself. "Let's get you and the little one checked out."

Nash hesitated, glancing at Casimir.

"Go," Casimir said. "I'll bring your things."

Marco led Nash away, already asking quiet questions about the birth and Copper's feeding, with Emmett following. Casimir watched them go, suddenly feeling very out of place.

"You look like you could use some food," Ryker said, startling Casimir from his thoughts. "Dinah always keeps something warm in the kitchen."

Casimir nodded stiffly. "Thank you."

As they walked, Ryker studied him with a careful gaze. "Liam tells me you live alone in the mountains."

"Yes." Casimir kept his answers short, uncomfortable under the alpha's scrutiny.

They entered a large kitchen where a plump woman with silver-streaked hair was kneading dough at a massive island counter. She looked up and smiled warmly.

"You must be our rescuer," she said, wiping her hands on her apron. "I'm Dinah. Sit, sit. You look half-starved."

Before Casimir could protest, she was ladling thick stew into a bowl and cutting chunks from a fresh loaf of bread. The smell made his stomach growl traitorously, even though they'd eaten at the diner.

"Thank you," he murmured, taking the offered seat at the counter.

Ryker leaned against the doorframe, his posture deliberately casual. "How long have you been in the mountains?"

"Eleven years," Casimir answered between careful bites.

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