Page 65 of Baby and the Beast

Dinah's eyebrows rose. "Eleven years? Alone?"

Casimir nodded, focusing on his food. The stew was rich and flavorful—better than anything he'd eaten in years. It made his own cooking seem pathetic by comparison.

"Planning to head back soon?" Ryker asked.

"Yes." Casimir set his spoon down. "Once I know they're settled."

Dinah and Ryker exchanged a glance that Casimir couldn't interpret. He finished his meal in silence, acutely aware of their eyes on him.

"We have a cabin," Ryker said finally. "On the property. Private. It's yours if you want to rest before heading back. You could wait the winter out in it as well."

Casimir looked up, surprised by the offer. "I don't want to impose."

"You brought one of our own to safety," Ryker said firmly. "You're not imposing."

Our own. The words hung in the air. Nash and Copper already belonged here, in a way Casimir never would.

"Thank you," he said. "Just for tonight." Although if the weather was fixed, he would be stuck.

Ryker nodded. "I'll show you where you can clean up. Then I'll take you to see Nash and the little one."

Casimir followed Ryker through the lodge, hyper-aware of the curious glances from those they passed. A group of children thundered past, led by a laughing woman who nodded respectfully to Ryker. Two men carrying firewood paused their conversation to acknowledge the alpha.

It was like a small village, Casimir realized. A community built on mutual protection and respect. Nothing like the rigid hierarchy he remembered from what Remelle had told him about her pack.

The bathroom Ryker showed him to was spacious and modern. Hot water—real, unlimited hot water—poured from theshower. Casimir stood in the spacious shower and relaxed for what seemed the first time in he couldn’t remember how long.

When he finally emerged, he found fresh clothes waiting—jeans and a flannel shirt that looked new but somehow fit his large frame.

Clean and dressed, he felt both better and worse. Better physically, worse because each comfort offered made it harder to contemplate returning to his solitude. He combed his damp hair with his fingers and steeled himself to face the world again.

Ryker was waiting outside, leaning against the wall with casual ease. "Feel more human?"

Casimir nodded, ignoring the irony of the question coming from a shifter.

"Marco's finished checking them over," Ryker said as they walked. "Both doing well, considering."

"Nash is stronger than he looks," Casimir said quietly.

"Most omegas are." Ryker led him down a hallway to a door at the end. He knocked softly before opening it.

Inside was a comfortable bedroom with a large window overlooking the forest. Nash sat in a rocking chair, Copper asleep in his arms. He looked up when they entered, his face brightening at the sight of Casimir.

"Copper is fit and healthy," Nash said. "Thanks to you,” he added.

Casimir nodded, relief washing through him. He'd done it—gotten them safely to people who could help them.

"I'll leave you to talk," Ryker said, stepping out and closing the door behind him.

Silence fell between them. Casimir stood awkwardly near the door while Nash watched him, something unreadable in his expression.

"You're leaving," Nash said finally. Not a question.

"Yes." Casimir shifted his weight. "Tomorrow, if the weather holds."

Nash nodded, his eyes dropping to Copper's sleeping face. "I understand."

But his tone suggested otherwise.

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