Page 69 of Baby and the Beast

"What happened?" Charles asked quietly, still gently rocking Copper.

Nash hesitated, unsure how much of Casimir's story was his to share. "A shifter girl he cared about was killed. Her brother too. He blames himself, even though he didn't do it."

"And let me guess," Emmett said, "he thinks by isolating himself, he's paying some kind of penance?"

Nash nodded miserably. "Her father marked him." He gestured to his own face. "Those scars."

A hush fell over their corner of the room. Even those who hadn't been directly participating in the conversation seemed to sense the gravity of the revelation.

"Pack justice," Charles murmured, his expression darkening. "Old school."

"Barbaric," Kai corrected firmly.

"He saved us," Nash said, his voice catching. "Found me in his cave, delivered Copper, carried her through the snow for days. He read her stories from a book his grandmother gave him." The memory of Casimir's gentle voice reading folk tales made his chest ache. "I just... I don't understand why he won't let himself have something good."

"Trauma doesn't make sense," Darriel said gently. "Neither does guilt."

"So what do I do?" Nash asked, looking around at these people who had so quickly embraced him. "He's leaving tomorrow."

"You could let him go," Emmett suggested, then quickly held up a hand when Nash's face fell. "Or... you could fight for him."

"How? He won't even listen to me."

"Sometimes actions speak louder," Charles said. "Show him what he'd be leaving behind."

Nash looked down at his daughter's peaceful face. "I tried that. It didn't work."

"Maybe you need backup," Kai suggested with a mischievous smile. "We're pretty good at interventions around here."

"No," Nash said firmly. "I can't force him to stay if he doesn't want to."

"Not forcing," Emmett clarified. "Just... creating an opportunity for him to see things differently."

Darriel nodded thoughtfully. "Sometimes people need a mirror held up to see themselves clearly. Especially when they've been alone for so long."

"What are you suggesting?" Nash asked, taking Copper from Charles as she began to stir.

"Nothing dramatic," Emmett assured him. "Just a chance for Casimir to see what his life could be if he stopped punishing himself."

Charles leaned forward. "The cabin where he's staying tonight—it's near the edge of the property. I could take you there after Copper's next feeding."

Nash hesitated. "I don't want to ambush him."

"Not an ambush," Kai said. "A conversation. One last chance before he disappears back into those mountains."

The giant who had greeted them appeared at the doorway, scanning the room until his eyes landed on their group. Nash recognized Ryker from earlier.

"Speaking of alphas," Emmett murmured, rising to meet his mate.

Ryker approached, his presence commanding yet somehow gentle as he greeted the omegas. He nodded respectfully to Nash. "How are you settling in?"

"Everyone's been very kind," Nash replied, surprised by how quickly he'd felt at ease among these strangers.

Ryker's eyes moved to Copper, a softness crossing his features. "She's beautiful. Reminds me of when our Josie was that small."

Nash smiled. "Thank you for taking us in."

"That's what we do here." Ryker's gaze swept the room, pride evident in his expression. "Family isn't always blood."

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