Page 70 of Baby and the Beast

Something in those words struck Nash deeply. Family. He'd spent so long running from his blood relatives, he'd almost forgotten what it meant to belong somewhere.

"Your friend," Ryker continued, lowering his voice slightly. "Casimir. He insists on leaving in the morning. It seems... complicated."

Nash couldn't help a small laugh. "That's one word for it."

He paused. "But your situation is... unique."

"Because he’s being a stubborn ass?" Nash asked, feeling his cheeks warm.

Ryker shook his head. "Because he's been watching you from the cabin window for the past hour."

Nash's head snapped up. "What?" Ryker just arched an eyebrow.

"Watching?" Nash's pulse quickened. "How do you know?"

Ryker's mouth quirked. "Security cameras. We don't invade privacy inside buildings, but the grounds are monitored. He's been pacing, stopping at the window every few minutes." He studied Nash's face. "Man looks like he's fighting a war with himself."

Nash glanced down at Copper, who was beginning to fuss, her tiny face scrunching. "She needs feeding."

"Feed her," Charles said immediately. "Then decide what you want to do."

Nash nodded, grateful for the moment to collect his thoughts. He settled into a quiet corner with Copper, the familiar routine calming his racing heart. As she nursed, he found himself staring out the window toward where he knew Casimir's cabin must be.

Eleven years alone. How could anyone bear that? But then, perhaps that was exactly the point—Casimir didn't believe he deserved anything else.

By the time Copper finished feeding, Nash had made his decision.

"I'm going to see him," he announced, returning to the group. "But I need to do this alone."

Emmett nodded. "Of course."

"We'll watch Copper," Charles offered, already holding out his arms. "Take as long as you need."

Nash hesitated. He hadn't been separated from her since she was born. "Are you sure?"

"She'll be fine," Emmett assured him. "Between Charles, me, and about twenty other omegas, she'll be the most protected baby in North Carolina."

"Besides," Darriel added with a small smile, "you can't exactly have a heart-to-heart with a newborn in your arms."

Nash carefully transferred Copper to Charles's waiting embrace. "If she needs anything—"

"We'll call you immediately," Charles promised. "Now go. Before he convinces himself to leave tonight instead of in the morning."

Ryker pointed out the cabin and escorted Nash to within fifty feet, then stood back and watched to make sure Nash was safe. The night air was crisp and cold, stars brilliant overhead. Nash pulled his borrowed jacket tighter around himself, grateful for its warmth as he followed the illuminated path.

The cabin was smaller than the main lodge but still substantial, with warm light glowing from the windows. Nash paused at the at the path, suddenly uncertain. What if Casimir rejected him again? What if he'd already made up his mind?

But then he remembered Copper's tiny hand gripping Casimir's finger as he read to her. The gentleness in his touch. The pain in his eyes when he spoke of the past.

Nash inhaled slowly and approached the door.

His knock echoed in the stillness. For a long moment, there was no response. Then the door flew open as if Casimir had raced there.

He'd changed into the clothes they'd given him, and his hair was still damp from a shower. he didn’t look surprised when he saw Nash.

"Where's Copper?" he asked immediately, peering past Nash into the darkness.

"She's safe. With Charles and Emmett." Nash swallowed. "Can I come in?"

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