Page 73 of Baby and the Beast

But then a big booming voice shouted from the yard. “Nash Renard. We have your mate. You need to come out now with the child or we will slit his throat.”

Nash froze and met Cassie’s eyes. Even she hesitated. “Take Copper,” Nash said and pushed the baby into Cassie’s arms.

Cassie's eyes widened in horror. "No, absolutely not. You're not going out there."

"Take her to safety. Please."

"Nash, you can't—"

"He's my mate," Nash said, his voice surprisingly steady. "He saved our lives. I won't let him die for us." He stroked Copper's cheek one last time. "Keep her safe. Promise me."

Cassie clutched Copper protectively. "Ryker will never allow this."

"Ryker isn't here right now." Nash stepped back, determination hardening his features. "Go. Now."

With one last anguished look, Cassie turned and ran toward the safe room, Copper's cries fading as they disappeared down the corridor.

Nash took a deep breath and moved toward the main entrance, ignoring the chaos around him as shifters rushed to defensive positions. Through the windows, he could see figures moving at the edge of the property—wolves in human form, at least a dozen of them.

And there, on his knees in the center, was Casimir. Even from this distance, Nash could see the blood on his face, the way his arms were wrenched behind his back.

"NASH RENARD!" The voice boomed again. "FINAL WARNING!"

Nash pushed open the door before anyone could stop him, stepping out into the cold air.

"I'm here!" he called, moving forward slowly with his hands raised. "Let him go." And a dozen shifters, including Ryker, surrounded him.

“I can’t let—” Ryker started.

“You can’t stop me,” Nash interrupted.

A tall, silver-haired man stepped forward from the group. Nash felt his blood run cold as recognition hit him.

"Father," he said flatly.

Alik Renard smiled, the expression never reaching his eyes. "Son. You've led us on quite a chase."

Nash was prevented from walking forward by the shifters surrounding him, but his gaze met Casimir’s. Casimir's eyes met his, filled with a mixture of pain and desperate warning.

"Run," Casimir mouthed silently.

Nash ignored him, focusing on his father. "How did you find me?"

"The wolves I hired nearly caught you." Father's smile turned cruel. "We were lucky we caught this one leaving on his own, because he reeks of your scent." He gestured to the men holding Casimir. "So you have a choice. I am unconcerned with your bastard corrupted progeny, or this human. You, however, I insist you return to the den to continue our line."

Nash's mind raced. Casimir and Copper would be okay.

“You are surrounded,” Ryker spoke. “I have thirty wolves watching, you know, plus a contingent of Claw, and should the wolves leave anything alive, be certain the panthers won’t.”

Father smirked. “I assume you are the alpha of these misfits.” he shrugged. “I have no quarrel with you. I allowed your wolves and panthers to surround us because I am no threat except to this human, which I know you will be unconcerned with. I don’t even care about the child.”

“Actually,” a deep voice spoke from somewhere to Nash’s left. “I’m afraid that isn’t true. My name is Zeke Coleman and I am as my mate refers to me as, a human alpha. We cannot allow any rescues—shifter or human—to be removed from these premises if they don’t want to go.

Father scoffed. “Humans?”

"Yes, humans," Zeke's voice was calm, authoritative. "And that particular human saved the lives of your son and grandchild."

Nash watched his father's face contort with disgust. “Not my grandchild.”

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