Page 60 of Ruin

Owen visibly relaxed at her words, and he wrapped the baby tighter in its blanket and held it up near his big shoulder, rubbing a big hand against its back before patting it reassuringly. The baby immediately stopped crying. Selina’s mouth dropped open as it gurgled happily.

“See?” I said and sat down next to my brother.

The baby promptly let out an almighty belch.

“Mother Wolf, how did that come out that little thing?” I was genuinely amazed. I’d never had much to do with babies.

Owen grinned. “Oh, that's nothing compared to what comes out of the other end sometimes.”

My grimace was real.

“Hey, that’s my son you’re talking about.” Selina jumped in defensively.

Owen grinned before turning to kiss the baby’s head. I blinked. My brother was more than a little taken with this child. I glanced at Selina’s face. Her eyes softened, and I had to admit the sight of my huge, tough friend with this tiny soul in his grasp was something I’d never expected to see.

“Yes, I know.” Owen's gaze met Selina's and she flushed. “Look, he’s fine with me. Nothing will happen to him. Now, go and get some food.”

“I...er…”

“Go.” Owen pushed his compulsion against her. I felt it, watching to see what happened.

“Don’t do that,” she hissed, her brows dipping and her fists curling.

Owen grinned and leaned forward. “Then do as I said, and go and eat.”

Her nostrils flared and she stood up, clearly intending to take her baby back. “Don’t order me around. And you can give him back now.”

Owen merely leaned back and smiled at her. “No. I’m keeping him until you have eaten a decent meal and had a few hours rest.”

I almost laughed at the indignation on her face, but she didn’t know Owen like I did. He was kind and diplomatic, but a stubborn fucker when he wanted to be. And if I wasn't mistaken Selina had just defied his compulsion, that meant she was a possible mate for him and there was no way he’d let her continue to exhaust herself and deny her need for food.

“You can’t do that!”

He sighed at her anger. “Yes, I can.” He leaned the baby down supporting the back of his head with one big palm. “We’ll be fine, won’t we?” The baby cooed and his little mouth stretched up in a smile as if he were agreeing.

Serena hovered. “But…”

“No buts, Selina. He can sense you’re tired and upset. That’s why he was crying.” Owen stood up cradling the child securely. Something tugged at my heart as I looked at that tiny baby, and I swallowed. “Look, please, just go and eat. He will be safe with me, I promise. I will never let anything harm him. When you’ve eaten, you can come back and check on him and then go and get some rest. He won’t need feeding for another couple of hours at least.” He reached forward and squeezed her hand. “When you are rested and more settled, he will be, too.”

Selina looked close to tears but nodded her head. She leaned forward and kissed her baby’s head, stroking his cheek with the back of her finger.

“Okay.” She whispered before looking into my friend’s face. He smiled down at her. “Go on. He’ll be fine. If I’m not here, I’ll be in my cabin. Okay?”

She nodded and walked off, looking back no less than three times before she left the cave. Each time Owen gave her a reassuring smile. Once she was gone, his shoulders caved on the huge breath he released. “Jeez, that woman will be the end of me.”

I had to laugh. “Met your match, hmm?”

“I think maybe I have.” His eyes met mine. “My wolf is getting possessive of her.”

“Damn. You okay with that?”

His eyes drifted to where Selina had disappeared, before he looked down at the sleeping baby. “Yeah, I think I am. Or at least I will be if she ever lets me in.”

I slapped his back, happy he had a chance at finding a mate. “Gods, both of us, hmm? Even Stone is having a hard time with Shannon. What the hell is it with our women not accepting us?”

He chuckled. “Well, that’s not the case for you, anymore. Me and Stone might be having issues with stubborn females; but the whole godsdamned compound heard Ember screaming your name earlier, even from such a distance.” He grinned at me and I grinned right back, not hiding my smugness. “Good, then they all know she’s mine.”

“True. So what can I do for you?”

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