Page 76 of Baby and the Beast

"Why would you do that?" Casimir's hands clenched into fists on his thighs. "After everything you went through to escape him?"

"Because you're worth it," Nash said simply.

Casimir shook his head, wincing at the movement. "I'm not. I'm just—"

"If you say 'just a human' or 'not worth it,' I swear I'll let Copper spit up on you," Nash threatened, though there was no heat in his voice.

A reluctant smile tugged at Casimir's split lip. "She wouldn't. She likes me too much."

"She's a good judge of character." Nash shifted Copper slightly, and her tiny hand emerged from the blanket, grasping at air. Without hesitation, Casimir extended his finger, and she latched onto it with surprising strength.

"When they grabbed me," Casimir said quietly, watching Copper's tiny fingers wrapped around his, "I wasn't afraid for myself. I was afraid for you. For her." He looked up, meeting Nash's eyes. "I thought I was going to die without telling you—" He broke off, swallowing hard.

"Telling me what?" Nash prompted softly.

Casimir took a shaky breath. "When you came to the cabin last night, when you asked me to stay... I wanted to say yes. God, I so wanted to." His voice dropped to a whisper. "But I was afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of failing you. Like I failed Remelle." Casimir's eyes dropped to Copper again. "But then, when they had that knife to my throat, and I saw you walking toward your father... willing togive up everything you'd fought for, just for me." He shook his head in wonder.

"It was like someone finally turned on the lights after eleven years of darkness," Casimir said, his voice breaking slightly. "We were both lonely. We weren't ever in love, just gravitated to each other because of our circumstances. Remelle's father wasn't physically abusive but he never allowed her any friends. I've finally realized I've been punishing myself for something that my father did. And worse—I almost punished you and Copper by walking away."

Nash's heart thundered in his chest. "What are you saying, Cas?"

"I'm saying I love you," Casimir answered, the words rushing out like he couldn't hold them back any longer. "I think I started falling for you the moment you looked up at me in that cave, exhausted but so determined to protect your baby." His calloused thumb stroked over Copper's tiny knuckles. "And I know I'm in love with this little one too."

Nash felt tears welling in his eyes. "So you're staying?"

"If you'll have me," Casimir nodded, a cautious hope lighting his eyes. "I don't know what I can offer you here. I'm not a shifter. I don't have much besides my tracking skills. But I want to try—to be worthy of you both."

"You already are," Nash whispered, leaning forward to press his forehead against Casimir's. "You always were."

Copper made a small sound between them, and they both looked down at her. Her eyes were open, gazing up at them with that unfocused newborn stare that somehow still seemed all-knowing.

"I think she approves," Nash said with a watery laugh.

Casimir's smile was tentative but real. "Smart kid."

Nash shifted Copper into one arm so he could reach up and touch Casimir's face, gently tracing the scars that marked him."These don't define you anymore, Cas. You get to write your own story now."

"Our story," Casimir corrected, turning his face to press a kiss into Nash's palm. "If that's what you want."

"It's all I want," Nash assured him, and closed the distance between them with a gentle kiss, mindful of Casimir's split lip.

When they pulled apart, Casimir looked dazed, as if he couldn't quite believe this was happening. "Your father—"

"Doesn't matter anymore," Nash said firmly. "My brother will make a much better den father. He's the one who helped me escape in the first place."

Casimir nodded slowly, processing this. "And the Panthera? What was that about?"

"I have no idea," Nash admitted. "I've never met her before today, but apparently she's Emmett's grandma."

They walked together to Nash's room, where Casimir helped arrange the blankets in Copper's crib. Nash laid her down gently, both of them watching as her eyelids fluttered closed, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath.

"I still can't believe she's real sometimes," Nash whispered, gazing down at their daughter.

"She's perfect," Casimir agreed, his voice thick with emotion. He reached out tentatively, brushing a finger over her copper-dusted head.

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