Chapter 175
Chapter 175
He didn’t speak for a moment. Then, quietly: “I know. I just don’t know how to let go. I just got her back p>
Rae smiled softly. “You don’t have to let go. You just have to trust her p>
Cassian studied her. There was something about Rae that disarmed him-she spoke truths others tiptoed around, but she never wielded them like weapons. Her honesty came with gentleness. It made listening easier.
“Trust doesn’t come easy to me,” he admitted.
“I can tell,” she said with a teasing glint. “You have the face of a man who checks the locks twice p>
He snorted. “Only twice p>
She laughed, the sound soft and bright.
The baby in her arms sighed in his sleep, and she instinctively began to sway, her movements rhythmic and soothing. Cassian found himself watching her without meaning to-the way her eyes softened when she looked at the child, the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
He’d always admired strength in its obvious forms-discipline, power, command-but Rae’s kind of strength was quieter. The kind that made rooms feel safer just by being in them.
“How long have you been helping her?” he asked after a while.
Rae looked down at the baby. “Since she came back to Moonstone. At first, I was just keeping her company when she was still adjusting, but it turned into… this.” She smiled. “I like it. I like helping p>
Cassian nodded slowly. “You’ve been good for her p>
“She’s been good for me,” Rae said softly. “I’ve never had sisters before. I didn’t realize how much I needed one until I met Ellie. Even when she lost her memory, things between us were still easy, instinctual p>
Something about that made him smile. “You fit here, you know. With us.
She glanced up, eyes meeting his. “You think so p>
“I know so p>
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air seemed to hum quietly between them, the way it sometimes did when words weren’t enough.
Rae shifted the baby again, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re staring,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Cassian blinked, caught off guard. “Am I p>
“Mm-hmm p>
He opened his mouth to apologize, but the words tangled. “Sorry. I just p>
“Don’t be,” she said softly.
The silence that followed wasn’t awkward. It was slow, deliberate. He could hear the faint rhythm of the baby’s breathing, the soft hum of the building’s old heating system, his own pulse thudding in his ears.
“I don’t usually do this,” he said after a long moment.
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Chapter 175
+25 Bonus
“Do what p>
“Let people in p>
Rae smiled faintly. “Maybe it’s time you started p>
He huffed a quiet laugh. “Maybe it is p>
The baby stirred, whimpering softly. Rae rocked him gently, humming something under her breath until he settled again. When she looked up, her eyes were warm, luminous in the dim light.
Cassian cleared his throat. “Would you-uh-want to get dinner sometime? Properly, I mean. No babysitting duties. Just us p>
Her eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face before softening into something more certain. ” Dinner p>
“Dinner,” he said, feeling suddenly awkward. “I can even promise not to talk about pack politics p>
She grinned. “That might be worth saying yes to p>
“So… yes p>
“Yes,” she said, smiling fully now. “I’d like that p>
Cassian smiled back, slow and genuine. “Good p>
They both looked down at the baby then, still sleeping peacefully between them.
“Don’t tell Ellie,” Rae said with a grin. “She’ll never let me live it down p>
“She already suspects,” Cassian said, smirking.
Rae groaned softly. “Of course she does p>
“She knows us both well. She probably saw it before either of us did p>
Rae smiled again and sighed. “You’re probably right. But we shouldn’t tell her for a while. She’ll just start making jokes about me becoming her sister in law p>
Cassian chuckled, glancing toward the door. “She’ll be back soon. I should let you get some rest before that whirlwind returns p>
He moved toward the door, then paused. “Rae p>
She looked up, curious.
“Thank you. For being here. For her.
She smiled, gentle and sure. “Always p>
He nodded once and slipped out into the cooling dusk.
The air outside smelled of rain and pine, the first stars peeking through the clouds.
For the first time in a long while, Cassian felt something that wasn’t duty, stress, or fear.
He felt hope.
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