Quinton had moved Caleb to the dorm for the time being. He couldn't keep him in the holding cell anymore. Not now that Quinton was convinced Caleb wasn't a criminal. He'd believed every word of what he'd said. It made sense, but the idea that an omega could have magic powers was still a hard pill for Quinton to swallow.
Still, he had to wonder if there was some truth to it. There was still was no explanation for how Caleb had healed from his attack so quickly, or at all. That wasn't something that Quinton could just file away in the back of his mind and forget about though. Did it make Caleb dangerous? Quinton didn't think so. From what he had observed from the boy, there was nothing even remotely dangerous about him. Well, not unless you tried to keep him from his pup that was.
And, that was another matter entirely. Quinton had no intention of keeping Caleb from his child but the dorms weren't big enough for a shifter plus a baby, especially with all the extra amenities Caleb would need. Speaking of which, Quinton would have to scrounge up a few things. In the mean time though, he'd suggested Caleb leave Rhylan in the nursery. He was well cared for there and there was staff on hand 24/7.
Caleb wasn't thrilled with the idea. In fact it had sent him into another screaming fit, but when Quinton explained the problem, Caleb had finally agreed. Quinton knew he had to figure out something fast though. Caleb wasn't going to be happy with this arrangement for long, and Quinton had the feeling that the omega was going to be spending his every waking hour in the nursery anyway.
That wasn't a and idea come to think of it. He'd eventually have to find Caleb employment and he was good with kids. The daycare could always use extra help and the other parents seemed to like him. Quinton filed that thought away for the future so he could focus on the here and now. He'd just dropped the omega off at the dorms and was helping him to get settled in.
Caleb walked around, inspecting his temporary shelter, in awe of everything he saw. Aside from the twin bed he saw in the corner of the room that looked way more comfortable than anything he'd had at Silver Moon, the room also had a television set, a desk and chair, a small love seat, a small apartment sized refrigerator, and a microwave oven. There was also a closet and a small bathroom with a shower but no tub.
Caleb didn't care that there was no tub though. He was just thrilled to have his own shower. At Silver Moon the pack had to share public toilets and showers. The kind that most camp grounds had. So, privacy was never something he had in abundance. In fact, the first time he'd used a private shower was when Rhys had rented them a hotel room. Of course his showers didn't remain private for long but he couldn't really complain about that. Sharing a shower with Rhys and then what followed was just one of the highlights of his day.
Caleb came out of the bathroom all smiles. "This place is amazing." He beamed. "But you're right, it's not big enough to raise a pup in. Especially once he starts crawling."
Quinton chuckled as he sat the bags he'd carried up with him on the already made bed. "Well, it's only intended for single shifters. Besides, I don't plan on keeping you here for long."
"I appreciate everything you've done." Caleb told him. He went to the bed where Quinton had deposited the bags and opened the first one. "You didn't have to get all this." He said as he started removing frozen dinners from the bag and carefully placing them in the fridge. "There's more food here than I really needed."
Quinton rubbed the back of his neck as his eyes widened a bit but then he just shrugged. "Really, it's not a lot." He'd tried to talk Caleb into getting more but the omega refused. Quinton realized Caleb probably wasn't used to having full meals or even more than one meal a day, but that was something he was going to have change now that he was living in Black River. Quinton wasn't about to let one of his pack mates starve.
"You need the food." Quinton told him. "Especially while nursing. Need to keep your strength up."
Caleb just nodded and continued to unpack the bags. He wasn't going to argue anymore. Besides, he kind of liked the way Quinton acted so concerned for his well-being. It reminded him of Rhys. There was a lot about the man that reminded him of Rhys. Not just his looks but the way he spoke and moved. Even his smile. Now that he did smile. Caleb could see a lot of Rhys in the man and Caleb even suspected that it was Quinton's own influence that had molded Rhys into the man he was.
Knowing that Quinton shared the same blood as Rhys made the whole situation a little easier to bear. Rhys was gone, but there were pieces of him all over Black River. Everyone seemed to have a story to tell. Everyone loved him and Caleb understood why. Rhys was the best man that Caleb had ever met. Kind, loving, and passionate in so many ways. He just hoped that he could raise his own son to be as honorable as his father had been.
Caleb finished unpacking the food then sat on the bed. He'd been trying so hard to keep his emotions in check. Worrying about Rhylan had helped. Grocery shopping with Quinton had helped also, and just exploring the pack grounds and meeting new people had helped. If he kept busy then his mind didn't have the time to bring up images of his late mate, or remind Caleb of how much he missed him.
It was harder now though. Sitting on the bed and trying to relax some without letting his mind wander seemed almost pointless. He felt the first tear slip down his cheek and he quickly turned his head away so Quinton wouldn't see him cry.
"Are you alright?" Quinton asked, braving a small step closer.
To his surprise, Caleb shook his head and he heard the gentle sobs that Caleb had tried so hard to hide from him. "I'm not." He said in a shaky voice. "Not at all."
Quinton wasn't sure what to do or how to comfort him. This wasn't his area of expertise. He was a strong Alpha. He could handle the pack when it came to finances, construction plans, or settling small disputes between pack members. He could handle the ins and outs of his position with the skill and shrewdness of a trained leader but when it came to emotions, he was at a loss.
At the end of the day he was more comfortable returning to the quiet solitude of his home and enjoying a few hours to himself. It was probably why he'd never even considered taking a mate, though more than a few of his packs mates had suggested, not so indirectly, that he needed to. Even Annie, who had become somewhat of a surrogate mother to both he and Rhys, had told him on more than one occasion that he should settle down and start a family and, there were several available shifters who would jump at the opportunity.
Quinton just didn't see himself as mate material. He enjoyed the bachelors life way too much. It wasn't too much of a shock that Rhys had mated before him, he'd always thought he would. It was just the way in which it had happened that came as a shock. Quinton always thought he'd get more of an opportunity to get to know his brothers potential mate before having him thrust into the family the way he'd been. There were so many things lost now that Quinton would have liked to have shared with his brother.
Life sure had a way to kick you in the ass. In the span of just two days Quinton had lost his brother then gained a nephew and a brother law. A brother in law who was grieving, and he had absolutely no idea how to comfort him, or fix things. Maybe there was no way to fix it. Maybe Caleb just needed to let his mourning run it's course, then pick up the pieces and try to build a new life for him and his pup.
Quinton could help with that at least, but he knew Caleb needed more than just a roof over his head and food in his belly. He needed someone he could confide in and lean on for support. Rhys would have been the one to provide that kind of emotional support for him, but Rhys was gone, so who did that leave now?
Was it too soon to suggest that Caleb take another mate? Probably. Though a few alphas and even a couple betas came to mind that would make excellent mates for the omega. Quinton decided to scrap that idea for now though. Bringing it up would likely only offend Caleb. Maybe another omega? That seemed more reasonable. Someone that he could befriend and talk to. Another omega would know more of what Caleb was feeling and going through. Omega's were great with this kind of thing.
Quinton suddenly had an idea that might just be what Caleb needed to help him move forward and start healing from his loss. Quinton placed his hand on the omega's shoulder and tried his best to sound supportive. "I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through."He told him. "I lost a brother, but you lost your mate. You're scared, uncertain of the future, and for good reason. I'll do what I can to secure your place here but I think it might help if you had someone to talk to. You know, about things that are maybe a bit too sensitive for you to discuss with the pack Alpha."
