By the time Quinton had gone back to the nursery, most of the nursing parents had returned with their pups and were laying them down for their afternoon naps. Caleb was still sitting, rocking his little one, though no longer nursing.
A few of the other parents had stopped to greet him and introduce themselves and also to gush over the pup. Many of them commenting on how much he looked like Rhys. Quinton watched from the door way as Caleb acknowledged each of the well-wishers with smiles and soft chuckles as they discussed things that Quinton could only assume were baby related.
Caleb definitely seemed to be in his element here. Especially when talking with other omegas. They were probably trading baby stories and cleaning tips. Whatever they were discussing, Caleb seemed to fit right in and no one seemed nervous around him at all. In fact, the other parents seemed to warm up to him fairly easily and he to them.
Quinton slouched against the wall some and frowned. Why couldn't the omega warm up to him the same way? Was there something about him that made it hard for the omega to trust him? The way he spoke or perhaps carried himself? Or was it simply because he was an alpha which made him more intimidating?
Or, Quinton thought to himself, suddenly ashamed, It could be the fact that you've kept him lock away for two days and refused to let him near his pup.
That seemed the most likely cause. Whether Quinton wanted to admit it or not, he'd probably come across as a grade-A asshole to the young omega.
When Caleb glanced up and saw Quinton standing in the open doorway, his smile faded and he clutched the infant a little closer to his chest. Well, that was his answer. Asshole for sure.
Caleb tensed and the scent of fear wafted across the room, assaulting Quinton's senses. A few of the other omega's noticed the change in Caleb as well because they followed his gaze to the door and more than a few of them shot Quinton the evil eye. He was not in anyone's favor today. That was for damn sure.
"You'll be fine." A female omega named Clara whispered to Caleb as she gave his hand a gentle pat. "He's not as bad as he seems."
Caleb thanked her and returned her smile. Clara Shot Quinton a disapproving look with a hint of a warning in it. Do not hurt him. Her eyes said as they focused on the alpha, causing him to flinch. He gave her a quick nod. Quinton knew better than to piss off an omega.
They may appear gentle, even submissive, on the outside but threaten someone they took upon themselves to protect and look out. An angry omega could be every bit as scary as an alpha. Sometimes more so.
Quinton's father had always told him to stay on an omegas good side because hell hath no fury like a pissed off omega. Quinton's recent interactions with Caleb had proved the saying true. He'd honestly hate to see what the spunky little omega would do if he really got mad.
Quinton stepped aside as one by one, the babies were laid down, and their ever doting parents filed out of the room, returning to their jobs. The last one squeezed past Quinton and out into the hall, leaving Quinton alone in the room with Caleb and Emily, who was busy with her charges.
Caleb's attention was on his son again. He cooed softly to the babe while rocking him gently to sleep. Quinton could see the deep love and adoration the omega had for his child. Watching the two of them together, he was starting to understand why his brother might have risked everything to help the boy.
There really was something special about him. He could see it in the way he so delicately cared for his child though Quinton doubted what he was seeing in him was why Silver Moon had taken an interest in him.
What secrets are you hiding, Caleb? Quinton thought as he watched the boy. He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. He wanted the omega to trust him but trust was a two way street and Quinton knew he could never truly let his guard down around Caleb until he knew what he was hiding.
There was only one way he would find that out though. He had to bite the bullet and demand his answers from the boy. Even if that meant employing a little rough justice. He hated using the pup as leverage but Caleb wasn't as forth coming as Quinton wanted and, quite frankly, he was running out of options.
Quinton unfolded his arms, shoved his hands into his pockets and crossed the room to where Caleb was sitting.
At first, he looked around, diverting his eyes anywhere but on the sleeping baby, which was ridiculous. He was and alpha for crying out loud. The Alpha. A tiny infant shouldn't feel like such a threat but it was what that infant represented. He didn't want to look at it. He didn't want to acknowledge it. But, the more he fought it, the harder it was to look away.
Slowly, his eyes drifted down, over Caleb who's head was bent, watching his child, to the same child that the omega held, cradled, in his arms. Quinton's breath caught and for a moment he swore that his heart stopped beating before suddenly pounding, menacingly in his chest.
The pups eyes were closed but even without seeing the bright blue orbs that Quinton was positive would be peering back up at him, he could not mistake the truth that he'd been repressing since the child and it's omega parent had landed in his lap. This child, was Rhys.
The resemblance was there and it was too strong to deny anymore. From the fair complexion to the jet back hair, it was all Rhys. Even his features, so small, were unmistakably similar to Rhys. A Hallorann family trait that seemed to get passed on from alpha to alpha. Had this child been an omega or even a beta or gamma, he might have resembled his bearer more, or even a mixture of both parents but he didn't. He was an alpha through and through.
Caleb looked up and caught Quinton staring at the child, the look on his face unreadable. The omega seemed to tighten his grip on the babe, as though worried Quinton might snatch him out of his arms at any moment. Again, the scent of fear rose up from the omega. His uncertainty tugged at the alpha's heart strings. Even so, the conversation he planned to have with the boy could not be avoided.
Quinton let out the breath he'd been holding, put on a straight face and said, with authority, "We need to talk."
Quinton wasn't surprised when Caleb squirmed in his seat. Panic rolled off him in waves. His eyes dulled then fogged over with unbridled tears. For a moment, Quinton thought Caleb was going to jump out of his chair and raced towards the door. He could almost see the gears working in his head. He was debating whether it was worth it to run now, and risk being recaptured or killed.
"Caleb." Quinton knelt down beside him, speaking in soft, calming, tones. "If what you've told me so far is the truth, then you have nothing to fear from me. I just want to talk. I'm not going hurt you and I certainly would never harm your...Rhys..." He reached out a hand to touch the sleeping pup but then quickly withdrew it. He closed his eyes. "No matter what happens, the pup is safe here. Do you understand?"
"Rhylan." Caleb murmured.
Quinton opened his eyes and looked at Caleb. The omegas hands were shaking but he still held firmly to the pup.
"What?" Quinton asked.
"Rhylan." Caleb repeated. "The pup's name is Rhylan."
***
Caleb was reluctant to give up the pup. Even if it were only to lay him in the crib to finish his nap while Caleb and Quinton left the nursery to talk. Walking away from his child felt like abandonment though Quinton had promised that he wouldn't keep the pup from Caleb any longer. Caleb wanted to take Quinton at his word but there was a part of him that still couldn't trust him.
It wasn't just Quinton that Caleb didn't trust, though Quinton hadn't given him much reason to trust him, but Caleb had trouble trusting alphas in general. His experiences with them had been less than favorable. Still, he was at least willing to give Quinton a chance to prove that he wasn't the asshole that most alphas seemed to be.
"Are you hungry" Quinton asked as they stepped out of the daycare and into the warm summer air. "You must be hungry, I know I am."
Caleb nodded. "A little." That was a lie. He was starving.
"Let's grab something to eat, then we can talk." Quinton told him.
Caleb had expected Quinton to lead him back to the den where he'd most likely be served one of the jail house type meals he'd been given previously. Not that they were bad, or even skimpy. By Silver Moon standards the food Caleb had been served was like a banquet. His only complaint was how impersonal they felt.
The beige, plastic tray with individual food slots, made the whole experience cold and uninviting. It was just one more way to say he wasn't welcome nor wanted here.
To his complete surprise though, Quinton instead took him to the small restaurant they had passed on their way to the daycare center.
Quinton opened the door and allowed Caleb to enter first. The place was small but in a charming sort of way. There were several booths that lined the wall and a bar in front with attached stools. Not a high class, four star, establishment one might see in the city. More like a small deli or diner. Caleb was never the less impressed with the place.
"Ever been to a restaurant before?" Quinton asked as he led Caleb to one of the booths.
Caleb fought back the urge to sneer at the alpha. After checking his attitude he realized how innocent that question was. Of course Silver Moon had nothing even close to the little deli.diner and Quinton had no idea what Caleb and Rhys had done while they were on the run.
"Twice." Caleb admitted. "Rhys took me to a place that had the best hamburgers I'd ever tasted. I literally fell in love with the place. I think it was called Joan's. They also had great apple pie there."
He smiled bringing up the memory of what he considered his first real date with Rhys. Even though the memory was a happy one, there was still a hint of sadness in his eyes when he brought up Rhys. It made Quinton wonder. Had Caleb actually loved Rhys as much as he claimed? Maybe it wasn't an act after all.
"When I first got pregnant I started craving those burgers. Rhys would often bring take out from Joan's back to the hotel room we were staying in. I was so disappointed when we had to leave. But, you know, all good things eventually have to come to an end."
They don't have to. Quinton thought as he sat down across from Caleb. Maybe for someone living in Silver Moon that was the case, but not in Black River. Not always. Things weren't always perfect and bad things did happen. That was life. But just to always expect the worse? Quinton couldn't imagine living that way. The conversation was taking a turn for the morbid and depressing so Quinton decided to change the topic.
"As great as I'm sure Joan's was, I think you're in for a real treat." He smiled warmly at the omega, trying to lighten his mood. "Annie makes the best Apple pie in town and her mate, Wyatt, is a master on the grill." He grabbed a couple menus from behind a napkin holder and handed one to Caleb.
Caleb accepted the menu with a curious nod and a "Thank you" before opening it up and perusing the selections. He frowned suddenly as he lay the menu on top of the table. "I don't have any money." He told Quinton.
"Don't worry about it." Quinton said. "It's on me."
