Aleksei merely nodded. What could he say? You’re welcome? Sorry your dad died for you? I kind of screamed at his corpse in misguided anger? Whooped your milk-brother just a little? It was better to just simply acknowledge it silently, and give respect that way. Part of him hoped that everything that happened on that damnable mountain would stay up there and freeze, but no. No, these things needed to be addressed. Aleksei couldn’t run from his past actions any more. He had to own up—man up.

His mouth dried at Bennet’s next choice of words. What else did she have? She really was alone, then. “I’d say south-west would be your best bet.” He should have been content to leave it at that, to give his niece the information she needed and let her be on her way, but his heart shrieked against the idea. His brain couldn’t help but give in. “But, what you said—about what else do you have?” Aleksei’s brows knitted, and he worried his bottom lip with his teeth for a brief moment before straightening his posture. “You have family. In me. If you need anything—a place to stay, someone to talk to … the pack I belong to is west of here; Wild Rye Fields. If you need to—if you want to—you can come find me. I’ll do what I can to help you.”

He’d do whatever he could to support her. Because she was Karina’s. She was family.

He just hoped it didn’t come across as too weird.