Page 11 of Nanny Omega

“And you think a companion omega is the answer to all my problems.”

“It’s a start.”

Xander laughed humorlessly. “You’re crazy.”

“Why are you still holding on to Nath?” Shiva asked. “You told me you’re not in love with him… and your bond wasn’t exactly a happy one.”

Xander’s jaw tightened. The silence stretched between them, heavy. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and uncertain. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “He said yes… when everyone else said no.”

“That sounds… lonely, Master Quin,” Shiva said softly, his eyes searching Xander’s face.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Xander’s lips. “Yeah,” he murmured. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of choice.”

“But you do now.”

“No,” Xander said, rushing toward the door, his steps loud on the tiled floor. He stepped out of Shiva’s house, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he approached the waiting hover pod.

“Let’s go,” Xander said tersely to his assistant, Hicks. “I’ve had enough of being outside for one day.”

Without a word, Hicks nodded, his hands expertly guiding the pod onto the airway. Xander leaned back against the seat, his jaw tightening as he stared out at the city lights blurring past the window, his conversation with Shiva replaying in his mind. Anger, exhaustion, and the ache of loneliness warred within him.

An hour later, the hover pod glided to a halt in front of his house, the faint hum of its engine fading into the quiet evening. Xander stepped out, the crisp night air caressing his overheated skin.

“Good night, Hicks. You can head home,” he said.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Hicks replied with a nod before guiding the pod away.

As he stepped inside, the sound of laughter drifted to him, light and carefree, a stark contrast to the tension knotted in his chest. Curiosity urged his steps toward the sitting area.

He paused in the doorway, his eyes drawn to Vina. She stood near the double doors leading to the backyard, her posture relaxed as she watched Ersa and Benjn outside. The scene beyond the glass tugged at something in Xander. Ersa was crouched on the lawn, his movements animated as he played, coaxing laughter from the tiny cub seated on a blanket. Benjn’s giggles filled the air, his little hands waving excitedly as he rocked back and forth, fully immersed in their game.

Xander’s gaze lingered on Ersa. There was a softness to the omega in that moment, an unguarded joy that lit his face. For a moment, Xander couldn’t tear his gaze away. It was as if Ersa had pulled him into a trance, though Xander couldn’t quite understand why. His chest tightened, a flicker of irritation bubbling under his skin as he forced himself to look away.

When his eyes met Vina’s, she was watching him, her brow slightly arched.

Fuck. He’d been caught staring.

“Did you need something, Master?” Vina asked, her voice laced with laughter.

Xander froze, his mind scrambling for an explanation. He blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. “No… I just wanted to check on Benjn.”

Vina’s gaze softened as she turned toward the backyard, her lips curving into a warm smile as she watched Benjn. “He’s been in a good mood today.”

Xander followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Ersa. The omega knelt beside Benjn, speaking softly to the cub, his expression animated and full of life.

“That’s good,” Xander said.

“Yes,” Vina replied, her tone full of approval. “He hasn’t been this happy in a while. Ersa was a good choice. Well done, Master.”

“Thank you. Let me know when dinner is ready.”

“Of course, Master.” Vina bowed slightly before walking away.

Xander remained rooted for a moment, his eyes drifting back to Ersa. The omega was undeniably good with Benjn, and Xander couldn’t deny the joy that radiated from Benjn as he stared up at Ersa. It should have reassured him, but… there was a hesitation he couldn’t quite place.

Turning on his heel, he strode up the stairs to his office. Xander crossed to his desk and powered up his workstation. The monitor flickered to life, revealing his latest waste bot design.

Xander released a deep, shuddering sigh at the sight, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest, allowing him to finally breathe freely again. Few things gave him joy in the world as much as creating his bots. The creative process was his sanctuary, his escape from expectations and judgment. Here, he wasn’t an aggressive alpha struggling to fit into a world that hated them; he wasn’t lacking, possessive, too much, too obsessive, or too oppressive. There were no restraints, no need to censor his thoughts or tread carefully to avoid offending others. Here, in the realm of creation, he was free and unapologetically himself.

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