Page 12 of Nanny Omega

“Dim,” Xander commanded, and the lights obediently lowered, cloaking the room in soothing semi-darkness. Leaning closer to the screen, he adjusted features, refining details and discarding elements that didn’t fit. Swiveling to face the workbench, Xander activated the simulation model bot. A faint hiss filled the room as the machine came to life, projecting a holo image of the design. The shimmering display rippled as Xander reached into it, manipulating the image with practiced precision. He deconstructed the bot, examining its inner workings before methodically piecing it back together, losing himself in the intricacies of his work.

“Master, dinner is ready.” Vina’s muffled voice came through the door a while later.

“Thanks, Vina. I’ll be right there,” Xander said, giving the design one last tweak before he shut down the machine. The ache of loneliness crept back in, sharper now that the numbing distraction of work had faded.

Xander clenched his jaw, shoving the feeling aside. If Shiva couldn’t offer help without dragging some strange omega into the picture, then he’d rather be alone. The thought of being turned away again, of feeling unwanted... No. He wouldn’t survive it.

At least Benjn was alright now. That was something. The nanny had been a godsend. Within hours, he had Benjn giggling and playing, and Xander hadn’t realized just how much he’d missed that joyful sound until it echoed through the house.

Benjn’s happiness had to be enough. It was enough, Xander insisted silently, rising from the desk and making his way downstairs for dinner.

Chapter 3

Ersa

Benjnbegantofussin Ersa’s arms, tiny whimpers breaking the quiet. The cub rubbed his face against Ersa’s chest, his small hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“You’re hungry, huh?” Ersa murmured softly as he adjusted Benjn’s position in his arms. “Let’s get you something to eat.” As he turned back toward the house, his steps faltered when he saw Master Quin approaching from the opposite direction.

Ersa froze. His heart raced, thundering in his chest as nervous energy spread through him. It wasn’t fear, exactly, but something that left him feeling exposed and unsure.

Master Quin stopped a few paces away, his sharp gaze fixed on Ersa.Damn, Ersa thought, his throat tightening as he struggled to think of something to say just to fill the unbearable silence between them. The alpha just stood there, silent and unmoving, reminding Ersa of that okie again—powerful and unnervingly still.

Benjn’s cry pierced the tension, pulling Ersa back to reality.

“He’s hungry,” Ersa said quickly. “I need to feed him.”

“You can do it while we eat. Dinner is served,” Master Quin said as he turned and strode toward the dining room.

Ersa stared at the broad expanse of the alpha’s back, his mind racing. Surely, Master Quin didn’t mean forhimto eat with him. That couldn’t be right. Could it? But he had said “we.”

“Are you coming?” Master Quin threw over his shoulder.

“Yes,” Ersa replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he trailed after the alpha.

When they entered the room, Master Quin gestured to the chair beside him. “Sit,” he ordered firmly.

Ersa’s heart skipped a beat. Sitting that close to the alpha felt… wrong. He hesitated, his mind scrambling for an excuse to avoid the proximity.

“I don’t like people who hover,” Master Quin said, his tone sharp.

Shit.

With no other option, Ersa sat down, his movements stiff and hesitant. As if on cue, Benjn let out another ear-piercing scream, his tiny body wriggling in protest against Ersa’s hold.

“I know, I know…” Ersa murmured, bouncing the cub slightly in an attempt to calm him. Ersa’s gaze shifted toward the door leading to the cooking station.Did they forget something?

“You should feed him before he gets irritable,” Master Quin said.

“Vina must have forgotten to prepare a bottle for him. I should…”

“She didn’t forget. Since you’re here, she assumed you would feed him,” he interrupted.

Ersa looked down at Benjn’s scrunched-up, tear-streaked face, the cub’s cries muffled as he turned toward Ersa’s chest. A wave of realization hit him like a cold slap, and panic settled in his gut.Oh no… oh no, no, no.His eyes darted upward to meet Master Quin’s sharp, expectant gaze.

“I…” Ersa stammered, his voice barely audible over Benjn’s wails.

“What are you waiting for? Are you shy or something?” Master Quin asked, his brow arching in faint irritation.

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