Page 46 of Nanny Omega

Ersa smiled, the memory warming his face. “Yes. Mason and I used to plan everything down to the last detail—what time to leave, where to set up, how long we’d wait. But somehow, we always missed it.” His laugh was light, filled with fondness. “The last time we tried, we only caught the end of it—just a tiny puff of pollen drifting into the air. It was so pitiful.”

He’d gotten better at talking about Mason. There was no sadness in his laughter now, only the sweetness of a memory.

Xander’s fingers tightened around Ersa’s as he gave them a gentle squeeze. “Let’s get closer to the fields,” Xander said.

Ersa nodded eagerly.

The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the landscape ahead, where vast fields of Lazo blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, their pollen rising in delicate clouds, catching the light like tiny, shimmering stars. For a moment, everything else faded away—there was only this beautiful moment, Ersa, and Benjn.

Ersa chattered to Benjn, his voice bright with laughter as pink pollen drifted through the air, settling onto their hair like soft, shimmering dust. Xander chuckled when Benjn let out a sudden, forceful sneeze, his tiny face scrunching up in confusion before he scowled at the offending pollen, a low growl bubbling from his chest.

“There’s no doubt he’s going to be just like you,” Ersa teased, his laughter warm and full of delight.

Xander nodded, pride swelling in his chest. He had already sensed it—Benjn carried the same aggressive nature that ran through his bloodline, an unshakable trait of the alphas in his family.

“I—” Xander started, but before he could finish, a media crew materialized in front of them, imaging flashes, microphones shoved forward, and a sharp voice firing off rapid questions.

Xander’s instincts roared to life. He immediately pulled Ersa close, his arm tightening protectively around him. His scent thickened, rolling off him in warning waves, his growl deep and unrestrained. “Step back,” he commanded, his voice a sharp, guttural snarl.

The correspondent faltered, eyes widening in alarm. Even the crew behind him stiffened, instinctively retreating. “I… I’m sorry,” the beta stammered, his hands lifting slightly in surrender. “We didn’t mean to intrude. It’s just… you make such a striking couple. We couldn’t help but be drawn to you.”

Xander barely heard him, his muscles still coiled tight, the protective rage pulsing just beneath his skin.

Then, a gentle touch.

“Shhh… take a deep breath,” Ersa whispered, his fingers grazing Xander’s arm in a soothing caress.

The effect was instant. Xander’s entire body shuddered, the tension seeping from his frame as quickly as it had risen. He stared down at Ersa, stunned. How did he do that?

Without thinking, without caring who watched, Xander leaned down and captured Ersa’s lips in an impulsive, searing kiss, forgetting the crowd, forgetting everything but the omega in his arms.

A pointed throat clearing nearby snapped Xander out of the moment. He lifted his head, his gaze locking onto Hicks’s beaming face.

“I think we should get going,” Hicks said, his voice tinged with amusement. “You’ve attracted quite the audience.”

Xander exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face as he stepped back, instinctively creating a path for Ersa and Benjn through the lingering crowd. The onlookers murmured in hushed excitement, some still stealing glances at them, but no one dared to block their way.

They made their way back to the pod in silence, the weight of what had just happened pressing down on Xander like a heavy boulder.

Fuck.

Why had he done that?

“I’m sorry,” Xander murmured, his voice rough with regret. “I didn’t mean to go beastly back there. I never want to scare you.” His thumb traced slow, soothing circles on the back of Ersa’s hand—a tender contrast to the fierce strength he’d shown earlier.

Ersa tilted his head, brushing a soft kiss against Xander’s cheek. “It’s okay,” he whispered, his voice gentle. “You calmed down as soon as it happened. No harm done.”

He rested his head on Xander’s broad shoulder, their bodies fitting together in quiet comfort. “Besides,” Ersa added softly, his words laced with affection, “you were protecting us.”

Xander’s breath hitched. He half expected the omega to be flustered, maybe even angry, but instead, he embraced him. It felt so good.

As Hicks navigated them out of the parking dome and back onto the airway, Xander tightened his hold on Ersa and Benjn—his family.

Thirty minutes later, Hicks’ voice cut through the silence. “We’re approaching another rest stop. Should we pull over?”

“No, I think he’s fine now,” Ersa murmured, pressing a soft kiss to Benjn’s forehead. The cub shifted slightly but remained relaxed in his arms. “Maybe he’s getting used to it.”

“Yes,” Xander murmured.

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