Page 14 of Nanny Omega

“Well, I’m not going to stand by and watch my cub lose another important person in his life, watch him fade away because he doesn’t understand what’s going on around him. He doesn’t eat or sleep well. He’ll die if I don’t do something.”

Ersa flinched, the weight of those words hitting him like a blow to the chest. Guilt clawed at him, sharp and unrelenting. His heart sank, remorse settling deep. Maybe he should have thought harder before applying for the job. Maybe he should have realized he wasn’t suitable for this.

“I…” Ersa started, his voice barely a whisper, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I don’t see how I can help you, Master Quin.” The words felt like defeat, heavy and hollow in his chest.

“I don’t care. You got yourself into this, you’re going to be exactly what Benjn needs. Whatever it takes.” Master Quin’s voice was low, a crack of vulnerability beneath it catching Ersa off guard.

“I…” Ersa faltered, his throat tightening as guilt coiled around him like a vise. “How? It’s been three years.”

Master Quin didn’t say a word, his expression inscrutable as he reached for the connector resting on his desk. The device lit up as he keyed in a series of commands. Moments later, he set it down, activating the speaker mode with a light tap.

A warm, smooth voice filtered into the room. “Master Quin, we’ve talked about this,” the voice chided gently. “You’re not supposed to contact me during my downtime.”

“I know,” Master Quin replied. “But I need your help with something, Shiva. The nanny I hired hasn’t lactated in three years. And before you even suggest it, I’m not starting over again.” He leaned back in his chair, his gaze narrowing on Ersa. “Benjn won’t survive it. He’s already suffering.” His voice softened. “Is there a way to stimulate lactation after so long?”

“I’m not sure it can happen after so long. But I’m no expert. There might be a specialist at Dladr Academy Health Centre. I’ll talk to the director there and see what he suggests.”

“Thanks,” Master Quin replied curtly. The alpha’s stormy gaze felt like a weight pressing down on him, expectant, waiting for him to respond.

But what could he say? His heart raced as silence stretched between them.

With a hard swallow, Ersa finally broke the silence. “What if it doesn’t work? What then?” He took a hesitant step closer, meeting the alpha’s gaze despite the knot tightening in his chest. “Have you thought about what will happen to Benjn when I have to leave later instead of now? If I stay, he’ll get attached more than he already has. It would be devastating for him.”

“You should have thought of that before applying for the job,” Master Quin said, his voice sharp and unyielding. Ersa’s breath hitched, the words slicing through him. He knew he was at fault, but to have the alpha place the entire weight of the situation on his shoulders felt unfair. All he had wanted was a job, a chance to get out of the commune house—was that so wrong? As if reading his mind, Master Quin added, “What’s happening now is the consequence of your choice. You’d better hope it works out.”

The cold finality in his tone made Ersa flinch.

Ersa lowered his gaze to the floor, trying to think of something to say. But he knew there was no way out of this. He got himself into this mess, and he had to fix it. If not for himself, then for Benjn.The cub was blameless in all of this. The thought sent a pang through Ersa’s chest, solidifying his resolve. He had to make things right.

“Okay,” Ersa murmured as he inclined his head in a respectful bow. He turned and made his way toward the door. The air felt heavy with every step, and his heart thudded in his chest.

“Are you okay?” Vina asked softly as Ersa stepped into his side of the house. He paused to wipe his face quickly, hiding any trace of emotion before turning to face the maid. In her arms, Benjn wiggled with excitement, his tiny hands reaching out toward Ersa. His heart ached at the thought of how close he had come to leaving.

Wordlessly, he reached for the cub, cradling him close, his slight weight still alarming.

“I’m fine,” he said quietly, his voice steadier than he felt as he avoided Vina’s gaze.

She didn’t buy it. Vina stepped closer, her hand resting on his arm. “He means well,” she murmured. “He’s just trying to protect Benjn.”

Ersa swallowed, his throat tight. “I understand.”

Vina studied him for a tense moment, as if searching for something unspoken in his expression, before offering a small nod. “Good night, then.”

“Good night,” Ersa replied faintly, already turning toward Benjn’s room.

By the time he entered, the cub was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with a peaceful rhythm that made Ersa’s heart clench. Moving with deliberate care, he tiptoed across the dim room and laid Benjn gently into his crib, brushing his thumb over the cub’s tiny fist before stepping back and colliding with something—no, someone—solid. The breath whooshed out of his lungs as he stumbled, and strong hands gripped his shoulders to steady him. The unmistakable scent hit him first, dark and dominant, and his stomach dropped.

Master Quin.

“Shhh,” Master Quin whispered in Ersa’s ear. The warmth of his breath ghosted over Ersa’s skin, sending shivers dancing up his spine and locking him in place. The alpha’s proximity was overwhelming, his presence a force Ersa couldn’t ignore.

With an ease that sent Ersa’s pulse racing, Master Quin physically moved him aside as though he weighed nothing. Ersa froze, barely daring to breathe as the alpha’s hands left his shoulders. It was only a brief touch, but to Ersa, it felt like an eternity. Heat coursed through his veins like wildfire.

His heart thundered erratically as he stared into space, caught off guard by the lingering sensation of the alpha’s touch.

Master Quin, unbothered by the effect he’d left behind, slipped soundlessly into the room. Ersa turned his head just enough to see the alpha stop by Benjn’s crib. The soft moonlight streaming through the window caught the hard edges of his profile as he stood over the crib, his gaze fixed on the small, sleeping form.

Ersa tried to slip away quietly, eager to escape the tension in the air, but his plans shattered the moment Master Quin spoke.

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