Page 14

Xander

“O h, what’s wrong, sweetheart? It’s okay,” Ersa cooed, his voice soft as he gently stroked Benjn’s arm in an attempt to soothe him. But the distressed cub wasn’t having any of it. He squirmed and flailed, his small body twisting against the restrictive seat belts as frustrated whimpers turned into louder cries. “Maybe I should hold him,” Ersa murmured, concern deepening in his voice. “Is this his first time in a hover pod?” Ersa reached out instinctively, ready to unbuckle the straps and pull the trembling cub into the safety of his arms.

“Yeah,” Xander murmured, twisting in his seat to unbuckle Benjn and gently cradle the cub against his chest. The small body trembled slightly, and he tightened his hold, pressing a reassuring kiss to his soft curls. “I haven’t had a chance to take him out much yet. Shhh… it’s okay, baby. It’ll all be over soon.” His voice was low, soothing, as he ran his palm in slow, rhythmic strokes down Benjn’s back.

“Do you think he’ll be okay?” The worry in Ersa’s voice was evident, his gaze flickering between the restless cub and the airway ahead.

“I hope so. My parents’ house is still three hours away,” Xander admitted with a heavy sigh. “Damn it. I should’ve thought this through. A long trip like this might be too much for him.”

“There’s a first time for everything,” Ersa said, offering an encouraging smile. “Maybe we can stop a few times along the way. Give him a break.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Hicks called from the operator’s chair, his fingers gliding over the control panel. “There’s a rest stop not far from here.”

The cub whimpered again, his tiny hands gripping onto the fabric of his shirt.

“Give him to me,” Ersa said, reaching out. “I’ll try to calm him down.”

The moment Benjn settled into his arms, the cub quieted, his small body molding perfectly against him. A breath of relief left Xander’s lips as he instinctively leaned down and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to Ersa’s lips—so natural, so unthinking that he didn’t realize what he had done until it was too late.

From the front, Hicks made an exaggerated choking sound, sputtering as if he’d just witnessed something scandalous.

Xander closed his eyes, a silent groan escaping him as he leaned back into his chair. Great. Just great.

They drifted along the airway, the soft hum of the pod blending with Ersa’s gentle melody as he soothed Benjn in his arms. To his relief, the cub was handling the journey far better than expected, his tiny fingers curled into the fabric of Ersa’s shirt.

Twenty minutes later, Hicks slowed down the pod as they approached the rest stop. A line of pods hovered ahead, causing a brief delay at the entrance of the parking dome. Hicks maneuvered smoothly through the congestion, scanning for an open parking spot before finally guiding them into a slot. The pod came to a seamless stop, its engine letting out a faint hum as it powered down.

“Let’s go get some fresh air,” Ersa said brightly to the cub, effortlessly rising to his feet with him cradled in his arms. A slight waddle in Ersa’s step caught Xander’s attention, a subtle reminder of the changes his body was undergoing. He had noticed the way his frame had softened, how his scent carried a warmth that hadn’t been there before. The false pregnancy was taking its toll, shaping his body in ways both visible and unseen.

He wondered how he managed to remain so composed, how he didn’t let the weight of it all crush him. Dr. Alora had warned that false pregnancies could be dangerous, that the hormonal shifts could wreak havoc on an omega’s body and mind. A flicker of unease curled in his chest, and without thinking, Xander reached for Ersa’s hand, his fingers closing around his as he guided him toward the exit.

“Let me take Benjn. He must be heavy for you,” Xander offered, concern lacing his voice.

“No, I’m fine,” he assured him, adjusting the cub against his chest as they stepped out of the parking dome. The murmurs of the gathered crowd rose around them, a mix of chatter and quiet awe.

Then, as they emerged into the open, the sun bathed them in golden light, and Xander finally saw what had everyone so mesmerized.

“Oh, wow,” Ersa breathed, his gaze lifting to the sky where streams of pink dust swirled through the air like ethereal ribbons, painting the sky in soft, dreamlike hues.

Ersa turned to him then, his smile radiant, so full of unfiltered joy that Xander couldn’t help but smile back, warmth blooming in his chest.

Together, they strolled down the paved path. Merchants lined both sides of the walkway, their stalls overflowing with colorful fabrics, delicately crafted jewelry, and fragrant foods sizzling on open grills. The air was rich with the mingling scents of sweet spices and floral perfumes, each one blending into the next as visitors moved excitedly from vendor to vendor.

“It’s the Lazo Pollen Festival,” Hicks announced from ahead, his voice tinged with giddy enthusiasm. The energy in his tone was infectious, and before Xander realized it, he was smiling too.

“I’ve always wanted to come here,” Hicks continued, practically vibrating with excitement. “But somehow, I always missed it by mere minutes. I can’t believe I’m actually here.”

“Me too,” Ersa murmured, his voice soft with a touch of nostalgia.

Xander’s head turned sharply, his golden eyes widening in surprise. “You too?”

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.

***

“They’re here!” Xander’s mother’s voice rang through the house before he even reached the door.

He barely held back a groan as the door slid open, revealing his entire family crowded inside. Every single one of them stood waiting—except for one. Thron wasn’t there.

An awkward silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating. Their gazes flickered from him to Ersa and back again, unreadable expressions settling on their faces.

Xander squared his shoulders, his grip tightening slightly on Ersa’s hand. He could feel the omega tense beside him.

His dad was the first to move, clearing his throat as he stepped forward. “Welcome home, son,” he said.

“Thank you, Dad,” Xander said, stepping into the house with Ersa close behind. The familiar scent of home wrapped around him like a warm embrace, rich with memories and comfort. Xander inhaled deeply, greedily. He hadn’t realized how much he missed it. After a short pause, he turned to Ersa. “This is Ersa, Benjn’s nanny,” he said.

The reaction from his family was instant and almost comical. Their wide-eyed, stunned expressions made it look like he had just dropped a bomb in the middle of the room. They exchanged glances—silent, knowing, as if they were all in on some secret he had yet to uncover.

“Of course he is,” his mother finally said, her voice oddly tight and forced as she stepped forward. With an air of practiced grace, she greeted Ersa warmly, then took his arm to guide him deeper into the house.

Behind them, Hicks carried their luggage inside, handing them off to the waiting maids before disappearing somewhere into the house, leaving Xander alone with his dad and brother, Fury. The two of them continued to stare at him like he had sprouted a second head.

Xander exhaled sharply. “What’s wrong with you guys?”

His dad hesitated. “It’s just…”

Before he could finish, Fury suddenly grabbed Xander by the shoulders and yanked him forward.

Then he sniffed him.

Xander shoved him back with a scowl. “What the hell are you doing?”

“Checking,” Fury said, eyes sharp with suspicion.

“Checking for what?”

His dad cleared his throat awkwardly, shifting on his feet. “We, uh… saw you two.”

“The whole planet saw them, Dad,” Fury corrected, a smirk tugging at his lips as he pulled out his connector. With a few quick taps, he shoved the device in Xander’s face.

Xander’s jaw dropped.

There he was—clear as day on the screen. The footage showed the exact moment the correspondent and his crew approached, and then… the kiss. It was nothing short of cinematic. The Lazo pollen floated in the air, turning the sky a dazzling pink, the flowers swaying in the breeze as if nature itself had conspired to make the moment breathtaking. In Ersa’s arms, Benjn was nestled safely, completing the picture.

They looked like a bonded couple on a romantic outing with their cub.

“Oh, shit,” Xander muttered under his breath.

His dad crossed his arms, amusement flickering in his eyes. “So… want to tell us what’s going on?”

“Uhh…” Xander began, his brain scrambling for words.

But before he could find them, Fury cackled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, I think we know exactly what’s going on,” he teased, clapping Xander on the back with enough force to make him stumble forward a step. “You lucky bastard.”

Xander winced, shooting him a warning look. “It’s still new,” he said, his voice low and cautious. “So please… don’t make a fuss.”

But it was already too late. His family’s faces lit up like they’d just been given the best news they’d heard in years. The excitement buzzing around the room was almost tangible—an electric mix of joy and hope.

He knew why. The fallout from his breakup with Nath had cast a long, painful shadow over all of them. It had caused fractures in their family, wounds that had taken time to heal. But now, seeing their smiles, their genuine happiness, Xander realized just how much they’d been waiting for this—for him to find something good again.

And maybe… just maybe… he had.