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Ersa

Three years later.

“A re you nervous?” the agent asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

“Is it that obvious?” Ersa ducked his head, biting down on his bottom lip in frustration. He’d tried so hard to appear composed, even dressed up for the occasion, but it was no use. Even though the Omega Placement Agency had assigned an agent to accompany him to the interview, meant to ease the process and make him feel more comfortable, Ersa found her presence suffocating. Instead of reassurance, he felt pressured to succeed and not waste her time.

“Yes,” the agent chuckled, her eyes flicking to Ersa’s restless hands. “You keep rubbing your palms on your thighs.”

“Sorry,” Ersa mumbled, clasping his hands together in a futile attempt to steady them. They trembled anyway.

Damn.

With a sharp exhale, he turned his gaze to the window, focusing on the blur of trees rushing by as the pod drifted steadily down the airway, carrying him closer to the strange alpha’s house.

Strange alpha.

The thought coiled tightly around his chest.

“There’s nothing to be nervous about. You passed the preliminary interview, and Master Quin seemed to like you on paper. He thinks you’re perfect for his cub.”

Perfect on paper. But what would the alpha think when they met in person?

That was the crux of it, wasn’t it? The true test. He had to impress the alpha.

Ersa clenched his jaw at the thought. It had been over three years since he’d been around alphas, and the idea of meeting one after so long sent a ripple of unease through him. Maybe shutting himself off from the world hadn’t been the best idea after all. He’d spent those years in the commune house trying to piece himself back together. He’d been lucky, in a way, to be placed in the Larny Commune House—one of the most well-funded facilities overseen by the Council of Alphas. The coordinator there had been kind. She hadn’t forced him to find work or socialize. She’d simply let him be .

But maybe… he’d stayed quiet too long.

I took too long , Ersa thought, heart thudding.

It’s going to be fine . He drew slow, measured breaths in an attempt to ease the knot tightening in his stomach.

“Can you tell me more about him?” Ersa asked, his voice laced with a nervous edge. If he knew more about the alpha, maybe he would feel less nervous.

“Who? Benjn?” the agent asked. “He’s three months old. There isn’t much to tell.”

“No, I meant Master Quin,” Ersa clarified.

The agent gave him a strange look, and Ersa’s stomach tightened further.

Shouldn’t he ask about the alpha?

He was about to move into his house, live under the same roof—shouldn’t he at least know something about him? It had taken months for Ersa to agree to bond with Mason, even though his parents had chosen him. Meeting new people was never easy. It had always been that way, ever since he could remember, but Mason somehow reached him… reached his heart.

Ersa bit his bottom lip, trying to stifle the ache spreading through him. Losing his alpha and cub should have gotten easier by now, but it hadn’t. Every day was a battle to keep going, and sometimes, he wondered why he even tried. Mason and Mika had been his world.

“I’ll admit, things weren’t handled in the usual way with this alpha. Normally, he would’ve come to our offices to meet you. Once he gave his approval, you would have undergone a thorough medical examination to ensure everything was in order. But…” The agent shrugged. “He prefers to do things his own way. It’s probably for the best. This way, you can meet Benjn, see if there’s a connection between you and the cub. That’s what matters in the end.”

“True,” Ersa muttered sadly, memories of his cub nipping at the edges of his mind. Master Quin’s house was located far outside the capital, giving Ersa precious time to wrestle his emotions back under control. The scenic view helped. It wasn’t every day he got to see something so breathtaking. The capital’s sprawling skyscrapers and paved walkways weren’t much to look at, and after spending three years confined to the commune house, Ersa had almost forgotten how beautiful Arhu could be.

Pressing his face to the glass, he drank in the sight of rolling green hills and vibrant wildflowers swaying in the breeze. For a moment, the weight on his shoulders lifted, and he allowed himself to get lost in the view.

But too soon, the pod slowed, pulling him back to reality as they approached a towering iron gate. The gate slid open, revealing a long, paved driveway. And when the pod came to a stop before an expansive, multileveled estate, surrounded by lush greenery and curved walkways that whispered wealth, he could barely breathe, his chest tightening with awe.

“Are you ready?” the agent asked, her tone encouraging. Ersa nodded. “Good,” she said with a reassuring smile before pressing the doorbell.

When the door slid open, Ersa’s heart stopped. He’d imagined a maid or butler would greet them, as was typical in wealthy households. Instead, he found himself staring at Master Quin.

Ersa didn’t know how he knew it was him; he just knew. The alpha’s sharp grey eyes locked onto him, cool and unyielding, and his towering frame encased in a crisp white shirt and black pants filled the doorway, a thick braid of fiery red hair cascading over his shoulder, its strands gleaming like molten copper under the light. He possessed a striking face, with sharp features and a presence that was heavy, impossible to ignore.

Oh… Why did he have to be an aggressive alpha? Ersa swallowed hard. It shouldn’t matter… but after the Deltta Kohle scandal, everyone was wary of aggressive alphas. Even if he was monitored and medicated, living with one wasn’t a decision to take lightly.

Not that he thought Master Quin would hurt him. But he’d only met one aggressive alpha before—Jun’s mate—and that had been brief, right after their bonding ceremony. Everything else he knew came from the media, which painted them as nothing more than instinct-driven creatures, ruled by aggression rather than reason.

“Master Quin, I hope we didn’t keep you waiting,” the agent said, immediately dropping into a submissive stance. Her head lowered, hands folded in front of her and her tone soft.

Ersa wasn’t surprised. He felt the same pull. Master Quin wasn’t his alpha—not yet—but the sheer force of his presence made Ersa want to submit.

“No. You’re right on time,” Master Quin said, his gaze still on Ersa with an intensity that made his pulse race.

Ersa resisted the overwhelming urge to step back—or worse, hide behind the agent. He was here to work for the alpha, not cower like a frightened cub. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he forced a smile onto his lips, though it felt tight.

“Come in,” Master Quin said, stepping aside to let them enter.

“Thank you,” the agent replied smoothly,

Relax. The whole point was to get the job, not to fall apart like a fragile piece of glass , Ersa told himself as he sat down on one of the couches Master Quin had indicated. The alpha took a seat across from him, his piercing eyes following Ersa’s every move.

It reminded him of the time Mason had dragged him to an animal sanctuary. Ersa had gone reluctantly, uneasy about animals being confined for their entertainment. The visit had been fine—until they reached the male okie exhibit. The creature paced behind the barrier, a massive, tiger-like beast with shimmering red and gold fur that caught the light like molten metal. Two black horns jutted from the center of its skull, curving back around its pointed ears. Its snout was short but broad, and when it yawned, it revealed a gaping maw lined with two jagged rows of razor-sharp teeth. The creature’s red eyes had locked onto him instantly, its predatory focus piercing through the glass and forcefield as if they weren’t there. The suffocating intensity had left him frozen, heart pounding.

Sitting across from Master Quin felt eerily similar. That same predatory energy radiated from the alpha, pressing down on Ersa like an invisible weight. He dropped his gaze, unable to meet Master Quin’s eyes.

“I think we should get the formal introductions out of the way first, before Ersa meets Benjn. Master Quin, do you have any questions for Ersa?”

“No,” Master Quin said curtly. “My opinion doesn’t matter. The omega won’t be spending time with me—Benjn will decide.”

“Ah… yes… of course. I just thought—” the agent began but cut herself off with an awkward laugh. The sound was thin, forced, like she was trying to dispel the thick tension in the room. It didn’t work.

Ersa couldn’t blame her—being around Master Quin was overwhelming. Aggressive alphas like him needed an off switch, something to give others a chance to breathe.

The agent shifted in her seat, turning her attention back to Ersa. “Are you ready to meet Benjn?”

“Yes,” Ersa said.

“I’ll get him,” Master Quin said, rising and striding out.

The moment he left, Ersa exhaled, finally taking his first real breath since stepping into the house.

“That went well,” the agent said, her broad smile a clear sign of relief. “You were so nervous I thought you might freeze up completely, but you looked so relaxed and poised. You handled that perfectly.”

“Thank you,” Ersa said, though tension coiled in his chest. The hardest part was still ahead—winning over the cub. Benjn held his future in his tiny hands.

As if summoned by his thoughts, Master Quin returned, a maid cradling a small bundle in her arms. Ersa’s breath hitched at the sight of the fragile little cub. His small frame looked almost too delicate, and atop his head blazed a tangle of fiery curls—just like his dad’s.

Ersa’s heart clenched, memories crashing over him.

Mika.

The ache he had tried to bury for three years surged, raw and suffocating.

The cub clung to the maid, his tiny fingers gripping her clothing as if she were his lifeline. His face remained hidden against her chest, his fragile body trembling. Master Quin reached for him, but the cub whimpered, shrinking back, clutching the maid even tighter.

With a heavy sigh, Master Quin stepped aside, giving the cub space. Slowly, the trembling eased, but the little one stayed curled in the maid’s embrace, unwilling to let go.

Ersa sprang to his feet, reaching for the cub before he had a chance to think it through. “Oh… my sweet baby,” Ersa cooed softly, cradling Benjn against his chest. The cub felt so light, as if he weighed nothing. Tears prickled his eyes as the ache inside his chest eased a little. Emotions surged to the surface, making him feel alive in a way he hadn’t for years. It felt like coming home, like it used to be.

“Aww… I think he likes you,” the agent said gently, stepping closer and breaking through the haze. Ersa glanced around to find everyone looking at him.

Shit. He shouldn’t have snatched the cub from the maid so abruptly, but the surge of his omega instincts had overwhelmed him, a primal, protective force igniting deep within his chest, demanding he hold the little one close.

“You think so?” Ersa asked, staring at Benjn to cover up for his blunder. Benjn reached up and gently touched Ersa’s cheek, drawing soft, swooning sounds from the maid and the agent. The cub’s delighted smile warmed Ersa’s heart, prompting him to lean down and press a tender kiss to his rosy cheek.

“It’s settled, then,” Master Quin announced. “What comes next?”

“Ersa will still need to complete a medical examination, and if everything checks out, we’ll proceed with signing the contract and officially filing the paperwork with the Council of Alphas,” the agent explained. “Once that’s done, Ersa will move in. Shortly after, an officer from the Council will visit to formalize everything.”

“Okay,” Master Quin replied curtly. With a brief nod to the maid, he strode toward the door. The maid stepped closer to Ersa, her hands outstretched to take Benjn. Benjn screamed the instant the maid touched him, the sound piercing and desperate.

“Oh, baby… it’s okay… it’s okay,” Ersa murmured, his voice soft and soothing as he tried to hand the cub over. But Benjn’s cries only grew louder, his small body twisting in distress as he clung to him. Ersa’s chest tightened, tears stinging his eyes. He couldn’t bring himself to wrench the poor thing away from him; it felt wrong. “What do I do?” Ersa asked sheepishly.

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air as everyone exchanged glances.

“Does he have to go?” Master Quin asked. “I don’t think I can take hearing my cub’s screams any longer. Is there anything that can be done?”

The agent glanced between Ersa and Master Quin, looking uncertain. “Well, it’s…”

“Tell me what needs to happen to keep the omega here today,” Master Quin interrupted, his tone firm, almost menacing. “There must be a way, right?”

The agent hesitated, clearly weighing her words. “As long as Ersa agrees, I suppose we can make an exception. Benjn seems… unusually attached to him.”

“Will you take the job, starting now, Ersa?” Master Quin asked.

“I…” Ersa stammered, flustered.

“You’ll be coming back here soon enough. Let’s make it easier on Benjn,” Master Quin interrupted.

“I don’t have any clothes. And my things are at the commune. I need…”

“I’ll send someone to buy you clothes for tonight, and your things will be brought to you as soon as it can be arranged,” Master Quin interrupted again, his voice hard and a little intimidating.

“Alright,” Ersa replied softly.

“He’s fine with it,” Master Quin said to the agent. “What’s the next step?”

“The medical exam…”

“He’ll do that later.”

“Okay, then. I’ll head to the office and prepare the contract,” the agent said. “Once it’s signed and sent back to me, I’ll ensure everything is submitted to the Council.”

“Okay,” Master Quin said. He turned his gaze to the agent, waiting.

“Yes, of course. I’ll get going,” she replied hastily. Before leaving, she gave Ersa an encouraging smile and walked out the door.

Left alone with Benjn in his arms, Ersa took a steadying breath. The cub’s small presence grounded him, giving him the strength to look up at Master Quin. His breath hitched when he found the alpha staring at him.

“Thank you for staying,” Master Quin said. Then, turning to the maid, he added, “Show the omega to his room, please.”

“Yes, Master,” the maid replied obediently. Master Quin gave a single nod and exited the room.

“This way, please. My name is Vina. I’m the head maid,” she said, her tone polite.

They climbed a grand staircase and traversed what felt like a labyrinth of hallways. By the time they reached their destination, Ersa felt disoriented. When they stopped in a spacious sitting area complete with its own small cooking station, Ersa couldn’t help but feel like they’d entered an entirely different house.

“Your bedroom is through that door,” Vina said, pointing to a door on the left. “And here is Benjn’s room.”

“Okay,” Ersa murmured, though confusion tugged at him. Why was Benjn’s room on this side of the house? Shouldn’t it be closer to his dad’s room?

The room was stunning. Delicately crafted wooden stars dangled from the ceiling above the crib, gently swaying in the soft breeze drifting in through the open window. A cozy play area filled with an assortment of toys occupied one corner. Ersa wandered over to the settee by the window, his steps slow and deliberate as memories tugged at the edges of his mind. The soft cushions gave beneath him as he sat, his gaze drifting out the window. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though he had stepped back in time. He held his breath, his heart aching as he half expected to see the vibrant burst of colors that once painted his world.

But reality crept back in when Vina spoke, answering his silent question. “Benjn hasn’t been sleeping in here, but we’ve been keeping it clean for when his nanny arrived. It’s a beautiful room.”

“Yes, it is,” Ersa replied softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced down at Benjn, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind as he wondered if he was staying for the right reasons.