Page 3

Xander

“H ow have you been, Master Quin?” Shiva’s voice was gentle, each word weaving a spell that calmed Xander’s ever-tense nerves. Xander eased into the couch, his body relaxing a little—as far as his aggression allowed. Always vigilant, always scanning, his senses fired like a constant hum in the background.

“Did you change your scenting spray?” Xander asked abruptly, his nostrils flaring slightly.

“Yes. You don’t like it?” Shiva’s head tilted, his expression unreadable.

“No.” Xander’s reply was curt. The previous spray had carried a rosy aroma, with woodsy undertones that subtly tugged at his senses. This one was different—sharper, unfamiliar. He rubbed at his nose, annoyed by the faint irritation. It wasn’t unpleasant, per se, just… wrong. “I’ll get used to it,” he added, swallowing his discomfort. This was Shiva’s space, and the omega had every right to surround himself with scents he enjoyed.

Shiva shifted slightly in his chair, the rhythmic tap-tap of his fingers on his e-reader filling the silence. Xander’s gaze lingered on the device, wondering what Shiva was writing about him now. “Did you sleep well last night?” he asked, his gaze flicking briefly to Xander, curiosity shining in his eyes.

“Why?”

“You’re more sensitive than usual. I changed the scent spray a week ago, and you didn’t notice it then.”

Xander frowned. That wasn’t possible. He noticed everything.

“Or maybe you noticed, but it didn’t bother you,” Shiva amended smoothly.

“Maybe,” Xander muttered, though the uncertainty gnawed at him.

“You finally found a suitable nanny for Benjn. How is he?”

“Do you think he has something to do with my sensitivity?”

“I’m not sure. Your scent feels heavier today—more oppressive than usual. That typically happens when an alpha wants to assert dominance, especially with aggressive alphas like yourself. But you’ve never been this way with me before. The only recent change in your life is the arrival of the nanny. Tell me about him.”

“There isn’t much to tell,” Xander replied, rubbing his hands over his thighs, a restless feeling creeping into his chest. He frowned, unsure of its source. Shiva’s eyes flicked to his hands, following their movement. Self-conscious, Xander let them drop to his sides.

“Tell me anything,” Shiva urged. “How did you react to the omega’s scent? Let’s start there.”

Xander cast his mind back to the moment he’d caught a whiff of the omega’s scent when they met that morning. Xander had been surprised that the omega’s scent didn’t bother him and that he couldn’t stop staring at him.

“Did something happen?”

“No, the omega’s scent didn’t bother me,” Xander said finally, his tone sharp. “It was bland, nothing noteworthy.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you found someone who doesn’t trigger you after your long search,” Shiva said, his tone carrying a note of approval. “Even if he triggered you, you choose how you react. Being an aggressive alpha doesn’t mean you’re incapable of change or lack control over your aggression. You are more than your animal side. The triggers that set you off today may lose their hold over you tomorrow. But to reach that point, we have to challenge those limits and steadily push the boundaries.”

“I’ll do anything for Benjn. Even if I don’t like it.”

“I know. You’re a good dad,” Shiva said, nodding as his fingers moved swiftly across the e-reader. The soft tapping filled the silence, drawing Xander’s gaze. Curiosity stirred, but he held back from asking what Shiva was writing.

“Let’s move on,” Shiva continued. “Have you thought about what we discussed?”

“Yes, and the answer is still no. I don’t want another omega. My bond mate—”

“Left you, Master Quin.” Shiva’s tone was gentle but firm. “I know you’re holding out hope because of Benjn, but it’s been two months. Nath isn’t coming back.”

“He might.”

“He broke your bond.”

“Yes, but—”

Shiva sighed. “Even if he does, you need to take care of yourself. You have needs too.”

The sympathy in Shiva’s eyes made Xander’s stomach twist. He wasn’t a pity case.

“No. I’m not doing this again. Nath was the last omega. If he doesn’t come back, I’ll…” Xander’s voice faltered. Pain flickered across his face as he stood. “We’re done here. I’ll see you next week.”

“Master Quin, you can’t keep putting this off,” Shiva pressed.

Xander turned sharply, anger bubbling to the surface. “Do you know how many families my parents approached to find me a bond mate? Thirty. They all refused when they heard I was an aggressive alpha. Nath was the only one who agreed. I just need to control myself, manage the beast inside me, and he’ll come back. That’s what you’re supposed to help me with—not push me toward another omega.”

“A companion omega,” Shiva corrected gently. “There’s a difference.”

Xander scoffed. “Fine. A companion omega. How exactly is he going to help me control my urges?”

“I know this is not what you want to hear,” Shiva said, rising to meet Xander’s fiery gaze. “I wouldn’t suggest this if I didn’t believe it was necessary. Your animal side is too strong, Master Quin. It dictates every part of your life. While other aggressive alphas ventured out, testing their strength, socializing and finding their rhythm, you remained withdrawn, shy, reserved, and consumed by your bots. You’ve never been in a long-term relationship with an omega. Before Nath, you only had contact with service omegas during your heat. That didn’t leave room to experience what a relationship with an omega would be like. A companion omega can help ease you into a relationship.” Shiva placed the e-reader down on the side table and stepped forward, his voice softening. “This isn’t about replacing Nath. It’s about giving you an opportunity to learn. Call it a practice run, if you will. A companion omega will be there twenty-four seven, to guide you, to give you an experience similar to the one you crave with Nath.”

Xander shook his head, a shiver running down his spine at the mere thought of being rejected again. “You make it sound so simple, and it’s not.”

“Of course it’s not simple, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try. If you want Nath back, you have to put yourself out there. I know it’s hard for you because you’re withdrawn by nature, but…”

“I can’t,” Xander snapped, heading for the door.

“Master Quin… Master Quin… please listen.”

Xander stalled, his footsteps coming to a steady stop just outside the room Shiva used as an office. The ache deep in his chest throbbed, robbing him of air.

“You deserve to have someone who cherishes you, someone to love you,” he said gently. “I know it feels impossible right now, especially after everything you’ve been through with omegas, but that doesn’t mean you should stop trying. Deep down, you crave love, even if you’re afraid to admit it.”

“And you think a companion omega is the answer to all my problems.”

“It’s a start.”

Xander laughed humorlessly. “You’re crazy.”

“Why are you still holding on to Nath?” Shiva asked. “You told me you’re not in love with him… and your bond wasn’t exactly a happy one.”

Xander’s jaw tightened. The silence stretched between them, heavy. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and uncertain. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “He said yes… when everyone else said no.”

“That sounds… lonely, Master Quin,” Shiva said softly, his eyes searching Xander’s face.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Xander’s lips. “Yeah,” he murmured. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of choice.”

“But you do now.”

“No,” Xander said, rushing toward the door, his steps loud on the tiled floor. He stepped out of Shiva’s house, the cool evening air brushing against his face as he approached the waiting hover pod.

“Let’s go,” Xander said tersely to his assistant, Hicks. “I’ve had enough of being outside for one day.”

Without a word, Hicks nodded, his hands expertly guiding the pod onto the airway. Xander leaned back against the seat, his jaw tightening as he stared out at the city lights blurring past the window, his conversation with Shiva replaying in his mind. Anger, exhaustion, and the ache of loneliness warred within him.

An hour later, the hover pod glided to a halt in front of his house, the faint hum of its engine fading into the quiet evening. Xander stepped out, the crisp night air caressing his overheated skin.

“Good night, Hicks. You can head home,” he said.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Hicks replied with a nod before guiding the pod away.

As he stepped inside, the sound of laughter drifted to him, light and carefree, a stark contrast to the tension knotted in his chest. Curiosity urged his steps toward the sitting area.

He paused in the doorway, his eyes drawn to Vina. She stood near the double doors leading to the backyard, her posture relaxed as she watched Ersa and Benjn outside. The scene beyond the glass tugged at something in Xander. Ersa was crouched on the lawn, his movements animated as he played, coaxing laughter from the tiny cub seated on a blanket. Benjn’s giggles filled the air, his little hands waving excitedly as he rocked back and forth, fully immersed in their game.

Xander’s gaze lingered on Ersa. There was a softness to the omega in that moment, an unguarded joy that lit his face. For a moment, Xander couldn’t tear his gaze away. It was as if Ersa had pulled him into a trance, though Xander couldn’t quite understand why. His chest tightened, a flicker of irritation bubbling under his skin as he forced himself to look away.

When his eyes met Vina’s, she was watching him, her brow slightly arched.

Fuck. He’d been caught staring.

“Did you need something, Master?” Vina asked, her voice laced with laughter.

Xander froze, his mind scrambling for an explanation. He blurted out the first thing that came to his mind. “No… I just wanted to check on Benjn.”

Vina’s gaze softened as she turned toward the backyard, her lips curving into a warm smile as she watched Benjn. “He’s been in a good mood today.”

Xander followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Ersa. The omega knelt beside Benjn, speaking softly to the cub, his expression animated and full of life.

“That’s good,” Xander said.

“Yes,” Vina replied, her tone full of approval. “He hasn’t been this happy in a while. Ersa was a good choice. Well done, Master.”

“Thank you. Let me know when dinner is ready.”

“Of course, Master.” Vina bowed slightly before walking away.

Xander remained rooted for a moment, his eyes drifting back to Ersa. The omega was undeniably good with Benjn, and Xander couldn’t deny the joy that radiated from Benjn as he stared up at Ersa. It should have reassured him, but… there was a hesitation he couldn’t quite place.

Turning on his heel, he strode up the stairs to his office. Xander crossed to his desk and powered up his workstation. The monitor flickered to life, revealing his latest waste bot design.

Xander released a deep, shuddering sigh at the sight, as if a weight had been lifted off his chest, allowing him to finally breathe freely again. Few things gave him joy in the world as much as creating his bots. The creative process was his sanctuary, his escape from expectations and judgment. Here, he wasn’t an aggressive alpha struggling to fit into a world that hated them; he wasn’t lacking, possessive, too much, too obsessive, or too oppressive. There were no restraints, no need to censor his thoughts or tread carefully to avoid offending others. Here, in the realm of creation, he was free and unapologetically himself.

“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.