Page 4

Ersa

B enjn began to fuss in Ersa’s arms, tiny whimpers breaking the quiet. The cub rubbed his face against Ersa’s chest, his small hands gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“You’re hungry, huh?” Ersa murmured softly as he adjusted Benjn’s position in his arms. “Let’s get you something to eat.” As he turned back toward the house, his steps faltered when he saw Master Quin approaching from the opposite direction.

Ersa froze. His heart raced, thundering in his chest as nervous energy spread through him. It wasn’t fear, exactly, but something that left him feeling exposed and unsure.

Master Quin stopped a few paces away, his sharp gaze fixed on Ersa. Damn , Ersa thought, his throat tightening as he struggled to think of something to say just to fill the unbearable silence between them. The alpha just stood there, silent and unmoving, reminding Ersa of that okie again—powerful and unnervingly still.

Benjn’s cry pierced the tension, pulling Ersa back to reality.

“He’s hungry,” Ersa said quickly. “I need to feed him.”

“You can do it while we eat. Dinner is served,” Master Quin said as he turned and strode toward the dining room.

Ersa stared at the broad expanse of the alpha’s back, his mind racing. Surely, Master Quin didn’t mean for him to eat with him. That couldn’t be right. Could it? But he had said “we.”

“Are you coming?” Master Quin threw over his shoulder.

“Yes,” Ersa replied, his voice barely above a whisper as he trailed after the alpha.

When they entered the room, Master Quin gestured to the chair beside him. “Sit,” he ordered firmly.

Ersa’s heart skipped a beat. Sitting that close to the alpha felt… wrong. He hesitated, his mind scrambling for an excuse to avoid the proximity.

“I don’t like people who hover,” Master Quin said, his tone sharp.

Shit.

With no other option, Ersa sat down, his movements stiff and hesitant. As if on cue, Benjn let out another ear-piercing scream, his tiny body wriggling in protest against Ersa’s hold.

“I know, I know…” Ersa murmured, bouncing the cub slightly in an attempt to calm him. Ersa’s gaze shifted toward the door leading to the cooking station. Did they forget something?

“You should feed him before he gets irritable,” Master Quin said.

“Vina must have forgotten to prepare a bottle for him. I should…”

“She didn’t forget. Since you’re here, she assumed you would feed him,” he interrupted.

Ersa looked down at Benjn’s scrunched-up, tear-streaked face, the cub’s cries muffled as he turned toward Ersa’s chest. A wave of realization hit him like a cold slap, and panic settled in his gut. Oh no… oh no, no, no. His eyes darted upward to meet Master Quin’s sharp, expectant gaze.

“I…” Ersa stammered, his voice barely audible over Benjn’s wails.

“What are you waiting for? Are you shy or something?” Master Quin asked, his brow arching in faint irritation.

“I… no, I’m…” Ersa’s throat tightened as his words faltered.

“You’re what?” Master Quin pressed, his piercing gaze boring into him. “Don’t tell me you didn’t read the job requirements before you applied?”

“I…”

Master Quin pulled out his connector and vigorously flicked his middle finger over the screen before he slapped the device on the table in front of Ersa. “Read.”

Ersa’s stomach twisted into a knot as his eyes fell on the job listing displayed on the bright screen. He knew what it said. He had read the job requirements—or at least skimmed over them.

“It clearly states that I need a lactating omega for a three-month-old cub,” Master Quin spit out venomously.

“I needed a job. I…” Ersa’s mind went blank as Master Quin leaned closer, the sheer force of the alpha’s presence crackling in the air between them like a live wire. His sharp gaze pinned Ersa in place, making it hard to breathe.

“You lied,” Master Quin said.

“No, I…” Ersa’s throat constricted, the denial crumbling before it could fully form. His shoulders sagged under the weight of the accusation.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he hung his head, unable to meet the alpha’s piercing stare. The tension in the room felt suffocating, the silence stretching between them like an unspoken challenge.

“Vina!” Master Quin’s voice cut through the tension. The maid entered almost immediately, as though she had been waiting just outside, poised for his command.

“Yes, Master?” she asked with a respectful bow of her head.

“Please feed Benjn. He’s going to fight you, but please bear with him,” Master Quin instructed.

“I’ll make sure he gets enough milk,” Vina said, stepping forward to gently take the wailing cub from Ersa’s arms.

A hot sting pricked at the back of Ersa’s eyes. He blinked furiously, refusing to let the tears fall. Rising from his chair, he pushed it back with shaky hands and said, “The contract hasn’t been signed yet. You can find another omega to take care of Benjn.”

He turned to leave, his steps hurried, but the alpha’s low, guttural growl froze him in his tracks.

“Sit,” Master Quin ordered.

“No.” Ersa’s voice wavered. “I’m not going to waste your time. I…” His throat tightened as memories he tried to suppress rose like an unwanted tide. “I lost my cub three years ago. I haven’t cared for another cub since then. I thought I could do this, but now I see I can’t. Maybe I’m not ready. I’m not what you’re looking for, Master Quin. I’m sorry.”

Ersa turned, his steps quick, aiming for the door. But before he could escape, Master Quin was already there. His tall frame blocked the doorway, his disapproving glare pinning Ersa in place.

Before Ersa could react, the alpha’s right hand closed around his arm. “We’re not done,” Master Quin said gruffly, his grip firm as he guided Ersa out of the dining room.

Ersa stumbled slightly, trying to keep up as the alpha led him up the stairs and into a large room that seemed to straddle the line between an office and an artist’s workshop. Moonlight streamed in through tall windows, illuminating the gleam of polished leather furniture and the cold, matte shine of metal tools, bot parts neatly arranged on a workbench. The space had an air of quiet intensity, much like its owner.

The scents of metal, oil, and Master Quin’s unique musk enveloped Ersa, wrapping around him like a tangible force, quickening his pulse.

Master Quin released his wrist, the ghost of his touch leaving an unsettling tingle on Ersa’s skin. Reflexively, Ersa pressed his hand over the spot, his mind reeling. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt anything. Not since his Mason and Mika. After they were gone, his body had shut down, as if it had died the moment he lost everything. The first year had been the worst—his heat had vanished entirely, leaving him hollow and numb, a shell of the omega he once was.

Now, his pulse thundered in his ears. Sparks ignited across his skin, each one sending a jolt of sensation rippling through him, leaving a trail of fiery warmth in its wake. He lifted his gaze to meet the alpha’s piercing eyes. The air between them felt charged, heavy with unspoken tension.

Master Quin’s light grey eyes darkened, swirling into the color of an approaching storm. His scent intensified. All he could smell was the alpha—a deep, primal musk that saturated the air, flooding his senses with its raw intensity. It was overpowering, a heady mix of strength and dominance that seemed to seep into his very being, leaving him dazed and unsteady.

“I don’t know why you brought me here. The contract hasn’t been signed yet. I can leave.”

“If you leave now,” Master Quin said, his tone dangerously calm, “you’ll never find work anywhere else.”

“What?” Ersa gasped. “You can’t do that.”

“I can, and I will,” he warned, his voice a low, deliberate rumble that left no room for argument. He strode to his desk, the weight of his authority palpable in the air. Settling into his chair, he leaned back, his piercing, stormy gaze locking onto Ersa with an intensity that made his stomach quiver. “You’re the only omega Benjn has shown any real connection with. I’m not about to throw that away because of your lies. You’re staying here, and you’re going to do the job you were hired for.”

“What?” Ersa blurted out, his voice laced with both confusion and frustration. “Being stubborn is not going to help the situation.”

“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.

“Shiva found a specialist at the health center,” Master Quin said. “We have an eight o’clock appointment. Make sure you’re ready.”

Ersa’s shoulders stiffened. “We?” he asked, turning halfway to look at him.

“Yes,” Master Quin replied, as though the answer should have been obvious. “I’m going too.”

Do you have to? The words almost escaped Ersa’s lips, but he bit down hard on his bottom lip. Arguing with the alpha again was the last thing he wanted.

Master Quin seemed to sense his unspoken frustration. “I’m doing it for Benjn,” he said simply.

Ersa felt his cheeks heat. “Of course,” he muttered quickly. He didn’t wait for the alpha to say more. Turning on his heel, he rushed out of the room as though it were on fire.

The moment he reached his own room, Ersa all but collapsed onto his bed. His heart was still pounding, and his skin tingled. He sat there, staring at the wall, his hands gripping the sheets as if to steady himself. The energy buzzing through him was too much— too everything —and he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sleep at all.