Page 45 of Nanny Omega

The unexpected honesty, the quiet vulnerability, made Ersa’s eyes fill with tears. He swallowed hard, his heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and love. “You’re amazing,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “How did I get so lucky?”

Xander’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “We’re both lucky. I’m so happy I found you.”

He leaned down and captured Ersa’s mouth in a slow, tender kiss—one that spoke of promises and patience, of a future they didn’t have to rush. And as Ersa clung to him, his arms tightening around the alpha, he vowed never to let him go.

Chapter 13

Xander

“Oh,what’swrong,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?”

---