I can help them. I can do this.
A high-pitched squeal tears me out of my thoughts.
"Miss Sterling!"
Before I can react, Isaac comes barreling around the corner from what must be the kitchen, his little legs pumping as fast as they can carry him. He slams into my legs with the full force of a four-year-old running at top speed, wrapping his arms around my knees and looking up at me with those hazel-green eyes that are so much like Hunter's.
"You're here!" he says, his whole face lighting up. "Are you visiting? Do you want to see my trucks? I have so many trucks!"
The impact of his small body against mine startles a genuine smile out of me, and I reach down to rest my hand on his curly hair without thinking. "Hi, Isaac. I didn't know this was your house."
The relief on the Alphas' faces is immediate, each of them visibly relaxing. The minute movements make it a little easier to breathe, the three of them seemingly a little less scary now that they’re not on guard.
"Isaac, buddy, let Miss... Sterling breathe," Hunter pushes out, his face twisting up with genuine confusion. “I didn’t know that Amelia—” His gaze moves from Dylan to me and I have to brace myself because no Alpha has ever addressed me first. I’m an Omega. “Sorry, I didn’t know you taught at the school. It’s a relief that the kids already know you.”
Footsteps on the stairs make me look up, Riley appearing at the top step before slowly descending with one hand on the railing. She's wearing leggings and a t-shirt with a sparkly unicorn on it, her long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail as she watches me with careful eyes.
I’ve caught a glimpse of her a few times through the halls but most of my classes deal with the younger children. She stops at the bottom of the stairs, but doesn’t approach like her brother did. "You’re here for the job, right? Will you stay? Everyone leaves."
The words hit me right in the chest, and I see the fear underneath her tough exterior. I can’t imagine what it’s like losing her mother so young. It’s easy to see that she’s not going to trust me easily but that’s something I can work with.
However, I have no idea how to answer that question. "I..." I start, not sure what to say.
Wyatt steps in, his voice taking on a quality of barely concealed desperation. "We know we're a lot," The honesty in the admission is startling. I’ve only ever known Alphas to lie and cheat and whittle their way into hearts only to break them. "It’s all a bit messy and I know Dylan gave you a little... background? We've had a handful of nannies quit in the past year because it was too much or because they wanted..." He pauses, seeming tochoose his words carefully. "They wanted things we couldn't give them."
Silas adds, "We're trying, but it's not enough. We need help."
The guilt is written all over all three of them, and that’s when I really understand it. All those moments during the school year as Isaac sought out attention with story after story of the beautiful woman in his hand drawn pictures. There was no distinctive face but I can see the connection between the portraits here and the drawings on the fridge.
Hearing that their past nannies have tried for more makes me understand Riley’s indifference to my presence. Is she waiting for another mother? Or does she not want someone to take Evie’s place? I can’t tell but I know that whatever this pack has gotten before hasn’t been what they needed.
I’m not sure if I’m the right person but I can try and that counts for something, right? "What would the position entail exactly?" I ask, forcing my voice to keep from wavering.
Hunter's expression shifts to something like hope. "Monday through Friday during the day while we're at work. Some evenings if we need it. Watching the kids, helping with meals, light housework if you're willing. We'd pay you well, and you'd have weekends off unless something came up."
"And you wouldn't be alone with them right away," Wyatt adds quickly. "Hunter or Silas would work from home the first few days to make sure everyone's comfortable."
Which means making sure I'm trustworthy, that I'm not going to hurt the kids. I don't blame them for that.
Isaac is still wrapped around my legs, chattering about his trucks, and Riley is watching me with those serious eyes. Everything about this screams complicated and difficult.
But maybe complicated and difficult is exactly what I need. Maybe helping this broken pack put themselves back together will help me do the same thing.
"I'd like to try," I say softly. "If you'll have me."
Hunter's whole body seems to sag with relief. "Yeah. Yes. Thank you."
Wyatt throws me a genuine smile. "When can you start?"
"School's out in two days," I say. "After that, I'm free."
"Perfect," Silas says, and he actually smiles, a real smile that transforms his exhausted face into something lighter.
Dylan steps forward, placing a soft hand on my shoulder. "I'll make sure she has everything she needs. Phone numbers, addresses, emergency contacts."
"Appreciated," Hunter says, reaching out to shake Dylan's hand. Then he looks at me, his expression turning serious again. "We're trusting you with our kids, Miss Sterling. That's not something we do lightly." The way he says my name like that has a shiver running down my spine and I can’t decide if it’s a good or bad thing.
"I understand," I say, and I do. I understand completely what it's like to be afraid to trust, to be terrified of letting someone in only to have them hurt you or the people you love.
