And there’s Nora, perched on a window seat in the corner, licking a bright blue popsicle that’s already stained her lips and fingers. She’s ignoring the food being brought in by staff, focusing solely on her treat.
I step into the room, and all conversation stops.
Four pairs of alpha eyes turn to me simultaneously, each with a different expression. Kieran’s gaze is guarded, his jaw tight. Drake’s eyes flicker over me once before returning to his plate, feigning disinterest. Rowan’s golden-brown eyes are curious, almost gentle. And Elias’s amber eyes behind those rectangular glasses are calculating, missing nothing.
“Um, hello,” I say. Nora looks up from her popsicle, gives me a sticky blue smile, then returns to her frozen treat.
“You’re just in time for dinner. Thank you for joining us,” says Rowan.
“Thank you,” I say, as I turn to Nora. “Hey Nora, are you going to eat dinner with us?”
She shakes her head, blue popsicle juice dribbling down her chin. “Nope. I’m already eating.”
“Did you have any real food today?” I ask gently.
She shrugs, not meeting my eyes, and I recognize the expression from countless other children I’ve nannied. It’s the universal look of a kid who knows they’re getting away with something they shouldn’t.
“Nora,” I prompt again, but she slides off the window seat and darts past me, taking her popsicle with her. I watch hergo, sighing softly. Clearly, the brothers have been letting her eat whatever she wants, whenever she wants. That’s going to be a challenge to correct.
“Don’t worry about her,” Elias says, standing to pull out the chair beside him. “She’ll eat when she’s hungry.”
I hesitate, then take the offered seat, hyperaware of Kieran’s eyes on me. “She needs structure, though. Regular meals are important for…”
“She’s fine,” Kieran interrupts, his voice clipped. “She’s always been a picky eater.”
Why the fuck did he hire me then?I’ll let it go for now, as I’ve run into parents like him before who dislike change.
I bite my lip, nodding. Making sure Nora eats properly will definitely be on my list of priorities moving forward.
A staff member places a steaming plate before me. It looks like herb chicken with roasted vegetables and a small scoop of risotto. It smells delicious, making my stomach growl. I realize I haven’t eaten since breakfast.
“Thank you,” I murmur to the server, who nods politely before stepping away.
An awkward silence descends over the table. I can feel the thick tension crackling in the air. None of the brothers are looking at me now, but I’m acutely aware of their presence, of their scents mingling in the air—pine from Kieran, cinnamon and leather from Drake, something citrusy from Rowan, and a peanut butter scent from Elias.
Their alpha scents make my heart race and my body warm. I focus on my food, cutting a small piece of chicken and bringing it to my lips. The flavor of it dances in my mouth- garlic, herbs, perfectly cooked meat. It’s the best thing I’ve eaten in months.
“Are you settling well?” Rowan asks suddenly, his deep voice breaking the silence. He’s looking at me with genuine concern,his golden-brown eyes warm. “Were you able to pack everything you needed?”
“Yes, thank you,” I say, grateful for the conversation. “Drake was very helpful.”
Drake’s eyes flick to mine for a fraction of a second before returning to his plate. I notice his knuckles are white around his fork. Oops, maybe he thinks I insinuated something else.
God, these alphas.
“How long have you been a nanny, Francine?” Elias asks, his voice smooth and calming. There’s something about his presence that puts me at ease, a steady warmth that makes the tension in my shoulders loosen slightly.
“About three years now,” I answer, taking a sip of water.
“Let’s address the elephant in the room,” Kieran says abruptly, setting down his fork with a soft clink against the china plate. His ice-blue eyes fix on mine, intense and unreadable. “This is the first time we’ve had an omega in our home. There needs to be rules.”
My heart stumbles in my chest, my fork halfway to my mouth. I set it down carefully, trying to keep my hand from shaking. “Of course.”
I feel a warm touch on my elbow and glance over to see Elias’s hand there, a gentle, reassuring pressure. Immediately, a wave of calm washes over me, easing the anxiety that had been building. It’s like his touch has direct access to my nervous system, turning down the volume on my fear.
“First and foremost,” Kieran continues, his voice firm. “Scent blockers must be worn at all times. What happened earlier cannot happen again.”
“What happened?” asks Drake sharply.
