“Thank you Fred,” Elias says to the chef, his voice warm with familiarity.
He slides into the chair beside me, close enough that I can smell his scent—rich peanut butter, comforting and sweet. It wraps around me, making my skin prickle with awareness. Slick seeps down my pussy, and I can’t help it.
“So,” he says, lifting the coffee to his lips, “how did your first morning with our little monster go?”
“Great, actually,” I say, focusing on my half-eaten omelet to avoid staring at his mouth. “She tried the classic ‘I’m sick’ routine, but waffles proved to be excellent medicine.”
Elias laughs, and my heart warms that at least one alpha likes me. “You’ve already discovered her weakness for waffles? That’s impressive. It took us months to figure out what she’d consistently eat.”
“She was a bit stubborn about getting dressed, but I’ve dealt with worse,” I say, taking a sip of my coffee, grateful for the warm mug to occupy my suddenly restless hands. “I’ve learned that giving kids structured choices works better than commands.”
Elias nods, watching me over the rim of his cup. “That’s exactly why we hired you.”
“Who usually sees Nora off to school?”
His expression softens. “We used to have a rotation, but with our schedules... it became challenging. The staff helps, but they change frequently. She needs consistency and nurturing. One-on-one attention from someone who actually cares.”
“Children thrive on routine and dedicated care,” I agree. “It helps them feel secure, especially after trauma.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. The atmosphere shifts immediately, the easy conversation replaced by a heavy silence. Elias’s amber eyes darken behind his glasses, his jaw tightening almost imperceptibly.
“Yes,” he says finally. “Especially after trauma.”
I want to ask what happened to their parents, why the brothers are raising their much-younger sister, but the pain etched in the lines around his eyes stops me. Instead, I watch as he takes another sip of his coffee, his strong fingers wrapped around the delicate cup.
I clear my throat. “I should probably start on the laundry. Nora mentioned needing her favorite shirt for tomorrow.”
Elias leans closer, his eyes never leaving my face. “You don’t have to do laundry. That’s what the staff is for.”
“Oh.” The proximity makes it hard to think clearly. We’re alone in this massive dining room, no buffer of family or staff between us. The memory of Kieran’s warning about never being alone with any of the brothers flashes through my mind, but I can’t make myself move away. “I don’t mind. I like feeling useful.”
“You are useful,” he says, his voice dropping lower. “Or you will be soon.”
The air between us feels charged, crackling with a tension I’m afraid to name. His eyes drop briefly to my lips, and my heart stutters in my chest. Is he about to kiss me?
My phone rings, the shrill sound slicing through the insanely hot moment. I jump, nearly knocking over my coffee cup.
“Sorry,” I fumble for my phone, grateful for the interruption yet strangely disappointed. Carmen’s name flashes on the screen. “I should take this. It’s my sister.”
Elias nods, leaning back in his chair, putting appropriate distance between us again. “Of course. Take your time.”
“Excuse me,” I say, standing on legs that feel like jelly. As I walk towards the hallway, I answer the call. “Hey, Carmen.”
“Franny! How’s the mansion? Have they made you sign an NDA yet? Are they weird? I need to know everything,” she answers, her words a tumble.
I laugh despite my flustered state. “Slow down, Carmen. Everything’s fine. I just got Nora off to school, and I’m having breakfast.”
“Ooh, a fancy breakfast, huh? With four billionaire alphas?”
I roll my eyes as I climb the stairs, heading for my room where I can speak privately. “It’s not like that. I’m here to take care of Nora, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh. Seriously, Franny, four unmated alpha brothers and you, a gorgeous omega? The math isn’t hard.”
“Did you send me out here so I can get hooked up with a pack?”
“No, I swear.”
“The pack leader is super against an omega anyway,” I say, closing my bedroom door behind me. “He practically made me sign in blood that I’d never be alone with any of them. It’s all very professional.”
