2. Zara

When the GPS tells me I've arrived at my destination, I hesitate and then pull onto the open driveway of the house, next to a ten-year-old Range Rover. A newer blue sedan is parked on the verge, and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Peter and Susan, Benjamin's parents, are here. They said they would be, but I was nervous they wouldn't show. I turn off the car and sit for just a second, looking at the front door where my new life waits.

"Okay, Zara, this is it," I whisper, grabbing my handbag from the passenger seat. My case and a few boxes filled with my stuff can wait in the car for now. No need to drag everything up to the door looking like an eager beaver, for fuck's sake.

Stepping out of the car, I close the door and take in a deep breath of cool air. The place is quiet, peaceful even, nothing like the hustle of London where every moment was a noise of honks and shouts. Here, it's the soft rustling of leaves and distant birdsong that greet me.

I walk up to the door and ring the bell, the sound echoing slightly as I step back and wait.

The door swings open moments later by Susan and Peter with the kind of smiles that make you feel like you've come home. "Zara, dear, welcome!" Susan exclaims, stepping forward to envelop me in a warm hug. Her omega scent of lemon muffins wraps around me and already it feels like home, her embrace as comforting as a cup of tea on a rainy day.

"Thank you so much," I say, returning the hug before pulling back to look at them both. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity."

Peter takes my hand and squeezes it, his eyes crinkling at the edges as his sandalwood scent lingers around him. "We're the ones who should be thanking you. Not everyone would take a chance on a job up here, especially with our unique situation."

We shuffle into the living room, where the furniture looks cosy and lived in.

"Was your drive up alright?" Susan asks, gesturing for me to take a seat on the squishy leather sofa that appears to have had a lot of bum action. In the sense of being sat on…

Fuck, Zara. Stop with the nerves.

"It was lovely, actually," I reply, sinking into the cushions. "The scenery changed so beautifully the further north I got. And no traffic jams, which is a miracle in itself."

"Ah, the joys of country roads," Peter chuckles, taking a seat in the armchair. "They can be a bit winding, but the views are worth it."

"Absolutely," I agree, nodding enthusiastically. "I saw a deer!" I still can't get over the joy of this.

Peter chuckles. "Yes, quite a few of those around here. And sheep. Lots and lots of sheep."

"And cows," Susan pipes up with a giggle.

"It's amazing. I'm used to the concrete jungle."

Susan sits down beside me, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "Yes. Change can be good, especially in a place like this. It has a way of growing on you."

"It already has," I say with a wistful sigh. I hope this job works out. I'll be disappointed if I have to leave again.

"We want you to feel comfortable here," Susan murmurs, suddenly a bit nervous. "Benjamin has been a bit resistant this morning, but he knows this is what's best for him and Mia."

I nod understandingly. "Yeah, I get it. It's a tough situation, but I'm here now and I intend to make his life easier and to care for Mia with my whole heart."

She smiles, but I can tell she is still nervous.

That doesn't bode well.

I've met Benjamin only a couple of times, and that was online. He was gruff. But I put it down to being tired taking care of an infant all on his own. My entire interview process has been with Susan and Peter. Dozens of Zoom calls, and they drove down to London to meet with me in person the other week.

"Let me show you to your room," Susan says, rising.

"Okay." I smile and follow her up the stairs, her steps light on the plush carpet. I follow, my own footsteps muffled, a sense of anticipation building in my chest as we ascend.

We reach the top, and she guides me down the hallway, pointing out where things are—the bathroom, the linen closet, a small nook filled with books and games. But it's the next door she opens that catches my full attention.

"Here we are," she announces, gesturing toward the interior. "This will be your space."

I step over the threshold into a cosy room bathed in the soft afternoon light. The walls are painted a calming shade of cream, and a comfortable-looking bed sits against one wall, complete with fluffy pillows and a knitted throw. A table and chair occupy another corner, a lamp casting a warm glow over them.

"Your room is right next to the nursery," Susan continues. "It's important that you're close by, for Mia's sake."

"Of course," I reply, already picturing late nights and early mornings spent tending to little Mia's needs. "It's perfect. I can't thank you enough for thinking of everything."

Susan smiles warmly at me, a look of genuine caring in her eyes. "We want to make sure you have everything you need."

A moment later, Peter appears in the doorway, a suitcase in his hand and a box in his other arm, a friendly grin on his face. "Where would you like these?" he asks, looking around the room.

"Over by the wardrobe would be great, thanks," I say, pointing.

He sets them down with care, taking a moment to ensure they're not in the way. "I'll grab the others."

"Thanks. I appreciate it," I tell him, feeling the warmth of their hospitality wrap around me like a blanket. "You've both been so welcoming."

Peter nods, satisfaction etched in the lines of his face. "Well, we're glad to have you here, Zara. It's been a really tough time for Ben. Susan and I are helping as much as we can, but Sue still works part-time, and I have to get back to the practice; I'm a vet," he adds in as if I didn't already know that from our conversations. I nod interestedly.

"We would help more, but life?—"

"Of course!" I cut him off. "You absolutely don't need to explain anything to me. It's literally my job to help out with the baby, and that's what you hired me to do. I'm here now, and you have nothing to worry about."

Susan takes a small step towards me, tears in her eyes that make my heart break a bit for her. "I just wanted to say thank you again for coming all this way. We weren't sure we'd ever find someone willing to take on the role." She pauses, her gaze flickering away before meeting mine again. "After so many turned us down, and we had to look further afield, well, it's been tough."

I nod, understanding the subtext without needing further explanation. Rejected alphas can be challenging, their presence alone enough to unsettle most. "I'm here now, Susan, and I'm not planning on going anywhere. Mia needs care and consistency, and that's what I'm here to provide."

The relief that washes over Susan's face is clear and bright, like sunlight breaking through clouds. "Thank you, Zara. It means the world to us, truly."

And then the alpha himself strides into the room, grim and almost mean. Benjamin Scott. His eyes lock onto mine like he's trying to figure out a puzzle that he's not particularly enjoying.

"Zara," he says, the word more of a statement than a greeting. "You came."

Well, fuck. Nice welcome, asshat.

"Benjamin," I return evenly, holding his gaze. I remind myself that I'm here for Mia. "Of course, I did."

He grunts almost in annoyance. His glare doesn't wane, but I don't look away. Something about his reluctance to have me here, even though he agreed to my contract, tells me he has huge trust issues with people sticking around when things get tough, and that doesn't surprise me one bit. It also makes me sympathetic, empathetic, even, and I don't take it personally. His pinecone scent hits my nostrils as he shifts his enormous frame, and I gulp as my stomach does a little flip. His alpha scent appeals to my omega in a way that has never happened before, and that is the absolute worst thing that could possibly happen right now.

I exhale softly and drop my gaze. His is too intense, and the undercurrent of whatever that is drifting through the air is overwhelming.

"Come and meet Mia," Susan interrupts and I nod quickly and follow her down the hall, my steps light, curious about the little girl I'm about to meet. She opens the door, and I see her wrapped in a sea of pastel blankets. Her tiny fist curls around an unseen dream, and I can't help but feel a tug at my heartstrings.

"Fast asleep," Susan murmurs.

"Not surprising at this age," I smile. "She's gorgeous."

I lean in close, and whisper, "Hey there, Mia. I'm Zara, and I'm going to be hanging out with you for a while."

There's something magical about being needed, about being the one to protect and nurture. This tiny girl doesn't care about alphas, omegas or betas; designations and all their complications and needs mean nothing to her yet. She just needs love, and I've got an endless supply.

I straighten up and turn to see Benjamin scowling at me in the doorway. But he doesn't say anything. He just walks away, and I sigh. He'll come around and see that my being here isn't a bad thing. It will give him back parts of his life that he needs, to continue to provide for Mia and be a great dad, instead of an overwhelmed, exhausted heap of alpha male.