Chapter 5 Amelia
Amelia
I'm freaking out a little bit. Actually, scratch that.
I'm freaking out a lot. Dylan mentioned a new opportunity over breakfast this morning, casual as anything, like he wasn't turning my entire day upside down. "I stumbled into a few friends at the diner and they could use a bit of help nannying their kids, picking up the house, that kind of thing. If you’re up for it, I thought we’d go over there at lunch to see how you feel. "
Just like that. Simple. Easy.
Except nothing about this feels simple or easy, and my brain has been spinning in circles ever since, cycling through every worst-case scenario it can conjure up.
I've been working through the morning at the elementary school on autopilot, my body going through the familiar motions while my mind is somewhere else entirely.
The kids are doing end-of-year activities, mostly crafts and games, since there's no point in starting new lessons this close to summer break.
I help Maya glue popsicle sticks together.
I untangle the yarn that Thomas has somehow managed to knot into an impossible mess.
I hand out stickers and gold stars and words of encouragement, all while feeling raw and terrified beneath my careful smile.
The classroom clock ticks closer to eleven-thirty, each minute feeling both too fast and too slow. When the bell finally rings for lunch, I practically jump out of my skin.
"Miss Sterling?" One of the other teachers pokes her head into my classroom. "You heading to the break room?"
"Actually, I have an appointment," I manage to say, my voice only wavering slightly. "I'll be back for the afternoon session."
The walk to the parking lot feels like I'm walking through water, each step requiring more effort than it should.
The sun is bright overhead, warm on my face, but I can't seem to stop shivering.
I wrap my arms around myself, trying to hold together the pieces that feel like they're threatening to fly apart.
Dylan's truck is easy to spot, and both he and Maddox are leaning against it, waiting for me. Dylan straightens when he sees me approach, his expression shifting from relaxed to concerned in the space of a heartbeat.
"Hey sis," he says gently, my brother already seeing right through whatever mask I'm trying to wear. "You ready to go meet the kids?"
“Wait, what?" I knew we’d be going to the house, and some part of me also knew that I’d be meeting their kids, but I hadn’t really figured all that out yet.
"Yes, Amelia," Dylan muses, tugging me toward him. "I mentioned it this morning at breakfast that we’d go to their house so you could see what you’d be working with. We’ll be right there and their kids are adorable."
My chest tightens, panic clawing its way up my throat.
It’s not exactly a change because Dylan did say ‘over there’ but somewhere in my head, I must have thought a coffee shop or Dylan’s house.
Vincent used to do it constantly, changing plans at the last second just to keep me off-balance, to keep me confused and dependent on him.
He'd tell me we were meeting at a restaurant and then drive somewhere completely different. He'd say we were going to the movies and end up at his friend's house, where I didn't know anyone. Always changing things, always keeping me guessing, always maintaining control.
"I don't..." I start, but my voice cracks. "That's not... um."
"I know, sis," Dylan sighs, softly pulling me into his chest. He doesn’t hold me, just lets me lean my forehead against him, blocking out the rest of the world.
"I should have been clearer about where we were going but these guys, they've gone through a lot.
Lost their Omega a year ago in a car accident.
They're struggling with the kids and everything else, if I’m honest. Hunter just wants to make sure it's a good fit. "
The explanation makes sense logically, but logic doesn't do much against the panic that's making my hands shake and my breathing shallow.
Still, I nod. Because what else am I going to do?
I need this. I need something to occupy my time and make me feel useful instead of like a broken thing hiding in my brother's house.
"Okay," I whisper.
The drive is maybe fifteen minutes, but it feels longer.
Maddox drives while Dylan sits beside me in the back, running through each member of the pack, complete with pictures.
He did the same thing for me when I first started at the school, giving me something to focus on rather than the anxiety.
By the time I walked in for my first day, it didn’t seem so scary because I already ‘knew’ everyone.
I take a deep, measured breath, working through the breathing techniques the school counselor gave me to further calm myself. In for four, hold for four, out for four. Repeat. It helps, a little.
When we pull up to the house, I'm taken aback by the elegance of it.
It's a beautiful two-story home in a nice neighborhood, the kind of place that speaks of success and stability.
However, while the yard is well-maintained, the flower beds look neglected, the pathway uneven in some places, toys spread out across the porch.
Even if it feels like a home, I know better than most that appearances can be deceiving.
Letting out another deep breath, I unbuckle my seatbelt. Dylan gets out first, coming around to open my door like he's worried I might bolt. The thought has crossed my mind. "You've got this," he murmurs as I step out. "Just be yourself. They're good guys, I promise."
Having Dylan vouch for them definitely helps.
Seeing their faces made it easier to believe I’m not walking into enemy territory but my brother doesn’t truly understand how much strange Alphas terrify me.
He’s seen me freak out, panic, and even cower in random corners when we’ve tried to go to the mall.
He thinks it’s because of all the loud sounds and uncertainty of new places. He has no idea that every hardened scent and stare and movement I don’t understand reminds me of Vincent. In my head, even if I know better, Alphas are evil.
They take and take and take and take until there’s nothing left.
Even if I know that’s not how Dylan’s friends are, I can’t separate those thoughts from the fact that I’m going to be standing across from Alphas even larger than my brother and Maddox.
You can do this. I tell myself, fisting my hands at my sides as I follow my brother up to the door. The door opens almost immediately after Dylan knocks, and suddenly I'm face to face with three of the most intimidating Alphas I've ever seen.
They're standing in the foyer, and they're big. Bigger than Dylan and Maddox, bigger than Vincent even. My immediate instinct is to step backward, to put distance between myself and these strange Alphas, but I force myself to stay still.
The closest one steps forward with his hand extended, and his smile is kind even though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Hey, I'm Wyatt. Thanks for coming."
I wrap my arms around myself instinctively, a protective gesture I can't seem to break. "I'm sorry," I blurt out, then force myself to unwrap one arm and shake his hand quickly before pulling back as soon as I can, stepping backward until I bump into Dylan.
This morning I'd put an extra dose of scent-blocking cream over my glands, paranoid and terrified that I’d get myself in trouble.
The thought of these Alphas smelling me and reacting makes my stomach churn with anxiety.
What if they react badly? What if they try something? What if they're like Vincent?
None of them are sniffing at the air, though, and I can’t smell anything more than whiffs of lavender and pear from what seems like an air freshener.
The biggest Alpha steps forward, Hunter, and I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.
He's easily over six feet, with long brown hair that falls just past his shoulders and a sharp jawline.
His hazel eyes assess me as they sweep over me, and even though his expression isn't unkind, there's something carved into his face that speaks of deep grief.
The suit he’s wearing makes him seem even more... Alpha-like, putting my guards up to an 11.
"I'm Hunter," he says, his voice a deep rumble. "This is my pack. That's Silas." He gestures to the third Alpha, who gives me a small nod.
They all look vaguely like the pictures Dylan showed me in the car but also so vastly different, that it feels like I’m staring at different Alphas altogether.
Silas is wearing glasses that sit slightly crooked on his nose, dark circles under his eyes that speak of too little sleep and too much worry. He's trying to smile and appear welcoming, but exhaustion radiates from him and clouds his scent.
And then there's Wyatt again, who I'm trying not to stare at. His smile is strained, something dimmed in his expression. Like someone turned down the brightness on a light that used to shine much stronger.
All of it reminds me of myself and everything I’ve dealt with when it came to Vincent. It’s a different kind of pain but I know hurt when I see it.
Hunter starts explaining the job, oblivious to my panicking self.
"We need someone to help with the kids over the summer.
Riley's six, Isaac's four. We all work full time, and we're..." He pauses, a flicker of pain running through his features before it disappears.
"We're struggling to keep up with everything they need.
Meals, activities, and just general supervision.
The position would be Monday through Friday, flexible hours depending on what we need that day but it would start around seven when they get up and end before dinner. "