How the fuck did I get babysitting duty?

Angela usually handles the little kids who don’t have parents, but she’s home with the flu. And instead of Naheed or Robert stepping up, I somehow managed to get the short straw.

“Becky, stay away from that!” I take one long step cross the room and grab the back of Becky’s shirt just before she shoves the metal corner of a picture frame into a light socket.

Jesus Christ, that was close.

“That’s Curtis.” Trevor is talking about me as if I can’t hear him. “He only comes two days a week and doesn’t know how to take care of munchkins.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Trev.” I quickly glance over my shoulder and flash a weary smile to the kid who Naheed and Jace are about to adopt. I haven’t heard any concrete details yet, but I know it’s in the works.

“You’re welcome.” He appears in front of me, dragging one of the new omegas with him. “This is Max. He’s new too.”

My eyes are glued to the young man as he nods once in acknowledgement without looking me in the eye. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end and my protective instincts blow up. Is this omega a threat? To me? To Trevor? Even though I know it’s rude to scent someone without their permission, I can’t stop myself from taking a deep whiff, trying to understand the strange emotions he’s bringing forth.

There’s something unusual about his scent, but nothing outwardly dangerous. Most omegas are docile and harmless so I’m not surprised. But there is something I can’t quite place. Unfortunately, these kids are filthy so my nose is all kinds of fucked up. Besides, this Max guy looks like he’s searching for a way to escape without notice.

Of course, that’s not completely out of character for a newly-rescued omega. It usually takes weeks or even months before they’re able to believe that they’re safe. But it’s annoying as hell when I’m trying to figure out what his deal is.

I take a step closer and give him a curious once-over. “Hi, Max. I’m Curtis.”

“Hey.” He tugs out of Trevor’s grasp and pats him on the arm. “Thanks for the tour. I’ll catch you later.”

Max takes a quick look around the room, and his eyes grow wide when they focus over my shoulder. I don’t know what he’s worried about, but the fact that he is puts me on edge too.

Following his line of sight, I search for the eminent threat. People are scattered throughout the room, several of which are sleeping on pillow beds and in random corners.

Robert explained that the newcomers often don't like to be alone in the bedrooms, so they feel safer in groups, even if that means they're underfoot all the time.

And then I see one of the most terrifying sequence of events unfolding since I started volunteering at Omega House a few months ago. My heart leaps into my throat as my body prepares to intervene.

Time moves in slow motion as I watch Adrian reach for the handle of a large water glass on the side of a table. The glass is only half full, but it looks heavy. As it gets closer and closer to the edge, I notice that directly underneath the glass is a little girl napping on the floor beside her father.

If that glass falls on her head, it might be heavy enough to do some serious damage. And it’s definitely heavy enough to scare the hell out of her.

“Adrien, stop!” I don't think I've ever moved as fast as when I practically toss Billy into Max’s arms and dive across the room to intercept the falling glass.

My palm closes on the cool glass just as it slips off the edge of the table, stopping it inches above the child’s face. Water splashes over the rim, but the solid weight is securely in my grip.

The drops on her face and the commotion wake up the disoriented child, but she's not physically hurt. Thankfully. She might not ever trust me, but that’s a small price to pay to avoid head trauma.

“I'm so sorry, sweetheart.” I use the sleeve of my shirt to dab the water off her forehead. “There was a little accident, but you're okay. It was only a few drops of water.”

With a quivering lip, she holds my gaze, not looking away even as her father pulls her against his chest to console her while I get a good grip on Adrian.

“It’s naptime.” The little omega’s eyes are wide and he knows I’m done being nice. “Now.”

The boy’s body goes stiff in my arms, instinctively reacting to my command. I don't like to rely on my alpha status more than necessary, especially with the kids, but some of these little monsters need a short leash. They aren’t bad, but not having any discipline or structure has left many of them feeling lost and ungrounded. The sooner we teach them basic manners and routines, the easier it’ll be to place them in a forever home.

I turn back to Max with a grateful smile and reach for the squirming toddler he’s holding out like a dead fish. “Thanks for your help.”

“Yeah.” He’s careful to avoid touching my hand as he places Billy over my forearm. “I gotta go.”

Once he’s gone, a strange feeling settles over me. I assume it’s because of the adrenaline spike I just experienced and not the young omega trying desperately to avoid looking me in the eye.

I can’t describe what is so different about him, but something is. What I do know for sure is these kids need a nap, and I need to take a breath. My nerves are shot and my alpha hormones are being triggered in ways they never have before.

Apparently hanging around all these kids has my nesting and providing traits coming to the surface. Do men have biological clocks? If so, I think someone just wound up mine.