The days spent in the distillery had proven to be easier than Ela had anticipated, although Alfie was busy running his business and most days she only had Curly to keep her company, Alfie had made a point of visiting her in the afternoons to engage in some stimulating conversation.

Ela still thought of him as an odd duck, his views on life and eccentric remarks always had her giggling, but he was a kind man to her.

But seeing him in an outburst when a barrel went missing for an upcoming shipment, reminded her of his violent side. He beat a man with his bare hands and pushed his face to a wall when he discovered the lad had stolen it for himself. Although she could not argue with his anger, the fresh memory helped her realize she was not surrounded by the aristocracy any longer.

He had also met Edna his wife the day after the interview and found her to be an amusing young woman, nothing like she had expected. Edna was a fine Omega, classy, elegant, and charming, but with quirk remarks just like her husband's. They were meant to be together Ela thought.

The way they looked at each other, and playfully spoke was unmistakably the deepest kind of fondness, and it got Ela thinking if she'd ever find their kind of love somewhere along the line. Although it had never been her parent's concern, for her it had been one of the main reasons motivating her escape.

When the day of her departure came Edna hugged her tightly, saying she'd always keep her in her prayers, and made Ela promise she'd find time for them both to enjoy lunch together.

-"Well this is goodbye for us now Lass, off you go to your new life, yeah," Alfie said with a warm smile, he had built a fondness for the girl.

-"Now don't go crying on me Alfie, we'll meet soon," Ela said in a jolly tone.

-"Every gangster has a heart Ela dear, you'll find that out soon enough," said Edna smiling and kissing her husband on the cheek while hugging him from the waist, and Ela could only wonder what she meant.

-"Alright you two, let me tell you just how ridiculous you sound" and both women just rolled their eyes while he spoke about not knowing the meaning of bearing a heart.

-"Oh my dear husband, I love you dearly, but your monologues only increase with your age," Edna said kissing him again while Ela chuckled.

-"Right yeah, well, that's from being wise love, you see, and from what I can tell, it has served us damn fucking well hmmm," he said pulling his wife closer to deepen a kiss asserting his Alpha role, and her submissive attitude ran accordingly.

Yeah, that was love, as no one would be able to talk to Alfie Salomons like Edna did, and still get treated like a queen.

-"Now lass, take this with you" Alfie handed Ela a box wrapped in colorful paper which she eyed curiously "Give that to Tommy when your meeting is over, tell him is a gift from the finest bakery this side of the world".

-"I thought you said Mr. Shelby only appreciated Irish products Alfie" Ela said while placing the package in her handbag.

-"Yeah well, I haven't seen Tommy lately love, a gift might encourage a visit from him" Alfie looked at his wife knowingly and Edna nodded slightly "When you too lose your taste for the Irish rubbish, come and pay us a visit ah lass" said Alfie, and Ela smirked.

-"Oh Alfie, I do hope you give me better reasons to see you again, as for that one doesn't seem to be on the horizon", she put her hand above his arm with a reassuring but playful smile; he scoffed but smiled as well, and with that, she was off to Birmingham.

After a three-hour drive, Ela arrived at Arrow house, it was a fine-looking property on the outskirts of the city; the old brick reminded her of Effy's estate; the entrance was towering and the gardens had been looked after by experienced hands, and although it seemed to be well looked after, Ela couldn't help but think it also looked grim and cold, but then again, it had seen tragedy.

She had come to know from Edna that Grace Shelby had been murdered by enemies of the family inside the house a few years back when Charlie was just a baby, and who knows what other horrors had happened inside those walls as well.

But this was not the time to consider such events, she had to be ready to meet the head of the Shelby family and that was nerve-racking enough.

She gathered her purse and handbag and was grateful to see a couple of the boys from the house and the driver Alfie had provided already helping her unload the luggage and going through the main entrance with it.

An older woman approached her from the house, she was wearing a tidy uniform and polished shoes.

-"Welcome to Arrow House Miss, I'm Frances the housekeeper, please follow me". Ela introduced herself gracefully and Frances smiled broadly at her.

-"I apologize but you won't have time to freshen up just yet Miss. Mr. Shelby is expecting you in his study" Frances said with an apologetic look.

Ela got scared but composed a second later, reminding herself she was ready to meet him, and no better time than the present.

-"That's alright Mrs. Frances, I understand Mr. Shelby might be in a hurry to meet the woman who's been hired to take care of his child".

Francis nodded in accordance.

-"Well I'm glad you understand Miss, your arrival was much needed, Mr. Shelby has been needing a governess for some time now for his son, but I must say Miss, I was rather startled when I was informed someone such as yourself would be taking the position" Ela felt panic rise to her throat when she heard the statement, had the rest of employees been informed of her situation? her parents? her escape? She couldn't believe it to be the reason behind Frances's words, so she had to ask trying as calmly as she could.

-"What do you mean Mrs.?"

-"Well you would be the only Omega to be working in the mansion, Mr. Shelby has been adamant about hiring either Alphas or Omegas on Arrow House Miss, we're only Beta employees. Your references must be most impressive if he decided to overlook it" the older woman stated confidently.

Ela let go of a sigh she didn't realize she had been holding all the while Frances had been speaking. She felt relieved that her secret was safe but found it interesting to discover the dynamics of the house. She had never heard of such working arrangements in the past, taking into consideration those factors when hiring was highly unusual, Mr. Shelby was a man full of surprises, she wondered what had struck him to do so.

-"Here we are," said Frances, pulling Ela from her thoughts and knocking twice on the door before she walked through it while Ela waited two feet behind her "Mr. Shelby, Miss Dawson is here to meet with you".

-"Thank you Frances, you may leave," said the low thick voice at the other side of the door. Frances removed herself and gave Ela a reassuring look before walking down the hall.

Ela gathered herself once more breathing in, and then she felt it, the scent, the strongest one she had ever felt in her lifetime.

Masculine, strong, the wave pouring from the slightly open doorframe was dominant, powerful, commanding even.

Ela's pupils dilated a little, and her knees weakened. Now she had to compose herself for a completely different reason. She was about to meet her new employer for heaven's sake, and her instincts were getting the best of her.

Remember your upbringing foolish girl! her mother's words resonated in her head, and although she hated them, it was what she needed now to get hold of her nature, she breathed through her mouth and entered the room.

She had just about taken a step inside the study when the man behind the large mahogany desk folded the papers in front of him and looked up.

Not only was his scent so inviting and rugged. The man himself was a sight to behold. Pitch-black hair with the sides and the back clipped to the scalp, prominent cheekbones that could surely cut if ever touched, broad shoulders, and strong hands, his suit looked expensive and it fitted him perfectly, but what stroked her the most were his eyes, they were the most outstanding shade of blue she had ever seen. Not the deep ocean eyes she had encountered so many times in the past; his were the very description of ice cold, expecting, ruminant, possessive, wolf's eyes.

Her nature took over her and she bowed her head fully.

She was somewhat grateful because if she looked deeply into those eyes she might never come back from them and lose her soul to the devil looking back at her.

Please, submit, invite.

Her submissive mind was winning the battle against her rational side.

Tommy looked at the woman standing in front of him.

It had been too long since his animalistic side had risen so quickly; his thoughts were deviating from his commonly calm and logical composure.

Polly had warned him almost a week prior.

He had been nothing less of surprised when she showed up in his house to inform him she had finally found a governess for Charlie after months of search, although he had not shown it of course, he was not an expressive man, even with his family he was closed off.

But when she got to the part about the subject being a top-rated Omega his mouth faltered and his eyes rolled, as his aunt was well aware of his policy of not hiring them to work in the house. Employing them for the businesses he was fine, but too many troubles had occurred between Alphas and Omegas in his household for his liking, and to prevent showing a preference for either, he had decided years ago to only hire Betas which had proven to be the ideal living situation.

The woman standing in front of him was the sole proof he had been right in his choices, but now he wouldn't have to worry about any of the house workers causing trouble, it was himself who'd have to restrain from causing it.

He studied her, almost devouring her with his eyes as she could not tell since her head was bowed.

Her skin was creamy white; it looked softer than velvet if one were to run a hand by it, he had noticed she had bright hazel eyes too and they had ignited the minute she had recognized his scent; her hair was light chestnut with purple strings alongside, it was long and wavy, unfashionable for girls her age who wore shorter haircuts, but it was beautiful and it suited her perfectly; she didn't hold the common slim figure most girls had either, although her breasts were small, she had a small waist and well-rounded hips, she was a bit taller than most women but only by a couple of inches, so he'd still be a few inches taller than her.

She wore a lilac mid-calf gown with a matching hat, the materials were fine-looking, something she had brought from home no doubt. It accentuated her hair and features while making her hips look even more prominent; it covered her entire neck to guard her glads, and although it was a short sleeve dress she wore tight-looking silk bracelets to cover the ones in her wrists too, her look was young but conservative, unquestionably due to her education on how unmarried young women must present themselves.

He knew her story, her lineage, noble upbringing, and enough about the tortures she had endured from the research his men had done and the details from the interview with Polly, and yet, his mind could only focus on his need telling him to snatch her from where she was standing and take her for his own.

Subdue, take, mate.

His reason was fogged by his alpha instincts taking over.

She smelled heavenly and he didn't have to wonder about his impact on her as he could feel the strong scent of submission coming his way, the pheromones from her, divine, Godsent even; as much as she tried, her nature could not deny she recognized him as her equal rate-wise. She might have been raised a lady, but the want pouring from her core could be easily compared to just dropping to her knees begging him to take her, and that thought was enough to make Tommy hard.

He stood and served them both a drink which could at least help with her nerves and his urge. Then he remembered he'd have to speak first for her to converse with him.

Fucking Omega training to please, right now it won't help her survive me.

-"Miss Dawson please take a seat" he offered while placing a glass in front of her chair, then returned to his seat not before opening the nearby window to at least permit the air from the early morning to wash over the office from the tension that had built.

As she heard the man speak she lifted her head and approached the desk and Tommy noticed she was breathing through her mouth.

Smart girl, she knows how to conduct.

-"Thank you Mr. Shelby" she spoke and took her seat still refraining from looking him in the eye afraid she'd react strongly again. Damn her nature for unsettling her so.

-"Polly told me all about your situation and the conversation you both had, but I wanted to meet you meself".

-"Yes sir, I understand you wouldn't want anyone entering your house and getting close to your child before meeting them personally," Ela said in a knowing way looking at him but not in the eye, just above his eyelids instead.

-"Well then you're also aware the reasons behind it are not the same as most houses Miss Dawson," he said in a low tone, looking pointedly at her, inviting her to look back at him.

-"I understand your businesses and your family are most important to you, I can assure you discretion from my part is something you won't ever find lacking in my job" she stated confidently, and Tommy knew it was her own sake and not his she had to be cautious about, as any misstep from her part could mean her parents discovering her hideout.

He knew she had little information about what he did for a living, and what his family was involved in and he was certain she would like to know more, but her restrain from seeking information from him even in the subtlest of forms surprised him a little as he was too accustomed to hear the questions. Especially from the women he had encountered; that only told him she wanted to keep her own secrets at bay.

He would allow the secrecy for the time being, but he could not promise it would remain an untouched matter.

-"Very well Miss Dawson, you'll be meeting this afternoon with a member of the firm to review your employment contract, my sister Ada will be present at Polly's request to assist with it," Tommy said and Ela looked puzzled.

-"That's very kind of her Mr. Shelby, but I don't quite understand, that is, why we must disrupt your own sister's day, she must have engagements to attend to that take priority over my contract".

-"Well as you got to experience Miss Dawson, Polly is not one to take matters lightly, much as meself, and we believe your stay in this house must be closely looked after as per your nature" Tommy stated pointedly while letting his eyes roam to the presence in front of him, lingering in the bright eyes of Ela, they were calm now when just a few minutes ago they seemed ready to catch fire from the flame of desire that overtook her initial grasp of him.

He'd make sure to ignite that fire only a little in the future for his own amusement and to keep him safe on tiny amounts of her.

A drug she was turning out to be for him, and overdosing on the nanny was not a smart decision.

-"My nature, sir?" she asked innocently not catching what he meant.

-"I believe you would like to discuss the privacy of your heat season, eh, wouldn't you agree Miss Dawson?" Bluntness certainly ran in the family.

-"Yes Sir, I would" Her voice did a poor job conveying her embarrassment as it quivered a little.

Ela immediately blushed and inhaled deeply forgetting for a second her previous maneuvers and breathing through her nose only to find his scent had changed from when she had come into the room. The dominance had greatly increased, and she recognized the arousal coming from him, her pupils dilated immediately and she looked down while pushing her legs together subtly so he wouldn't notice, but quick enough that he could not smell entirely the desire that had started building in her core.

But he did notice; his job had made his senses sharp, and even if he had missed her movements, the spike of her scent would be unmistakable, for a brief moment he had caught the shame in her, and a second later waves of excitement had started rolling off of her just as he saw her eyes going dark.

His cock throbbed in his trousers and his brain ran wild, thinking how he'd like to hear her voice moaning from under him, begging him for more, taking him whole, and wanting to please him in any way he chose.

The hand on his desk held the edge tightly and his knuckles grew white.

The strength he had to pull to refrain from ripping her fancy dress apart and bend her across his desk was inhuman, but he just about managed.

-"Right then, Miss Dawson, find Frances, she'll guide you to your quarters and will let you know when Ada arrives".

-"Yes, Mr. Shelby" and with that she excused herself bowing her head once more before leaving the room, although his attention was no longer on her but on the papers lying across his desk she knew he was somehow trying to calm himself too as no doubt her arousal had initiated his own.

As she left the office, she could only hope that by the closeness they would share in the house, both could get used to each other scents enough that the reactions might be less impacting for them. But in the meantime, their paths would have to abstain from crossing too often, or they could be up for living in misery not getting the satisfaction their instincts demanded.

When Ela left the office, Tommy poured another large whiskey for himself, gulping the brown liquid down his throat in a swift motion.

He had been stubborn not listening to Polly when she had advised him to pay a visit to one Lizzie Stark prior to Ela arriving at the house as if to only give his system some relief before being in the presence of the top-rated Omega.

But now, as much as he needed that relief, neither Lizzie nor any common fuck would give him what he yearned for.

The virginal scent of the top-rated Omega walking around freely in his house would drive him mad for the days to come, and the screams from the devils in his head about ravishing her would not go away easily. A heavily whiskey-filled period was in the stars for him, and he'd need to find some methods quickly to ease his hunger for the girl.