Nanny and Her Four Alpha Bullies

I scramble back away from Archer’s grasp. His hands come flying off me and I curl into the corner of the bed, sandwiched between the walls. My heart is beating in my throat. I touch one hand to my neck, trying to see if it’s tender from Archer’s grasp. What I find pisses me off even more. 

“What the fuck?” I gasp. 

My fingers toy with the collar around my neck. I pull at it to try and get it off me but it’s no use. It’s a very thin leather band, taught to my skin. There’s a metal bit where the ends of the leather are supposed to meet. A red light flashes up at my chin. 

“What the fuck is this?!” I shout, finally regaining my voice from sleep. 

“I told you I was looking into additional security measures,” Archer says. He shrugs as if this is nothing. “This was the best solution. It’s a GPS. We can track your movements to make sure you don’t run off with Mia.” 

I tug on the leather again. “It’s a fucking tracking collar? What am I a dog?” 

“You look like a frightened puppy,” Beau’s voice hits my ears. I whip my head towards him. He’s standing next to his other brothers closer to the door. I didn’t even notice them in my terror. Beau cocks his head. “All curled up like that. It’s tragic” 

I growl at him, low and threatening. He doesn’t need to know why I tend to sleep all curled up. That it reminds me of being safe within my mother’s arms. The rage inside me is hitting an all–time high. Quickly, I scramble across the bed in a mess of limbs and grab the first thing I see. I launch it at Beau. The diapers ding off the side of his face. He blinks, shocked. 

I hurl another pack of diapers at Archer. He swats them out of the way like they’re nothing. He glares at me in response. I take up a defensive stance as he walks towards me. Once again, I’m trapped in a corner and feel like a puppy amongst wolves. 

“Do that again,” Archer says slowly. “And I’ll chain you to the floor like you are a fucking dog” 

Beau cackles over Archer’s shoulder. I can’t get eyes on him around Archer’s massive frame. I do see Steven’s slightly frightened look, however, and hope there’s some sort of future ally within him. I look back and lock eyes with Archer. 

We’re locked in a staring contest, glare to glare. I muster all the courage I have to get out of my crouch and tilt my chest and chin up high. I keep our gazes locked, forcing him to stare down at me. I know he’s tempting me, telling me to do something and see what happens. But I won’t give into the predator that easily. I’ve played this know how to win it. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

game before. I 

With a final snort of air out of his nose, Archer turns on his heel and storms across the room. He leaves and the other brother’s follow behind tentatively. The door slams shut and I’m alone again. I let out a sigh of relief before I sink to the floor, utterly exhausted. I hear quiet gurgles across the room and bounce to my feet immediately. 

I look into the crib to see Mia staring up at me. Her big blue eyes are staring up at me. I tenderly pick her up and bring her into my arms. “Hi babygirl,” I whisper to her. “Are you hungry?” 

She coos back and I sigh. I look at the door and feel a weight on my shoulders. I’m not only worried for me, but I’m worried for the child in my arms. I feed her and quickly put her back in bed. She falls asleep immediately. I find sleep not shortly after, utterly exhausted. 

The next day, I try my best to hide the stupid collar. The brothers are gone from the Pyramid all day and the thought allows me some sort of peace. Mia’s fairly easy to take care of, not too fussy. The staff in the Pyramid look at me warily, unsure of what I’m doing there in tattered clothes, taking care of a baby swaddled in Gucci. It’s a weird 

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sensation 

I made sure to wear my highest sweater to cover the collar. Truthfully, it looks like some sort of ugly necklace. The fact makes it easier to hide and eases the stress of wearing it. I’m starting classes the next morning and I know I‘ already caused quite a scene on campus. The last thing I need is people seeing a blinking red tracking collar on my 

neck 

At the end of the day. I’m doing Mia’s finally wash and diaper change before bed. I situate her in her pajamas and look up at the mirror. The collar is boldly staring back at me. A mixture of humiliation and rage wash over me for the hundredth time since I’ve arrived at this school. 

The collar is not only a mark of service but it’s also a way for the Hayes brothers to let me know I’m a lesser class than them. I feel like a farm animal, being wheeled to slaughter. It’s a disgusting feeling within me and makes my entire body curdle. 

I jerk my face away from the mirror. I won’t let this stifle me. I came to this stupid fucking school to become a warrior. That’s what I am here to do. Not to nanny. Not to be bullied by idiots who think money solves everything. To train. I’ll be damned if the Hayes brothers stop me from doing so. 

I settle Mia in bed. She’s exhausted tonight as I’ve been playing with her all day save for one nap before dinner. Not only am I trying to keep this kid alive, but I’m trying to raise her. She needs mental stimulation and to be taught manners and all that. Seeing her this young exhausts me. It means I have so much more to do. I pull the side of the crib up and lean down to give her a final goodnight kiss. She’s already asleep under my lips. 

I get myself into my own bed. I curl up, tangle myself beneath the sheets, Tomorrow’s the first day of classes. The first day that I actually get to train to be a warrior. To change my fate from lowly nothing to high class weapon. I knew I could do it, but the idea of my first class being a formal combat class terrified me. I’ve never had any sort of formal training, just whatever bullshit Navis and I got up to. I gnawed my lip with worry. Finally sleep washed over me. 

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