Page 28 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

The mental image was so absurd that I started laughing again. Ronan was built like an ancient warrior out of stone, while Nora barely reached his chest, and Evangeline was so tiny she routinely disappeared inside her oversized sweaters.

“Thank you, but he’s harmless. To me, anyway.” I said.

Eventually we changed topics, hearing the gossip about Nora’s new committee drama and Evangeline’s troubles training a new person at work. After a few more sips of wine, I settled in, feeling the warmth of a kitchen filled with real friendship. I looked down at Puff as he settled against my stomach, suddenly aware of how relaxed I felt. There had been a time when sitting around with people would make me so nervous. I would have worried about taking too much food, or saying something embarrassing.

These women had known me for only a few months, yet somehow they had become more protective of my happiness than people who had known me my entire life. They didn’t need me to prove anything.

Nora could think Ronan was gorgeous without telling me I should forgive him. Evangeline could distrust every pack on earth without demanding that I agree with her. They could disagree with each me, or tease me mercilessly, and still make it absolutely clear that I was respected and valued.

Later that evening, I walked home beneath the neighborhood streetlights with Puff trotting beside me, still smiling about half the ridiculous things Nora had said. It was only a few blocks, and I felt completely safe walking alone. Near the neighborhood entrance, I glanced through the decorative iron gates. A black SUV was parked across the street. Even from this distance, I could recognize it.

It was Ronan. He was inside, far enough away that I didn't have to interact with him unless I chose to. I stood there for a few seconds until Puff started whining, wanting to go home.

I had already decided that I wasn't taking Pack Vale back. Still, as I walked toward my apartment, I felt a comfort growing inside of me. Ronan learned how to protect me without demanding access to me. I could appreciate the gesture for what it was.

And then I went home to the life I'd built for myself, carrying the knowledge that even if Ronan disappeared tomorrow, I still wouldn't be alone. I had real friends on my side, now. And pack or no pack, that was enough.

Chapter 16

Ivy

My life looked completely different. I would never have imagined a year ago that I’d be on my own in the best way possible. I was actually making it - and my little boutique had become everything I'd dreamed it could be.

I had a routine set now that everything had settled down. Every morning, I woke up early and blended new products before the store opened. I’d go downstairs, clean up, and make sure the store looked tidy before customers wandered inside. My workshops were booked weeks in advance, and online orders came in almost faster than I could pack them. For the first time in my life, every compliment belonged to me. No one tried to take credit for my work. As a result, my confidence grew exponentially.

My family hadn't attempted to contact me again after their visit to the boutique. Whether that was because of the investigations or because Ronan had scared the crap out of them, I didn't know. Either way, I wasn't afraid of them anymore. It was strange, realizing they no longer had control over me. I wished I'd done all of this sooner.

And every day, without fail, I'd catch sight of a familiar dark SUV somewhere down the street by the gates. Ronan did have to leave eventually to go to work, but at least at night, the most vulnerable time, he was like my own personal neighborhood security.

I refused to let him sleep on my couch again, though. The first night had been different, but after that, I'd insisted he either go home or sleep in his SUV if he absolutely refused to leave the neighborhood. He'd chosen the SUV, the stubborn Alpha.

My business was doing well and growing. At first, it was exciting and novel, having success all to myself for once. It was a lot to learn and manage, especially since I was the only employee.

I told myself I could keep up if I just did a little more work into the night to do the accounting. Then, I’d wake up early, sketching out ideas and unpacking inventory. As the customers started coming more often and the online orders increased, I promised myself I’d take a day off, but I kept pushing it to the following week. Then, I’d push it back another week.

Pretty soon my days blurred together, with every hour taken up by something. I was bottling the perfumes by hand, answering emails on my lunch break, and running around the block to take Puff on his walks. In between customers I’d pack orders, and some afternoons I’d teach a workshop. Then, I still needed to clean. I usually ended up sweeping and mopping late into the night.

Whenever I felt tired, someone would stop by and compliment the store, so I pushed my feelings aside and prioritized my work, since it was my biggest success so far. One day, after a long morning when I woke early again to ship orders, something happened. I was lightheaded, not realizing I’d worked through lunch. My perfectionism had cut into my sleep lately, and still I promised myself that once I hired someone, I could take a break. I knew that the stress was temporary.

But my body disagreed. One morning, I walked into the storage room, paused, and looked around. I had forgotten why I'd gone there. That was weird. I knew I needed something, but between the customer who wanted me to check the inventory and the online orders that I was still worried about, my mind couldn't think straight. I sat down on a stepstool as a sudden wave of dizziness took over. I waited a few minutes, then stood up, a strong fatigue hitting me all at once. I went to the sales floor and managed to tell the handful of customers that I had to close early for lunch. Something wasn’t right.

I closed the door once everyone was gone, and went to lie down on the couch in the back office. The floor swayed beneath my feet, and my vision narrowed into a tunnel.

"Oh no…"

I caught myself against the couch just before my knees gave out. I tried to take deep breaths, but nothing helped. Everything hurt - even breathing felt like a tremendous effort. Puff barked sharply, then whined as I collapsed onto the couch, his noises muffled in my ears as he licked my hand.

"I'm okay," I whispered.

Except I wasn’t. I needed something. Water? Food? I reached for my phone. My contacts blurred together. Who could I call? Not Mara. She was out of town this week visiting friends. Nora was at work. I paused as I saw the contact name.

Elias. He was a doctor; he could probably figure out if this was an emergency or not. I just felt so awkward calling him. I stared at his name, wondering if I could sleep this off or if something was seriously wrong with me. My mind felt so confused that I could barely make a decision.

Asking for help still felt like trying to lift a mountain. Growing up how I did, I learned to fend for myself. My problems were always a burden to others. But this could be serious. Tears pricked behind my eyes.

"I can't..."

Puff nudged my hand. I suddenly realized I needed help - at least someone to care for Puff. With weak fingers, I pressed call. He answered before the second ring.