Page 25 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“It seems all of us were lied to more than we realized,” I murmured, and Ivy looked back at me with a new expression.

“So the whole time, you all did like me? At first?” She asked. I looked at her, wondering how different life would be right now if we had just matched with her, without her family in the way. Ivy let out a bitter laugh.

“You know, it was so easy to believe them.” She said, looking away. “The more I think back, the more I start to look at things differently. You know that I stopped wearing colors around her?” She asked, and I shook my head. “There was always some criticism of how I looked. So eventually I stopped trying, and things were easier that way. That’s how they got me to comply. Just make it so miserable that it was easier to give them what they wanted. But it wasn’t easier, was it?” She asked, looking at me.

“I chipped away so much of myself. I got used to hiding every part of me that threatened her, and soon they got exactly what they wanted. A compliant, boring person who didn’t speak up.” She gave an ironic smile, and looking at her now, clad in jewel tones and looking like the most gorgeous person I’d ever laid eyes on, I could barely believe that I was seeing the same person from six months ago.

“Ivy, I really messed up. But I never want to let you down again. If you ever need me, I’ll come. No questions asked.” I said, looking at her earnestly. “No expectations. I’ll simply do what you ask. Anything.” I said.

Ivy looked at me, like she was considering my fate. After a long minute, she stood.

“In that case, I want you to come inside with me. I don’t want to be alone just yet.” She said, and I nodded and stood. “But I still don’t forgive you,” she added. “And in all likelihood, I never will.”

Chapter 14

Ivy

Having dinner with Ronan should have been awkward. But maybe it was because I was still fighting off the anxiety of my fathers’ surprise attack that made me crave having someone around me that made it better. Truthfully, it was one of the nicest evenings I’d ever had.

Although I didn’t want to tell him, I’d been terrified of what would have happened if Ronan hadn’t shown up. Yes, I was stronger than before, but I still felt the impact of my father’s alpha bark, his determination to still control me. I don’t know what would have happened had he not been nearby.

On top of it, Ronan had told me something very important - they’d actually liked me from the start. I don’t know why I was surprised by it. I’d felt it, too - until my family convinced me that it wasn’t real. I still don’t know why I had let them convince me of something I had felt deep down inside me. Pack Vale had always been mine.

That realization was making me see things differently as Ronan and I wandered slowly back toward the boutique, neither of us making any real effort to shorten the walk. We'd already finished talking about my family - at least as much as I could manage in one night, and now we settled into a calm, comfortable silence.

Puff walked happily a few steps ahead of us, his nose glued to the sidewalk as he investigated every leaf. Every so often he'd glance back to make sure we were still following before continuing.

"I think he believes he's protecting us," I murmured. Ronan looked at the tiny white fluffball with a smile.

"I think he might be." He said, and I laughed again. I saw our shadows, mine so small compared to his. Suddenly, all my worries about my fathers went away, and now that I was in the moment, I became very aware of him walking beside me.

He was enormous, with his dark, thick hair tied back loosely at the nape of his neck. I glanced over at him, taking in his brown skin and the way he walked with a purpose, his strong arms at his sides.

The closer I looked, the more unfair it seemed that one man could resemble some ancient warrior who had wandered out of history and still moved through the world with remarkable gentleness. There had always been an untamed vibe about Ronan. Yet, he never frightened me.

And then, I noticed something that was missing - his scent. The faint trace of descenter was masking his warm cocoa scent. I had asked him not to wear his real scent back when we first spoke, and while I was grateful that he still wore descenter, my body still wanted to smell that beautiful scent of his. I warred with my mind, willing my body to forget it.

Then, I felt my scent glands prickle beneath my skin, the familiar ache spread slowly through my neck. I discreetly rubbed the side of my throat as we walked. The glands felt swollen again. Ever since I'd stopped taking suppressants, my body had been confused. I’d never been one to desire alphas, but the longer I was around Ronan, the harder it was to ignore how my body ached for him, even after all that happened.

I hated that my instincts didn't care about betrayal or heartbreak. My biology didn't care that I'd promised myself Pack Vale still had a mountain to climb before I'd ever consider forgiving them. It was annoying. But I wasn’t going to let hormones interfere with my decision-making.

We reached a busy intersection just as the pedestrian light began flashing. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ronan start to reach toward me. But then, he stopped himself. His hand hovered awkwardly between us.

"May I?” He asked. "Just until we're across."

I stared at his outstretched hand, wanting to hold it, but not wanting to give in. He’d asked permission. But I made him wait a painfully long time before answering with a sigh.

"Alright. As long as you let go afterward." I said.

"I will, I promise.” He said earnestly.

I slipped my hand into his. Oh God, his palm was warm, and larger than I’d ever imagined. He guided me carefully across the street, placing himself between me and the passing traffic.

And then, without being able to help myself, I wondered what it would feel like if those hands touched me somewhere else. I imagined what it would feel like if he used that big hand to touch me softly on my cheek, or what it would be like to have his huge arm wrapped around my waist. I imagined what it would be like if I was sitting in his lap, close enough that I could finally bury my face against his neck and breathe in the scent he'd hidden from me all evening. Heat rushed into my cheeks.

Absolutely not. It was the hormones - that had to be it.

The moment we reached the opposite sidewalk, he released me. He made no attempt to turn an innocent touch into something more. I was surprisingly disappointed, and missed the feeling instantly. It was ridiculous. We continued walking, and I had to distract myself. So I put the focus on him.