Page 34 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“Alpha?”

Hunter froze, his eyes lighting up at the word. I turned to the office. Ivy had lifted one hand from beneath the blanket, reaching vaguely toward the doorway. Her eyes were open but unfocused, fixed on Hunter.

“Hunter,” I said quietly. He didn’t move. Then Ivy reached again.

“Alpha?” she cried out weakly, her voice a whimper. That was all it took. Hunter crossed the room and knelt beside her. His entire expression changed as he took her hand, every trace of the cold executive disappearing beneath something very tender.

“I’m here.” He said. Her fingers curled around his. She stared at him, her eyes bleary, and seemed satisfied now that she had him nearby. Hunter held her hand while her breathing slowly evened out, his thumb moving once across her knuckles. Within seconds, she was asleep again. Hunter remained there for a few minutes, his eyes roaming over her, taking into account her exhausted state. When he finally released her hand, he stood slowly and looked at me.

“She reached for me.” His voice was almost disbelieving. Hope could be cruel, especially when we had no right to expect anything from her. Still, Hunter looked toward the sleeping omega on the couch.

“Do you think she might forgive us someday?” He asked. I considered the question.

“I think she’s learning she can trust us in small moments.” I looked at Ivy curled beneath the blankets. Hunter nodded, unable to look away from her.

“We don’t deserve it.” He said. I stepped closer to him.

“No. But we can still become men who would.” I said, and he looked at me, something painful passing through his expression before he gave a small nod and quietly left.

I stayed with Ivy through the night, and the next one after that. Her fever gradually broke, though the exhaustion lingered. Between Evangeline and Nora, another one of Ivy’s friends who stopped by, the women rescheduled her workshops, organized the waiting orders, and arranged for Mara to help once she was in town. I took Puff on walks and made sure he was fed, and Ronan continued leaving meals at the door. Hunter handled the legal threats as much as he could, trying to delay the inevitable.

Finally, one morning, I heard a loud yawn. Ivy stretched out on the couch and sat up, wiping her eyes.

“Wow. I feel way better.” She said with another yawn. “Did I sleep through the whole night?” She asked. Ivy was so out of it she didn’t even realize she’d been sleeping for almost a week. I walked over, satisfied now that she was looking so much better. As soon as she saw me, she blushed.

“You stayed?” she asked in a small voice. I sat down next to her.

“Of course. Now, let’s get some food in you before we talk about why you got sick in the first place.”

Chapter 18

Ivy

I woke slowly, drifting back into consciousness, with a soft blanket over me and a sense of peace.

At first, I didn’t know where I was. The room was dim, and I could smell faint traces of broth, lavender, and something clean and masculine beneath it all. My body felt heavy, but not painful anymore. More like I was stiff. The deep exhaustion I’d felt for what seemed like forever had disappeared, and I took a deep breath, looking up at the ceiling.

Why was I downstairs? I opened my eyes wider as my memories came back to me. I remembered feeling ill, and lying down in the office. I remembered worrying about Puff, who whined as I called someone for help - Elias.

I turned my head and found him sitting in the chair beside the couch with a book open in one hand. His shirt sleeves were rolled to his elbows, and his normally neat hair looked slightly mussed, like he’d run his fingers through it too many times - and like he needed a shower. Not that I minded - I could smell several days’ worth of his beautiful scent. He noticed me stirring and immediately set the book aside.

“Good morning,” he said, smiling. I remembered him being here, the vague memory of him helping me through feverish dreams. I relaxed at the sight of him before I could help it.

“Morning,” I murmured.

My throat felt dry, and my voice came out rough. Elias reached for the glass of water on the table beside him and held it to me. I pushed myself up slowly, expecting the room to spin, but the dizziness never came. He still kept one hand hovering near my shoulder, ready to steady me without touching unless I needed him.

“How do you feel?” He asked, and looking into his grey eyes felt like the best thing in the world right now.

“Much better.” I took a long drink, then glanced around the office. Someone had cleared the worktable and stacked the boxes neatly against one wall while I was asleep. “Still confused.”

“That’s understandable.” He said. “You were so exhausted that I almost took you to the clinic. You overworked yourself.” He explained. I frowned. I had been working day and night, but I didn’t think I’d get that sick from it.

“What day is it?” I asked. Elias set the book down.

“Before I answer, let me check your vitals.” He said. I sat back into the couch. How long had I been out? He retrieved his medical bag and sat on the edge of the chair, checking my temperature before wrapping a cuff around my arm. He listened to my heart and lungs, asked whether I felt dizzy or nauseated, then inspected my pupils while I tried not to notice how close he was. I really, really liked the brief touch of his hands on me while he worked. I bit my lip, hoping my scent wouldn't burst out of me. I hadn’t been on suppressants for over half a year now, and I couldn’t stop my perfume if it decided to make an appearance.

It was only more difficult to focus now that he was so close, and I could smell his black tea and cotton scent. It was faint, like he’d still tried to use descenter, but my omega senses found it anyway. My glands gave a curious pulse, and I tightened my grip around the water glass.