Page 44 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

Something inside me finally broke loose. I hit the pillow again and again, my grunts turning into yelling as I wailed on it. The soft impacts echoed through the quiet boutique as Ronan continued bracing himself, moving the pillow wherever I swung.

"I created those products!" I yelled as I hit it again. "They lied!" Thump. "They took everything from me!" Another strike. My breathing became ragged as my words turned into pure feral yells of rage. Years of hurt poured out with every swing. The pillow slipped from Ronan's hands as I struck it again. It flew across the room and landed on the couch, and I turned toward the couch, slamming my fists into the cushions over and over, tears blurring my vision as every blow carried another memory out of my body.

My father's Alpha Bark forcing me to be silent. Arabella smiling while acting purely evil toward me. Years of apologizing for things that were never my fault. Watching Arabella go out on dates as she stole the very pack that was meant for me. A growl escaped my throat before I even realized I'd made the sound. I hit the pillows again and again, until my arms felt heavy and there was nothing left but a quiet calm, my rage disappearing as I stood there, my chest heaving.

"I-" I looked at Ronan. "I think I'm done."

He smiled, pride shining in his eyes. "You look lighter." He commented as I wiped at my damp cheeks and let out a shaky laugh.

"I feel way better.” It was the strangest feeling. The problems were still there - the lies, the lawsuit, my family. My strange, broken relationship with Pack Vale. But all of that anger wasn't trapped inside me anymore.

Ronan bent down and picked up one of the pillows, setting it neatly back on the couch.

"I have a feeling that you just need an outlet. Some way for you to express yourself.” He mused, looking around the shop. “You spend a lot of time helping others. But it's good to have a hobby where you can let out your pent-up emotions, too. Ever tried boxing?” He asked, and I shook my head. He gave me a grin. “I have a feeling you’d love it.”

For the first time all afternoon, the tightness in my chest had disappeared. I settled onto the couch, and Ronan sat next to me. Neither of us spoke for a while. I felt almost peaceful despite all the troubles that I’d been having lately.

The unexpected exercise had warmed my body, and despite showering that morning, all the exertion had my natural scent blooming softly around me again. It mingled with Ronan's scent, which seemed stronger in the enclosed office than I remembered. The dark cocoa smelled amazing, and I suddenly wanted more.

Without thinking, I breathed in. Ronan noticed. His eyes met mine, steady and questioning.

"Feeling better?" he asked quietly. I nodded.

"So much better," I said, looking into his dark eyes. Neither of us looked away. Now that my body had released all the stress and rage that had been dominating my thoughts and emotions, it left space for something else. And after a long, long time without the hope of a pack, I suddenly felt the longing in my body for one of the alphas that was supposed to be mine. My gaze lingered on Ronan.

His broad shoulders caught my attention, stretching the dark fabric of his T-shirt over a chest built through years of heavy work. His thick arms looked just as nice, the intricate black tattoos winding over his hard muscles before disappearing beneath his sleeves. I let my eyes wander more, shamefully this time. Ronan let me, not saying a word.

His long, dark curls were tied back, though a few stubborn strands had escaped. He was intimidating, that was the truth - but not to me. Those powerful arms had never once reached for me without permission. This fierce, imposing Alpha had slept night after night in an SUV outside my boutique just to make sure no one could hurt me again.

He made me feel protected. His self-control made the enormous Alpha beside me far more attractive to me than any display of dominance ever could.

The silence stretched on. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, and suddenly I became very aware of how close we were sitting. He hadn't moved - he was waiting for me to dictate everything. Slowly, I shifted closer until our knees brushed. His eyes widened, then locked with mine.

"Ivy?" He said, confusion in his voice. I reached up slowly and rested my fingertips against his jaw. His breath caught, but he stayed perfectly still. I’d never been this brazen before. But maybe it was the sheer adrenaline of finally feeling strong and free that made me want to finally act on my desires, ones that I never thought I could actually act out. I moved closer, my body shifting as I crawled onto his lap, closer to him than I’d ever been.

"Is this what you want? You can have whatever-"

He never finished. I closed the remaining distance and pressed my lips gently against his. I shut my eyes, and everything else disappeared. My lips moved naturally, his own kiss matching my energy as I explored him. I always imagined my first kiss would be awkward and embarrassing. I didn’t know how to do it. But with Ronan, it felt natural - perfect, actually.

Ronan's hand came to rest lightly against my waist, giving me every opportunity to change my mind. But I leaned in, making the kiss deeper. I felt the low rumble of a groan coming from his throat as his scent pulsed out stronger, making me press my body into his. I never knew a wall of muscle could feel this good, that having his arms wrap around me would make me want him with so much more desperation.

My legs were on either side of his hips, and when I pressed into him, I felt something right against my core - something large and thick. I gasped, realizing what I was feeling. This was all new to me - yet I wasn’t scared. If anything, I wanted more.

But not yet. Not yet.

I pulled back, opening my eyes to see Ronan’s eyes flutter open, a euphoric look on his face. He cleared his throat, his hands still resting on either side of my waist. I gave a shy smile, and he matched it.

“Was it too much?” He asked, and I shook my head.

“It was perfect,” I said, my own perfume pulsing at my scent glands. I wanted him - well, my body did. But I wasn’t there yet. This was just enough.

He let out a long breath.

"Maybe I should bring over more pillows and make your stress-management routine a regular thing.” He said, his pupils large as he swallowed. I gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

“Don’t push your luck,” I said, then reluctantly crawled off of him, breaking the spell I was under. Ronan understood the message and stood up.

“Never.” He promised. “Well, I’ll keep an eye out tonight. Let me know if you feel angry again. I’m always here.” He said, and I nodded. He moved to leave, and once I shut the door, I grabbed my phone, excitedly texting Evangeline, Nora, and Mara. I just had to tell someone that I had my very first kiss.