Page 82 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

"I suppose that's it," he said, hesitating to turn and leave. I looked at him.

"Yes, I guess it is," I said with a shrug. He didn’t apologize, not that I expected him to. Maybe one day they would understand exactly what they'd lost. Or, they wouldn’t. That wasn't my concern anymore. I gathered my things and left the conference room. Once I was in the elevator with my lawyers, I leaned against the wall in relief.

Nestwell was mine. A strange feeling washed over me. I looked down at the documents in my hands, and suddenly saw my mother's hands instead. Thinking back on my memories of her, her hands always had remnants of dye or some fragrance, and she always smelled faintly of whatever she'd been working with. She had loved creating things, but loved helping people even more. An omega came into the world with everything stacked against them. But with what she could create, the world could be a little better, a little brighter. And filled with a lot more love.

She’d taught me what really mattered, and I nearly lost that. But I’d never forget again. She was still here, working through me, her own actions proving what was possible through me. My eyes started to tear up, and I looked away so no one would notice.

I got it back, Mom.

I could almost imagine her beside me, feel her love and her pride. And in my heart, I knew she didn’t care if I’d won the company back or not. I knew she’d be most proud that I finally stood up for myself. I learned how to show myself the love that I’d been missing. I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned toward my lawyers.

“Nestwell is yours. You can relax now.” One of them said, smiling. I nodded, but I had work to do. Nestwell was going to have to go through a rebranding. I wanted my research focused on real omega needs again. I was going to focus on the consumer, and make sure every omega knew they were worth something.

By the time we reached the lobby, I was feeling lighter than ever. All the turmoil in my life was gone - the lawsuits, the fights, the drama over family and Pack Vale. All the lies had been uncovered, and I was finally at peace.

I pulled out my phone. A string of notifications, appeared most of them from my group chat with Pack Vale. Ronan was outside waiting for me in the car. He still messaged me the entire time.

Ronan: Are you done yet?

Elias: Give it some time!

Ronan: I'm just checking on her.

Hunter: You’re becoming a worried grandma

I laughed, then typed quickly, my spirit soaring.

Me: It's done. I am the proud owner of Nestwell Aesthetics!

I smiled down at my phone as the dots appeared.

Ronan: FUCK YES!

Elias: Ivy, that's incredible. I'm so proud of you.

Hunter: Your mother would be proud, too

A mixture of nostalgia and happiness rushed through me all over again. Of course they would know exactly what to say to make me feel emotional again. I started walking toward the exit, excited to run to Ronan and tell him all about what happened. But then, a strange warmth moved across my skin, and I faltered, my head dizzy.

I slowed down, rubbing my forehead. Another wave of heat hit, and nausea followed. My smile faded as I realized what was happening. Then a cramp rolled through my stomach hard enough that I closed my eyes, wincing in pain.

"Oh no."

My skin prickled, and a restless ache began forming low in my body. Before I could stop it, my perfume surged through my glands into the air. And it wasn’t faint. It was strong - and I needed to get out of here.

I picked up my pace, going as fast as I could toward the exit. Normally, an omega wouldn’t be in this position. Any unbonded omega would be on suppressants until the scheduled time of heat. But not me. I wasn’t allowed to use suppressants until I’d had several normal heat cycles - but I didn’t think one would come on this quickly, or with this much force.

I looked up as I burst through the doors, spotting the SUV where Ronan looked up at me. Another cramp hit, and Ronan’s expression of happiness turned to concern in a split second. Before I realized it, he was rushing over to me, his arms lifting me up as I gasped, my mind already panicking from the memory of my last torturous heat.

“What’s wrong?” Ronan asked. The absolute command in his voice should have irritated me. Instead, my knees weakened, and I looked at him, my gaze on him as I mentally undressed him. The moment he breathed in, he realized exactly what was happening.

"I think..." I said, my voice breathless, “I think my heat is starting.”

“Now?” He asked, his eyebrows raising. I nodded, clutching my stomach, and he quickly ran me back to the SUV, buckling me into the backseat before getting in and starting it. “I’m taking you to the guesthouse,” He said, and I could only nod and clutch my stomach. Usually in the past, my heats would come on slowly, giving me time to get settled and gradually roll into it. Ever since my last tortuous heat, my body had started throwing me right into it.

“It’s starting!” I heard Ronan say into his phone. He glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “Don’t worry, omega. You won't go through it alone. We’ll be nearby, always.” He said, his voice deepening as his alpha side came out, already comforting me. Even though I knew this would be a strong heat, I wasn’t scared this time. Because I already knew that he was right - I wouldn’t be alone. In fact, I didn’t plan to be alone in the nest for one moment. I suppose I knew that from the second that I’d had my first kiss with Ronan.

I always knew, deep down, that I’d want them with me. They were mine, after all.