Page 38 of The Omega Switch: Part 1
Arabella screamed bloody murder. And for one glorious moment, I didn’t care. I was glad I’d finally made her feel a bit of the pain that she’d put me through all these years.
Then, an alpha bark filled the room.
"Ivy!Stop!”
My father’s command hit like a physical blow, and my muscles locked as I stumbled backward. Clara gathered Arabella into her arms as the rest of the pack circled her, protecting her from me as they growled. I stood there, shaking. The instinctive omega response was immediate and brutal as I submitted to his order. My father looked more furious than I’d ever seen him.
"You will stop this behavior immediately!" He said, his rage and dominance now rolling off of him.
“Look at what she did!” I cried out, my body locked at his command. “She needs to be stopped!”
He stepped forward, his large frame looking even bigger with his rage. “You don't get to make decisions around here, omega. I do!” His voice thundered. I froze, the power of my own flesh and blood’s alpha command pressing down on me.
My mouth opened, and I let out a sob. “I have a match, they are mine!” I cried, and he shook his head.
“No. What’s done is done. Arabella is the best choice for Pack Vale, and they are already courting her. It will stay that way. You can find another pack later. One better suited to you.” He said, and I felt my entire body tremble.
“You - you can’t do this!” I shouted, raising my hands up as I pleaded with him. “She’s lied about it! They aremymatch, father!” I rarely used that term. But I was desperate. This was my pack, not hers.
He simply shook his head. “Clara is right. Stopping now would cause chaos for the family and the business. You’re out of control. You are not allowed to hurt your family. As for all of this match business, you’ll get over it.” My mouth dropped open at his casual dismissal. I felt the rage boil up in me again.
“Why don’t we let Pack Vale decide for themselves! I’ll tell them myself what a liar Arabella is-” My words were cut off abruptly by my father, who stepped forward, his hand suddenly on my shoulder so close to my neck that I froze, terrified of what he’d do. His hand curled around me tight, a warning to stand down.
Then, he delivered an alpha bark so strong, and so devastating, that I nearly blacked out.
“You will never speak of this to anyone again. Not to Pack Vale, not to a single soul.”The alpha command wrapped around my throat like chains. My heart shattered.
"No!" I sobbed, my knees giving out as the command wove its way into my body and mind.
"Enough!” The second bark hit even harder.
"You will go upstairs and stay up there. You will not come down until I decide you can behave right."
I stared at him - even though I’d always known he never loved my mother or me as much as he did Clara and Arabella, he was still supposed to protect me. Instead, he was protecting Arabella. Then he delivered one final blow.
"Arabella will be their mate."
I felt something inside me shatter. An alpha bark from a father was even stronger than a regular alpha bark. He’s effectively made me mute to reveal this betrayal. If someone else didn't tell Pack Vale, then they’d never know the truth.
My eyes filled with tears, blurry and wet as I glanced around. Clara was still holding Arabella, patting her hair as Arabella sobbed about her face, which now had bright red scratch marks. I realized I’d drawn blood. I swallowed, then turned.
My footsteps on the stairs were all I could hear, the compelled obedience forcing me to do as he said. By the time I reached my bedroom, I was trembling so violently I could barely stand. I pulled the door closed behind me and slid to the floor. All my life, I thought I was trapped.
Now, I understood the reality - I was never trapped until now.
Pack Vale was mine - they had always been mine. And now my own family was helping to steal them away.
Chapter 24
Hunter
I’d been looking forward to dinner with Arabella and her family. Something inside of me felt off, and I knew that being around my mate would soothe it. I noticed it in the pack, too. We’d been on edge lately, and we all needed that calming presence that only an omega could provide - our omega.
The restaurant was top tier, and I’d made the reservation to include everyone. Yet someone was missing when they arrived - I noticed it immediately. Ivy wasn’t here. Arabella approached the table, her family still handing over their jackets at the coat check.
The other thing I noticed right away was the texture on Arabella’s cheek as she sat down next to me. A few thin red lines ran along her cheekbone, partially concealed beneath makeupbut still visible whenever she turned her head. The sight of it immediately triggered every protective instinct I possessed.
"What happened?" Ronan asked first, his voice tight with concern.
