Page 36 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“Ivy, trust me when I tell you that you didn’t take anything from me.” He said, his soothing beta nature calming any doubts I had. “You scared us,” he said after a moment. “But caring for you was not a burden.”

Us. The word pulled at more blurred memories. Flashes of a deep voice near the boutique entrance were pulled up, and the rustle of food bags. A tall silhouette bending over me while warm fingers wrapped around my hand. I wasn’t sure what was real and what the fever had created. Before I could ask, a head appeared around the office doorway.

I stared right into Nora’s wide eyes.

“You’re awake!” She said, and I barely had time to smile before she hurried into the room and threw her arms around me. The sudden embrace surprised me, but I returned it, grateful she was there.

“You had me worried for a minute there,” she said, pulling back to inspect my face. “You look much better.” I smiled at her, clasping my hands over hers.

“Apparently I’ve been asleep for a week,” I said, glancing around the boutique.

“And you’ve been well taken care of.” She said, glancing at Elias.

“What happened to the store?” I asked, anxiety rising as I looked toward the front room.

Nora waved one hand dismissively. “Handled.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, and she shrugged.

“It means that between Evangeline and me, we were able to reschedule your workshops, contact the customers whose orders were delayed, and keep the shop closed for several days. Evangeline helped with inventory, and the bakery sent more pastries than anyone could reasonably eat.”

“You touched the inventory system?” I asked, worried that somehow, everything would come crashing down.

“I did.” Nora pointed at me. “And do not make that face. I’m much older than you, and I’ve worked retail before. I followed your notes exactly. Everything’s going to be alright.” She said.

I looked between Nora and Elias, trying to absorb what they were saying. They had handled everything. The shop was alright. The world hadn’t collapsed because I stopped working.

After I left my home, I thought I had everything under control. The first taste of freedom had been incredible, but with that, the responsibility of my own finances took over. I’d been so focused on the store’s success that I overworked myself. Erroneously, I believed freedom meant never needing anyone again, especially not a pack.

But I’d needed someone to take care of me when I was sick, and I desperately needed people to help with the store. Apparently, Elias, Evangeline, and Nora had seen what I hadn’t, and helped without a second thought. It became clear I'd been so focused on my independence that I’d refused to ask for help until it was nearly too late. Maybe I needed to learn I could trust, as long as it was the right people. My eyes began to sting.

“Oh, no,” Nora said quickly. “Don’t cry. You’ll make me cry, and then Elias will start diagnosing us with emotional dehydration.”

“That isn’t a condition,” Elias said, rolling his eyes with a wry smile. I laughed and wiped beneath my eyes.

“Thank you, Nora,” I whispered.

Nora squeezed my shoulder. “Of course.” She gave Elias a look before slipping from the room, claiming she needed to check the register. The excuse was transparent, but I appreciated it anyway.

Elias began packing his instruments into his medical bag. Watching him prepare to leave caused an unexpected drop in my chest. “You’ve done so much for me,” I said. “I don’t know how to repay you.”

He stopped what he was doing. “You don’t owe me anything, Ivy. I’m just honored that you trusted me enough to call.”

I bit my lip and looked at him. I had trusted him. Not enough to erase the hurt between us, but when my body failed me, I had called him. I had let him see me weak, disoriented, feverish, and afraid. And he had protected that trust.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I stood and stepped toward him. His eyes widened when I wrapped my arms around him. The embrace was awkward at first. I wasn’t sure where to place my hands or how close I was supposed to stand. Elias remained still, letting me decide, and only returned the hug when I settled against him. His arms rested gently around me.

Warmth spread through my body, followed by a sharp, instinctive awareness of his chest against mine and the faint scent beneath his descenter. My glands tightened, releasing a small pulse of sweetness before I could control them. Elias inhaled, and didn’t comment. He stood there and let me melt into him for a minute, until I was ready to step away.

“I think this is the first time I’ve been sick and felt cared for since my mom passed,” I admitted.

Something flashed across his face. He glanced away for a second, his throat moving as he swallowed.

“You should have always felt cared for.” He said softly. The awkward moment stretched, and I searched for a reason to keep him from leaving.

“I’ve been thinking about developing a new product line,” I said. His mouth curved.

“You just woke up.” He said.