Page 77 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

"You set the boundaries. Anything you want, just say the word." He said. "If you want us in another room, we're in another room," He added.

Elias sat forward. "Right. If you want one of us, or all of us nearby, we’re there," Elias said. "And if you need anything, medical attention or to be left alone, we will honor it.”

I looked around, trying not to squeeze my legs together at the thought of them caring for me - in every way possible. "And if I change my mind?" I asked hesitantly.

"Then we leave, and make sure you are safe and left in peace," Ronan said.

My throat tightened. I looked at our joined hands. This was what I'd wanted from them all along - safety and acceptance. Their care and concern, and knowing that whatever I wanted or needed, that they would listen.

Then right on cue, a burst of perfume emitted from my glands, and all three of them inhaled sharply, their bodies now awake and even more attuned to me. I could see Ronan’s eyes light up at my scent.

"Oh, don't start," I warned, pressing my legs together tightly. The last thing I needed now was to let out any slick. I heard a chuckle next to me, and looked over to see Hunter stifling a laugh at his pack mate. It was infectious - suddenly I was laughing too, my scent mingling with theirs, growing throughout the room.

And I realized my perfume blended with theirs perfectly. Every note worked seamlessly with their scents, making a beautiful fragrance that I could never hope to replicate in my lab even if I spent years chasing it. There were some things that just happened naturally. Maybe my relationship with Pack Vale was just bound to happen eventually. I wasn’t ready to promise forever - but at least for my heat, for the one part of it I could control - I wouldn’t be alone.

Chapter 38

Ronan

Ivy was resistant to our idea.

I already knew she would be - the omega hadn’t yet gotten used to the idea of anyone taking care of her. And why should she? She spent her whole life being denied. But I would never let that happen again - which is why we ended up in front of the best nesting store in town.

"I own an omega comfort store," she reminded us. "I literally sell blankets, pillows, and all the other creature comforts that an omega needs. Taking me to another nesting store is ridiculous." She grumbled.

"You shouldn't have to raid your own inventory for your nest," Elias said, trying to be persuasive as we crossed the parking lot. He'd been talking about this place for days, ever since Ivy told us she might be expecting her heat sometime soon. Just the idea of it made me extra cautious. I didn’t want her in any trouble if it came on suddenly, and I kept my head turning constantly when we were near her in order to watch for any alphas nearby.

We stopped in front of the massive store. Elias said that this was one of the most advanced nesting stores in the area, carrying everything from temperature-regulating bedding to the newest mood lighting.

"A blanket is just a blanket," Ivy said. Elias looked at her, then bent down to kiss her forehead while she blushed. I loved it.

"Just give it a try, Ivy. Anyway, you should get to have this experience and be catered to, just like how you cater to omegas in your own store.” He said.

“I agree,” I huffed, and Puff gave a little yip from my side. I laid a hand on the small animal, feeling him calm down as I held him. I’d insisted on bringing him along as emotional support for Ivy, but the reality was that I just liked having Puff around. “See, Puff agrees too,” I said. Ivy rolled her eyes and turned toward the entrance, but I saw the smile she was trying to fight.

I'd never been inside a nesting store before. I'd spent plenty of time in tactical equipment warehouses and at security expos. But none of that had prepared me for three floors of blankets. We stepped inside, and I immediately felt out of my element.

The place Elias had found was very nice. The guards at the door double-checked our temperature and questioned us about whether we were on suppressants. I liked that - it assured me that there were precautions in place. After all, this store was for omegas.

The first floor looked like a model for a luxury hotel, with example nesting rooms arranged in alcoves along the walls so omegas could test everything before buying it. They even had mattresses designed for up to twelve people. I looked around at the various materials, and watched for Ivy’s reaction.

She stopped a few feet inside, her eyes widening as she slowly looked around.

"This is huge," she commented.

"You love it," Elias said.

"There’s too much to see," she reiterated.

"And… you love it." He suggested. She turned to look at him with narrowed eyes, but something over his shoulder caught her attention.

"Oh," she said, her attention completely taken up as she hurried toward a display of mini fridges. I looked at Elias, who grinned at me.

"I told you she’d love it." He said, his voice soft.

For the first ten minutes, Ivy seemed to want to prove that she was only humoring us. The problem was that she couldn't hide her curiosity. Every few minutes, something new caught her attention, and she'd gawk at it, remarking about the newest releases in heat technology and going on about how she’d need this for her store as well. She eventually stopped in front of a wall of pillows and reached for one made of some soft material. Her expression changed when she looked down at the price tag, her eyes widening.

"Whew! Absolutely not." She said.