Page 89 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

But over time, something changed. Little pieces and moments started to thaw the wall I’d built around me, before I even admitted it to myself. I took a breath, the realization hitting me all at once.

"I love you too," I said in a voice so soft that I wasn’t sure even I heard it. Nobody moved or made a sound. So I tried again. "All of you - I love all three of you."

I heard Hunter suck in a breath, and his eyes closed. A fork clattered on a plate as Elias fumbled with the utensil, looking shocked. And then a low, unintentional sound of deep purring filled the room, and I saw Ronan staring at me, while all their scents somehow grew even stronger in the room.

"Say it again." One of them said, in a strained voice filled with awe.

I laughed, warmth spreading through me. "I love you," I said, louder this time.

Hunter leaned over, cupped my face, and pressed a kiss to my forehead. Elias grabbed me from the other side, and Ronan crowded in until I disappeared beneath a mountain of affection.

I didn’t feel trapped - on the contrary, I’d never felt freer.

I looked around the room at the ruined nest and the mess we’d made. It felt like our story - messy, still a work in progress, and somehow comfortable and perfect. My heat hadn't healed everything, and it couldn't erase the past. But it had shown me something I hadn't known I was missing. And now, I knew exactly what kind of life I wanted to build.

I tucked myself deeper between them, stealing a strawberry from Hunter's plate. My body wasn't bracing for whatever came next, and neither was my heart. I knew I was safe and loved.

My stomach growled again. Before I could even respond, Elias grabbed a fork. "More pancakes?" he asked, offering to feed me again. Yeah, I could get used to this.

Epilogue

Ivy

“I think we need to add another Saturday workshop,” Nora said, flipping through the calendar.

I looked up from the display I’d been working on and frowned. “We already added another Saturday workshop.”

“I know, but that one is already full.” She turned the tablet around and held it out to me. Sure enough, every available space had been claimed, and on top of it, we had a waitlist.

“Wow! This one’s more popular than I thought,” I said, looking at the calendar and how full it was getting. The store was a success, beyond what I’d ever imagined.

The Gentle Nest hardly resembled the little shop I’d opened almost two years ago with a loan and a dream. The shelves were fuller now, and the workshop area had expanded into the space next door. We had five employees moving around the shop today, helping customers and packing online orders. It had become exactly what I'd dreamed it could be: a place where omegas came to find things that made their lives softer.

And it no longer needed me every minute of every day. Hiring Nora as manager had been the best thing I’d ever done. She stayed busy and stayed on top of things. She knew how to manage a retail space, and I let go of my need to control everything and let her shine. Nora ran the day-to-day operations better than I ever had, and I trusted her.

I needed that freedom now, since Nestwell Aesthetics took most of my time.

A year ago, I'd officially taken charge of the company. I'd changed nearly everything since then. We went through a rebrand, and I had to reorganize the entire leadership structure. It took a lot of work, some trial and error, and a lot of patience, but Nestwell had launched three new product lines in the past year, to great success. For the first time, I was getting the recognition I deserved.

“Ivy!”

I turned toward the door just as Mara walked inside with Evangeline beside her.

“There she is,” Mara said. I ran over and hugged her. Some things had changed dramatically over the past year, but Mara had not.

Nora walked over from behind the counter and grabbed her purse. “Please tell me we're eating soon. I'm starving.”

“Don’t worry. I found a new place, a cute little cafe that just opened by a new omega in town. I think you’ll like it,” Mara said, and Evangeline raised an eyebrow.

“Sounds like she’ll fit into the neighborhood just fine.” She said, and I thought back to how this little neighborhood, full of calm new beginnings, had been my refuge so long ago. I couldn’t wait to try the new cafe.

Evangeline linked her arm through mine. “Come on. You’ll love it.”

We walked down the street together, and I felt a burst of happiness at how far I’d come. The Gentle Nest had become well known around here now. Even though I wasn’t here as much anymore, I still wanted to hold on to my store and this neighborhood. I loved it, and I loved the people.

We grabbed a table and started yapping.

“I am telling you,” Nora said, leaning across the table, “those two are courting.” Nora was watching two betas who had moved here recently as they ate at a nearby table.