Page 37 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

“I said thinking. Not working.” I clarified. “I don’t have access to a laboratory anymore, and the equipment I can fit into the boutique is limited. I might need advice about adapting some of my blending and stability tests.” The explanation came too quickly, and we both knew it. The truth was that I really missed him. Not just him as my supposed match, but also our time together, going over research and bouncing ideas off of each other. I wanted that again. Elias studied me, and I feared he might point out that I was inventing work to keep him nearby - but he just smiled bigger.

“I’d be happy to help.” He said, also very quickly.

“Really?”

“Of course.” Excitement fluttered through me, light and unfamiliar. “We could start next week,” he added. “After you’ve rested.”

“Alright!” I said, excitement growing in my chest. “But first I need a shower,” I said, looking down at the wrinkled clothes I’d apparently been wearing for a week. Elias looked at me, his eyes growing hungry, and I blushed.

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said, clearing his throat and glancing away. “I’ll be checking in on you when I get back. Let me know how you feel, and remember, take it slow. Your body just recovered, so it’s best not to push anything too fast.”

“Yes, Doctor Elias.” I said. He nodded, then turned to leave. Once he was gone, I couldn't suppress a smile as I headed to my apartment. Nora popped out from behind the register, and I’d almost forgotten she was even there. I laughed as I headed upstairs. Once inside, I took off my dirty clothes and hopped in the shower. The hot water felt incredible. I stood beneath the spray until my muscles loosened and the fog finally cleared from my head. As I washed my hair, flashes of the past week returned without warning.

Ronan’s voice near the door, asking how I was. Hunter’s blurred shape standing beneath the boutique lights. My own hand lifting toward him. Warm fingers wrapping around mine.

I leaned against the tiled wall, thinking back on how they’d been there for me. My natural scent was stronger than usual, blooming with renewed health now that the fever had broken. The steam filled the bathroom with notes of soft florals, and I wondered who had noticed it while caring for me. The thought should have embarrassed me, but I was too busy trying to distract myself from the memory of them to care.

I put on some fresh clothes, then tied my damp hair away from my face before returning downstairs. Nora was already opening the curtains, allowing sunlight to spill across the boutique floor. The store looked exactly as I remembered it - maybe even better.

The displays were neat, and the shelves were stocked. A small arrangement of flowers sat beside the register with a card from the neighboring bakery. Nothing had collapsed while I slept. Nora watched me take it all in.

“Told you,” she said. “It’s been handled.”

I ran my fingers over the edge of the counter. “I don’t know how I didn’t realize that I was working too hard,” I murmured. Nora nodded sympathetically.

“Well, you had a lot on your mind. And I don’t blame you. You had that pack frightened half to death.” She said with a laugh. I looked up at her; the idea of any of them being scared was unimaginable to me.

“You met more of them?” I asked.

“I kept an eye out. I wasn’t going to let them bother you while you recovered. Elias is one thing, but alphas, well.” She shrugged. “Luckily, their visit was brief. I know you don’t want them around just yet.” She said. Nora’s smile turned knowing, but before she could say anything else, the brass bell above the front door chimed.

An omega I had never seen before stepped inside. She was dressed casually, but she carried a stiff leather folder beneath one arm. Nothing about her appearance seemed unusual, but something in her expression made the faint happiness inside me begin to fade. I straightened automatically.

“Good morning. Welcome to The Gentle Nest.” Her gaze moved over the store before settling on me.

“Are you Ivy Carrington?”

I hesitated. Very few people here used that name.

“Yes.”

The omega crossed the boutique without returning my smile. She opened the folder, pulled out a thick stack of documents, and set them firmly on the counter between us.

“You’ve been served.”

For a second, I didn’t understand. I looked down at the papers. The Carrington family company name appeared across the top, followed by legal language that blurred as my eyes moved over the words. I saw phrases as I read, like misappropriation of proprietary formulas, breach of confidentiality, and unauthorized commercial use of protected intellectual property.

My hands went cold. Nora came to stand beside me.“What is that?” she asked, looking over the papers. I couldn’t believe it. My family hadn’t disappeared.

I had put my family behind me, but they hadn’t done the same. They weren’t letting me go, weren’t letting me live my life free from them like I had assumed. Of course they weren’t. They had simply been preparing their next move. I lifted the first page with trembling fingers and saw my father’s name listed among the claimants.

“They’re suing me,” I whispered. “They’re trying to stop my business.” The papers fell from my hands, down to the floor as I felt my world come crashing down around me.

The omega who had delivered the documents was already turning toward the door. The bell chimed again as she left, but this time, I felt nothing but dread.

Chapter 19

Hunter