Page 74 of The Omega Switch: Part 2

"But mine barely work." She reiterated.

"That doesn't necessarily mean they are defective," I said with a smile.

"Then why am I so different from - from other omegas?" she asked. I thought for a moment.

“Are you comparing yourself to Arbella? Who else did you have around you to compare with?” I asked. I hoped bringing up Arabella wouldn’t sour her mood.

Her face was pensive for a moment. “Well, she and Clara were the only omegas that I was around. And they both said…” Her voice trailed off for a moment, then she let out a labored sigh and closed her eyes. “And I believed yet another lie.”

I leaned forward, resting my hands on my knees. "You said your scent became stronger when you stopped taking suppressants. And lately it seems to appear most intensely during moments when you feel safe, excited, emotionally connected. I mean, you are being courted by a handsome pack," I joked as I glanced briefly toward Hunter and Ronan. "That doesn't sound defective to me. It just sounds selective.”

Ivy looked at me, her face relaxing. I smiled. "Very selective, apparently."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't sound so pleased with yourself." Then she shook her head. “So, they weren’t defective at all?” She asked.

“No. At least, not from what you’ve told me. You just happen to be someone who shows your interest differently. And maybe you are more focused on safety and emotional connection. That’s completely normal.” I said.

Ivy looked surprised. “I guess there are some things from my upbringing I still haven’t questioned.” She remarked. "Even before the suppressants. I never really reacted to alphas the way other omegas did. Arabella could walk into a room and immediately perfume. I couldn't." She looked thoughtful. "I guess attraction doesn't really work that way for me. I have to know someone." Ivy swallowed. “I have to like who they are. And apparently when that happens, my scent glands lose their minds."

I couldn't stop smiling. Then Ivy looked at all of us, and the embarrassment slowly faded from her expression. Then the most beautiful smile spread across her face - and a fresh wave of her perfume filled the room.

Ronan groaned as Ivy let out a devious smile. I had to breathe through my mouth, the overwhelming beauty of the pure, happy scent more than I could bear. Whatever biological mechanism was responsible for Ivy's scent glands, it didn't matter. All that mattered was that she accepted herself.

Chapter 37

Ivy

Today was going to be a huge step for me. This was going to be the first time that I visited Pack Vale’s house.

When they had invited me to come over and see it, I was more excited than I wanted to admit. I’d always wondered what it looked like - back when I first met them and had been enamored, I’d spent hours just wondering what their decor would be like, how it would smell, and whether they liked a big or cozy place. Now I was sitting in my car outside, somehow feeling frozen despite being a whole different Ivy from the young, naive version of myself who’d met Pack Vale all that time ago.

I stared up at the expansive home and waited a few minutes to build up my confidence before stepping out of my car. It wasn’t because I was intimidated by their house. Part of my nervousness, or maybe most of it, was because I knew what I was going to ask them. And it was a big ask, for me at least.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see that it was from my attorney. I sighed and tried not to think about it. I'd spent most of the week discussing Nestwell and its value, along with ownership rules and the increasing panic coming from my family. The moment I refused to let Nestwell keep selling my products, everything changed. Now, Nestwell had halted all activity, and my family was bleeding money. They were going to have to cave to my demands. I knew they were freaking out.

I was preparing an offer to buy out all of Nestwell. I thought it was fitting - it was my mother’s company, after all. And I had created the majority of the products sold through Nestwell. Managing the branding change without Arabella as the face of the company would be difficult, but I was ready for the challenge.

However, right now I didn’t want to think about any of that. I took a breath, climbed out of the car, and walked toward the house. The front door opened as I approached, and Ronan appeared, smiling as he held it open with his huge arm. He was dressed casually, in slacks and a black T-shirt. I admired the view, my body reacting strongly as I looked at him a little longer than necessary. Each day that I was around them, I grew more comfortable with their presence. And that made my body start to open up even more, to crave what I needed from them.

I shook the thought away, walking toward him and trying not to show that I was mentally undressing him moments ago.

"I see you found our place easily. Come inside!” He said, so eager that it reminded me of an excited kid. I laughed despite myself and followed him. Considering the money Pack Vale made, I'd expected their home to be like a museum - massive and sterile. And yes, it was pretty big. But it wasn’t cold at all.

Real hardwood floors in a beautiful, warm color filled the space. Almost every wall had large windows that let in the natural light. The furniture was surprisingly colorful, with a deep, rich blue couch and warm leather chairs nearby. A patterned rug pulled the living room together, and little signs of the three men were everywhere. I saw medical journals stacked on an end table, and massive boots by the door.

I looked around, taking in a full breath of the air. I could smell all three of them - their scents having settled in for many years, blending comfortably together and making the entire place smell like home. I didn’t want to say it out loud, but it filled me with such comfort that I knew if I lay down on the couch I’d fall fast asleep. My body felt instantly at ease here.

“I really like your place,” I said, the words coming out before I realized it. Ronan’s smile grew bigger, and I felt a burst of his cocoa fragrance at my approval.

“Good. I helped with the decor.” He said. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. I didn’t suspect him to be someone big on aesthetics, but he continuously surprised me. I turned at the sound of someone approaching to see Elias appear, carrying a bottle of wine and several glasses. My heart gave that familiar little jump when he smiled at me.

"Ivy! Welcome to our home." He said, setting the bottle down on a side table as he approached, accepting me as I reached for him, my arms wrapping around him in a hug, shamelessly breathing in his tea and cotton scent. I couldn’t help myself. I held on longer than ever before, savoring the feel of his arms around me.

Hunter appeared around the corner, wearing jeans and a sweater. He looked nervous. I was in his house, on his territory, and yet I was still surprised at the power I had over these men.

Hunter dipped his head, a smile spreading across his face. “Ivy.” He said, opening his arms. “Welcome. Make yourself at home.” He gestured to the house, and I looked around as Elias poured us a glass of red wine.

“Hmm, can you give me the grand tour?” I asked, raising my eyebrow at him. I could have sworn he blushed - as much as a grown alpha man could, anyway. Elias handed me a glass, and Hunter nodded, his dark hair not perfectly styled for once. He turned, and I followed, with Elias and Ronan at my sides.