Chapter 11 #3
"I'm terrified," I admitted.
"Good," Dex said.
"We're with you," Lucas said, finally closing the distance and taking my hands. "Whatever you need. However you want to do this. We're with you."
Through the bond, I felt their support, their determination, their love.
"Okay," I said. "Okay. We have about four hours to plan this. We need talking points, we need to coordinate the message, we need to notify my other clients, we need—"
"We need to eat something first," Ro interrupted. "You haven't eaten since breakfast. Strategy requires fuel."
"I'm fine—"
"Michelle," all three of them said in warning.
I laughed despite everything. "Fine. Food first. Then we plan how to change the industry."
"That's our omega," Lucas said, kissing my forehead. "Changing the world one stream at a time."
The next four hours were a blur of preparation. My mom made sandwiches and forced me to consume at least one before she'd let me continue planning. Bill contributed opinions about messaging while Maya and Josh argued about optimal streaming strategy.
My family, apparently, was fully invested in this plan.
I called my other clients, quick emails first, then follow-up calls with the three biggest accounts. The conversations were surprisingly positive. Most were supportive, curious, or at least willing to hear us out. Two were skeptical but agreed to wait and see.
Callie texted throughout, offering advice and encouragement.
Ro mapped out the visual strategy, how we'd frame the shot, who would speak when, how to maintain professional aesthetics while still being authentic.
Lucas practiced his talking points, his natural warmth and sincerity making every word sound genuine.
Dex monitored social media, tracking sentiment, preparing for potential backlash.
And I scripted. Talking points, key messages, responses to likely questions. My brain engaged in full strategic mode, channeling fear into productivity.
By seven PM, we were ready.
The living room was set up like a professional broadcast, good lighting, clean background, with the Christmas tree providing a warm ambiance without being distracting. Ro had three camera angles ready. Dex had the tech setup running smoothly.
Lucas and I sat on the couch, close but not touching yet. Professional but comfortable.
I was wearing a blazer over my sweater, professional Michelle making an appearance. Lucas looked like himself, which was perfect.
"You ready?" Dex asked from his position at the laptop.
I looked at Lucas. He took my hand, lacing our fingers together.
Through the bond, I felt his certainty. His faith in me. His love.
"Ready," I said.
"Going live in three... two... one..."
The familiar rush of viewers flooding in. The chat exploding with speculation and greetings and excitement.
CozyFan22: WHAT'S HAPPENING
HolidayVibes: emergency stream?!?!
StreamSniper: is this about the pack bond speculation???
RegularViewer: we're here for whatever this is
Lucas smiled at the camera, his streaming persona settling over him like a comfortable sweater. But I could feel his nerves through the bond.
"Hey, Cozy Crew. Thanks for joining us on short notice. Michelle and I have something important we want to share with you, and we wanted you to hear it directly from us."
I took a breath, feeling the weight of this moment. This was it. No going back after this.
"Hi, everyone. I'm Michelle, Lucas's manager. Some of you have seen me on stream a few times now." I managed a small smile. "Some of you have been speculating about my relationship with Lucas based on those stream moments."
CozyFan22: OH MY GOD
HolidayVibes: IT'S HAPPENING
StreamSniper: PACK BOND ANNOUNCEMENT
"You're right," I said simply. "Lucas and I, along with his team members Ro and Dex, are a pack. Fated mates. We scent-matched about a week ago, and they came here to Cedar Falls to work through what that means with me."
The chat went absolutely feral.
I kept going, not giving myself time to panic.
"I know this raises legitimate questions about professional ethics.
About boundaries between managers and clients.
About whether I can objectively manage Lucas's career when we're pack-bonded.
" I looked directly at the camera. "Those are fair questions.
Questions I've been asking myself. Questions the industry will definitely ask.
So I want to address them head-on, with complete transparency. "
RegularViewer: this is so professional
CozyFan22: she's literally addressing everything
HolidayVibes: TRANSPARENCY
"First, the timeline matters," I continued.
"I became Lucas's manager almost three months ago.
Before we scent-matched. I've been working with his production team, including Ro, for six months.
The professional relationship existed first. The pack bond came after.
We didn't know we were fated mates when we entered into our professional agreement. "
"Second," Lucas took over, "the pack bond doesn't change the fundamental facts, Michelle is an incredible manager.
She's brilliant at strategy, fierce in negotiations, and completely dedicated to her clients' success.
The pack bond doesn't make her less professional.
If anything, it makes her more motivated to see me succeed, not because of pack, but because that's who she is. "
Through the bond, I felt his sincerity. He meant every word.
"Third," I added, "we're committed to transparency and ethical practices. We're not hiding this relationship. We're acknowledging it openly and establishing clear protocols for handling potential conflicts of interest."
StreamSniper: what kind of protocols?
CozyFan22: yeah tell us
HolidayVibes: this is so thorough
"Good question from chat," I said, allowing myself a small smile.
"Our protocols include, Lucas having the right to seek outside counsel on any major decisions.
I will recuse myself from negotiations where there might be a conflict between pack interests and professional interests.
We're documenting everything to maintain transparency.
And critically, Lucas's career comes first. If this arrangement ever compromises his professional success, we'll reevaluate. "
Lucas squeezed my hand. "Which isn't going to happen, by the way. Michelle is staying as my manager because she's the best. Pack bond or not."
RegularViewer: he's so protective of her
CozyFan22: THEY'RE SO PROFESSIONAL ABOUT THIS
HolidayVibes: other creators should take notes
"I also want to acknowledge," I continued, feeling more confident now, "that we might face backlash for this.
Some people might think we can't maintain objectivity.
Some sponsors might not want to work with us.
Some industry professionals might question our ethics.
" I paused. "That's their right. But we believe that transparency, clear communication, and genuine professionalism can address those concerns. "
Ro stepped into frame, just as we'd planned. This was his moment.
"Hi, I'm Ro, Lucas's producer and part of the pack Michelle just mentioned.
" He looked at the camera with his characteristic intensity.
"I want to add something from my perspective.
I've been Michelle's professional contact for six months.
I've watched her negotiate deals, handle PR crises, manage Lucas's career with complete objectivity.
She's never been anything less than utterly professional. "
He glanced at me. "The pack bond didn't change her competence.
It didn't change her ethics. It didn't change the fact that she's one of the best managers in the industry.
All it did was make official what was already true, she cares deeply about Lucas's success.
And honestly? That's what good management looks like. "
RegularViewer: RO DROPPING TRUTH BOMBS
CozyFan22: the whole pack supporting each other
StreamSniper: this is beautiful actually
HolidayVibes: they really thought this through
"Chat's asking great questions," Dex's voice came from off-camera. He was monitoring the feed, highlighting key comments. "Someone wants to know how your other clients are reacting."
"I notified all my clients before this stream," I said. "Most have been supportive. Some are taking a wait-and-see approach, which is fair. A few are concerned, and we're having ongoing conversations about how to address their concerns while maintaining our professional relationships."
"And if they leave?" Lucas asked, though we'd scripted this question.
"Then they leave. I won't compromise my pack to keep clients.
But I also won't compromise my professional standards because of pack.
Both things can be true. Both things are true.
" I looked at the camera. "I'm committed to being the best manager I can be, for all my clients, pack-bonded or not.
Anyone who works with me deserves nothing less. "
CozyFan22: SHE'S SO GOOD AT HER JOB
RegularViewer: this is the most professional pack announcement I've ever seen
HolidayVibes: literally setting new standards
CalliesCrossed: Omega creator here - went public with my pack 6 months ago. Michelle is doing this PERFECTLY. Transparency wins. So proud of you!
Callie's comment in chat made my eyes burn with tears.
"That's Callie Cross in chat," I said, my voice slightly thick. "She's one of my clients, actually, and she went public with her pack bond earlier this year. Callie, thank you for the support."
CalliesCrossed: You've supported me for years. Now I get to support you! Also, to anyone worried about ethics - Michelle is THE MOST ETHICAL manager I've ever worked with. Pack bond doesn't change that.
CozyFan22: CALLIE CROSS IS HERE
HolidayVibes: omegas supporting each other I'm crying
StreamSniper: this is amazing actually