Chapter 13 #3
"Especially because it's fast. Because if I give myself time to overthink, I'll talk myself out of it. And I don't want to talk myself out of this. I want this. I want you. I want us."
Lucas kissed me then, and it was deep and claiming and full of promise. When we broke apart, I was breathless and my omega was purring. The idea of my heat coming in a few weeks suddenly seemed optimistic.
"New Year's Eve," he said. "We'll make you ours."
"Ceremony details," Ro said, ever practical. "What do you want? Traditional? Modern? Intimate? Public?"
"Small," I said immediately. "Family, close friends. Maybe stream it for Lucas's community since they've been part of this journey. But intimate. Personal. About us, not about the industry."
"We can do that," Dex agreed. "Janet will handle logistics. We'll handle making sure you're comfortable every step of the way."
Through the bond, I felt their love. Their commitment. Their absolute certainty that this was right.
We spent the next twenty minutes discussing details, ceremony structure, vows, who to invite, how to handle streaming it. By the time my phone alarm went off for the client call, we had a plan.
A real plan. For our future. Together.
"I have to take this call," I said reluctantly. "Jensen Martinez wants to discuss expanding his contract."
"We'll give you privacy," Lucas said, starting to move.
"No." I caught his hand. "Stay. All of you. You're part of this now. Part of my work life, not separate from it. If we're really doing this? Being pack and professional? Then you can be here. If Jensen needs to discuss anything private, then I’ll move."
Through the bond, I felt their surprise and pleasure.
"You sure?" Ro asked.
"I'm sure. You're my pack. I'm not hiding you anymore."
So they stayed, Lucas beside me on the nest though off camera, Ro and Dex nearby, while I took the video call with Jensen Martinez.
"Michelle! Good morning," Jensen greeted, his face filling my laptop screen. "Hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"Not at all. Thanks for reaching out." I kept my voice professional, but I was aware of my pack around me, their presence grounding.
"I watched your stream last night. Very impressive. Handled a difficult situation with real professionalism."
"Thank you. I appreciate that."
"I wanted to reach out because, honestly, it made me think about my own management needs.
You've been great for my brand, Michelle.
But watching you last night? The transparency, the ethics, the way you balanced personal and professional?
That's exactly the kind of management I want.
" He leaned forward. "I'd like to expand our contract.
More comprehensive management, not just brand deals.
Full career strategy. And I'm willing to pay premium rates for it. "
"I'd be happy to discuss that," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I wanted to cry with relief. "What kind of timeline are you thinking?"
"Let's get something scheduled for next week. After the holidays. I know you're probably busy with family." He smiled. "And congratulations, by the way. On the pack bond. You all seem very happy together."
"We are. Thank you."
"Looking forward to working more closely with you, Michelle. You're changing the industry. I want to be part of that."
We confirmed a meeting time and signed off, and I immediately sagged against Lucas.
"That was the first of many," Dex said, showing me his phone. "You have six more clients requesting calls. All of them wanting to expand or discuss new projects. Michelle, your honesty last night didn't cost you clients. It attracted them."
"People want to work with someone authentic," Ro added. "Someone who's transparent about potential conflicts and handles them professionally. You proved you're that person."
Through the bond, I felt their pride. Their vindication. Their absolute certainty that we'd made the right choice.
"We did it," I whispered. "We actually did it. Pack and professional. Both. Together."
"We did it," Lucas confirmed, pulling me close. "And we're going to keep doing it. Every day. For the rest of our lives."
"Starting with a mating ceremony in six days," I said, slightly dazed. "Did I really agree to that?"
"You really did," Dex said, smiling. "No backing out now."
"I don't want to back out. I just—" I stopped, looking at them. "I can't believe this is my life. A week ago I was running from you. Convinced that pack would destroy everything I'd built. And now—"
"Now you have both," Ro finished. "Pack and career. Love and success. Everything you deserve, Michelle. Everything you've always deserved but were too scared to reach for."
"I'm still scared," I admitted.
"Good. Stay scared. But do it anyway." Lucas kissed my temple. "That's what brave looks like."
Through the bond, I felt their love. Their support. Their absolute commitment to making this work.
We sat in the nest together, planning our future, and I realized something:
This was what I'd been missing. Not just pack, but the integration. The ability to be fully myself—professional and personal, strong and vulnerable, independent and loved.
I didn't have to choose. I never had to choose.
I could be both.
I was both.
And that was everything.