31. Marcus #2
"In my professional opinion," Belle says, hopping down from the counter, "that wasn't boxing. That was interpretive dance with safety equipment."
"Harsh but accurate," Felix agrees, settling back into his usual spot on the sectional.
I reclaim my corner, and Belle curls up in the middle again, immediately reaching for the popcorn. For a moment, we all sit in comfortable silence, the terrible fight forgotten in favor of good snacks and better company.
"So," Theo says eventually, "what's next? Another fight, or do we admit defeat and find something actually entertaining? Or do we go back to reviewing those media interview schedules Belle organized?"
"Actually," Belle says, setting down the popcorn bowl, "before we decide on entertainment or more campaign work, I have something to tell you. Something personal."
The shift in her tone makes all three of us focus on her immediately. Belle straightens up slightly, tucking her legs under her, and I can smell the change in her scent—not distress, but nervous anticipation.
"Okay," I say carefully. "What's going on?"
Belle takes a deep breath, and when she speaks, her voice is steady but carrying an undercurrent of something that makes my alpha instincts prick with attention.
"Tomorrow is going to be different," she says simply.
"Different how?" Felix asks, leaning forward slightly.
"It's my heat cycle," Belle says, and the words hang in the air for a moment before their full meaning hits. "My first natural heat since we bonded. And I want to share it with you. All of you."
The silence that follows is deafening. I can hear my own heartbeat, can smell the way our combined scents shift toward something more intense and focused.
"Belle," Theo says carefully, "are you sure? Heat cycles are intense, especially the first one after bonding. If you're not ready..."
"I'm sure," Belle interrupts, her voice gaining confidence. "I've been thinking about it for days, even while we've been focused on the campaign. I want to experience this properly, with my pack. I want to understand what it's like to go through heat when I'm not afraid, when I'm not alone."
"When does it start?" I ask, my voice rougher than I intended.
"Tomorrow evening, probably around dinner time," Belle says. "I can already feel the early signs building."
Felix runs a hand through his hair, and I can see him processing the implications. "Do you want to stay here, or would you be more comfortable in your apartment?"
"Here," Belle says immediately. "In our home. I want to nest here, be claimed here, bond with you here where we're all most comfortable. Where we've been building something together."
The casual mention of being claimed makes something primitive and possessive unfurl in my chest. "Belle, you know what that means, right? What you're asking for?"
"I know exactly what I'm asking for," she says firmly. "I want to be claimed by my pack. I want to form permanent bonds with all three of you. I want to make this official in every way that matters."
"Holy shit," Felix breathes, and for once, his usual eloquence has completely abandoned him.
"Eloquent as always," Theo says dryly, but I can see the satisfaction and anticipation in his expression.
"Sorry," Felix says, shaking his head. "It's just... Belle, are you sure you're ready for that? Permanent pack bonds aren't something you can undo."
"Why would I want to undo them?" Belle asks, genuine confusion in her voice.
"You three are the best thing that's ever happened to me.
I love you, I trust you completely, and I want to spend the rest of my life proving that every single day.
Win or lose with the courthouse campaign, this is where I belong. "
The simple honesty of it hits me harder than any business deal I've ever closed. "Belle..."
"Besides," she continues with a grin that's pure mischief, "someone needs to keep you three in line. Might as well make it official."
"Keep us in line?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"Marcus, you've reorganized the campaign filing system three times this week," Belle points out.
"Felix has color-coded all the historical documents by architectural periods, which isn't even necessary for our purposes.
And Theo installed a security system on the campaign laptop that requires three different passwords just to check email. "
"Those are all helpful improvements," Theo protests.
"They're all classic alpha behavior," Belle corrects with amusement. "You're all trying to take care of me and the campaign in increasingly elaborate ways. Imagine what you'll be like when you can actually claim me properly."
"Insufferable," Felix admits with a grin. "We'll be absolutely insufferable."
"Good thing I like insufferable alphas," Belle says, reaching for more popcorn.
"Speaking of taking care of you," I say, an idea forming, "how are you handling the transition? From having Adam as your constant companion to living here with us while running this campaign?"
Belle's expression grows more thoughtful. "It's been an adjustment," she admits. "Adam and I had routines, you know? Little traditions that made the day feel structured."
"Like what?" Theo asks gently.
"Well, we always had chocolate together at two in the afternoon," Belle says, a note of wistfulness creeping into her voice.
"It sounds silly, but it was this five-minute break where we'd sit in the staff room and share whatever chocolate one of us had brought, and just talk about everything except work. "
"That doesn't sound silly," Felix says immediately. "That sounds like exactly the kind of ritual that makes a long day manageable."
"I miss it," Belle confesses. "I mean, I don't miss the drama and uncertainty of whether Adam was going to disappear on me again.
But I miss having that little moment of sweetness in the middle of the day.
Especially during intense campaign days when we're dealing with city council politics and media interviews. "
I exchange glances with Felix and Theo, and I can see the same thought occurring to all of us.
"What if," I say slowly, "you didn't have to miss it?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, what if you still had your two o'clock chocolate break?" I continue, the plan taking shape as I speak. "Just with different people."
Belle tilts her head. "You want to have chocolate breaks with me?"
"Hell yes, I want to have chocolate breaks with you," I say immediately. "Belle, do you know how many terrible budget meetings I sit through where I'm thinking about whether you remembered to eat lunch between campaign calls? Having an excuse to check in with you every day sounds perfect."
"I could do Thursdays," Theo offers. "My schedule's always lighter on Thursdays, and the construction sites are usually running smoothly by then."
"I could do Mondays and Wednesdays," I add. "Give me something to look forward to in the middle of those city council prep meetings that never seem to end."
"And I'll take Tuesdays and Fridays," Felix says with obvious enthusiasm. "Plus any day when these two are stuck in meetings or dealing with campaign crises."
"You want to reorganize my entire work week around chocolate?" Belle asks, and there's something wondering in her voice.
"We want to make sure you have something sweet to look forward to every day," I correct. "Whether that's chocolate or just time with people who think you're incredible and want to make sure you're eating properly during campaign season."
"Besides," Theo adds with a grin, "we've all seen your chocolate philosophy in action during these strategy sessions. This is basically educational for us."
Belle stares at us for a long moment, and I can smell the way her scent shifts toward something warm and emotional. "You would really do that? Just show up wherever I am every day at two o'clock with chocolate?"
"Belle," Felix says gently, "we'd show up wherever you are every day at two o'clock with a full chocolate fountain if it would make you smile."
"That might be excessive," Belle says, but she's laughing now. "The library has very strict policies about food and beverage in the reading areas."
"Then we'll eat chocolate in the parking lot," I say firmly. "Or in the campaign office we set up in the conference room. Or wherever you want to have your two o'clock ritual."
"You're serious," Belle says, and it's not quite a question.
"Dead serious," Theo confirms. "Belle, you've spent the past two weeks taking care of everyone else's needs, organizing this entire campaign, making sure we all stay focused and fed and sane. Let us take care of yours for a change."
"Starting with chocolate breaks and ending with whatever you need during your heat tomorrow," I add, because I need her to understand that this isn't just about small gestures.
"We're not going anywhere, Belle. Not for chocolate breaks, not for heat cycles, not for anything.
Campaign or no campaign, win or lose, this is permanent. "
Belle is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks, her voice is thick with emotion. "I love you," she says simply. "All of you. More than I ever thought possible."
"We love you too," Felix says immediately. "More than we ever thought we were capable of loving anyone."
"Good," Belle says, settling back into the couch with obvious satisfaction. "Because you're stuck with me now. Permanently."
"Best news I've heard all week," I tell her honestly.
"Even better than getting that Channel 7 interview for Monday?" she asks with a grin.
"Belle, claiming you is better than winning every media interview and city council vote combined," I say, and the simple truth of it surprises me with its intensity.
"Smooth talker," she says, but I can smell her pleased satisfaction.
"Just honest," I correct. "Though speaking of the campaign, how do you feel about being the town's most talked-about omega?"