Page 104 of Holly Jolly Heat
Could I manage Lucas's career while loving him? Could I maintain professional standards while acknowledging pack bonds? Could I be both a brilliant manager and a devoted omega?
Yesterday I would have said no. That the risk was too high, the bias too strong, the chance of failure too great.
But today, after last night, after seeing the industry response, after feeling my pack's support?—
"Yes," I said. "Yes, I can live with that. Because you're right. I can be both. I am both. And trying to choose between them would make me less, not more."
"That's our omega," Lucas said, pulling me close. "Brilliant and brave and finally believing in herself."
Through the bond, I felt their pride. Their joy. Their absolute certainty that we could make this work.
"Heat cycles," Dex said suddenly. "We should discuss heat cycles."
I felt my face heat. "Do we have to?"
"Yes," all three of them said.
"Your suppressants are failing," Ro observed. "We've all noticed. Your scent's been getting stronger. The nest-building instinct. The increased need for physical contact. Your heat's coming, Michelle. Probably within the next few weeks."
"I know," I admitted. "I've been ignoring it."
"Can't ignore biology," Dex said. "We need to prepare. Make sure you have what you need. Make sure we're ready to support you."
"I don't know what I need. I've been on suppressants for a long time now. I've never actually had a heat with pack."
"Then we learn together," Lucas said. "We prepare the nest, stock the bedroom, clear our schedules. We take care of you. That's what pack does."
"But my work?—"
"Can wait," Ro interrupted firmly. "Michelle, heat is non-negotiable. You'll need us. We'll need you. Everything else pauses for that. You know that."
I did. I’d seen it happen with Callie after all. There was no way to work through a heat, especially once you had a pack and all your omega wanted was her alphas. I couldn’t help but protest though, "I have clients who depend on me?—"
"Who will understand that you need a week for personal time," Dex said. "You're allowed to take breaks, Michelle. You're allowed to have needs."
Through the bond, I felt their protectiveness. Their determination to care for me even when I struggled to care for myself.
"Okay," I said quietly. "We'll plan for heat. Clear the calendar. Prepare the nest. Let my clients know I'll be unavailable for a week."
"Good girl," Dex said, and the praise made my omega purr.
"Mating ceremony," Lucas said next. "Do we want one?"
I looked at him. "Do you?"
"I want whatever makes you comfortable. If you want a ceremony, we'll have a ceremony. If you want to keep it private, we keep it private. But Michelle? Eventually we're going to want to make this permanent. Make you officially, irreversibly ours."
My heart clenched. "Mating bites."
"Mating bites," he confirmed. "But only when you're ready. No rush. No pressure."
"My mom's already planning a New Year's ceremony," I admitted. "She asked me this morning while you were in the shower. I told her I'd think about it."
"New Year's Eve," Ro said thoughtfully. "That's less than a week away."
"Way too fast," I said automatically.
"Is it?" Lucas challenged. "Michelle, we're already emotionally bonded. We're already living as a pack to an extent. A ceremony is just making it official. Making it public. Celebrating with family."
