Page 105 of Holly Jolly Heat
"And permanently marking you as ours," Dex added. "So that everyone knows you're claimed. Protected. Pack."
The possessiveness in his voice made my omega sing.
"You want to bite me on New Year's Eve," I said.
"We want to bite you whenever you're ready," Ro corrected. "If that's New Year's Eve, great. If it's six months from now, that's fine too. But Michelle? We're going to mark you eventually. Make you permanently ours. That's not a question. It's a certainty."
Through the bond, I felt their determination. Their patience. Their absolute commitment.
They weren't asking if I wanted to be mated. They were asking when.
"New Year's Eve," I heard myself say. "Let's do it on New Year's Eve. Let my mom plan her ceremony. Invite family and close friends. Make it official."
"You're sure?" Lucas asked, his eyes searching mine.
"I'm terrified," I admitted. "But I'm also sure. I don't want to wait. I don't want to keep questioning whether this is real. I want to be yours. Officially, permanently, irreversibly. I want mating bites and ceremony and everything."
"Even though it's fast?"
"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."
