Page 13 of Holly Jolly Heat
"They're coming tomorrow," I said quietly. "The pack. They're staying here."
Sasha's face lit up. "Good. That's good. Let them in, Michelle. Let them prove they're worth the risk."
"And if they're not?"
"Then you'll handle it. But what if they are?"
After we hung up, I sat with that question.
What if they were worth the risk?
What if Lucas's sunshine warmth and Ro's quiet understanding and Dex's steady protection were exactly what I'd been missing?
What if pack didn't mean losing myself, but finding the pieces I'd been denying existed?
What if I was wrong about everything?
My phone buzzed one more time. Lucas.
Lucas:We're packing up. Leaving first thing in the morning. I know you said we need to talk and set boundaries and figure out the professional stuff. And we will. But Michelle? I just want you to know, however this works out, I'm glad I met you. Even if it's complicated.
I stared at that message for a long time.
Then I typed back:I'm glad I met you too. Even though I ran away.
Lucas:You came back. That's what matters.
I set my phone down and looked around my childhood bedroom, at the band posters and old books and the desk where I'd planned my entire business. This room had always been my safe place. My retreat from the world.
But maybe it was time to stop retreating.
Maybe it was time to see what happened when I stood my ground and let people in.
Tomorrow, three alphas would arrive at my family home.
Tomorrow, I'd have to face the fact that my carefully ordered world was never going to be the same.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
I just hoped I was ready for it.
Spoiler alert: I wasn't ready for it.
At seven AM, I woke up to the sound of aggressive breakfast preparation happening downstairs. Bill was apparently making his entire repertoire, I could smell bacon, pancakes, fresh bread, and what might have been his famous breakfast enchiladas.
"Mom!" I called down the stairs. "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast!" came the cheerful response.
"They're not coming until later!"
"I want to be prepared!"
I gave up and took a shower, then spent twenty minutes trying to decide what to wear. Professional? Casual? Somethingthat said "I'm a competent business owner but also potentially your omega?"
I settled on jeans and a soft sweater, casual but put-together. Then I changed into slacks and a blouse. Then back to jeans. Then I caught sight of myself in the mirror, having a complete breakdown over clothing choices, and forced myself to stop.
I gave my reflection a glare before firmly telling it, "You've negotiated six-figure deals. You've handled PR crises. You've built a successful business from nothing. You can handle three alphas coming to visit."
