Page 98 of Holly Jolly Heat
I marveled at the fact that I was sleeping with my pack somewhere I'd spent eighteen years building walls and even more years maintaining them from a distance.
And now those walls were completely gone, replaced by something infinitely better.
Pack.
Lucas was still asleep, his face pressed into my shoulder, one arm thrown possessively across my waist. Ro was curled at my back, his breathing deep and even. And Dex was awake, of course he was, sitting up against the headboard with his laptop, probably monitoring social media while the rest of us slept.
"Morning," I whispered, not wanting to wake the others.
"Morning. How'd you sleep?"
"Better than I have in years." I shifted carefully, trying not to disturb Lucas. "What's the damage?"
"Depends on your definition of damage." He showed me his screen. "Social media is overwhelmingly positive. The stream clip has 1.3 million views. #PackAndProfessional is trending. You've been mentioned in three industry publications, all positive. Callie's coalition of omega creators is growing. Current count is forty-seven creators publicly supporting your decision."
"Forty-seven?"
"And climbing. You started a movement, Michelle."
“Not just me. I’m just the latest.” I stared at the screen, not quite processing. A movement. I was part of a movement by refusing to hide. And not just a supporting role either, but one of the major players in it now.
"Any negative backlash?"
"Some. Mostly from the usual sources, anti-omega trolls, industry gatekeepers who don't like change, a few competitors trying to stir up controversy." He scrolled. "Matthew Malone'sbeen quiet publicly, but I'm tracking his people. Three accounts tried to seed negative narratives overnight. All failed to gain traction. The positive momentum is too strong."
Relief flooded through me. "The ethics committee?"
"Officially closed the inquiry. No further action needed. They sent a follow-up email this morning thanking you for setting a positive example." He smiled slightly. "You're officially a model of professional ethics, Michelle. How's that feel?"
"Surreal. Yesterday, I was convinced my career was over. Today, I'm a model of professional ethics?"
"Today you're exactly what you've always been, brilliant at your job. The industry just finally recognized it officially." He closed his laptop. "You have three clients requesting calls this morning. Two are congratulatory. One is Jensen Martinez wanting to discuss expanding his contract."
Jensen Martinez. My second-biggest client after Lucas. If he was talking about expansion instead of termination, that was a very good sign.
"What time?"
"He suggested ten AM. I already confirmed you'd call." Dex met my eyes. "Michelle, your clients aren't leaving. They're investing more. You proved that pack bonds make you better at your job, not worse. They see that now."
Through the bond, I felt his certainty. His pride. His absolute faith in me.
"Thank you," I whispered. "For believing in me when I didn't believe in myself."
"Always."
Lucas stirred against my shoulder, making a sleepy noise. "Are you working already?"
"Dex gave me the overnight update."
"And?"
"And apparently I’m part of a movement."
"Of course you are. You're Michelle Rodriguez. You don't do anything small." He burrowed closer, not quite ready to wake up. "What time is it?"
"Almost eight," Dex reported. "You have thirty minutes before Janet forces you all downstairs for breakfast."
"Thirty minutes of peace," Lucas mumbled. "Taking it."
