Page 106 of Holly Jolly Heat
"I wanted to reach out because, honestly, it made me think about my own management needs. You've been great for my brand, Michelle. But watching you last night? The transparency, the ethics, the way you balanced personal and professional? That's exactly the kind of management I want." He leaned forward. "I'd like to expand our contract. More comprehensivemanagement, not just brand deals. Full career strategy. And I'm willing to pay premium rates for it."
"I'd be happy to discuss that," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I wanted to cry with relief. "What kind of timeline are you thinking?"
"Let's get something scheduled for next week. After the holidays. I know you're probably busy with family." He smiled. "And congratulations, by the way. On the pack bond. You all seem very happy together."
"We are. Thank you."
"Looking forward to working more closely with you, Michelle. You're changing the industry. I want to be part of that."
We confirmed a meeting time and signed off, and I immediately sagged against Lucas.
"That was the first of many," Dex said, showing me his phone. "You have six more clients requesting calls. All of them wanting to expand or discuss new projects. Michelle, your honesty last night didn't cost you clients. It attracted them."
"People want to work with someone authentic," Ro added. "Someone who's transparent about potential conflicts and handles them professionally. You proved you're that person."
Through the bond, I felt their pride. Their vindication. Their absolute certainty that we'd made the right choice.
"We did it," I whispered. "We actually did it. Pack and professional. Both. Together."
"We did it," Lucas confirmed, pulling me close. "And we're going to keep doing it. Every day. For the rest of our lives."
"Starting with a mating ceremony in six days," I said, slightly dazed. "Did I really agree to that?"
"You really did," Dex said, smiling. "No backing out now."
"I don't want to back out. I just—" I stopped, looking at them. "I can't believe this is my life. A week ago I was running fromyou. Convinced that pack would destroy everything I'd built. And now?—"
"Now you have both," Ro finished. "Pack and career. Love and success. Everything you deserve, Michelle. Everything you've always deserved but were too scared to reach for."
"I'm still scared," I admitted.
"Good. Stay scared. But do it anyway." Lucas kissed my temple. "That's what brave looks like."
Through the bond, I felt their love. Their support. Their absolute commitment to making this work.
We sat in the nest together, planning our future, and I realized something:
This was what I'd been missing. Not just pack, but the integration. The ability to be fully myself—professional and personal, strong and vulnerable, independent and loved.
I didn't have to choose. I never had to choose.
I could be both.
I was both.
And that was everything.
FOURTEEN
Lucas
New Year's Eve.
Six days since Michelle had changed the industry. Six days of watching her blossom into the confident, integrated person she'd always been capable of being. Six days of planning a ceremony that would make our pack bond permanent.
And approximately six hours until I got to bite my omega and claim her forever.
I was not panicking.
