Page 104

We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes, drinking coffee and processing the reality of what's coming. Tomorrow, Belle will go into heat. We'll help her through it. We'll bond with her properly, permanently. She'll become our omega in every way that matters.

"Are you nervous?" Felix asks suddenly.

"About the bonding? No," I answer honestly. "About being worthy of her? Absolutely."

"Same," Marcus agrees. "I've closed million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat, but the thought of Belle trusting me with her heat makes my hands shake."

"Because it matters more than any business deal ever could," Felix observes.

"Because she matters more than anything ever has," I correct.

"Think she's nervous?" Marcus asks.

"Probably. But not about us. About the intensity of it. About letting herself be that vulnerable."

"Can't blame her for that," Felix says. "Heat cycles are intense under the best circumstances. Her first one with a pack..."

"Will be incredible," Marcus finishes firmly. "Because we're going to make sure of it."

"Speaking of which," I say, "we should probably discuss coordination. Who takes the lead when?"

"I was thinking we let Belle decide that," Marcus suggests. "See who she gravitates toward first, who she needs most in the moment."

"That works. As long as we're all available and ready."

"What about after?" Felix asks. "After the bonding is complete, after the heat ends. How do we handle the adjustment period?"

"Carefully," I say immediately. "Belle's going to need time to process what happened, what it means for her life going forward."

"We all will," Marcus adds. "This changes everything for all of us."

"Good changes," Felix says firmly.

"The best changes," I agree.

We spend another hour discussing details. Practical considerations for heat management. Emotional support strategies. How to make sure Belle feels loved and cherished throughout the entire process.

By the time we're finished, the sun is fully up and I can hear movement upstairs. Belle, probably getting ready for what might be her last normal day before everything changes.

"Are we ready for this?" Marcus asks as we clean up the coffee cups.

"We've been ready for this for three years," Felix points out.

"We've been ready for this our entire lives," I correct. "We just didn't know it until we met Belle."

"Tomorrow," Marcus says with obvious anticipation.

"Tomorrow," Felix agrees.

"Tomorrow," I confirm.

Tomorrow, our pack becomes complete. Tomorrow, Belle becomes ours in every way that matters. Tomorrow, we prove that we're worthy of the trust she's placing in us.

I've never been more ready for anything in my life.

Mission status:Prepared and ready to execute.

Objective:Claim our omega and make her permanently ours.