Page 40 of Stream Heat (Omega Stream #1)

"Yeah," I said, hoping my relief didn't show through the camera. "It taught me a lot about community. About finding people who lift you up, instead of capitalizing on your worst day."

We talked for maybe another half hour, digging into industry stuff, Omega rights, and why honesty matters on camera and off. By the end, I didn't feel empty. I felt lighter.

"Thank you for sharing your story, Kara," Callie said as we wrapped. "This is the kind of honest conversation the space needs."

"Thanks for making it safe to do that," I replied. "And for showing that it's not all about competition between Omegas. Sometimes it's about having each other's backs."

this was amazing

more collabs please

proud of both of you

can't wait to see what you build next kara

After Callie set up the next streamer that was going to share their story and we cut the feed, but she lingered on the call.

"Seriously, how do you feel?" she asked, this time with only me listening.

"Good. Scared of what comes next, but good. I finally said what I needed to say."

She scrolled through the chat replay. "Your people really do support you. Don't underestimate that. Most folks watching? They want you to succeed."

"Yeah. I think I lost track of that, honestly. Got so caught up in the noise, I forgot there are actual humans on the other end."

"Well," she said, "now they're louder than the trolls. That's a win. If you ever need to chat, on cam or off, just reach out."

“Same,” I added with a tired smile.

I sat in my chair after she hung up, just soaking it in. Everything was still a mess. The fallout would last for weeks. People would always be waiting for me to screw up again.

But I'd spoken up for myself, no filter, no propping up of the old version of me. And even if that wasn't enough for the industry, it was enough for me.

There was a knock on the door but they barely waited a heartbeat before opening. Five Alphas filed in, each wearing their own variation of concern, pride, worry, the whole spectrum, painted across their faces. Theo got there first, practically crackling with some jittery, supportive energy.

"That was AMAZING!" He nearly shouted, bouncing on his toes like he was moments away from launching himself across the room. "The chat was losing their minds! In a good way! Mostly. There were a couple trolls but the mods handled it."

Malik came next, his voice the exact opposite, all smooth, steady, and grounding. "Very powerful," he said, nodding once, slow and sure. "Authentic, but not self-pitying. It resonated."

"The metrics were strong," Ash added from the doorway, nose already buried in his tablet. "Viewer retention at ninety-seven percent. That’s basically unheard of for a talking stream with no gameplay." I saw him swipe upward, analyzing, processing.

"Because it was Kara, being real," Jace said, voice so low you’d easily miss it if you weren’t listening for it. "People respond to the truth. Plus she and Callie seem to get along well. It doesn’t seem forced.”

Reid said nothing, just studied me with those razor-sharp eyes of his, like he was seeing straight through to the core of me. He let the rest talk themselves out, then finally asked, "You okay?" Just those two words, nothing more. It cut through everything else.

"I think so." I could still feel my heartbeat echoing from the stream, but it wasn’t anxiety anymore. More like tiredness. Relief. "Tired. But… lighter, I guess."

He nodded, quiet, like he got it without needing any more explanation. The weight I’d been carrying for years, the secrets, the hiding, all of it, I’d finally put it down. Whatever happened next, good or bad, at least I wasn’t suffocating under all that anymore.

My phone started vibrating on the desk, lighting up with so many notifications it looked like it might catch fire.

I caught flashes of other streamers reacting, especially Omegas.

Callie had already posted a highlight clip titled ‘QUEEN SPEAKS HER TRUTH AND I’M SOBBING.

’ Some sponsors who’d dropped me were crawling back, talking about "partnerships that align with your authentic brand" like nothing had ever happened.

But what mattered most, honestly, were the direct messages. Omegas and other kids, telling me that my honesty meant something to them. That seeing me compete while owning my designation showed them they didn’t have to fake it to succeed.

watching you own your designation while still being a badass competitor changed my life

i was considering suppressants for college esports but after your stream i’m talking to my team about designation accommodations instead

thank you for showing us what courage looks like

I didn’t know what to do with any of it. I showed the pack the messages, feeling my throat tighten up more from that than from everything I’d just done live in front of thousands.

"See?" Reid said, voice quieter now, almost gentle. "This is how change happens. One truth at a time."

"I didn’t expect this," I admitted, scrolling further. "I thought there’d be more backlash. Like… a lot more."

"Oh, there’s plenty of that," Theo chimed in, totally undaunted. "But the haters are getting ratio’d into the next universe. The support is drowning them out."

"The Omega streaming community has mobilized," Jace added, now perched on the edge of the desk. "They’re systematically countering every negative comment with data and personal stories about designation discrimination and suppressant abuse."

Malik just checked his phone. "Our lawyers are handling the actual threats. Victoria’s cease and desist arrived an hour ago, but Steve’s already working up a response." Practical, to the point.

I nodded, not really trusting myself to say much more. I’d always thought this moment would ruin me, that letting everyone know my designation, all my choices, all my mistakes, would burn down everything I’d built.

But it didn’t feel like ruin at all. It felt more like a beginning. Something raw and real enough to be worth building on.

"I need a nap," I muttered, shaking my head as the messages just kept coming. "And then food. And maybe destroying some noobs in Apex till I feel normal again."

"On it," said Theo, immediately making for the door. "I’ll order from that Thai place you like."

Ash was right behind him, already prepping his tablet. "I’ll set up the tournament practice lobby for later."

Malik gave me a look, half amusement, half exasperation. "Tea first," he suggested as he handed me the mug he’d been patiently holding. "Something to help your nervous system recover."

I nodded my thanks and took a sip of the warm amber liquid and immediately felt a little better.

Jace didn’t say anything, just started adjusting the lighting in my room, the exact levels he’d worked out would help an Omega, or at least this Omega, recover after a high-stress event.

One by one, they filtered out, doing what needed to be done but also giving me space. All except Reid, who hung back in the doorway.

"Proud of you," he said. Just that. No elaborate speech, no melodrama.

It kind of wrecked me, how much that meant. My voice came out rougher than I liked. "For what? Lying for years before finally telling the truth?"

"For having the courage to be vulnerable," he said, holding my gaze. "For using your platform to help people who have nobody. For trusting us enough to make us part of your story." His eyes didn’t waver, not even a blink. "For being you, Quinn. All of you."

When he was gone, I crawled into my nest and let the familiar scents of all five Alphas settle around me. The pack bonds thrummed, stronger than ever now that everything was on the table. Now that I wasn’t hiding from them, or from myself.

My phone was still going crazy, but I shoved it aside. I’d given them my truth; I didn’t owe anyone my time tonight.

There’d be challenges tomorrow. Backlash, Victoria’s inevitable lawsuits, tournaments trying to find excuses to retroactively disqualify me. The world wasn’t going to change overnight.

But for the first time since my heat had outed me on a livestream, I wasn’t facing it alone or pretending I was someone else. I was going forward as my whole self. Omega designation, sharp tongue, competitive skills, and the pack who refused to let me fall.

Not despite what I was, but because of it. Not weaker for needing others, but stronger because I let them in. I just hoped that didn’t mean they suffered because of it.