Page 64 of Stream Heat (Omega Stream #1)

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Kara

The number in the top of my screen was climbing like it had a grudge.

Twenty thousand, thirty, then fifty before I’d even adjusted to the presence of so many eyes.

More people than I’d ever had on a solo stream before.

Not just my regulars, not just the die-hards.

Everyone wanted to see what came next. All waiting for us, for me, for the story that had been circling the platform for months.

I cleared my throat. “Welcome, everyone,” I said, and even to my own ears, my voice sounded steady. A miracle, considering I was barely holding my shit together. “If you’re just joining, this is a special stream, not just from me, but from all of Pack Wrecked. We’ve got some things to talk about.”

Reid was on my right, his presence solid and grounding.

On my left, Theo, vibrating like he might shoot straight out of his chair.

Jace, Ash, and Malik rounded out the rest, each in their spot around the custom streaming table that Ash had built for us.

Pack Wrecked, in the flesh. Six of us. Five claiming marks. No more hiding.

“First thing,” I went on, because I had to keep talking or I’d freeze, “thanks to everyone who’s supported me, and us, in the last few months. All the messages, the stories, the solidarity. It’s meant more than I’ll ever be able to say.”

Reid leaned in, not even waiting for a cue. “We’ve seen the questions flooding in, especially since the claiming incident. Today’s about answering them head-on. No bullshit, no PR. Just us talking about what it’s really like to be a pack in this industry.”

“And what it means to be an Omega in competitive gaming,” I added, my hand drifting automatically to the claiming mark on my shoulder. There it was. Out in the open. “But let’s be clear about what this stream is, and what it isn’t.”

Theo bounced, probably cracking the base of his chair but not giving a shit. “It’s not designation porn, you thirsty degenerates.”

“Theo,” Malik sighed, but there was a smile on his face; he never could keep a straight face around Theo’s antics.

“What? You know half the chat’s here hoping for heat content or knot talk.” Theo grinned, wonder in his eyes like he couldn’t believe we were finally doing this.

I rolled my eyes, and I didn’t hate it. “The point,” I said, “is that while we’re being open about pack dynamics, we’re not here to play into designation fetishization. Representation, not exploitation.”

“Boundaries are important,” Jace put in, quiet but powerful. You could almost feel the shift in chat, the sudden hush when someone who rarely spoke had something to say. “Both personal and professional.”

Ash nodded. “Which is why we’ve set clear rules. Some things we’ll share. Other things about our pack life will stay private.”

The chat scrolled by so damn fast I could barely make sense of it.

Some people were obviously pissed, hoping for something sluttier.

But a lot of people, even more than I expected, were there for actual answers.

Real talk, not just the usual thirst. The claiming incident had started something, and apparently, people weren’t letting it go.

“Let’s hit the basics,” I said, taking a huge breath while pretending I wasn’t about to pass out.

“Yes, these are claiming marks.” I made a show of pointing at each bite.

“We’re a real pack. Not just a ‘collective’ for content.

And yes, it happened after what was supposed to be a purely business move-in. ”

“Plot twist,” Theo stage-whispered, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

Reid chimed in, steady as granite. “The business stuff is still real. We stream together, compete together, share resources. But the bonds? They weren’t a marketing strategy. They just happened.”

I nodded, feeling the weirdest swell of gratitude for his plainspoken style.

“You probably know the headlines, the heat crash that forced me to come out as Omega, the illegal suppressants I’d been using, all the health fallout.

What you might not know is how pack bonds have been part of my recovery. ”

Malik leaned in. He was always the academic. “Pack bonds create actual biochemical pathways that stabilize designation health issues. For someone recovering from suppressants, that can be crucial.”

“In human language,” Theo said, “being in a pack helps Quinn’s body heal from all the chemical warfare she put it through.”

Malik smiled. “Correct. Though I’d have phrased it differently.”

The questions in chat were coming so fast I could barely keep up. Did you plan the pack from the start? Which Alpha claimed first? Is pack bonding why Quinn’s withdrawal symptoms improved so fast? Can five Alphas even claim one Omega? How does that work, biologically?

Reid pointed at the chat, almost bemused. “Let’s just take these in order. No, we didn’t plan any of this. At first, it was a content partnership to help Quinn rebuild her channel after the heat crash.”

“I went out of my way to fight off the bonds, honestly,” I said, grimacing because it was true and also embarrassing as hell. “Ask them, I was the world’s most stubborn Omega. Stole their hoodies for my nest, then claimed I didn’t need anyone.”

“The hoodie thief strikes again,” Theo intoned, eyes wide with fake horror.

I elbowed him gently. “For the claiming order, that’s… kind of personal. But the point is, the bonds formed over time. Not overnight.”

Jace, quietly said, “Each bond is different. They’re all unique. Different needs, different strengths.”

“Which brings us to something I wish more people understood,” I said, my voice settling into a steadier rhythm. “Poly pack dynamics barely exist in mainstream media. Most designation stories focus on one Alpha, one Omega. But that’s not the only way bonds work.”

Malik took over. “Traditional packs always included multiple designations. Singleton bonds are mostly a modern social construct, not a biological imperative.”

I watched the chat, waiting for the backlash. Instead, there was actual curiosity. Questions. People wanting to understand, not just stare at my bite marks. Maybe we were making a dent.

“The biggest misconception,” Reid said, “is that multiple bonds dilute each one. But they don’t. Each bond is whole, distinct, and still contributes to the pack.”

“Like instruments in an orchestra,” Jace said, so soft I almost missed it. “Different sounds, same song.”

I blinked, surprised at how much it fit. “Exactly. That’s why we wanted to do this live. There just isn’t enough honest representation of pack life, especially from Omegas.”

Ash, blunt as a sledgehammer, jumped in. “The suppressant problem goes beyond Quinn. Young creators are still pressured to hide their designations, even risk their health with illegal drugs, just to keep up a ‘marketable’ image. It’s got to stop.”

And suddenly the chat blew up. It was a wall of stories.

my manager tried to make me start suppressants

been hiding im omega for 3 yrs bc ppl say fps wont be taken seriously otherwise

quinn made me throw away my suppressants and just try being me

It hit hard. I tried to swallow the lump, but fuck it, I let myself feel it. “This is why we’re having this talk. No one should have to poison themselves just to be taken seriously.”

“In any field,” Malik added and I nodded my agreement.

“And that leads to the next thing,” Reid said, always picking up the slack when my voice turned raw.

“Industry reform. Quinn’s been asked to join the Designation Diversity Advisory Board for the platform, and we’re working with legal to build cases against agencies that pressure creators to use suppressants. ”

“Victoria Smith and Nexus Management?” I said, and if there was venom in my voice, well, so be it. “They’re just the start. The entire industry needs cleaning up. They target young Omegas, non-trad Alphas, anyone who doesn’t fit their picture of ‘marketable.’”

Theo, never one to miss an opening, cut in, “Meanwhile, Quinn’s numbers as a fully claimed Omega are blowing up. Make it make sense.”

“It’s never made sense,” I shot back. “Management companies always claimed designation expression was bad for business. But it’s outdated. Audiences connect to authenticity, not fakes.”

Ash had enough stats to keep an accountant happy for years. “Since Quinn started streaming as a claimed Omega, engagement is up 347 percent. Retention’s up 89 percent. Subs nearly doubled.”

“In human words,” I summarized, grinning because for once the numbers were on my side, “being open is actually good for business. The exact opposite of what Nexus and their friends have been pushing on young Omegas for years.”

After that, the conversation just found its rhythm.

We discussed tournaments and whether or not I was still competing, thanks to Ash’s adaptive gear for my sensory stuff I could say I was, then we talked content plans which was going to be a mix of solo and full-pack stuff, and finally the legal case against Victoria now with multiple creators adding their voices.

It all went smoother than I’d thought possible. Reid gave structure. Theo brought energy. Jace dropped wisdom like bombs, quiet but thunderous. Ash had the receipts and the plans. Malik made even the hard parts feel less sharp, more bearable. We were, I had to admit, a real pack, in every sense.

As we hit the two-hour mark, I glanced at the clock, and realized something had shifted.

“Before we wrap,” I said, “I need to set one thing straight. Being pack hasn’t erased me or made me weaker.

If anything, these bonds made me stronger.

For the first time, I feel like the person I’m supposed to be. ”

“Pack doesn’t erase individuality,” Malik said. “It’s fertilizer for it.” He smiled. “If I can use your garden metaphor, Theo.”

“Say what you want, Quinn still wipes the floor with me in one-v-ones,” Theo chirped. “Heartless.”

I smirked. “No mercy.”

Reid leaned in, voice like gravel but gentle. “The marks aren’t about possession or control. They’re about connection. Support. Chosen family. Every mark is a real relationship, unique in the larger dynamic.”

“And each one was my choice,” I said, staring down the lens like it was the only thing between me and the world. “Not because of designation, or heat, or biological imperative. Because I wanted these people. These bonds.”

The chat went nuclear.

THIS, this is rep we needed

quinn being omega and a literal pro is so badass

love how they all support each other, no stereotypes, just real

never seen poly pack explained this way before

I felt lighter. Like dropping a weight I didn’t know I was carrying.

“We’ll be addressing some of the more technical questions in future content,” Reid wrapped, already moving on to planning the next step. “We’re working on a series for designation health, recovery, and industry reform.”

“But for now,” I said, “we wanted to open the door. Yeah, we’re pack. Yeah, the bonds are real. No, this doesn’t mean our content’s turning into designation porn.”

“Though you should see the offers,” Theo snorted. “You wouldn’t believe what companies want to pay for exclusive heat content. There are entire attachment catalogs.”

“We’ve turned them down, for clarity,” Malik jumped in, dry as dust.

“Obviously, but the thirst is real,” Theo agreed, grinning at my expression.

I couldn’t not laugh. “Point is, we’re figuring it out as we go. We’re not selling out our privacy just for metrics.”

Jace’s voice was almost a whisper when he spoke, “It’s a balance. Authenticity, but not exploitation. Representation, not voyeurism.”

“Exactly.” I nodded. “And we’re figuring it out together. Stream by stream, one day at a time.”

The last announcements were a blur, honestly, I think Reid mentioned content schedules and maybe a tournament, Ash dropped some final numbers, and then the cameras went dark. I let myself slump in the chair, chest heaving with a kind of relief I hadn’t felt in years.

“That went well,” Malik said, always the first to collect himself.

“Better than well,” Ash replied, already glued to the analytics. “Engagement is off the charts. Execs will probably have a meltdown and a champagne toast at the same time.”

Reid squeezed my hand under the table, “How are you?”

I thought about it. Really thought. “Lighter,” I said, and it was true. “Like I finally stopped hiding.”

“Freedom looks good on you,” Theo crowed, stretching so hard I could practically hear his spine crack. “Now, who’s hungry? Representing so authentically works up an appetite.”

I rolled my eyes, but it felt different now.

Easier. As we left the streaming room, Theo charged ahead, already talking menus, Jace walked beside me in silence, Ash and Malik trailing, and Reid’s fingers hooked through mine.

The moment didn’t need words. I could feel it.

The pack bonds were humming, almost giddy with relief.

My phone was blowing up with notifications, but for once, I ignored them. Let the world have its opinions. The only thing that mattered right now was the five people beside me.

“You know how nuts it’s going to get now,” Theo called from the kitchen. “Sponsorships, collabs, DM’s full of wild shit. Someone’s going to try to sell us heat-friendly game chairs, I guarantee it.”

“Theo,” Malik said, but he couldn’t hide the smile.

“What? It’s a thing. First openly claimed Omega in gaming? People are going to lose their minds.”

“He’s right,” Ash interjected. “We’re positioned to define the market for designation-adaptive tech. It’s a business opportunity.”

Reid, ever the leader, simply said, “We’ll evaluate everything. But our image, our message, stays ours. No exploitation.”

“Exactly,” I agreed. “I want to use this for actual change. Policies, protections, real consequences for abusers pushing suppressants.”

Jace nodded. “Three more streamers called the legal team today. Victoria’s losing her grip.”

“Good,” I said, letting the satisfaction roll through me. “The bigger the case, the better.”

Theo whipped up food with zero finesse but twice the enthusiasm. We gathered around the table, everyone else in their favorite spots, and it was good. It was right.

Five bonds hummed through my skin, all different. All irreplaceable.

“To Kara,” Reid said, raising a glass. “For finding her voice. For showing more courage than most of us could in a lifetime.”

“And to the pack,” I said, raising mine in return. “For seeing me even when I couldn’t see myself.”

Glasses clinked. Laughter echoed. I breathed in, held it, let it out. For the first time in forever, it felt easy.

Three months ago I’d have rather died than admit I was an Omega to fifty thousand strangers. Now here I was, claiming marks in full view, talking pack dynamics. Stronger, not weaker.

The journey had been rough, ugly, sometimes terrifying, but looking at these five faces, I knew I wouldn’t change a thing.