Loz isn't saying anything, but her mouth has developed the little twist it gets when she's thinking through something and doesn't want people to realise.
A little smile twitches across my mouth. "We don'tneedto change the narrative, Loz. Pack Zed have done it already. We just gotta help make it more consistent. And—look, it doesn't have to be me, right? I'll level with you—I don't have a friggingcluehow to do it. But… I don't think anybodydoes. Not in terms of the big picture. But what Idoknow how to do is ask the silly questions, find the people who know what theyaredoing, and get them on the same page—and get 'em moving."
Allen clears his throat. "And at noticing details that matter that other people don't."
Loz raises an eyebrow and folds her arms. "Youarea fucking effective cat herder, Dels. No question. But… d'you really think this is the direction we should go?"
"Loz, nobody supports the supporters.Nobody." I pause for a moment, then frown. "Actually, I should say," I add, looking around at Pack Zed, "not until you did."
She snorts. "I didn't do shit. That was all your boys."
I raise an eyebrow. "Bullshit, Loz. Calling you on that. When one of your heat supporters was hurt, you very subtly made sure a physio knew about Nate's back. You opened your home to my pack while you were nesting so Pack Zed could get support and care, even though my pack's scent kinda puts your omega off. You frigging negotiated an appearance fee for my pack! Don't give me any of that. That's allyou."
She's trying to hide a smile.
I glance at Pack Zed. "How different was it? Having support."
Zander, their Pack Alpha, smiles, his teeth gleaming white against his obsidian skin. "Honestly, we're going to put having supporters around in our contracts from here on out. Not that you aren't amazing, Lauren—"
She sniffs. "'Course I am."
Zander clears his throat. "It makes a big difference. No matter how amazing an omega is—heats are alot.But this time, I could… decompress a bit without feeling like I was burdening my packmates—who were exhausted too. Having support lets us focus on the omega. Make sure she—"
Leo clears his throat, "or he," he adds.
"Right. Or he—is getting what they need. And Pack Xerxes—well, they know better than most what it takes to get through a heat. Uh, for the record, we'redefinitelygonna wantyou guys to come back every season, by the way. Same rates as Loz negotiated for you. So long as you're cool with it, Dellie, of course."
"Even just having someone else doing the laundry made a huge difference," Nate adds. I hear Zeke scoff behind me, but I feel pride in the bond.
I smile. "Loz, this could be the start of something big. And—'specially after the crap you've been through—if it'syourcharity—"
Zander clears his throat. "We really want to help with this as well. If you're okay with it, we'd make the theme of your season 'Support Supporters.' Show how you did it and made it work, and how the most glamorous omega on the planet supportedhersupporters."
She glares at them. "I assume that would include a donation of at least four point two five percent of the net profit?"
Zander laughs. "We were going to do five percent net. For this seasonandall future seasons. And include the logo in the credits, along with a donation hotline and website."
I smile. Zander winks at me.
Nerves twang in my chest. I don't want to say the part that scares me the most, but I know I have to. "Uh. I know it doesn't have to be me who does this. And I know I said before I didn't want to take the job, 'cuz I was worried about a new PA screwing you over—but we have to be in New York next week for the Second Designation Project anyway, and all the big designation-focused charities have a base there, so it makes sense to base it out of there, and—and Trix got fed up with her boss and quit her job again a couple of weeks ago, and said she could help you out until we find the perfect replacement for me, and if we're all in New York I can give her a proper handover, and as annoying as she is, youknowshe only wants to do right by you—um, if you still want me to take this on, that is—"
"Babes, I say this with love, but you need to shut the fuck up now." Loz sighs and leans forward, shaking her head, her lips twitching. "Well,shit. There go my lovely low-income heat hotels.Andmy PA. Dammit." She huffs out an exasperated sigh and stands, then bursts out into a giant grin and wraps me in an enormous hug.
"Can't believe Ifinallygot you to swear. Trix owes me a pineapple." She pulls away from me and grabs my shoulders, staring into my eyes. "You gotta be the one who runs with this, babes. Nobody else'll get it done." She leans back into the hug, pulling me close again. "I'm sofuckingproud of you."
Bonus Epilogue
11½ months later
"Dels, can we turn this off yet?"
I'm sprawled out on the soft red leather couch in our Tribeca loft, my feet resting on Seb's thighs, my head on Zeke's lap as he idly strokes my hair and tries to get me to change the channel. Even though he's been featured in just about every episode ofHeat Helpersthis season, Zeke still isn't comfortable seeing himself on the screen.
"I mean—I need to watch it so I can make sure the messaging on the Supporter Support website and socials is consistent with what's in this episode. I won't be too much longer, if you want to go and do something else for a bit—"
"I'm good!"
I bite back a smile.
