Page 110 of Knot Your Sunshine
"Naomi, what—"
"Don't worry." She hands me a leather portfolio. "This isn't a betrayal, it's a gift. Just read it. It's in your best interest."
My hands shake as I open the document. The first pages outline twenty-seven fully vetted franchisee candidates. Each profile includes financial verification, business experience, and personal statements about why they want to join.
The next section details the operational structure. The alphas' investment fund has hired a full team, accountants, marketing specialists…
I flip the page, and my hand flies to my mouth.
All reporting directly to me.
I need several seconds to process what I'm seeing. Then, when I flip the page, I feel my legs threaten to give out.
Pack Hale's New Ownership Structure: Noa Hale: 16.33%, Josh Ellis: 16.33%, Keanu Makai: 16.33%, Mia Everly: 51%.
The portfolio slips. I catch it before it hits the floor, but my hands won't stop shaking.
A controlling interest. They've made me majority owner of their entire fund, not just the franchise fund. Billions of dollars are now under my control.
"This is us putting everything on the line." Noa tries for casual, but anxiety bleeds through every word. "It's yours, Mia. Even if you decide to leave us." A nervous laugh escapes him. "Which we really hope you don't."
"This is insane." The words come out strangled, my fingers pressing against my lips. "I could—I could take everything from you."
"Sunshine, you are everything to us." Keanu's eyes glisten.
"Losing money would mean nothing compared to losing you." Josh's voice cracks.
The tears come then as my professional facade shatters. This isn't a business gesture. This is complete, absolute surrender.
"You're all insane." A laugh bubbles through the tears. "Beautiful, wonderful, completely insane."
I turn to Naomi, pulling her aside. My voice drops to a whisper. We huddle over the document, my pen moving quickly. She nods, understanding.
We turn back to the alphas who look like defendants awaiting a verdict, tense, hopeful, terrified.
Then Naomi hands them the portfolio.
Josh reads first. His head snaps up. "You changed it?"
Keanu takes it. "You're giving us each twenty-five percent?"
"You're giving up controlling interest?" Noa's voice is barely a whisper.
"I'd be quite the hypocrite if I kept it." I grin and look at each of these beautiful, complicated, imperfect alphas who just bet everything on me. "I never wanted to be your boss. I want to be your equal. Your partner. Your... Your omega."
For three heartbeats, nobody moves.
"Mia, we..." Josh's voice breaks. "We don't deserve this."
"You're giving us another chance?" Keanu's whole body trembles.
"We won't waste it." Noa's intensity burns. "Never again. Every decision, every challenge, we face it together."
The silence stretches, all of us frozen.
Naomi sighs dramatically. "For heaven's sake, can none of you read a room? Go to your omega already."
They don't need to be told twice.
