Page 71 of Claimed By My Exiled Alphas
“Next time?” Cassian looked alarmed.
“Of course next time. This is a weekly thing now. Alpha bonding through competitive sports.”
“I never agreed to weekly.”
“You’re agreeing now. Hollis, back me up.”
“Weekly bowling sounds perfect,” Hollis said, grinning. “Character building.”
We returned our rental shoes and headed to The Tap, a bar three blocks away that catered to locals rather than tourists. Dark wood, good beer selection, and enough privacy for actual conversation.
We claimed a corner booth and Cassian ordered a round of IPAs that probably cost more than the bowling had.
“So,” I said once we’d settled in. “Real talk. Has anyone talked to Talia about what happens when her heat comes?”
The question hung in the air for a moment. Hollis and Cassian both looked slightly uncomfortable.
“I haven’t,” Hollis admitted. “I wasn’t sure if it was too presumptuous to bring up.”
“Same,” Cassian said. “We’ve only been officially doing this for a week. Discussing heat cycles feels like it might be rushing things.”
“But it’s going to happen eventually,” I pointed out. “And if we’re committing to pack formation, we need to know what she wants. Does she want all of us there? Just one of us? Does she have a plan for handling it?”
“Those are all questions she needs to answer,” Hollis said carefully. “Not decisions we make for her.”
“Exactly. Which is why someone should ask.” I took a sip of my beer. “I’m not suggesting we plan anything without her. I’m suggesting we find out what her expectations are so we can prepare accordingly.”
“Fair point.” Cassian frowned slightly. “Though I don’t know the etiquette for that conversation. ‘Hey, about your biological cycle that makes you vulnerable, what’s your plan?’ seems fraught.”
“It is fraught,” Hollis agreed. “But necessary. Especially given her past with Vincent. She needs to know she has complete control over how that happens and who’s involved.”
“Should we bring it up at Sunday’s check-in?” I suggested. “All four of us together, so it’s clear we’re asking rather than planning?”
“That seems like the right approach,” Hollis said. “Make it part of the regular communication instead of some separate negotiation.”
“Agreed.” Cassian was quiet for a moment. “I’ll admit, the logistics concern me. Not the intimacy itself, but coordinating three alphas during an omega’s heat without it becoming territorial chaos.”
“We’ll figure it out,” I said. “If she wants all of us there, we coordinate. If she wants us individually, we respect that. The important thing is that it’s her choice.”
“And that we’re all on the same page before it happens,” Hollis added. “No surprises, no assumptions, no alpha instincts overriding common sense.”
“Can we do that?” Cassian asked. “Override instinct during heat? I’ve never been through a heat cycle with anyone. I don’t know if coordination is realistic when biology is screaming at you to claim and possess.”
“It’s possible if we go in with a plan,” I said. “I’ve seen pack dynamics work during heat. But it requires communication beforehand and real commitment to putting her needs first.”
“Then that’s what we do,” Hollis said firmly. “We talk to her one Sunday soon once we’ve settled more into a routine with each other. Find out what she wants. And we commit to making it work however she needs it to.”
We all nodded, and I felt some of the tension ease. This was why the alpha bonding mattered. So we could have these conversations before crisis hit, build enough trust that we could be honest about concerns without it turning into competition.
“Can I say something sentimental now?” Hollis asked.
“Is it going to make us uncomfortable?” Cassian said.
“Probably.”
“Then yes, absolutely say it.”
“I’m glad we’re doing this. Not just the pack formation with Talia, but the actual friendship between us. I’ve spent three years helping people without actually connecting with anyone. And you two are reminding me that I’m capable of more than just being useful.”
