"Yes. I'm a professional. I need to understand what I'm agreeing to." I held her gaze, feeling something shift in the room — from me being the subject of discussion to me being a participant in it, my hands steady on the table.
"Fair enough. First: SIREN's contract remains intact regardless of personal bonds. The company has no clause preventing pack formations or omega bonds. It's unusual for idols, but not contractually prohibited." Director Kang's expression shifted to something like grudging respect, his posture relaxing slightly, his fingers tapping once on the table.
Relief loosened something in my chest. I hadn't realized how worried I'd been about that.
"Second: announcement timeline. The V-Live incident has already sparked speculation. We can either get ahead of it or let it spiral." Director Kang continued, his fingers tapping against the table in a measured rhythm.
"We'd like to keep it private for now. Keira's heat is approaching. We need time to complete the bonds before dealing with public scrutiny." Jae-won said, his voice steady, histhumb tracing subtle circles on my knee beneath the table, his expression carefully neutral.
"Understandable. We can manage the rumors for a few weeks. But you should know — the press is already sniffing around. It won't stay quiet forever." Director Kang nodded, his expression thoughtful, his fingers steepling again.
"We know. But I'd rather face the scandal as a completed pack than deal with it during... during the process." I said, my voice stronger now, the nervousness settling into something more manageable, my shoulders squaring.
"Smart. The bond will be stronger. You'll present as a united front." Mina said, something approving in her tone, her sharp eyes meeting mine with respect, her head tilting slightly in acknowledgment.
"There's one more thing. My work. I want to continue writing for SIREN — officially, as a contracted songwriter. Not just occasional collaborations. A real professional relationship, separate from the personal." I said, glancing at Jae-won, then back to the director, my fingers twisting together in my lap.
Director Kang exchanged a glance with Mina, something unspoken passing between them.
"We'd already been discussing something similar. Your collaboration with Jin-ho showed real potential. And frankly, having their omega as their primary songwriter is a narrative that works in our favor." Mina said, a small smile playing at her lips, her dark eyes sharp with calculation.
"I don't want to be a narrative. I want to be respected for my work. The same way I was before anyone knew about the bond." I said, my voice sharpening despite myself, my jaw tightening, my grey eyes flashing.
"Of course. Your talent earned you this opportunity, Miss Park. The bond is simply... an additional consideration. We can draft a formal contract that keeps the professional relationshipclearly defined." Director Kang held up a hand, his expression smoothing into something more placating, his voice taking on a conciliatory tone.
The meeting continued for another hour, hammering out details I barely tracked — NDAs, timeline discussions, contingency plans for various levels of public exposure. But I'd made my point. I'd spoken for myself. I'd been heard.
When we finally left the conference room, stepping into the elevator that would take us back to the lobby, I felt different. Lighter. More solid.
"That was incredible. You were incredible." Min-jun said as the doors closed, his warm hazel eyes bright with admiration, his dimples appearing with his proud smile, his hand finding mine.
"You surprised everyone in there. Including me." Jae-won added, his nearly-black eyes soft with something that looked like wonder, his hand finding the small of my back, warmth spreading through the touch.
"I surprised myself. But I needed to do it. I needed to know that I can... that I can be me. Even with all of this. Even after the bonds." I admitted, leaning into his touch, letting out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding, my shoulders finally relaxing.
"You'll always be you. That's what we want. That's what we've always wanted." Jae-won said quietly, his voice rough with emotion, his thumb tracing circles on my spine, his dark eyes holding mine in the elevator's reflection.
The elevator doors opened on the lobby. I stepped out feeling more in control than I had since this whole thing started.
This wasn't something happening to me anymore.
This was something I was choosing. By the time we got back to the dorm, the pre-heat symptoms I'd been ignoring all morning had intensified. A low cramping had settled in my abdomen, uncomfortable but not unbearable. My skin felt too sensitive, every brush of fabric registering more intensely than itshould. And my temperature kept fluctuating — hot, then cold, then hot again.
Soon,my omega whispered, urgent and wanting.
The others were waiting in the living room when we walked in. Hwan jumped up immediately, his platinum blonde hair catching the light, his warm brown eyes scanning my face with concern.
"How did it go? You were gone forever. We were going crazy." Hwan asked, crossing to me in three quick strides, his hands finding my shoulders, his sunshine-and-citrus scent washing over me.
"It went well. Really well." I said, leaning into his touch without thinking, craving the contact in a way that felt new and instinctive.
"She was amazing. You should have seen her with the executives. She had them eating out of her hand." Min-jun added, settling onto the couch beside Tae-min, his warm hazel eyes still bright with pride.
"I did not." I protested, but there was no heat behind it, my attention fragmenting as another wave of warmth rolled through me.
"Your scent is different." Jin-ho's amber-honey eyes narrowed, studying me with that careful attention that always made me feel seen, his silver-grey hair falling across his forehead.
"Sweeter. Like... really sweet." Tae-min added, his dark chocolate eyes widening slightly, his vivid cherry-red hair bright against the couch cushions.
