I give Hestia my chair, raising the seat so her head isn’t just barely clearing the desk. Once she’s settled, I stand behind her.
“It’s good to see you again, Hestia. I hope you’re doing well,” Alana says.
“I’m great! I mean, um, good. It’s nice to see you again,” Hestia says.
“You’re in a romantic relationship with Montanus, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Hestia says, nervously twisting her fingers in her hair.
I clench my fists, fighting the urge to comfort her as her scent sours. I don’t want it to look like I coached her or I’m preventing her from speaking freely.
“You’re aware that dating someone who is a direct superior or subordinate is against company policy?” Alana says.
I can’t help the growl that slips out, though I quickly choke it off. I already told her it’s our fault Hestia broke the rules.
Alana glances at me, amused.
“Yes,” Hestia repeats, her smell edging toward the bitter scent of fear.
Fuck it. I put my hands on her shoulders and squeeze them, letting her know we’re here for her. Hestia flashes me a quick smile.
I could have held back since Cato decided to crawl over and put his head in her lap, but still, I don’t want her to think I was leaving her to deal with Alana without me.
Hestia relaxes and pets Cato’s hair. He’s wrapped himself around her legs like an octopus, thankfully out of camera range.
“I’m sure you realize why we have that rule. It’s too easy to feel pressured by someone with authority over you, even if they didn’t intend to use their power that way,” Alana says.
“Yes, but this pack would never do something like that! I liked them long before I knew they were interested in me,” Hestia says. “I’ve never felt like this for any other alphas, whether they were authority figures or not. I’ve always been dedicated to becoming a rescuer and I wasn’t looking for romance, but it found me anyway. I love this job and I love this pack. Can’t you make an exception, just this once? Don’t let them quit. We’re scent matches after all, it’s hardly fair to punish them for finding their mate.”
I’m too shocked to cut in like I planned.
I was going to say Alana doesn’t need to be lenient on us, just let Hestia continue her training without reprisal.
But now words escape me.
Hestia said shelovesus.
I stare at her in wonder, feeling my packmates’ equal shock in the bond.
We’ve been in love with her for a while, but I didn’t know she felt the same way.
I want to tell her I love her too, but now doesn’t seem like the most romantic moment with our boss watching. The five of us quickly come to an agreement that it’s best to wait until we’re alone to confess our love. I’m not sure Hestia even realizes what she said anyway, nerves keeping her on edge.
Alana narrows her eyes, considering us.
“I’d like to talk to Hestia privately,” she finallysays.
We leave the room after Hestia tells us it’s alright, and pile into the hall, still in shock.
I collapse against the wall, my packmates falling around me.
She loves us!
After sitting in a daze for a minute, I get my racing heart under control.
I creep as close as possible to my office door without actually pressing my ear against it. As team lead, I should set a good example and at least pretend I’m not listening in on a private conversation.
I can’t hear anything through the thick wood though. Henri is twitching like he wants to reach for his phone and pull up the camera feed for my office.
