Page 12 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

A s I stand outside waiting for the first of the day two suitors to arrive, my mind is no clearer than it was when my day one suitors left me at my suite door.

That’s what happens when you expect one thing and end up with something completely different.

I’m hoping that meeting my next set of suitors will help give me the clarity I’m looking for, but with my luck, it’ll just get worse.

I smooth my hands down the slinky black dress Evangeline dressed me in. It’s not something I would’ve picked out considering how pregnant I am, but she insisted I wear it. I’ll admit, she knows what the hell she’s talking about.

The dress hugs all my curves, including my baby bump, but the way the fabric lays makes me feel sexy instead of fat, which is a pleasant change. I’m still not wearing heels, but I don’t see that happening until after I push this baby out.

Heels and pregnancy do not go together—at least not in my book.

The sound of wheels turning on asphalt has me looking up, watching as the limo pulls into the circular drive.

I hadn’t been paying enough attention to catch it before it arrived, but maybe that’s for the best. Now, I don’t have time to work myself up wondering about who’s going to step out of the limo .

The door opens before the limo has come to a complete stop, and a vaguely familiar man steps out with a grin on his face. He leans back into the limo before stepping back with a laugh.

He’s tall, definitely over six feet and covered in muscles.

His blond hair is cut stylishly, but it looks like he’s been running his hands through it, leaving it messy.

But it’s a good look on him when added to the scruff covering his sun-kissed face, which is darker than his hair.

I find myself returning his smile when he flashes me a dimpled grin.

A second man steps out of the limo, nudging the first out of the way. He’s the polar opposite of the first man. He’s probably just over six feet himself, with long, dark brown hair pulled back into a bun and a full beard. He gives me a half-smile as he shakes his head at the first man.

They both look familiar, but I can’t figure out which season they’re from. I think they were favorites of Remington’s, though.

As they approach, hints of wood, clove, and leather reach me. With the scent blockers, I can’t tell which pieces of scent belong to which man.

“Hello, Emilia.” The blond man is still grinning as he stares down at me, a slight twang to his words as his crystal blue eyes meet mine. “I’m Dalton Cole, and this is my pack mate, Maverick Kelley.”

As soon as he says their names, a lightbulb goes off in my head. “You’re from Bree’s season! You said you were forming a pack, and I’m glad to see it’s true.”

“Like he was going to let me get rid of him,” Maverick says with a scoff, clearly trying to hide his amusement as Dalton lets out an offended sound, but his warm brown eyes give him away. “It’s nice to meet you, Emilia.”

“It’s nice to meet you as well. You’ll have to forgive me.

I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the other seasons.

My brother Remington is a big fan of Heated , so he was constantly showing me clips, but that doesn’t mean I remember anything from it.

I can tell you he was devastated when the two of you, Sasha, and Finnegan were sent home. He was rooting for you.”

Dalton runs a hand through his hair. “It seems to me your brother has excellent taste. ”

“Don’t mind him. I swear he’s actually quite modest, but he’s excited to be back.” Maverick makes a face. “We both are. Obviously, we have had little success in finding an omega on our own, so we hope a second season of Heated will change that for us.”

“Even if it means taking on a pregnant omega with a caravan full of luggage?” I laugh.

Both men’s smiles fade, but it’s Dalton who speaks up.

“We are here because you’re pregnant—because of what you’ve been through.

Not in spite of it. Everything you’ve dealt with just shows how strong you are, sugar, and that’s the kind of omega we’d be proud to call ours.

So you can get the idea of you being a burden out of your head right now. ”

I flush, ducking my head. I really did mean it as a joke, but considering I just met them, I can see why they would respond like this.

As much as I hate to admit it, I like it.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Emilia.” Maverick lifts my chin with his finger, waiting until I meet his gaze before continuing, “We just wanted to make sure you knew why we were here. We’re not just here because you’re our last chance at an omega or anything.

We’re here because you intrigue us, and we want to get to know you.

Yes, you have baggage, but don’t we all?

Neither of us cares that you’re pregnant beyond being angry on your behalf about how that came to be. ”

“We like that you already have kids,” Dalton adds on, his mouth quirking up. “Just as we know, it’s not just your opinion that matters when it comes to you choosing a new pack.”

I blink rapidly, trying to will away the tears forming in my eyes.

How is it I’m still surprised to hear these men say the same words my day one suitors said?

“Right. Well. That’s…” I wave my hands in the air, not able to find the words I’m looking for. “Will you tell me about yourselves before I end up embarrassing myself by bursting into tears in front of suitors again?”

Maverick bites his bottom lip as his mouth curves up, but doesn’t say anything.

Dalton, on the other hand, has no problems asking the question I know they’re both wondering. “Again? ”

“Yes, again. I cried on Sasha for who knows how long yesterday. It’s the hormones. I swear, I’ve never cried this much in my life.”

“There’s nothing wrong with crying, sugar. And Sasha Rostova?” Dalton’s smile grows.

I nod slowly. “Yes. The three of you were on the same season. He was one of my suitors who arrived yesterday. Are the three of you friendly?”

“We’re more than friendly,” Maverick assures me. “We’ve all kept in contact since we left the show. It’ll be good to see him again.”

Dalton nods his agreement. “As far as us, I’m forty-one, and Maverick is forty.

Obviously, we’re both alphas. Since neither of us is interested in men, we’re an unbonded pack just looking to find our omega and the rest of our pack.

I moved to Los Angeles shortly after the first season.

We wouldn’t be much of a pack with me living on the other side of the continent, would we? ”

Maverick shakes his head. “Dalton left behind his business, but we started our own. Cole-Kelley Incorporated, where we can design and build the home of your dreams. Or do remodels, or whatever else you want. We just finished doing a new high-rise luxury apartment building. It’s probably the largest project we’ve done so far. ”

Talking business I can do.

“It wouldn’t be the new building off Sunset, would it?”

“It is,” Dalton confirms with a smile. “You know it?”

I nod. “It’s just down the road from the Reinhardt offices. We’re actually looking into buying a few units to use when we have someone visiting from another location. They’re gorgeous.”

“The design is all Maverick. I just boss people around and build the shit.”

Maverick makes a face. “Don’t downplay the role you played in making the client’s vision become a reality, asshole. See, I told you he could be modest.”

I laugh at their bickering. It’s clear they spend a lot of time together.

Reginald catches my eyes, giving me the signal I’m not ready for just yet, which surprises me. I’m enjoying talking to the two of them .

I wonder if it’ll be this easy with all my suitors. Maybe it’s because they’ve already been on the show once, so they don’t have the same hangups they would’ve had before.

“Sadly, it seems our time has come to an end,” I tell them, honestly sorry to cut them off.

Dalton elbows Maverick. “Do you hear that, Mav? She enjoys talking to us.”

Maverick rolls his eyes, ignoring his pack mate. “I’m really glad to be here, Emilia, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“I’m glad you’re here—both of you.”

“Don’t worry. We won’t be going anywhere until you tell us we have to,” Dalton says, darting forward to brush his lips against my cheek.

I shake my head as Maverick wraps an arm around Dalton’s neck and drags him toward Bree and Tessa, who are both watching on with amusement.

I’m not sure how Bree let the pair of them slip between her fingers. How any of the suitors didn’t snag up the six men I’ve met so far. Or any of the other omegas out there in the world. How are they all still single?

I turn my attention back to the driveway just as the next limo comes to a stop. Another familiar face is revealed when the door opens, and I grin at the beta exiting the limo.

It almost feels like cheating to have suitors from my brother’s season, especially the ones I’ve already met, but you won’t hear me complaining.

Especially not to have Ian Dávila-Munoz as one of my suitors.

The beta is one of the sweetest men I’ve ever met, and he’s not exactly hard to look at with his wavy brown hair that’s nearly black.

As he draws closer, I realize he’s probably around Remington’s height, just under six feet, which still makes him a solid half of a foot taller than me.

His pretty hazel eyes meet mine, and I want to melt at his feet.

He’s just so damn pretty—especially when he smiles like he is right now.

“It’s good to see you again, Emilia.” The dimple in his right cheek practically winks at me .

“You, too. So good.” My eyes widen.

Maybe the ground will open up and swallow me whole. Then maybe I wouldn’t keep embarrassing myself.

Ian shakes his head, not mentioning the red hue to my cheeks as he pulls me in for a hug. “How are you holding up?”

“As well as can be expected?” I tell him, trying not to nuzzle into his chest as hints of fennel and orange hit my nose. It’s not a scent I thought I’d enjoy, but I really do.