Page 15 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

A s I make my way to the dining room, I wonder what I’ll find.

Last night was more than a little awkward, but I did manage to hang out with them after dinner, so I’m calling it a win.

Dylan must have told Ian his story while we walked up and at the beginning of dinner, because by the time we were finished eating, the two of them were chatting like old friends.

Maverick and Dalton didn’t try to talk to him all that much, but they also weren’t rude to him.

As much as I’d like to hope that today will go better between them, I’m not holding my breath.

Hopefully, none of them are dead or have been sent packing. I didn’t stay up too late with them, having to call it a night well before they were ready to.

The damn pregnancy saps me of energy on the regular.

Voices waft out of the dining room, but no one sounds angry as I step inside.

I’m surprised to find all four suitors already sitting at the table, talking among themselves. That’s definitely different from how I left them last night.

I wonder if Dylan told Maverick and Dalton about everything.

“Good morning,” I chirp, glancing over to see that breakfast hasn’t been brought out just yet.

“Morning, Emilia.” Dalton grins as he jumps out of his chair and hurries over to mine, pulling it out for me .

“Why, thank you.” As I sit down, I breathe in his clove and cedarwood scent that holds just a touch of orange. It’s a complex scent that I love.

Dalton pushes the chair in before returning to his own seat. “It’s my pleasure.”

I glance at the four of them before deciding to just ask them. “The four of you seem to be getting on better than you did last night.”

Maverick winces from his spot beside me, and I lean toward him to get a whiff of his scent—leather and sandalwood. “I’m sorry for how we acted, Emilia. We already apologized to Dylan after he told us what happened. We shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions, and there’s no excuse for how we acted.”

“As long as Dylan forgives you, then it’s water under the bridge.” My eyes find the man in question. “You’re likely going to have to explain this repeatedly as new suitors arrive.”

He nods. “I’m aware, and I’m prepared to do that.”

The side doors swing open, and I push to my feet as the food is brought to the buffet. “Not to be rude, but the baby is demanding food, so I’m going to fix a plate.”

I don’t wait for a response from them as I skip over and grab a plate before they’ve even finished putting the food down. Is it rude of me? Absolutely, but ask me if I care.

I’m not usually this rude, but I can get away with a lot when I’m pregnant. Which is helpful in times like this, where I feel like I’m going to be sick if I don’t eat soon.

Today’s offerings are different from yesterday’s, so I take a moment to decide exactly what I want. I decide on a cheese omelette, bacon, and some cinnamon oatmeal.

Ian grabs my bowl from me, a waft of his fennel, orange, and peppermint scent hitting me as Dylan takes my plate before leading me back to the table. I suck in a lungful of his cinnamon and coffee scent that has just a dash of caramel to it.

Damn, I miss coffee.

“I can carry my own food.” I shake my head. At least they didn’t try to make my plate for me .

“Oh, we’re well aware of that fact,” Dylan says with a grin. “But what if you tripped and spilled your entire breakfast? Then you’d have to wait even longer to eat, and we’re not taking that chance. It’s better that we make sure you’re all settled before we get our food.”

I laugh. “You’re a smooth talker, Dylan. Thank you both.”

I settle into my seat before diving into my food. I’m ravenous and have no time for conversation until I’ve eaten my fill. They’re all still eating as I set down my fork, making me wonder just how fast I ate. None of them are remotely close to being finished.

“Are you full?” Maverick asks. “We can grab you something else if you need us to.”

“What is it with alphas always trying to feed me? If I want more food, I’ll get it, but I’m good for now.”

Ian smirks, but says nothing as he continues to eat. It doesn’t take them long to finish.

Bree and Tessa join us as Dylan sets down his fork—the last to finish.

“Good morning, Emilia. Suitors. Are you ready for your date?”

I nod, looking forward to having a mostly lazy day.

I really hope none of my suitors mind the dates I have set up.

They’re definitely geared toward things a pregnant omega wants and needs.

Nothing too exciting. The last thing we want to do is send me into preterm labor before I’ve chosen a pack.

It would defeat the purpose of my coming on Heated .

“Absolutely!” Ian is the first out of his seat, pulling my chair back and offering his hand to help me stand. I smile up at him because while I didn’t need his help, it’s sweet that he wants to help.

Ugh. I’m a mess.

I keep wavering back and forth over whether I want help with things or not. It’s a damn good thing my suitors can’t see in my head or they’d be running away right now.

The others quickly join us, but Bree stops me when we near them.

“Lucas and Mike will be going with you, but because of the space, he also sent another team to watch from afar.”

I wrinkle my nose. “Are we sure that’s necessary? ”

Tessa shrugs. “It might be overkill, but we all agree it’s better to be too safe than not safe enough—including Lucas.”

I don’t have to like it, but I need to trust that Lucas knows what’s best.

“Yeah, okay. Thank you.” I give the two of them a quick smile before leading my day two suitors outside and into the waiting SUV. Lucas is driving today with Mike in the passenger seat.

I find myself in the back row, squeezed between Maverick and Dalton, while Dylan and Ian sit in the middle row. As soon as the SUV begins moving, Ian turns around to face me. “Do we get any hints at what we’re doing today?”

I consider him for a moment. “We’ll be at the same place all day.”

“Anything else?” Dalton asks, a smirk painting his lips.

“Nope.”

Maverick chuckles. “Okay, Emilia. Keep your secrets.”

“Oh, I will.” I grin, facing forward and not looking at any of them.

“Emilia, why don’t you tell us about what you like to do in your free time?” Dylan lifts his eyebrows when I snort. “What?”

“Free time? I don’t know what that is. I run a massive company and have two kids under the age of ten with another on the way.

” I shake my head. “I don’t have free time anymore.

But I used to love going to the ballet and watching horror movies.

I used to take dance classes too—in a multitude of styles. ”

Ian sighs. “I guess you wouldn’t have much time to do things just for you, but that’ll change when you have a pack. Then you’ll be able to have time for yourself.” He glances down at my belly. “Eventually.”

I throw my head back and laugh. “Yeah, eventually. I don’t mind putting aside my interests for my children. They’re the most important thing in the world to me, but I’ll admit, it would be nice to be able to take a dance class from time to time.”

“Is that something you did with one of your mates before?” It’s Dylan who asks, but I can tell they’re all interested.

I shrug. “I’m not sure he enjoyed it, but Gerald came to every class with me.

Besides ballroom classes, he was often the only man there.

Ryan would join us from time to time, but it was mostly just something for me and Gerald to do together.

They were all really good about finding something that we could enjoy together. ”

“Oh? What did you do with the others?” Dalton asks.

Warmth fills my chest, thinking about my loves and how much they loved me. How they always wanted to be included in my interests.

“Ryan and I went to ballet performances together and went together to get a manicure and pedicure at least once a month. Maxwell was a huge fan of reality TV shows, so he’d pick a show we could watch every Wednesday night at nine after the boys were in bed.

Davis was a horror movie junkie like me.

We’d pick one day a month and just binge movies.

We tried new ones, but we also loved watching old favorites.

” I laugh. “No one else in the pack liked scary movies, so they just left us to it.”

“It’s nice that they made the time to do something special with you.

” Maverick twines his fingers with mine, giving them a squeeze.

“Whenever I think of my future pack, that’s what I imagine—having something special for just me and my omega.

But also, having something we can do together as a pack.

It’s nice to hear that there are packs like that out there. ”

My smile falls away. “Well, there used to be at least one.”

Ian is suddenly kneeling at my feet, having slipped between the captain chairs that make up the middle row. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” I ask, pulling away from him.

“You were talking about them with a smile on your face. Then it just fell away. You don’t have to be sad when you talk about them. You should celebrate them and what they meant to you. Talking about them should bring you happiness.” Ian cups my face in his hands. “I hate to see you looking so sad.”

I want to pull away from him, feeling too raw, but I find myself leaning into his touch instead. “I enjoy talking about them, but then I remember they’re gone. Of course it makes me sad. I love them, and I miss them.”

Dylan hums. “Of course you do. Sometimes thinking of them will make you sad—I don’t think Ian was saying you can’t be sad.

Correct me if I’m wrong, Ian, but I think he was suggesting that you might be able to adjust the way you feel when you think about them.

Remembering who and what they were to you can bring you joy instead of despair.

It begins with you making a conscious decision to attempt to do that on your own. ”