Page 22 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

His purr finally stops as he shakes his head. “Bree or Tessa can get you something to brush your teeth with, but I’m not letting you out of my sight right now.”

I want to argue with him. After all, what right does he have to say these things to me, but I just can’t? I like the way he’s holding me in his arms. I like that he cares about me.

When we make it outside, Camden carries me over to a lounge chair in the shade and sits down. He settles back against it, continuing to hold me against his body.

“Cam?” We both look up to find Wilder standing there, but he keeps his focus on his omega. “You need to make sure that Emilia is okay with what you’re doing.”

“What?” He glances down at me with a frown before realization hits him. “Oh. I’m so sorry, Emilia. I just hated seeing you like that. I needed to make sure you were okay. Is this okay? ”

I pat his chest as I nod. “It’s fine. Thank you—for helping and making me feel better. I’d prefer if you didn’t try to tote me around all the time, but this is okay for now. Although I really need to brush my teeth.”

“I’ve got you.” Bree rushes over, offering me a toothbrush with toothpaste already on it. In her other hand is a cup of water. “Tessa is getting you a spit bucket while Millie gets your food ready.”

I glance around, seeing that Daniel and Evander have joined us. “I’m sorry you guys had to see that.”

Evander shakes his head. “It’s not like you planned to get sick, Emilia. I went to college, I’ve seen a lot of people get sick—usually from drinking too much. I also have a younger brother I cared for regularly. A little vomit isn’t going to cause me to get upset.”

I duck my head, still embarrassed that they had to witness it, but the need to clean my mouth is much more pressing. I brush my teeth quickly, Tessa handing a small container to Camden as I do so. I’m guessing that’s the spit bucket or whatever.

Once I’m finished, I spit the toothpaste in the container and take the cup from Bree, swishing the water in my mouth before spitting it out as well. Then Tessa takes all of it from me and disappears inside, leaving Bree with us.

“I’m going to call and cancel the date.”

“What? No.” Even as I argue with her, I know I’m not going to be up for it.

Bree scoffs. “You think you’re up for dance classes and karaoke after getting sick?”

“No.” That doesn’t mean I’m not going to pout about it. I was really looking forward to today’s date.

She doesn’t bother hiding her grin. “We have a few options. You can choose to have an ‘at-home’ date with the suitors. I don’t think you’re going to want to hang out at the pool all day, but you could watch something in the theater.

Your second option is to include them in tomorrow’s date with the day four suitors.

The third option is just skipping it altogether. ”

“Well, that wouldn’t be fair,” Daniel says. “Then we wouldn’t get to spend as much time with her as the others do.”

Bree lifts one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“I wasn’t speaking to you, Daniel. Your opinion is inconsequential in this case.

Emilia will be making the best decision for her, seeing as she’s the omega here to find her pack.

As I was saying, those are your options.

We’ll support you in whatever you decide. ”

As annoyed as I am at Daniel for whining, he does have a point. It wouldn’t be fair for them not to get a date, which means I won’t be choosing option three. Especially since I want to spend more time with most of the day three suitors.

It would be nice to spend the day in my nest. My headache is creeping back up, and I’m not sure that food will help it at this point. But I also don’t think I want to try to juggle eight suitors during tomorrow’s date.

“I think watching movies would be nice, but I don’t want to put out the other suitors. They might want to watch a movie.”

Bree waves me off. “You let me handle the other suitors. They can go do something in town, hang out by the pool, or stay in their rooms. I don’t really care what they do. Once again, this show is about you—not them.”

I’m not sure if I agree with her on that, but I’m not going to argue with her about it.

“Tessa and I will go speak with them so they can decide what they want to do. If you’re good out here while you eat, I’ll leave you to it. Once we’ve talked to them, I’ll come back and we’ll get you set up in the theater.”

“Thanks, Bree.”

Millie steps out, balancing a tray in her arms.

Evander rushes over to grab it from her, and the older woman gives him a soft smile. “Thank you, sir. If you’ll bring that right on over to Emilia, I’ll be right behind you.”

Instead of just walking over to us, he offers Millie his arm, and she giggles like a schoolgirl as she takes it while Evander balances the tray in his other hand.

Reaching us, Millie takes the tray and gestures for me to turn around. Before I can figure out how that’s going to work, Camden’s hands close over my hips and he picks me up, settling me onto the chair between his legs.

I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed being manhandled so much as I squeeze my legs together.

I didn’t use scent blockers today, so the only thing keeping Camden from realizing I’m perfuming for him is my panties.

I’m not sure they provide enough of a barrier—something that’s confirmed when he leans down to run his nose along the side of my neck.

“Yummm…”

My eyes widen as Millie shoots me a wink, setting the tray over mine and Camden’s laps.

“I brought you a ginger ale. It’s probably best to start with that.

The carbonation should help with the nausea.

I brought you a banana and oatmeal. I also brought you some chicken and rice.

I know it’s breakfast time for you, but I wanted to make sure you had plenty of options.

I also added a bag of ginger candies. My niece swore by them when she was pregnant.

I only have them on hand because I just really like the way they taste. ”

“Thank you, Millie. You’ve gone above and beyond.”

She shakes her head. “I have not. I’ve done exactly what anyone would’ve done for you if they’re a good person. You just enjoy your food. When you’re hungry again, just call down to the kitchen. I’ll make you anything your heart desires. Omega, you make sure she eats as much as she can.”

“I will,” Camden assures her as I shake my head.

I kind of love her.

I peel the banana and devour it before moving on to the oatmeal. Since I’m still hungry, I eat the chicken and rice too. I snatch the bag of candy and pop one into my mouth, surprised by how tasty it is.

Once I’m done, Wilder takes the tray and sets it on a nearby table. When he returns, he sits at the end of the chair. “Are you sure you’re feeling up to doing anything? Despite some people’s immediate reactions, we’ll be fine waiting or even skipping our date.”

Glancing at Daniel, I see a flash of anger pass over his flushed face—there and gone before I can comment on it.

“I’m fine. I’m already feeling better. I’m definitely not up to leaving the compound, but spending the day in the theater sounds like heaven. Not quite as good as a day in my nest, but pretty close.”

Evander and Daniel move over to join us.

“Only if you’re sure,” Evander tells me while Daniel remains silent.

I just nod. “I’m sure.”

The sliding door opens, and Bree and Tessa step out to join us.

Tessa eyes the empty tray. “Did you get enough food? If you’re still hungry, I can get you something else.”

“I’m good. Thank you.”

Bree snickers. “Overbearing alphas, I tell you. Even when it’s not their omega. Your day one and day two suitors are all in the game room, so we’re ready to bring you upstairs. Once we get you settled, they’ve decided to go into town to get some food.”

“They wanted us to tell you they’re thinking about you and hope your recovery from this morning is fast and easy.” Tessa rolls her eyes. “Men try their best, but they don’t really understand.”

We settle into the theater, debating over what movies to put on.

I only pout a little when I’m outvoted on my suggestion of horror movies. We finally settle on a show about a royal omega finding her pack. The show is already completed with five seasons under its wings.

I’m actually really excited about watching it.

“Thank you for being willing to just have a low-key date with me,” I tell them as we settle into the front row of seats.

My seat is reclined back as far as it can be, with the arm between me and Camden pushed up.

Wilder sits next to him while Daniel sits on my other side, leaving Evander two seats down from me.

I would’ve preferred Evander to be in Daniel’s seat, but I figured it would be rude to voice that.

“It’s our pleasure,” Evander assures me. “You’re growing a person. Sometimes our plans are going to change.”

I hum in agreement. “Kids regularly cause plans to change. During my first two pregnancies, my pack was used to me canceling plans. Especially with Jasper. I was exhausted the entire time we were pregnant. On days where it was too much, this is just what we’d do.

We lounge around watching TV, reading, and doing puzzles.

It was nice to be able to relax when I was too tired to do anything else. ”

Daniel scoffs, and I frown as I turn toward him. “What?”

“Do you really think it’s appropriate to talk about your old pack while you’re here with us?”

“Excuse the fuck out of you.” I lean away from Camden, allowing my seat to go upright as I stare at Daniel in shock. “What did you just say?”

He clears his throat. “I just think it’s a little rude to talk about the men you used to be with. It feels like you’re going to be comparing us to dead men, and that’s always going to be a losing battle.”

For a moment, all I can do is blink at him. Camden is tense behind me, but I can hear Wilder murmuring to him. Evander looks like he wants to punch Daniel, but he remains silent.