Page 24 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Camden

I burrow further under the covers as Wilder sits on the edge of the bed.

“Cam, you can’t stay under there all night. We have to meet everyone in less than twenty minutes for the interview with Bree.”

I grunt, knowing he’s right, but I really don’t want to leave my temporary nest. The two of us are sleeping in the big pack bed, so I turned one of the other beds into a nest for myself.

Before meeting Wilder, I never allowed myself to have a nest—probably doing myself a disservice—because I was doing my damnedest to pretend I was nothing more than a beta.

It started in college once I made the team.

I didn’t want anyone to look at me differently because I’m an omega, so I just pushed away all my omega instincts.

As soon as Wilder and I moved in together, he insisted on helping me build the nest of my dreams. Only, I didn’t have a nest of my dreams because I’d never considered having one. Thank the fates that Wilder loves me, because I’m sure I frustrated him to no end with my indecisiveness.

But let me tell you, as soon as my nest was complete, I understood exactly what I’d been depriving myself of.

An omega’s nest is about so much more than just a place to have our heats in.

It’s our safe place—somewhere we can go when we’ve had a rough day.

Somewhere we go when we need comfort. Or when we’re confused, which is what I’m dealing with right now .

I can’t stop thinking about Emilia. The moment I saw her, I knew I needed to make her mine. I’ve never felt a connection to someone like I do to her—not even to my alpha.

I’m fairly certain she felt the connection, too, but it’s also clear she’s not ready to move on from the pack she lost. It’s been two years since she lost them, but she still loves them. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to stop loving Wilder even if he died, so I understand.

What I don’t know is if she has room for a pack in her life.

Tessa mentioned something about us being an omega pair, and I don’t know what that is. I mean, I kind of do. They explained it as some fated pairing between omegas, but how am I supposed to know if that’s what this is?

For all I know, it could just be an attraction.

I just don’t know.

“Cam?”

With a sigh, I pull the blanket down so I can see Wilder. His face immediately softens as he reaches out to cup my face.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

I shrug, not sure how to put everything I’m feeling into words.

It’s so much, and it’s overwhelming for me.

A whine slips out, and Wilder immediately pulls me into his lap.

It’s always funny when he does this, because I’m bigger than he is, but I love it.

I love how he holds me—it makes me feel safe.

Safety is big for omegas, and it’s not something I’ve had much of in my life. But Wilder always makes me feel safe. It’s one of the many reasons I love him.

I bury my head in his neck, filling my nose with his scent that calms me like nothing else can. I melt into him, my eyes falling shut.

He kisses my forehead—something I shouldn’t admit to liking, but I do. I fucking love them. “Let’s talk it out, baby. Say what you need to say, and we’ll make sense of it, okay?”

“I want her,” I blurt. “I feel like if I don’t have her, I’m going to die. I’m not even exaggerating. All I want to do right now is go find her and haul her into my nest, where we’re safe and warm. I don’t understand how I can feel like this. It’s not logical.”

Wilder snorts. “There isn’t much logic when it comes to our designation’s instincts.

It’s not about what makes sense to our brains, but what makes sense to our bodies.

How else would someone end up bonding with someone two days after they met?

How would packs form when there’s no omega for them?

I don’t think you can make it make sense in your head. What are you feeling?”

I bite my lip before answering. “She’s mine.”

“I think you might be right. I don’t know much about omega pairs, but from the little bit we’ve learned, it sounds like it might describe the two of you.” Wilder pauses, shifting us around until we’re lying on the bed facing one another. “How does that make you feel?”

He does this a lot. It used to drive me absolutely insane until I realized what he was trying to do. I spent most of my life surviving off my brain and making plans to get what I wanted. I never paid attention to what my body was telling me unless it was telling me it was tired or hungry.

“Confused. Unsure. Scared.”

“And those are all valid feelings, Camden. Now, do you know why you feel that way?”

Instead of just telling him no, I take the time to think about it.

“I’m scared she’s not ready for a pack. That being here is going to send her running.

I know she needs a pack, but that doesn’t mean she’ll choose us because she likes us.

She might decide to think with her brain instead of choosing from her heart.

What if she thinks I’m too much? What if she sends us away? ”

I blink up at him as tears fill my eyes. “I don’t want to be dramatic, but I don’t know if I can survive without her.”

“That might be a tad dramatic,” he says with a smile. “But it also might be true. I don’t know what happens to an omega pair if they try to live apart. It’s not like we can do research on it since our internet access is shut down. I’m scared and worried, too.”

“You are?” I chew on my bottom lip as he nods. “But you’re never scared or worried. ”

Wilder scoffs. “I might not seem like I’m scared or worried, but I always am.

I’m just one alpha trying to keep you safe.

You’re pretty damn good at keeping yourself safe, but there’s only one of me.

What if I can’t keep you safe? I want us to find a pack.

Not just so there are more people for us to love, but also so that your safety doesn’t rely solely on me. ”

I reach up to cup his cheek. “I had no idea, Wilder. Why would you hide something like that from me?”

He shrugs. “I didn’t want you to worry, too. It’s all part of being an alpha—worrying about our omega is heavily ingrained in our instincts. I didn’t want it weighing on you, too.”

“That’s dumb. We’re mates, and we rely on each other. Don’t keep things like that from me.”

His lips turn up into a half-smile as he nods. “Yes, omega.”

My lips press into a firm line as I glare at him.

“Do you feel better now?”

“Kind of?” I shrug. “Maybe a little. I don’t think I’m going to be able to just let it go, but I think talking about it helps.

It’s not like I can solve the issue right now since she’s out there about to meet her last set of suitors.

We won’t even see her again before the rose ceremony. What if she sends us home?”

Wilder rolls on top of me, pressing my shoulders into the mattress as he gets in my face. “You have to stop.”

“Ugh.” I throw my head back with a sigh. “I know you’re right, but it’s just so hard.”

He leans in, his lips brushing over mine in a sweet kiss before climbing off the bed and pulling me to my feet. “Then I say we get out of our suite and join the others. We’ll meet the first two days’ suitors and do the interview. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find some alphas you like.”

“Or maybe you’ll find some,” I retort, sticking my tongue out at him before hurrying into the sitting room. His laughter follows me as I rush to the door, determined to make it out of the suite before he catches up .

I get the door opened, but he kicks it shut as his arms wrap around me and pull me to his chest. He nuzzles my neck. “Omega, don’t you think it would be a good idea to put some clothes on before joining the others?”

Looking down with a frown, I wonder how I forgot I was naked. That’s a really dumb thing to forget.

Heaving a sigh, I spin in his arms and give him a quick kiss before darting into the main bedroom. I pull on my go-to outfit when I’m feeling unsettled—black sweats, a LA Panthers tee, and an old hoodie that’s about two sizes too big.

Is it my best look? Not at all, but it’s comfortable.

I step back into the sitting room to find Wilder leaning next to the door, looking hot as hell in his dark jeans and polo shirt.

When I first met him, he didn’t even own a pair of jeans.

I made sure to remedy that real quick. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to get him in a T-shirt.

This is his casual look, and I’ll admit, he looks damn good.

“If you’re not feeling up to this, I can let Bree know. I’m sure she’ll understand.”

I shake my head. “No. I’m not going to ask not to do something just because I’m an omega. It’s not like this is the first time I’ve felt off balance or been confused. I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure—”

“I am. Let’s do this.”

Wilder opens the door for me, and I duck out. It’s not much of a walk to the second-floor living room—just across the hallway. The other suitors who arrived with us have rooms on the third floor, but because we were the second pack to arrive, we got a suite on the second floor.

The room falls silent the moment I step in, causing me to freeze.

Evander smiles as he steps toward me, just as Wilder joins me. “Hey, Camden. Wilder. Come and meet the other suitors. Although, I’m guessing Wilder knows a few of them.”

I like Evander and feel much better knowing he’s here. When he leads me and Wilder over to the others, I’m still nervous .

I’m not like them. I’m the only omega among them, and I don’t know how they’ll react to that. Or the fact that Emilia and I might be an omega pair.

“This is Bradley. He’s a beta.” Evander waves at the man with glasses and silver-streaked brown hair, who offers me a nod. “He was on the same season I was.”

Then he takes the time to introduce each of the others. There are three other suitors from Wilder’s season who all seem very happy to see him without his old pack mate, Wren. I never met the man, but I’m damn glad Wilder chose to leave the pack. I don’t think Wren would’ve been the alpha for me.

Sasha, Maverick, and Dalton are all alphas—hot as hell alphas, at that. I’m damn glad I took scent blockers and that my clothes are made of scent-blocking material. They’re all from Evangeline Deveraux’s—the omega whose season Evander and Bradley were on—line. She makes the best clothing.

From season two, there’s Malik and Dylan, also alphas. They’re both just as attractive as the others. From last season, there’s an alpha and a beta—Lee and Ian.

“It’s really nice to meet all of you.” I offer them a smile, keeping close to Wilder’s side.

I’m not shy by any means, but being surrounded by this many unknown alphas has me on edge—no matter how hot they are.

“You as well, Camden.” Sasha inclines his head in my direction. His Russian accent has me biting my lip.

What is it about men with accents?

Dalton hums. “Evander filled us in on what happened with Daniel. I’m sorry you and Emilia had to deal with that.”

I wave off his concern. “It wasn’t aimed at me. It’s Emilia I’m worried about. As if she wasn’t having a bad enough day as it was, but she looked much better when we left her at her suite.”

There’s a moment of silence before Ian chuckles. “Is no one going to address the elephant in the room? ”

“Which one?” I ask. “The one where I’m an omega? Or the one where Emilia and I might be an omega pair?”

“Both. Either.” Ian grins as he shrugs. “There’s no point in us all tiptoeing around it. It should be addressed, and while I know Bree will want us to talk about it during the interview, it might be a good idea to discuss it before then.”

Wilder wraps his arm around my waist, and I take comfort in his closeness. I can feel him checking in through our bond, trying to make sure I’m okay. I send as much reassurance as I can. “You’re right, Ian. Thank you for bringing it up. I just don’t know what you’re looking for from me.”

The others glance around at one another before Sasha steps forward. “Let us start with you as an omega. So there are no misunderstandings. You and Wilder are here for Emilia, but are you also looking to add to your pack?”

“We are,” I confirm. “But until Emilia decides whether she wants me in her pack, I won’t consider anyone else. There’s a connection between us, but it’s easy to see she’s cautious—as she should be. But that means I also need to be cautious.”

Sasha’s face lights up with a smile. “That is good. Should protect yourself. We will spend time to get to know one another as friends, then if you decide you want more from any of us, you will tell us. These men are good men, from what I see so far.”

“Thanks, Sasha.” Maverick is also smiling. “Dalton and I are not attracted to men, so we’re only seeking friendship either way.”

Malik, speaking up for the first time, raises his hand. “It’s the same for me.”

“And me,” Bradley adds.

I nod, biting back a snicker. “Thank you for the clarification. As far as Emilia and I being an omega pair, I know nothing about them. I’d never heard the phrase before last night.

I don’t know what it entails or how to know if we are.

All I know is I feel a connection to her.

I’ve never felt anything like it before her—not even with Wilder. ”

“What are you all talking about?” Bree asks as she steps into the room, the cameramen right behind her as they move to set up their equipment. “I didn’t expect all of you to be here so early.”

“We just wanted a moment to welcome Camden and make sure he would feel comfortable among us,” Ian responds, which isn’t a lie, but he’s definitely avoiding telling her the details of our discussion.

“It can’t be easy being the only omega suitor—at least for now.

If you want to know the specific details, you can always watch the video of the room. ”

Bree rolls her eyes. “Stop it. You all were just so serious. I’m glad you’re making sure Camden is comfortable among you. Now, come use those big muscles to help me rearrange the room for the interview.”

I grin as I trail behind her, helping the others rearrange the room to her specifications.

I guess I didn’t need to be so nervous about meeting the other suitors.