Page 25 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

“ I ’m fine,” I assure Tessa for what feels like the millionth time.

She and Bree wanted to delay me meeting the day four suitors, but I wasn’t having any of it.

“My headache is gone, and there have been no other bouts of morning sickness. Sometimes, pregnancy throws curveballs at us, and we just have to adjust our course,” I tell her with a laugh. “I took the time I needed to rest and recuperate. I’m looking forward to meeting the last of the suitors.”

Tessa sighs. “Okay. I’m sorry. I know I’m probably annoying the hell out of you. I’m just worried. I want to make sure you’re not doing too much. You might not be my omega, but that doesn’t mean I won’t always look out for your best interests.”

“And I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.

But you need to believe me when I say I can handle something.

I know myself and my body better than you can.

There might be times I push myself too hard, but I try not to.

I need to be healthy, so my baby is. I’ll tell you if it becomes too much—like I did today. ”

“I understand.” She gives me a quick smile as Bree joins us. “All done with the interview?”

Bree scoffs. “I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I just wanted to check in and make sure you’re still good to go, Emilia.”

I giggle. “That’s exactly what we were just discussing, and I’m good. ”

“Let me guess—Tessa was worrying all over you?” Bree laughs as she grins up at Tessa. “You were, weren’t you?”

“Shut up. You act like it’s a bad thing.” Tessa’s face flushes. “We’re all on the same page. Emilia is fine, and the first suitor will be here in a few minutes.”

She stalks away while Bree laughs her ass off. “Don’t mind her—or me, for that matter. I enjoy giving her a hard time. Isn’t that what best friends are for?”

“I think so? I haven’t had one since I was a kid,” I admit. “Besides Ryan, that is, and it’s not the same when you’re lovers with them.”

Bree wrinkles her nose. “Well, that’s not fair. You definitely need best friends who are female. Don’t worry, as one of our omegas, we’ve adopted you. Plus, Evangeline loves you—Sophia too. She arrived earlier today with her pack.”

“All of them? With four babies in tow? Are they insane?”

She shakes her head. “No, but with both of their omegas needing to be here to help you, the rest of the pack wasn’t going to let them come alone.

Especially not when they would have to have the girls with them.

It’s okay. We’re all a big family here—you’ll see.

You’ll get to meet all of them on Sunday—including the babies, if you haven’t already. ”

“We’ve been meeting at her house since she’s not back to working full time yet. She always has at least one baby attached to her at a time. I don’t know how she deals with four of them at once.”

“Me neither. It’s hard enough with the three I have, and they’re all at least a year apart.

Okay, I’m going to leave you to it. The limo will be pulling in any minute.

If you need a break at any point, let us know.

” She holds up her hand when I open my mouth.

“I know you’re fine. That’s not just for right now, either.

Pregnancy is hard on the body, and you might need a break now and then.

There’s nothing wrong with asking for a break. ”

I nod. “You’re right. Thank you.”

Then she’s gone, leaving me alone. I turn toward the driveway as nerves bubble up in my stomach. None of this has gone as expected, and the unknown can be scary .

My eyes find Reginald, who’s watching me with a worried look. I roll my eyes, flipping him off. His grin is immediate. At least he doesn’t need to be convinced I’m fine.

The first limo pulls into the circular drive, and while I might be the picture of calm on the outside, inside, I’m a mess. An equal part of nerves and excitement are at war, making it hard to concentrate.

The limo comes to a stop, the door opens immediately, and a familiar face pops out. “Emilia!”

I immediately relax. That’s not to say I’m not still nervous, but it’s easier when I know the man who’s stepping aside to allow his brother to climb out of the limo.

Alexei and Nikolai Ivanov.

They were two of my brother’s suitors, and I never understood why he didn’t choose them. They’re both wildly attractive with their Russian accents. Nikolai might be the only alpha of them, but they’re both just as protective as they are hot.

Remington said the chemistry just wasn’t there, but he loves them, which is why he kept them around for so long.

Having them here as my suitors is freaking me out a bit, but it also excites me.

I lick my lips as warmth builds in my lower belly, slick spilling from me. It’s not the first time I’ve responded to the two of them like this. The first time had been when they were vying for a spot in my brother’s pack, so I hid it the best I could.

I don’t have to anymore, do I?

Both men are a few inches over six feet with their matching golden brown hair that’s just a little on the long side and short beards.

They’re easy to tell apart—at least for me.

Not only does Alexei have his hair pulled back from his face as usual, but their expressions couldn’t be more different.

Alexei grins at me as he practically bounds over, while Nikolai’s face is more stoic as he follows his brother at an unhurried pace.

Before I can say anything, Alexei sweeps me up into a hug and spins me around.

Normally, I would yell at someone for picking me up like that because I’m pregnant, but Alexei makes sure he doesn’t squish my stomach between us, and I feel safe in his arms. I also like the way his whiskey and oak scent brushes along my senses.

The two of them smell divine.

“ Brat !” Nikolai’s voice is harsh. “Put her down. She is pregnant.”

Alexei laughs as he sets me down gently. “I am well aware, Nik, but a hug will not break her.”

I giggle because it sure sounds like Nikolai called his brother a brat. I know he didn’t, his accent telling me it’s a Russian word. “What did he just call you?”

“Not a brat,” Alexei assures me. “It is brother in Russian.”

“As funny as it would’ve been to have him call you a brat, I could tell it was Russian. I just haven’t encountered it.” My smile only grows when he shoots me a wink as Nikolai joins us. “I don’t mind that your brother hugged me, Nikolai. Just like I wouldn’t mind if you wanted a hug.”

Alexei throws his head back as he laughs, clutching his stomach. “My brother wanting a hug? He is not hugging type.”

Nikolai glares at his brother before stepping forward and opening his arms for me.

I don’t hesitate to wrap my arms around him.

I rest my head on his chest as his butterscotch and bourbon scent calms me.

It isn’t as strong as it was when I last met them, but I know that’s because of the scent blockers.

I’ll be much happier when I can smell them fully tomorrow.

“It is good to see you, Emilia.” Nikolai kisses the top of my head as a purr rumbles in his chest, and I melt into his embrace.

“It’s good to see you too, Nikolai.”

Alexei scoffs. “It is not fair you have purr. If I had purr, she would still be hugging me and not you.”

“Says you,” Nikolai grumbles, holding me closer.

Deciding I don’t want them to fight, I pull out of his embrace and take a step back.

I can’t stop smiling as I look between the two of them.

“Since I know both of you already, it makes this part easier. I know you’re thirty-five—unless you’ve had a birthday in the last few months—and work in cybersecurity.

I know you’re protective of those you care for.

Oh! Did you know I have another Russian suitor?

Of course you don’t. That’s a dumb question. ”

“Are they new suitor?” Nikolai asks, crossing his arms over his chest, making his tux bunch around his arms.

I shake my head. “No. It’s Sasha Rostova from the first season.”

“Ahhh, the ballet dancer. You got Remington tickets to see his final show. We do not know him, but we will make sure he is one of good ones when we meet,” Alexei assures me.

“That’s sweet, but I don’t think that’s something you have to worry about.”

Nikolai scoffs. “We will always worry. Do not concern yourself with. We will feel out suitors to make sure they safe for you.”

I probably shouldn’t mention that we’ve already had to send one of my suitors home, should I? Yeah, I’m going to keep that to myself for now. Let someone else tell them about it.

I also know I stand no chance of talking them out of “feeling out” the other suitors. They did the same thing with my brother.

Oh, shit. Daniel was on the show with them. I’m doubly glad we already sent him packing.

“You’ll do what you’re going to do—not that I feel like it’s necessary.

But I do want to discuss something with you.

” They both gesture for me to continue. “It’s something I’ve been trying to talk with each of my suitors about.

You know the situation I’ve found myself in and that I already have two sons—”

“Yes,” Alexei agrees, wincing when I glare at him. “I am sorry. Please continue.”

I bite back a laugh when Nikolai punches his twin’s arm while he glares at him.

“You have agreed to be on the show knowing these things, but are you sure this is what you want? Are you sure taking on an omega with a lot of baggage, two young sons, and an unborn child is how you want to start your pack?”

Alexei scoffs, but Nikolai is the first to speak .

“Why you ask this? Of course it is. Hawk and Jasper are family—like Remington and you. If you do not make us pack, we still be here for family.” Nikolai sounds a little pissed off as he glares at me. “Why you question integrity?”

“ Nyet ,” Alexei snaps. “She not question integrity. She does what she must to protect her and her children. Do not be cross.”

Nikolai’s face immediately softens. “I am sorry, Emilia.”