Page 46 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

“ I ’m so tired,” I complain as Evangeline straightens the folds of my dress for tonight’s rose ceremony. As always, it’s gorgeous and something I probably never would’ve chosen for myself, but I’ve learned to trust Evangeline. If she says it’ll look good, then I know it will.

She snickers as she stands, reaching over to adjust the bodice until it sits right. “That’s what happens when you have to get up early with your kids for Christmas, then decide to let your omega fuck you all night—all while your alpha watches.”

“Wilder did more than watch,” I argue, my face growing red.

“That doesn’t change the chain of events, my friend.”

Instead of answering her, I give her the finger.

Mainly because I know she’s right.

It also didn’t help that I hadn’t slept well on Christmas Eve. I was too worried about having my family, the boys, and the suitors in one place for most of the day.

Plus, wrapping last-minute presents and making sure everyone had a present from Santa under the tree.

But yesterday went off without a hitch. Everyone had a great time—my boys, most of all. It had been a great day.

Which is how I let Camden convince me to celebrate the successful day. I may have forgotten that once we start fucking, we don’t like to stop .

I slept in this morning, but Camden and Wilder woke me up in the best kind of way. Since I was awake, I didn’t want to feel like I was ignoring the suitors, so I joined them beside the pool—where I fell asleep and Wilder had to carry me back to bed.

I have no recollection of that, but when Camden woke me up, I was in my bed.

“Sometimes, I forget how exhausting pregnancy is,” I admit. “I’m so used to being able to do it all, and I can’t anymore.”

She grabs my hand, not even allowing me time to glance in the mirror as she drags me from the room. She ignores my protests of needing a few minutes.

“There’s no time, Emilia. We’re already late.”

Well, shit.

How did that happen?

Bree and Tessa perk up when they see the two of us approaching.

“Thank goodness. We were beginning to think we’d have to cancel the ceremony.” Bree smiles, but I can see the worry in her eyes.

“Which we would’ve done with no hesitation if that’s what you needed,” Tessa adds.

I shake my head. “I’m just tired. I have no energy for anything. If Evangeline hadn’t been there to dress me, I would’ve fallen back to sleep.”

My words immediately have Tessa reaching out to me. “Are you okay? We can still cancel the ceremony. Or delay it. Do you need to see a doctor?”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’m okay. This was definitely self-caused.” I jump when the ballroom door swings open, Camden and Wilder stepping out.

“We should have discussed this before tonight,” Bree says with a wry smile. “But with Christmas and everything else, it slipped my and Tessa’s minds. Now that you’re a bonded omega pair, the two of you need to decide if you’ll both be seeking out partners from the suitors. ”

Tessa nods. “However you want to handle it, that’s for the two of you to decide. But from now on, you’ll be escorted into the ballroom by Camden, and Wilder will join you on stage.”

I glance at Camden, realizing this is definitely something we should’ve discussed before now, but he’s already waving off my concern.

“We’ll talk about it this week. For now, I’ll just stand with Wilder. This isn’t something we should decide on the fly.”

“Okay. If you’re sure.” I kind of feel like shit now for not considering the fact that Camden might be interested in some of the other suitors.

He nods. “I’m sure, but what I can tell you is I don’t want to be involved with anyone you’re not. I don’t like the idea of not sharing everything with you.”

And why does that make my smile grow?

“Same,” I agree, realizing just how right that feels. “That’s definitely something we’ll need to remember going forward.”

Camden offers me his arm, and I slide mine into it as I rub my face on his arm.

There I go again, scent-marking him. I don’t know why I’m surprised at this point.

I didn’t realize how possessive my omega is until meeting these men. I don’t remember being quite this possessive with my first pack, but maybe I was.

Reginald swings the doors open, stepping into the ballroom ahead of us. Then it’s me and Camden, followed by Wilder. I assume the others file in behind him, but I’m not turning around to find out.

Camden and I might not know how we’re going to handle choosing our future pack yet, but tonight will be a step in the right direction.

Holy shit. I’m really doing this.

For the first time since arriving, guilt doesn’t immediately rush through me.

What a damn relief that is.

I’m not sure the exact moment everything changed for me—maybe it happened slowly so I didn’t notice it—but I realize that not only is the guilt gone, but I’m excited.

I’m excited about the future for the first time in over two and a half years.

As we ascend the stairs, a smile slowly blooms.

This is what my first loves would want for me. They would want me to be happy even if it’s not with them.

While I knew that logically, my heart seems to be catching up with my head finally.

“What’s that smile for?” Camden murmurs, knowing if we speak too loudly, the mics will pick us up. “I can tell you’re happy, but not why.”

I turn to him as tears fill my eyes. “I’m ready. I’m finally ready.”

He looks confused for a moment before it hits him, and I can feel his joy running along our bond.

“Good. I’m glad.”

I blink away the tears as we come to a stop beside the table. Unlike last week, the colors of the roses are clear for all to see. Part of me wishes I would’ve felt this acceptance sooner. Maybe some of the roses I’m about to hand out would be different if I had.

But that’s okay. There’s still plenty of time.

“Welcome back to our suitors and to our viewers. We’ve reached the end of the fourth week, meaning we’re already halfway through the show.

” Reginald chuckles. “Although, if past seasons are anything to go off of, we won’t make it to the eighth week.

As usual, only time will tell. Now, we’d like to invite our first suitor to the stage.

Sasha, will you please join us on the stage? ”

And so begins the process of handing out roses to my eleven remaining suitors.

Sasha and Evander each get a peach rose for an individual date, but I definitely think I’ll invite Camden along for those—assuming he has any interest in either alpha.

Dylan, Gavin, Ian, and the twins get lavender roses for group dates, and I think I’ll ask both Camden and Wilder to join me for those. It’s time to get serious about seeing how the others interact with my alpha and my omega .

Because there’s never enough time in a week, Lee, Dalton, Maverick, and Paxton receive yellow roses.

Once the last of the suitors leaves the stage, I know there’s another announcement I need to make. Before Reginald can begin his end-of-the-ceremony spiel, I hold up my hand and wait for his nod of approval before taking a step closer to the camera and the suitors.

“As you all know, Sundays are family days for me. Now that all of you have met Jasper and Hawk, I think it’s time for you to join me.

Beginning tomorrow, you’ll have the option to join me.

I won’t make it mandatory because I know it was the one day you have off while we’re here.

With New Year’s Eve on Thursday night, I will make that the night we spend together this week and dates will be on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Going forward, I will use Monday through Friday for dates.

This means if you choose not to join us on Sunday, you will miss out on the weekly group session. ”

The baby chooses that moment to kick, and I rub my hand over the spot as he kicks again.

“It seems the baby is excited about the changes,” I say with a laugh. “Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am ready for bed.”

“Are you trying to take my job away from me again?” Reginald asks, smiling as he joins me. “But Emilia is right, we’ve reached the end of our night. Tune in next time to see how week five plays out for Emilia and her suitors.”

He continues, reminding everyone to tag the show on social media and whatever else he says to wrap up the show, but my attention is now elsewhere.

I step back to join Camden and Wilder, hugging both of them the best I can. “I need to sleep for like twelve hours. Do the two of you want to join me?”

“Will it involve anything besides sleeping?” Camden asks, waggling his eyebrows before letting out a long yawn. “No, I’m just as tired. That sounds wonderful.”

Never have I been more excited to just sleep in bed with two men before.