Page 5 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Emilia

S tanding beside the circular driveway, I find I’m nervous. I’m not sure why, when I know this won’t be real.

Maybe that’s exactly it.

Maybe I’m nervous because I know the suitors are expecting to find an omega looking for a pack, which I am, but I’m also not.

I might need a pack, but I don’t want one.

My mouth tugs up at the corners as I hear the limo turning onto the driveway. Remington had told me I’d be able to hear them coming, but I hadn’t believed him.

That’s what I get for not believing my brother, I guess.

I straighten my shoulders, smiling as the limo appears and drives around until it comes to a stop.

I know most of the suitors are going to be suitors from past seasons, and I approved their scents, but that’s all I know.

I have no idea if I’m going to recognize any of them or remember anything about them.

I’m sure Remington will be happy to fill me in on the past season’s exploits when I get my family day on Sunday.

How bad is it that I wish it were already Sunday? It’s been mere hours, and I already miss my boys.

I’ve never been away from them, especially not since losing their dads. I hope they’re okay.

No, I know they’re okay. They’re with Remington’s pack.

The door to the limo swings open, drawing my attention away from my thoughts and to my very first suitor, who looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t recall his name.

He’s tall, probably around six feet, with deep brown skin that practically seems to glow beneath the lights.

His black curly hair falls around his face, some strands spilling onto his forehead.

He’s handsome—there’s no denying that—but what draws me in are his eyes.

They’re a pale blue that stands out in stark contrast to the remainder of his dark looks.

Then it hits me why he looks so familiar.

Malik Bakir—he’s the veterinarian who has his own reality television series.

Maxwell always loved the show, and he would make the rest of us watch it with him.

Pain flutters through my chest, and I lift my hand to press against it as my smile falters.

I didn’t expect any of the suitors to remind me of my lost mates, and I can’t say I like it.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I fix my smile as hints of Malik’s citrus and lavender scent reach me. I’m barely able to pick it up, telling me that the scent blockers they have us on are some of the best. It’s not a brand I recognize, but I’m grateful that they’re as effective as they are.

I already knew he was an alpha, but even the hint of his scent would’ve told me what he is.

“Hello, Emilia,” Malik says, his voice smooth and almost hypnotizing.

I take a deep breath and force my eyes open. “Hello, Malik.”

His smile grows. “Oh, so you recognize me?”

“Yes.” I let my hand fall away from my chest. I didn’t realize I was still trying to rub away the pain, as if that ever works. “I’ve seen your show, All Kinds of Heroes, a time or two.”

“Well, since you know my name, I guess I don’t have to start there. You also know what my profession is.” He considers me for a moment. “I am also sure you know I am an alpha. Hmmm…what else is there to tell? Oh, I am thirty-nine, and I was on the second season of Heated with Sophia.”

His words are slightly stilted, telling me he isn’t as comfortable as he seems. “I guess that’s the basics, and I assume you know the basics about me and my situation?”

“I do.” He nods. “The entire situation is insane. The fact that I didn’t know this could happen also makes me feel like a terrible alpha.

I have a voice that could be used to call attention to these types of archaic laws, but I didn’t know of them.

How can I use my voice for good when I’m not aware of what changes need to be made? ”

I offer him a genuine smile as he shakes his head. “Most of us aren’t aware of them until someone uses them against us. Don’t beat yourself up too bad. They affect me directly, and I had no idea.”

“You’re a strong woman, Emilia. I cannot imagine what you’re going through right now, but that you’re here fighting for what you need?

It will show the world that omegas are not to be trifled with—and neither are mothers.

I truly look forward to getting to know more about you and what makes you tick. ”

I lift my hand to rub along my baby bump. “And you truly have no problems with the fact that I’m pregnant with another man’s child or that I have two other children?”

Malik shakes his head. “As someone who intends to be a part of a pack, how could I be? There’s never a guarantee that any child my omega has is mine. Blood doesn’t make a family.”

His words make me feel better. Could he be lying? Absolutely, but I don’t taste any lies in his statement. He’s either being truthful or he’s a damn good liar.

I’m sure this isn’t the way Bree or Tessa expected my initial meetings with my suitors to go, but I need to know they can accept my situation before giving them a chance to move forward.

There’s no way I can allow any toxicity into my children’s lives.

I won’t allow them to be resented by those I choose to be a part of my pack, and this is the only way I can think of to weed out the suitors .

“Well, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, why don’t you tell me about some things you enjoy, Malik?”

For a few minutes, we talk about some of his hobbies—traveling, watching documentaries, and riding as many roller coasters as possible—and I find it’s easy to talk to him.

This sense of ease is exactly what I’m looking for.

I’m not looking for love, but I will need to live with these men for the rest of my life, considering the only way to break pack bonds is death—and even that doesn’t break them fully.

Trust me, I know.

When Reginald signals for me to wrap it up, I find it’s easy to offer Malik a smile. “It seems our time is up for now. I enjoyed speaking with you, Malik, and look forward to getting to know you better.”

“I also look forward to speaking with you more in the future.” Malik lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles as he smiles.

He releases my hand, stepping around me to join Bree and Tessa, who I know are standing behind me.

I brush my hand against my dress, wondering why part of me is disappointed that there had been no sparks when he touched me.

Brushing it off, I force my attention back to the driveway as I hear the next limo approaching. That’s not something I feel like delving into right now and meeting my next suitor is just the distraction I need to not dwell on it.

As soon as the limo comes to a stop, the door opens.

The man who steps out is shorter than Malik by a few inches.

His chestnut brown hair is streaked with silver and slicked back from his face, cut close to his head on the sides.

He wears metal-framed glasses, but I can’t quite make out his eye color as he approaches me.

He has a short beard that’s more silver than brown.

Unlike Malik, I don’t recognize this man at all. Could he be one of the new suitors?

I guess it’s possible he just wasn’t one of Remington’s favorite suitors, so he didn’t point him out when he made me watch episodes with him.

“Good evening, Emilia,” the man says softly as he stops in front of me, letting me get a view of his baby blue eyes as hints of oven-baked bread reach me .

It’s even fainter than Malik’s had been. A beta, then.

“Hello,” I say, offering him my hand. He wins points in my book when he shakes it versus kissing it. This might not be a business setting, but it drives me nuts, the number of men who think it’s appropriate to kiss me instead of shaking my hand.

“My name is Bradley Perceval. I’m a beta. I’m forty-five and was on the third season of Heated with Evangeline. I work as a teacher.”

That makes me smile. I have the utmost respect for anyone who is able to work with children of any age. “What grade do you teach?”

“High school.” He shrugs. “I enjoy working with that age. They’re always a challenge, but when you get through to them? It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.”

“Teaching isn’t a profession I ever considered. It requires too much patience,” I admit. “Even if working in the corporate world feels like working with children at times. At least I can treat them like adults, even when they act like children.”

Bradley snickers. “Better you than me. I’ll take kids over adults any day—even the teenagers.”

More points in his favor.

“Before we delve into getting to know one another better, I want to discuss the elephant in the room. And when I say elephant, I mean me.” I snicker at my joke, but Bradley looks horrified. “Oh, come on. Most women say they feel like a beached whale. Surely I can call myself an elephant.”

“I…umm…” Bradley looks unsure of how to respond, so I take pity on him.

“I’m just messing with you,” I tell him with a smile.

“I know my situation isn’t like any of the other suitors, so I feel like it’s important to discuss it up front.

Tessa and Bree have assured me you’ve been provided with the details of my situation before signing on for the season, but I have to make sure that you truly understand what it means and how it can affect you.

It’s not just me I have to worry about, but my children.

Not everyone is willing to take on three children that aren’t theirs. ”

Bradley shakes his head. “I love kids. It’s why I became a teacher—even if I work with teenagers.

Plus, I’m a beta. In a lot of packs, we never father children.

A child doesn’t need to be biologically mine for me to love them.

Anyone who feels that way has no right to be a part of a pack and should be ashamed of themselves. ”

I’m a little taken aback by the vehemence in his voice as he offers me a tight smile.