Page 53 of Knot Our Reality (Heated #5)

Maverick

I can’t believe the number of people who have turned out for tonight’s charity gala. It’s both overwhelming and amazing.

There’s a display on the wall where they’re keeping track of donations, and the number just keeps getting higher and higher. We’re closing in on the rose ceremony that will wrap up the gala, and it’s already over ten million dollars.

While Dalton and I do very well with our business, we don’t have that kind of money. And to think, Emilia’s company is going to match that number. We could never—at least not yet.

Maybe one day.

My eyes find Emilia, who’s dancing with Camden, and they’re both laughing.

I’m not attracted to men, but they both look beautiful tonight—Camden somehow seeming to pick up some of the glow Emilia’s pregnancy has brought her.

I wouldn’t be surprised if every eye in the room was on the two of them. They’re a striking pair.

“I hate these things,” Dalton complains as he joins me, frowning. I can tell he’s annoyed because his Southern drawl is even more pronounced.

“What’s wrong?”

He wrinkles his nose. “Do you know how many women have grabbed my ass in the last ten minutes alone? It’s disgusting. They all know I’m one of Emilia’s suitors. ”

Considering we were all announced at the beginning of the night, I know they do, but I’m not all that surprised.

“That’s rich people for you.” I roll my eyes.

Dalton makes a face. “Aren’t we rich?”

I scoff. “No, we’re well off. The people here? Some of them probably make in an hour what we make in six months by sitting on their asses.”

“I definitely don’t like rich people,” he decides, and I have to agree with him—to a point.

There’s feedback over the speaker system, and I wince along with the rest of the room as Reginald appears on the stage that’s been set up in front of a wall of windows.

“Sorry about that, folks. For those of you who might not know me, I’m Reginald Williams, and I’m the host of Heated .

In just a few moments, we’ll be calling Emilia, her pack, and the remaining suitors to the stage for tonight’s rose ceremony.

“As per the NDA you were required to sign upon arrival, you are not to repeat the results of tonight’s ceremony. We also ask that you please remain silent during the ceremony. If you’ll all take a seat at the tables, we’ll get started.”

There’s some shuffling around the room as people find their way back to the tables where we’d eaten dinner at the beginning of the gala. There’s a bit of small talk, but for the most part, people remain silent as Dalton and I head for the stage.

It’s a little weird having this ceremony in front of all these strangers, but I don’t think Emilia would send any of us home with a live audience.

I really hope she doesn’t send us home at all.

I’ve fallen hard for her, and I’ll be devastated if she doesn’t choose Dalton and me. My pack mate might hide his worries behind his humor, but I know Dalton feels the same way. We’re beside ourselves with worry that she won’t choose us.

“Knock it off.” Dalton elbows me in the side as we reach the other suitors.

“Fuck,” I hiss, rubbing my side. “What the hell was that for? ”

He waves his hand in front of my face. “For this. Stop freaking out, and if you can’t, at least stop broadcasting your feelings all over your face.”

I make a face. I may not like it, but he’s right. I don’t want these rich assholes to see how worried I am about being chosen.

“Thank you, everyone,” Reginald says as he steps on stage with Emilia, Bree, and Tessa.

Bree smiles as she takes the microphone from Reginald. “Before we get started with tonight’s rose ceremony, we want to take a moment to thank each of you for being here. You’ve all been generous with your donations on top of buying tickets to the gala.”

“We’re happy to announce that we’ve raised fifteen million dollars tonight,” Tessa announces as she leans down so the microphone will pick her up.

Applause breaks out across the room, and the three women wait for it to die down before Emilia speaks. “That means the Rancho Mirage Aid Fund will receive forty-five million dollars just from tonight’s gala. We couldn’t have done this without all of you. Thank you again.”

Reginald takes the microphone back as Emilia’s pack joins her onstage. Ian holds a bundle of roses wrapped in paper, obscuring what color roses are inside.

Camden moves to Emilia’s side, their fingers immediately intertwined. I’m not even sure if they realize it, but they can’t seem to help touching one another when they’re close. I can’t imagine the bond the two of them share.

“Suitors, if you will?”

The five of us walk up the stairs opposite where the others came onto the stage, lining up as we rehearsed earlier.

“Welcome to week six’s rose ceremony,” Reginald says.

“Only five suitors remain vying for their spot in Emilia and Camden’s pack—which is currently at six members for those of you keeping track at home.

Camden has also claimed Nikolai and Ian as his.

What will these two omegas choose to do from here?

Let’s hand the stage over to them, and I guess we’ll find out. ”

“Thank you, Reginald.” Emilia offers him a smile before turning toward the five of us.

“This week has been almost as hectic as last week. I feel like I’ve neglected the five of you.

Yes, we went on our dates, but they felt rushed.

With helping plan the gala, I don’t feel like I’ve given you the attention you deserve. ”

I shake my head. “That’s not true.”

She nods. “We’ll agree to disagree on that. I’m about two weeks away from my due date at this point, which means I could go into labor at any time. That means Camden and I need to spend this week deciding on who we want to be a part of our pack.”

Camden grins. “Don’t worry, Dalton and Maverick, I’m not considering you for my pack.”

I snort as laughter fills the room. As the only remaining suitors who are straight, that makes sense.

“With that being said, Camden will join me on all of this week’s dates, while the rest of the pack remains at the compound.”

Nikolai grunts, muttering something under his breath. I don’t catch all of it, but it sounds like it’s about him not agreeing to that, and I can’t help grinning at the grumpy Russian bastard. He’s got it so bad for those two, and I’m so happy to see it.

Emilia leads Camden to stand in front of Gavin, who is the furthest away from her pack. Ian hurries after them, still clutching the flowers to his chest.

“Sorry. I forgot I had the roses,” Ian says softly, but the omegas’ mics pick them up. Another round of laughter fills the room as the beta flushes.

Emilia pats his hand. “It’s okay. Thank you for keeping track of them for us.”

Camden nods, stepping closer so he can kiss Ian. “The best beta ever.”

Ian’s cheeks turn ever pinker as he ducks his head.

“Behave, Camden,” Emilia warns, but she’s still grinning at them.

Turning her attention back to Gavin, she sighs.

“You’re something special, Gavin. I love that I always feel safe and listened to when I’m with you.

I still don’t think we’ve reached the point where I can invite you to join my pack, but I’m definitely not ready for you to leave. ”

Ian hands her two peach roses, and she passes one to Camden.

“You’re sexy and kind—two of my favorite qualities,” Camden admits. “We’d like it if you went on a date with us this week.”

Gavin accepts the roses with a dip of his head. “I’d be delighted.”

Next, the pair offers peach roses to both Dylan and Evander.

Then it’s just me and Dalton. Camden kisses Emilia’s cheek as Ian hands her what’s left of the bouquet before the two of them rejoin the rest of the pack.

“Dalton and Maverick, I’ve spent a lot of time with both of you, but usually at the same time.

This week, I want to try something different.

I want each of you to come on a date that’s just the two of us.

” She grins when Nikolai makes another grumbling noise, pulling out two peach roses.

“I like you as a duo, but I want to see what it’s like when the other isn’t around. ”

I can’t stop grinning, and neither can Dalton, as we take the roses from her.

“You’re going to have a dull date with just him,” Dalton says, nodding toward me. “He’s not funny at all.”

I roll my eyes. “Ignore the idiot. He just likes it when he’s the center of attention.”

Dalton shrugs. “That’s true, which is why I’m going to love a solo date. Thank you, Emilia.”

“Yes, thank you.” I take her hand, flipping it over, and lifting it to my lips so I can kiss her palm.

My smile grows as she shivers, a hint of her scent wafting toward me and telling me how much she liked that.

Because of the gala, we all used scent blockers, plus Bree had the system installed that the businesses in Rancho Mirage use. So being able to even smell that much of her scent makes me giddy.

She flutters her eyelashes at me as I continue to hold her hand for just a moment longer than I need to, but I’m not ready for her to leave me yet. Sadly, I don’t get much of a say in the matter when Reginald’s voice sounds out. “It seems our omegas are no closer to making their final decisions.”

Emilia sends me an apologetic smile before making her way back to her pack.

“This is the end of this week’s rose ceremony, as well as the end of the charity gala.

We thank all of you for making the time to come out today and for your generous donations.

If you’ll remain in your seats for just a few moments longer, we’re going to allow our cast to head to their rooms. We’ll be back with week seven’s dates in just a few days, so make sure you tune in. Until next time.”

Applause fills the room as Bree and Tessa climb onto the stage with us.

“You’re all free to return to your rooms.” Tessa nods toward the doors. “If you don’t go now, you’ll be stuck here until after the guests leave.”

As much as I don’t want to leave Emilia’s side, she looks tired, and I won’t be the one to keep her from her sleep.

We move as a group toward the doors, saying goodbye as Emilia and her pack head to her suite. I stand at the bottom of the stairs, waiting until they’re out of sight before starting up.

“We still have a chance,” Dalton reminds me, and I nod.

We do, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure she chooses us.