Knot Her Reality (Heated Book 3)

Chapter Nine

Turns out that three hours is more than enough time for me to get ready—something I did know, even if it doesn’t seem like it. I think I’m just excited to be moving forward with the show once more. Now that I have a week less to get to know the suitors and decide on a pack, I want to get these first few days over so we can really start the process of getting to know one another.

Well, at least after tonight, I’ll only have four more suitors to meet.

Damn, that sounds bad. I want to meet all of them. I just wish this part didn’t take so long. On the other hand, I’m glad that they started introducing the suitors like this last season. Bree got to meet all her suitors in one night. Which is great for time but not for getting to know anyone or remembering their names.

Smoothing down my cornflower blue dress, I wait impatiently for the first of today’s suitors to arrive. Today’s dress is quite different from the ones I wore on the first two days. It’s short, hitting my mid-thigh, and the skirt will spin out if I twirl. It has a boat neck neckline and short sleeves, but the entire thing is overlaid with sheer material. The only place with solid material is over my breasts. Even the skirt is sheer, but it’s made up of multiple sheer layers, making it harder for anyone to make out the panties I wear beneath it.

I’m not sure what made me decide to go with this dress today, but it called to me. And who am I to say no to the fashion gods? Not to mention, it looks amazing.

I am equal parts excited and anxious as I wait. Something tells me that this doesn’t get easier with each day. There’s just something about the unknown; something about not knowing who I might be meeting today, that just makes me anxiety ridden.

Sound of tires on asphalt draws my attention to the driveway once more. Time to get my game face on. It’s time to meet today’s first suitor.

I stare at the limo as it pulls around, stopping just in front of me. Who will it be this time? Alpha? Beta? Omega? A pack? Any and all the above? Are they really as okay with waiting a week as Bree said they were? It had to be frustrating to spend a week in a hotel or wherever they wait until they come to the compound.

It’s this uncertainty that will not allow me to fully relax. I’ve always thought myself to be a patient person, but being on Heated has proven me wrong. I now know that my patience is limited by the unknown. I do not enjoy not knowing what is waiting for me. But isn’t that just the human condition?

The door swings open and anticipation fills me. I try to keep my face calm and collected, not wanting anyone to see just how uneasy I am. It’s not just the cameras that I would like to hide this from but also the person or people that I’ll be meeting. After all, doesn’t everyone wish to make the best first impression?

A head appears above the car door, beautiful green eyes meeting mine. He’s tall, but not too tall. At least he’s taller than me. His hair is a mix of red and brown that I find extremely attractive. His crooked smile brings one to my own lips. He winks before stepping out and turning back to the limo.

He ducks back down, offering his hand. A moment later, a gorgeous woman steps out beside him. Her skin is bronze and her hair black as night. Her eyes are so dark from this distance, they appear black as well. Her lips are pouty and the look in her eyes, intelligent. It takes more effort than it should to keep myself from biting my lip. I don’t know who this woman is, but I have to know her.

She gives me a soft smile, but it’s not warm and welcoming. While the other female suitors have been friendly, this one seems to hide behind a wall, her emotions unreadable in her eyes and face. That doesn’t deter me from her, though. In fact, it intrigues me more. It makes me want to get to know her better so I can see the way she thinks—the way she feels.

She moves out of the way, and another man steps out of the limo. He’s about the same height as the first man, but his hair and eyes are dark. There’s a bit of facial hair, slightly more than a five o’clock shadow, but nothing fully grown. It gives him an air of intrigue, just like the woman before him. These three must be a pack. I can’t help but wonder what their designations are.

When the man turns back to the limo, I’m surprised. A feminine hand lays in his moments before a woman appears. Her long blonde hair flows behind her as she shakes her head. Her eyes turn to me, and I see they are a pale, pale blue. She’s gorgeous and so petite. Even without scenting her, I know this woman is an omega.

This pack already has an omega, so why are they here on Heated?

I guess I’m about to find out as the four of them make their way toward me. The dark-haired woman leads the way with the first man at her elbow. The second man escorts the omega, whose hand rests on his arm. As they grow closer, their scents hit my nose. Because they are a pack, it’s hard to differentiate the scents.

There’s a strong scent of chocolate and orange zest. Beneath that I find blood orange, sea salt, ginger, vanilla, spearmint, jasmine, petals, and then beneath it all mangoes and pineapple swirl with strawberry. Something tells me that the last scent belongs to the omega.

As they come to a stop in front of me, the first woman raises an eyebrow before offering me her hand. Before I reach for her, I allow myself the time to run my eyes over her. The dress she wears is beautiful, and its simplicity hugging her curves. The high neckline reveals her beautiful shoulders and arms. Because I am the designer, I know there is a slit in the front of the dress, but with the way she walks, she never reveals any skin. She’s someone accustomed to wearing these types of gowns and knowing when to show her assets.

I shake her hand with a smile on my lips.

“Hello, omega. My name is Ana Reyes, and I am the head alpha of Pack Reyes.”

I lean closer to her, eyes falling shut as I take in her scent—chocolate, blood orange, and sea salt. That makes sense. My eyes fall to the first man who stepped from the car. It takes a moment, but I realize that he is a beta.

“Hello, love. I’m Nash, the pack beta.” It’s only then I’m able to break his scent apart from the others. I smelled ginger, orange spearmint, jasmine petals, and a hint of wood. I can’t say for sure which type of wood, but it adds just the right bite to his scent.

My eyes move to the other man. His eyes meet mine and he nods his head. “My name is Malachi. I am also an alpha.”

I should’ve probably figured that out with the way that he was leading the omega. It’s another moment before I am able to really scent him. He is where the orange zest comes from, added to ginger with just the slightest hint of vanilla and spicy clove.

My eyes fall to the beautiful omega, finding her eyes narrowed. She doesn’t look happy to be here and it once again brings about the question—why are they here if they already have an omega?

“This is our omega, Paisley,” Ana says quietly as she turns to the other woman. “You are the first omega that she has been around that has not been family. We once believed that omegas couldn’t get along, as that is what has been told to us since we were children. But after seeing the last season of Heated, we now know better.

“If bonded omegas are back again, then we thought it was impertinent to find out if Paisley could be your match. We know it might be hard for both of you to overcome the ingrained belief that omegas don’t get along, but we really would love it if you’d give her a chance—give us a chance.”

“Plus,” Nash adds, “who wouldn’t want more than one omega?”

A hiss spills from Paisley’s lips even as I roll my eyes at the beta. I extend my hand to her with a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Paisley. So far, there’s one other omega suitor—a male. I’m looking forward to having both of you here and proving to everyone that omegas are perfectly capable of being around one another.”

Paisley’s eyes drop to my hand, her disdain clear, and I have to force myself to keep smiling. It’s not until Ana growls, moving behind the omega and pressing a hand to her lower back that she takes my hand. Her mango, pineapple, and strawberry scent goes bitter as she smiles the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.

“Me, too, Evelyn, wasn’t it? Even if it’s a week later than we were supposed to. Not to mention all of those protestors. It’s all a bit stressful for me.”

This bitch. She definitely doesn’t want to be here. If she thinks it’s stressful for her, then she should try dealing with everything I have been. Spending a week in a hotel isn’t going to kill anyone, and I’ve been dealing with the protestors since before we started filming. Instead of saying any of that, I keep my smile firmly on my face. “Evangeline, actually.”

Ana leans in, her lips hovering over Paisley’s ear as she speaks so quietly I can’t make out her words. While I might not be able to hear what she says, I can read her lips well enough to know she’s telling her omega to behave.

“Sorry about that, Evangeline. Paisley is used to being the center of attention,” Malachi offers with a crooked smile. “There are likely to be some growing pains. I do hope this doesn’t ruin our chances.”

Ana’s smile is tight as she focuses on me once more. “Bree didn’t go into the details, but she said you were injured on your date the day we were meant to meet you?”

“Yes, that’s right. We went kayaking, and unfortunately, I ended up in the water. In an attempt to help me out, one of the suitors got too close to me with his kayak and ran into me.” I fight to reach up and touch the healing wound on my head. It’s not like they can’t see it. It takes away from my look a little, but what can I do?

I shake my head as I take in the pack as a whole. They’re beautiful, both individually and together, but being beautiful doesn’t mean they’re the pack for me. I also have no intention of holding this first meeting against them.

“While first impressions aren’t something we can ever redo or forget, there’s always more than meets the eye. If Paisley actually wants to be here, and she’s not just here to make her pack happy, then that’ll come out as I get to know all of you. I expect some bumps and bruises along the way,” I assure them. “Usually, we would spend this time getting to know the basics about one another before the next suitor arrives. Since there won’t be any other suitors today, why don’t we head into dinner instead? We can be more comfortable and fill our bellies as we get to know one another instead?”

Ana’s smile is tight as she nods. “I think that sounds like a great idea. Malachi, why don’t you escort Evangeline in while Nash escorts me and Paisley?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Malachi offers his arm, and I slide mine into his. When we turn around, I see Bree shaking her head at us before heading for the mansion. I guess she didn’t appreciate my change of plans.

What can I say? There was too much tension, and I needed to think of a way to break it. I’m hoping that the change of scenery will do all of us good.

“I promise we didn’t force Paisley to come on the show,” Malachi says, looking down at me as we follow Bree. “She agreed to give it a chance, but she really isn’t used to sharing the spotlight, so to say. She’s the youngest of three children. Her older brothers are both alphas, as are both of her parents. They expected she would be one too, but they always doted on her. When she revealed as an omega, it just got worse.”

He laughs. “We haven’t been much better. We’ve spoiled our omega, and we won’t apologize for that. She’s used to getting what she wants, when she wants it. I know that might cause issues between the two of you, but we had to take the chance, you know?”

“I can understand that.” Nodding my agreement, I really do understand. Since the revelation of Sophia and Chase being bonded omegas, there has been an increase in omegas coming together to meet one another. Everyone wants to be part of a bonded omega pair—even me. “We’ll just have to see how it goes. It’s just like with any other suitor here—first impressions mean something, but they’re not the end all, be all.”

“I appreciate you giving us a chance, even with her rudeness.” Malachi glances behind us at the rest of his pack before turning back to me. “All I can do is apologize and get to know you.”

I snort. “There’s no reason for an apology, and for all you know, none of you will like me.”

“Somehow, I doubt that,” he murmurs, his eyes running over my face. “We might not have had much time to speak yet, but something tells me you’re one of a kind.”

I shouldn’t preen beneath his words, but I do. I am one of a kind, and I want people to recognize that. I want people to like me and to care for me. I especially want alphas to like and want me. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here on Heated, would I?

I shrug. “I guess there’s only one way for you to find out, isn’t there?”

A smile lights up his face, and he goes from attractive to sinfully hot. “That sounds like a dare, omega. One thing you should know about me is that I always win, and I never back down from dares.”

“Good,” is all I say as I fight back a shiver. I don’t know if this pack is for me—especially not their stuck up omega—but I’m definitely looking forward to finding out.

I turn my head forward, finding Bree glancing back at me with a smile as she leads us inside. At least no one seems upset about having to wait an extra week except for Paisley. That makes me feel better as something tells me that Paisley would find fault in just about anything right now. Malachi says they didn’t force her to come on the show, but even if that’s true, I’m not sure she’s willing to put in the effort. I definitely don’t feel a connection to her like I did with Koda.

But even that’s okay. It’s not like I have to be involved with the other omega in the pack, right? I just want everyone to be happy, and as much as the assholes protesting the show and me might say, I’m not actually greedy.

“None of you mentioned it, but I’m curious what you do for a living,” I say as I turn my attention back to Malachi as we step into the house.

“Ahhh. I guess we did skip right over that, didn’t we? I work in my family’s business, doing whatever needs to be done. One day, I’ll be running it, but for now, I have to do it all.” He shrugs. “It lets me learn about what it’ll be like running it when it’s my time, so I don’t mind it.”

I nod. “That sounds amazing—being able to keep your family’s legacy going. What kind of business is it?”

Malachi hesitates for a moment, his smile tightening along with his jaw. “Ahhh, I think it would be best described as acquisitions.”

I want to ask more about it, but he’s already changing the subject. “Ana’s a defense attorney. Actually, my family is one of her clients. It’s how we met. Nash works in the technology industry—though my family is trying to convince him to come work for us. And Paisley doesn’t have to work. She spends her time working with charities.”

Of course, she does.

“That’s awesome. Another thing we missed out on was your ages.”

Malachi chuckles. “We just skipped all the basic information, didn’t we?”

“It happens.”

“I’m the oldest at forty-two. Ana is thirty, Nash twenty-eight, and Paisley is just twenty-one.”

“Wow. I could tell she was younger, but I didn’t realize she was that much younger.” Her attitude makes more sense, though. She’s in a different part of her life than I am. She’s new to this. I’ll just need to remember that in the future.

Since we’ve reached the dining room, I release my hold on Malachi’s arm, moving to sit at the head of the table. Malachi hesitates when he sees the seat I’ve taken, glancing back as the other three members of his pack join us. They all hesitate in the doorway, Paisley smirking as she meets my eyes.

“You’re in Ana’s seat,” she says, seemingly pleased to correct me. Too bad she’s wrong.

I laugh, settling into my seat. “Maybe when you’re at your pack’s home, but not here. Here on Heated, I sit at the head of the table as the twenty suitors on the show are here to meet me.”

“Of course you do.” Ana smiles, though it looks forced. “Paisley, why don’t you sit beside Malachi? Nash, you take the seat on the other side next to Evangeline, and I’ll sit beside you.”

Paisley pouts, opening her mouth to complain, I’m sure, but Ana cuts her off with a look. “Now, omega.”

My eyes narrow at the alpha bark to her words that immediately send Paisley to Malachi’s side. I’m not sure that was totally necessary, but it’s also not my business. They’re not my pack—at least not yet. Though, if this is how they treat the omega already in their pack, do they think they can treat me like that? Because that’s never going to happen.

They settle into the seats that Ana requested just as the meal is brought in. Tonight, it looks like we’re having a buffet of seafood. Yum.

No one speaks as we make our plates. Well, some of us make our plates, while some of us have someone else make our plate for us. I bite my cheek to keep myself from commenting on the fact that Malachi and Ana make Paisley’s before he sets it in front of her.

“So, Malachi told me about what each of you do for work and your ages, but I’m sure there’s a lot more to know about you all,” I say when the silence gets to be too much for me.

Ana laughs, though she doesn’t sound at all amused. “He did, did he?”

I glance between the alphas, frowning at whatever’s going on there. Maybe I should have stayed quiet?

“That was nice of him,” she continues, turning her attention away from him to meet my eyes. “What would you like to know, Evangeline?”

I shrug. “Do you each have activities you enjoy doing in your free time? Or maybe things you like doing together?”

“They enjoy pleasing their omega,” Paisley says brazenly. “We spend most of our time in the bedroom when they’re not working.”

Okay, then.

“Paisley.” Ana’s tone is sharp as she slams her hand on the table.

“It’s fine,” I tell them, turning my attention to Paisley. “Obviously, we need to have a conversation. You know I’m not trying to steal your pack from you, right? Your pack is here to see if they—and this includes you—are a good fit for me and the pack I’m building. They’re not going to leave you just because they’ve met me.”

“Obviously, I know that.”

I nod slowly. “Then do you not want to be here? Is that what it is? Is that why you’re acting the way you are?”

Her jaw clenches as she glances first at Ana and then at Malachi before focusing her attention on me. “I don’t know. Every instinct inside of me is screaming that you’re an interloper and to get you away from my pack.”

“Okay. I appreciate the honesty. It doesn’t do us any good if we’re not up front with one another, does it?” I wait until she shakes her head before continuing, “So here’s what I’m thinking. We’ll finish our dinner and the four of you can spend the night talking about if this is going to be too much for your omega. Because if it is, there’s no point in wasting any of our time, right? Tomorrow, if she feels like she can do this, then we’ll go on our date. If not, then the four of you can go on the date, and I’ll stay here. How does that sound?”

Ana clears her throat. “I don’t think that will be nec—“

I hold up my hand to stop her. “I know you said she wants to be here and that you didn’t force her to come. But is it possible that you put too much pressure on her so she felt like she couldn’t say no? I’m sure she wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

“I don’t like what you’re insinuating.” Ana’s eyes flash with anger.

“I’m not insinuating anything, Ana. I’m not saying you did it on purpose. I’m not even saying you did do that. Maybe Paisley was all for coming on the show, but did you not hear what she just said?“ I gesture to the omega in question. “She’s having to fight her instincts? I don’t know what that’s like for an alpha, but I can tell you that for an omega, it’s terrible. We have instincts for a reason. All I’m asking you to do is to take the night, speak with your pack, and listen to what your omega is telling you. See if this is something your pack can do without it hurting Paisley. I don’t want to see someone else hurting because they want to please their pack. I’m sure you don’t either.”

Malachi sighs. “Of course, we don’t. You’re right, Evangeline. Thank you for looking out for Paisley. Ana and I can get a little… pushy about things when we’re excited—as most alphas can. We need to check in with our omega to make sure this is what she wants now that we’re here.”

“Exactly that,” I tell him with a smile before turning back to Paisley. “And no one could hold it against you if you realized you can’t do this now that you’re actually here. Trust me, I completely understand. But if this is something you decide you want to do, I’d really like to get to know you.”

For the first time since she stepped out of the car, the bitchy attitude seems to disappear. “Thank you, Evangeline. I think I’d really like to get to know you, too.”

I glance between the other members of Pack Reyes. “That goes for all of you. I would love to get to know you, but only if every member of your pack is comfortable. I’m sure you can understand that.”

Nash grins. “You’re a special lady, Evangeline.”

“Why, thank you.” I laugh. “Is there a particular reason you’re saying that…”

“Not every person—let alone an omega—would put up with the way Paisley has spoken to you. And then to tell her it’s okay if she changed her mind?” He shakes his head. “Not all people in this world are good people, but you? You definitely are.”

I flush at his kind words, grinning as I duck my head. “Thank you.”

“Blushing looks good on you, Evangeline,” Ana says softly, and when I lift my eyes to meet hers, I find a genuine smile on her lips. “Thank you for looking out for us.”

“We’ll definitely make sure we talk as a pack and get our decision to you in the morning,” Malachi assures me. “In the meantime, let me tell you about Nash’s obsession with golf.”

The tension has fallen away, and I’m so grateful for it. I really don’t need any more stressful meetings with suitors. I don’t know what decision they’ll come to tonight, but I’m glad they’re willing to listen to their omega—even if I’m the one who had to point out the issue. It’ll make me feel better about the pack if they end up staying. But that’s a worry for tomorrow.