Knot Her Reality (Heated Book 3)

Chapter Thirty-five

Sliding my wallet into my pocket, I glance around my room to make sure I have everything I need. It’s an ingrained habit from life outside of Heated because I don’t even need my wallet here. I chuckle as I shake my head, opening the door and leaving my room behind.

Tonight, I’m going on a solo date with Evangeline’s pack—so I guess that makes it a group date, but none of the other suitors will be joining us. Conrad went out with them last night, and now it’s my turn. I know Ronan and Natalie are going out with them tomorrow, and then Jagger and Alejandro will go on Thursday and Friday. I can’t believe that we’re on the sixth week, and there are only six of us left. It won’t be much longer and Evangeline will go into heat, hopefully picking her pack before then.

I remember watching the first season, and Bree had to deal with an early heat that caused her to choose the last members of her pack. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

I wonder if we’ll all make it to the end. Will Evangeline choose all of us for her pack? It would make a pretty big pack, ten, including her. That’s one less than Sophia chose for season two.

Forcing myself to keep moving, I try to focus on the upcoming date and not on what might or might not happen over the next few weeks. There’s only so much control I have over what happens, and that control comes from this date. Evangeline and I have had a date before, but never with the rest of her pack. It’s not just her I need to prove myself to, but them as well. Because if there’s one thing I know about Evangeline, it’s that she won’t make unilateral decisions for her pack—something she proved at the last ceremony when she made it clear that she and Koda had made the decisions together.

I don’t know why I’m so nervous, though I have an inkling that it might be because there are now four of them and just one of me. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed at the idea of their attention being on me at once.

I chuckle when I realize I’ve already made it all the way to Evangeline’s suite while lost in my thoughts. Knocking lightly, I wait for someone to answer. Evangeline told me we were just going to have a casual date today so I’m wearing a pair of khakis and a green Polo shirt with my tennis shoes. She wouldn’t give any more details about what we’d be doing, but that didn’t surprise me. She doesn’t seem to like surprises much, but she sure does like to give them.

“Hey, Gavin,” Lillian says softly, bringing a smile to my face.

“Lilly, you look amazing.” I lean in to kiss her cheek, a blush forming on her cheeks. I don’t think there’s a single suitor who’s been on the show that didn’t like Lillian—except maybe Viktor. And Sterling. Though, I don’t know how anyone couldn’t love her. She’s the nicest, sweetest person I’ve ever met. Not to mention she’s beautiful but doesn’t seem to realize it.

Betas aren’t as sensitive to smells as alphas and omegas, nor are our scents as strong, but there’s definitely something different to Lillian’s now. The bondings have obviously been successful if I can pick up the hint of pear and blackberry beneath her already amazing scent.

“Thanks, Gav. Everyone is just about ready, but Koda and Evie got distracted in the shower—again.” She glances over her shoulder at that, eyes on the open bedroom door.

Koda’s laughter spills from the room. “You know we can hear you, right?”

“I do. That’s why I said it.” When she focuses on me again, she’s grinning. “Sorry, it’s a lot of fun giving them a hard time, but they really do have sex all the time. They don’t even seem to care where we are or if it’s an appropriate time. They definitely don’t care if we have somewhere to be.”

Tessa laughs as she comes up to stand behind her, laying her hands on Lillian’s shoulders. “That might have been a little too much information for Gavin, darling girl.”

Lillian’s eyes go wide as she grimaces. “Sorry, Gav. I wasn’t even thinking.”

I laugh because I don’t mind hearing about their sexcapades, but it’s definitely not doing my dick—which is now rock hard—any good. “That’s alright, Lilly. Feel free to talk about your pack however and whenever you want when I’m around.”

“You’re a good guy, Gavin,” Tessa says with a grin. “Give me just a minute. I’m going to round up our wayward omegas so we can get going.”

“Did you want to come in?” Lillian asks, but I shake my head.

“No, thanks. Especially since we’re getting ready to leave. Assuming Tessa doesn’t get distracted by the omegas.”

Lillian giggles, shaking her head. “She won’t. She can really crack the whip when she needs to. She’s a good alpha.”

“You like her.” I don’t phrase it as a question because I already know she does.

She nods. “I do. I wasn’t expecting to be involved with the whole pack when I came on the show, but these three? I love them.”

Pulling her into a hug, my heart nearly jumps out of my chest. “That’s amazing, Lilly. I’m so freaking happy for you! It couldn’t have happened to a better person.”

“Why are you pawing at our beta, Gavin?” Koda asks.

I just raise my eyebrows as the three of them step out of the bedroom, not bothering to release her. “I’m giving my friend a hug and telling her how happy I am for her. Is that alright with you?”

He shrugs, tone flippant. “Carry on then.”

Evangeline’s hand slaps against his stomach, pretty hard from the looks of it, as he folds over and lets out a loud “oof.” She and Tessa continue past him to join us in the doorway.

“Please ignore him. He thinks highly of himself because he’s the only male in our pack right now.” Evangeline rolls her eyes but doesn’t bother hiding her smile.

“Yeah, but how long is that going to last?” I ask with a laugh, finally releasing my hold on Lillian. “You’re getting closer and closer to your heat.”

She wrinkles her nose. “Don’t remind me. Gotta figure out the knot situation pretty soon because not a damn one of them can knot me.”

Her words surprise me so much that I burst out laughing, all four of them quickly following suit.

“It seems like the whole damn pack just wants to tell you everything,” Tessa says with a roll of her eyes. “Must be awfully damn comfortable with you.”

I shrug. “I’m just that kind of guy. People like to open up to me. I’m used to it.”

Tessa hums. “How about we get this date started, huh?”

She’s the one to lead us out to the SUV, where Lucas is waiting beside the open door and Mike is in the driver’s seat. Tessa climbs into the back row, pulling Lillian with her. Meanwhile, the omegas sit on either side of me, each of them leaning their heads to rest on my shoulders. I don’t bother trying to fight my smile. I’m glad they feel comfortable with me.

“Is anyone going to give me a hint about what we’re doing tonight?”

Koda chuckles as Evangeline turns her head to glare up at me. “That’s not how surprises work.”

“Like you were any better when I was the one planning the dates.” Koda laughs when she huffs but doesn’t deny his claims.

“We’re going to Battleground. That’s all the information I’m giving you,” she says as we near the gates, the sounds of the protestors getting louder and louder.

I frown as we drive through them, temporarily forgetting the date we’re heading to. “There are more of them out now, aren’t there? They seem louder.”

Lucas growls from the passenger seat. “They started showing up en masse on Sunday. It seems someone on staff let it leak that Evangeline chose not one but two women to be a part of her pack.”

“Are you serious?” Tessa sounds pissed as she leans forward. “Every single one of those fuckers had to sign an NDA when they joined the crew. I’m going to take their asses to court and sue the shit out of them. Please tell me you know who it is.”

Lucas smirks as he glances over his shoulder. “Of course, I know who they are. I’m no amateur. They’ve already been let go, and Bree has been in contact with your lawyers. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done for the already leaked information.”

“Gods, I just wish they’d get lives of their own and back the hell off of mine.” Evangeline sighs as she lays her head on my shoulder once more. I can feel the tension radiating through her, and I hate it.

“We can’t control what people do or how they choose to react to things,” I remind her. “All we can do is handle how we react to them. We’re on a date, and I’m damn well not going to let them ruin it for me. Are you?”

She huffs but shakes her head. “Hell no. We’re going to have a great night.” Her smile has returned when she glances up at me again. “Thank you for the reminder. It’s easy to forget that this isn’t about them, but about me.”

“I’m happy to remind you of that anytime you need me to. Now, about this Battleground place…”

Laughter fills the air around me, and we forget about the asshole protestors for the rest of the ride to Battleground, which turns out to be an adult arcade. Working as a chiropractor, I don’t often have a lot of time to do things like this, and I’ve never been to an adult arcade before. Something tells me I’m going to love it—especially with Evangeline and the others here with me.

“Hell yes! This is just what I need tonight.” I shoot Evangeline a grin. “You sure do know how to plan a date.”

Battleground has everything—video games, bumper cars, laser tag, and so much more. Running around with the newly formed pack is amazing. We have the entire place to ourselves so we do everything they have to offer, and it’s honestly the best night I can remember having in a long time.

The only issue? It doesn’t really feel like a date. It feels more like hanging out with friends. While I can admit that Tessa, Lillian, and Koda are all beautiful, there isn’t really a pull there. They’d make great friends, but that’s not really why we’re here, is it?

My attention turns to Evangeline as she plays skeeball, laughing and having the time of her life. The other three can’t seem to stop touching her, but I don’t feel the need to do so. Is it because they’re bonded? Or is there more to it than that? Do I even feel anything for Evangeline besides a physical attraction?

When the answer hits me, I wonder how I’ve missed this for six and a half weeks. How did I not realize that I don’t actually want to be with her? Sleeping with her? Absolutely, but neither she nor her pack are my future.

Shit.

“Gavin? Are you okay?” I didn’t even hear Evangeline walk up so I startle when she takes my hand and speaks. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You just got really pale, and I was worried about you.”

Forcing myself to smile, I glance over her shoulder to see that the rest of her pack has moved on to another activity. I feel like I need to tell her where my head is at, but I don’t want to ruin the night for her. I’m torn as I stare down at her.

“I just realized that tonight feels more like hanging out with friends than an actual date—which is totally fine because I’m having a great time—but it made me realize that there isn’t a place for me in the pack you’re building.”

Evangeline’s shoulders slump, and for a moment, I’m worried that she doesn’t feel the same way. I don’t want to hurt her, but I was sure she had to feel the same thing I did.

“I’m glad it’s not just me. Thank you for telling me. I think you’re right, which is why we’re doing these dates, after all. It does feel like we’d be great friends but nothing more, doesn’t it?”

I grin, nodding. “It does. I guess that means I’m the next one getting the boot, huh?”

“Don’t say it like that!” She nudges me with her shoulder before sliding her hand through my arm. “You’re just going home to start your search for your pack, just like Evander last week. It’s not like you’ll be losing anything. Just because you’re not pack doesn’t mean you aren’t stuck with us for life—that’s how friendship works in my world.”

I grin as she leads me back to her pack, and I can’t help thinking just how perfect that sounds.