Chapter Twenty-nine
Clearing my throat, I push into the ballroom and glance around to see where everyone is. The suitors are now clearly split into groups, and I wonder how much of that Evangeline’s noticed. Not that I think she’s unobservant, but she’s also not around all of us all the time.
Pack Reyes stands off to the side, none of them speaking—not even to one another—and I wonder what’s going on with them. We all heard what happened with Ana and Paisley when they went out with Evangeline and Tessa, so it makes sense that Ana has pulled away, but it’s the rest of the pack that I wonder about. Nash is a quiet guy, but he’s fairly friendly once he starts talking. Malachi is hilarious and Paisley is mostly sweet.
When Koda told us about Skylar and Nash getting into a screaming match at the bowling alley, I’d been shocked. That seems so out of character for both of them, but as I glance between the two of them, standing on opposite sides of the ballroom, I realize just how much tension they’re carrying in their bodies. I wonder if the fight they got into had nothing to do with anything that was happening then, but what’s been going on in the house.
“Hey, Jagger,” Lillian calls, waving to me from where she stands between Tessa and Evander. It seems like the rest of our usual group hasn’t arrived yet. I head for them, smiling as Lillian continues talking animatedly to the two alphas. She’d been so quiet and a bit shy when she arrived, but she really seems to have come out of her shell since then.
I’ve heard Evangeline call her sunshine before, and it fits her perfectly. When Lillian smiles, no one can help but smile back at her. She just has that kind of effect on everyone. It’s nice with the tension that seems to have been ratcheting up this week. Being around her is like the calm in a storm. It doesn’t hurt that she’s gorgeous, either.
“I’m surprised I’m not the last one here,” I say as I reach them. “I fell asleep and had to hurry through getting ready.”
“Which is probably why your tie is so messed up.” Tessa laughs, reaching up to fix it. “Hmmm…maybe we should start all over.”
I laugh. “Have at it. I wasn’t really paying attention and it’s not like I wear them often.”
Lillian and Evander snicker at me from behind their hands, but I ignore them. Slowly the others trail in and join us. First, Alejandro. Then Conrad, Natalie, and Ronan, while Gavin is the last one to join us. Tessa fixes my tie before doing the same for Conrad and Ronan, complaining the whole time about alphas not knowing how to tie a bow tie.
I don’t know what she expects from us. It’s not like we’ve had much of a reason to wear tuxes before now. Alejandro is probably the only one of us that has.
Before I can mention that to her, the lights go down, informing us that it’s time for the ceremony to begin. We each move around until we’re standing in rows on the risers set up for us, our attention on the stage. I can just make out Reginald, Evangeline, and Koda as they walk across the stage in the dark. As soon as they’re in position, the spotlights light up and reveal them to us.
I smile as I see Koda and Evangeline holding hands. As much as I would’ve liked to be the first person she chose for her pack—to just be chosen for her pack—it makes sense that Koda was the first one. Anyone with eyes saw that coming from a million miles away. I don’t know much about omega pairs, just what I’ve seen online since the last season of Heated, I don’t know how to know if they are or aren’t, but what I do know is that it’s clear they’re meant for one another.
I’m definitely down to be a part of a pack with both of those omegas.
Koda only seems to have eyes for Evangeline, but that’s going to have to change eventually. After all, he’s an omega and he needs knots or locks just like Evangeline. And it’s not like he hasn’t already won his spot in her pack. Not that he hasn’t flirted with us before, but that’s all it ever felt like. I know he’s interested in both men and women, but beyond Evangeline, he hasn’t really shown interest in anyone. Hell, it’s been a week since she welcomed him into her pack, and he’s still been inseparable from her. Even when she told him no men allowed on Monday’s date, I’d been sure he was going to follow her.
Maybe that will change now that they’ve had the week together. I hope so because I’d like to get to know them one-on-one rather than as a package deal.
“Welcome back to Heated! We’ve reached the end of our fourth week, meaning that Evangeline is another week closer to her heat beginning. So far, she’s chosen one suitor to be a part of her pack, fellow omega Koda. I wonder what decisions she’ll be making tonight? I don’t want to keep you in suspense for too long, so why don’t we get started? Tonight, we’ll be calling up the suitors in alphabetical order by their first names meaning that Alejandro is the first one up. Will you join us on stage, Alejandro?”
I slap my hand on his back as the others surrounding him reach out to touch him lightly and wish him luck—not that he needs it. He, Koda, and Evangeline have been getting along well. I can’t think of any reason for him to be sent home. Though, what do I know about what goes on inside Evangeline’s head? I definitely don’t know her well enough to predict what she’ll do tonight. I don’t know that any of us do, despite spending the last two weeks getting to know her. The only one who lightly has any insight into what she’s thinking is Koda.
“Alejandro, I know we didn’t get to spend much time with you this week,” Evangeline begins as Koda reaches behind her and plucks a rose from the vase. He moves too quickly for me to see what color it is before he slides it into Evangeline’s waiting hand behind her back. “I wanted to make sure I was able to spend time with each of the suitors, so some of you didn’t get dates this week.”
She swings her arm around to reveal the peach rose she’s holding in her hand. “But I’d like to make sure you, me, and Koda get some time together, so we’d like it if you’d join the two of us on a date this week.”
One side of Alejandro’s mouth turns up as he reaches for the offered rose. “I’d like nothing more than to get to spend time with just the two of you. Thank you for the honor.” He hesitates for a moment before leaning over and kissing her forehead. When he steps back, he pulls Koda in for a hug and then heads off the stage.
Smooth fucker, I think with a chuckle as I watch both omega’s eyes trail after him.
“Next up is Ana, so will Pack Reyes join us next?”
The four of them make their way onto the stage, none of them speaking, and they all look uncomfortable. Maybe I should’ve tried to talk to them today. I bet they all think they’re being sent home tonight, and they might be, but I think they could’ve used someone today. I wish I would’ve thought about it before now.
Evangeline twists her hands behind her back as she looks between the members of Pack Reyes, clearly uncomfortable. “It’s been quite the week for dates with your pack, hasn’t it?”
Paisley snorts before lifting her hand to cover her mouth, looking slightly embarrassed by the sound. “Sorry. I just… that’s putting things lightly.”
“You’re not wrong.” Evangeline laughs as she glances at Koda. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you, Paisley. At first, I thought I’d be sending you home at the first ceremony, but once you realized I wasn’t going to attempt to take your place, I think we’ve gotten along pretty damn well.”
“We have.” Paisley nods slowly. “But you’re sending us home, aren’t you?”
Evangeline nods. “I am. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you freaking out on our date, Ana—and not in a good way. I told you to talk to Finn because it’s clear there’s something going on that you haven’t dealt with. If you’d done that, we might be having a different conversation right now, but you didn’t, so we’re not. I hope you get some help with whatever you’re dealing with, though. I want nothing but the best for all of you—even if that’s not with me.
“Nash, you’re a reserved guy, and I wish I could’ve gotten to know you a little better, but it’s become clear that I’m not meant to be with your pack, so maybe it’s good that I didn’t get to know you better. Malachi, you’re trouble—there’s no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I think you thrive on chaos—which isn’t a bad thing, per se, but it’s not what I’m looking for in my pack. I enjoyed spending time with the four of you, but this is the end of the road on Heated for you.”
She takes two of the black roses from Koda and offers one to Paisley and the other to Ana. Koda offers the two he still holds to Nash and Malachi. As soon as they each hold their goodbye rose, Paisley throws herself into Evangeline’s arms. “I’ve never had a real friend before you. You have to promise to stay in touch once you’re done with the show. I don’t want you to just disappear from my life because we’re not part of the same pack.”
The relief is clear on Evangeline’s face as she hugs Paisley with one arm and pulls Koda into the hug with the other. “I’m so glad you feel that way. The three of us are going to be the best of friends when the show is over. I want you in my life, too.”
I’m not going to lie, I tear up a bit as Koda holds the two crying omegas in his arms. At least, if nothing else, Evangeline was able to find a friendship with Paisley.
It takes a few minutes for the omegas to stop crying, and when they’re done, Ana pulls Paisley into her arms as she turns her attention to Evangeline. “You’re right to send us home. I thought this was something I’d dealt with already, but it’s very clear I haven’t. If I’d known what an issue it would become, I would never have signed us up. I’m sorry for wasting your time, and I hope you find the perfect pack among the suitors.”
“Thank you, Ana. I hope you get the help you need.” Evangeline sniffles, turning to lay her head on Koda’s chest as they watch Pack Reyes walk away.
The mood in the room is somber as Reginald calls up the next suitor. “Bradley, it’s your turn to join us on the stage, if you would?”
I’m more than a little surprised when Evangeline hands him a black rose as well. I know their date didn’t go great, or at least that’s what Koda told me, but I didn’t think it was bad enough to warrant sending him home.
I feel a little better when she gives Conrad a peach rose, but I find myself shocked again when she hands Cora and Skylar black roses.
“Cora, you’re a joy to be around,” Evangeline says, her smile falling away when she turns her attention to Skylar. “Our first date went really well, but then you started pulling away, and I don’t know why. Anytime I attempted to talk to you about it, you changed the subject. I don’t know what happened or why you decided that this was the way you wanted to act, but it’s clear that you’re not who I need for my pack.”
Skylar nods jerkily. “I don’t think I really understood what it would be like to be on the show, and I wasn’t prepared for it. For all of the people around all the time—for all the drama. It was overwhelming, and I’m sorry that I withdrew into myself. You have some amazing suitors here, and I know you’ll find what you’re looking for.” Without another word or waiting for Cora, she spins on her heel and heads off the stage.
“It was fun while it lasted,” Cora says with a laugh, opening her arms and offering Evangeline a hug.
“It was. Thank you for the effort you put in. I hope the two of you find the pack you deserve.” Evangeline kisses Cora’s cheek before releasing her. “We might not have been a good fit, but don’t give up. I know your pack is out there waiting for you.”
“Thank you,” Cora murmurs before hurrying off the stage. As she makes her way back to Skylar, I see the tears in her eyes. I hate to see her leaving. She really is an amazing woman, even if we would’ve never been anything more than friends.
When Dustin is called to the stage, I force my attention away from Cora. I’m not overly surprised when she hands him a black rose as well. But it does make me realize she’s cut the pool of suitors in half already. Will she be sending more of us home tonight or are we safe? For the first time, I’m beginning to worry about my status on the show. Did I show enough interest in Evangeline for her to keep me on the show?
It’s not like I’ve been throwing myself at her or anything—I haven’t wanted to overwhelm her. Having twenty suitors wanting a piece of you can’t be easy, so after our date, I didn’t push too hard to get her on her own. I figured we had plenty of time, but now I worry that I’ve fucked up. I’m not ready to go home. I’m not ready to say goodbye to her or the other suitors I’ve grown close to.
Evander is the next suitor called, and he receives a peach rose. Gavin follows him, receiving a lavender rose.
Then it’s my turn to face the music.
“Jagger, if you’ll join us on the stage.”
I swallow, my heart beating a mile a minute as I make my way onto the stage. I want to smile at Evangeline and Koda, but I can’t seem to. I feel sick to my stomach, so afraid that I’ll be sent home tonight.
“Take a deep breath, Jagger,” Evangeline says with a laugh. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Koda snickers. “As hilarious as it would be to see a big, bad alpha pass out, I think there’s been enough drama the last few days, don’t you?”
I nod, forcing myself to breathe in and out. I’d been holding my breath without realizing it. My bad.
“I’m sorry. I guess you’ve scared the shit out of me with the amount of people you’ve sent home today.” I make a face, realizing that instead of coming out as the joke I meant it to, my voice shakes over the words.
Evangeline’s face softens. “Then, let’s not draw this out. Koda?”
Turning to Koda, I find him holding a lavender rose and offering it to me with a smile on his lips.
“We’d like it if you’d join the two of us and whoever else we decide on one of the group dates next week.” It’s Koda who speaks, and my eyes dart to Evangeline, who’s smiling softly at me as she nods. “Assuming you want to, of course.”
“Of course I want to.” My words come out harsher than I mean for them to, as I snatch the rose from his hand, afraid he’ll try to take it back or something. “I mean, I would love to join you. Gods, this was way more stressful than I thought it would be.”
Evangeline giggles as she wraps her arms around my waist. “I’m not going to lie. I kind of like you like this—all unsure and whatever. It’s a nice change from the cocky alpha I’ve come to know.”
“I’m not cocky.”
Koda scoffs. “Not cocky. Don’t lie to us. Plus, we like cocky alphas, don’t we, Evangeline?”
“Sometimes, but there’s no reason for you to worry, Jagger. We definitely want you to remain on the show.”
Finally, a smile breaks out on my face as I nod. “I’m very happy to be staying.”
I head off the stage before I do anything else to embarrass myself. Once I find my spot, I barely manage to pay attention to the rest of the ceremony. Lillian, Natalie, and Ronan also all receive lavender roses. Then the last remaining suitor is Tessa, and she looks as nervous as I felt as she makes her way onto the stage.
Koda has already grabbed a rose, but both he and Evangeline are very careful to keep it hidden behind their backs, making me very curious about what color rose she’ll be getting tonight.
“Tessa, you were such a good sport after what happened on our date Monday. Over and over again, you’ve shown yourself to be a strong alpha that can be counted on, but you’ve also shown your vulnerable side by admitting what happened last season. The way you admitted to knowing you allowed your emotions to affect your decisions. That would never be easy for anyone to admit, let alone an alpha.”
“While I might not have been there for the original confession,” Koda says with a grin. “You still made sure that I knew what had happened. You didn’t have to do that. You could’ve expected Evangeline to tell me or any of the others. Or you could’ve thought that it wasn’t my concern. Instead, you wanted to make sure that I felt comfortable with you and knew what happened. I can’t tell you what that meant to me.”
Tessa ducks her head, and it’s hard to tell for sure from this distance, but I think she’s blushing. “I’m alpha enough to admit when I’m wrong, and I was very wrong last year. I did things I’m not proud of, but that doesn’t mean I get to bury them under the rug and forget about them. I always want to be the kind of alpha, the kind of woman, who admits to their faults and their mistakes—especially when it’s hard.”
“And that’s exactly why you’re the only one receiving this particular rose tonight,” Evangeline says as she pulls the rose from behind her back. A white rose.
Tessa is receiving a second invite into bed with the omegas before most of us have even gotten a first chance.
Lucky bitch.I grin even as envy runs through me. I can be envious and still happy for her. I know there’s not a damn one of us in this room tonight that doesn’t wish they were Tessa.
“Oh, I didn’t…” Tessa sighs, shaking her head. “Thank you.”
Koda reaches out, grabs the alpha’s hand, and pulls her to them. The three of them exchange kisses as Reginald steps forward once more.
“Evangeline sure did shake things up tonight, didn’t she? Now, she’s down to half as many suitors as she started the night with. There are just four weeks left before her heat for her to choose the rest of her pack. I don’t know about you, viewers, but I’m on the edge of my seat wondering who she’ll pick. Make sure to tune in next time so you don’t miss a thing.”
As the lights come back up, Tessa leads Koda and Evangeline from the room, and all I can do is watch.
“What I wouldn’t give to be her right now.” Alejandro sighs.
Turning to him with a grin, I slap a hand on his shoulder. “You and me both, brother. But since we’re not, why don’t those of us remaining go grab a drink and celebrate the fact that we’re still here?”
“That sounds like a great idea,” Natalie says as she and Ronan join us. “I was almost certain she was sending us home since she’s barely spoken to me since the whole Viktor debacle. I can definitely do with a drink to calm my nerves.”
“I think all of us can,” Gavin says with a chuckle.
Lillian laughs as she loops her arm in Natalie’s. “Should we be worried that she cut the suitors in half in one swoop?”
“I think we should always worry,” I say with a shake of my head. “Before tonight, I didn’t have a worry in the world, but when faced with the idea that I might be sent home? I almost lost it. I won’t let myself be that cocky again. None of us should.”
Evander shakes his head. “Definitely can’t let ourselves get complacent. That’s what I learned tonight.”
“I need a drink,” Conrad grunts as he knocks Ronan’s shoulder with his. “Why are we standing around talking where there’s no alcohol?”
He shakes his head, not bothering to wait for us to respond as he heads for the door. I grin and shrug at the others before following him. It seems we’re all a little bit on edge after tonight.
Drinks might help or they might hurt. Only time will tell.