Chapter Eleven
Remington
“W elcome back, viewers.” Reginald’s trademark smile is in place as he looks at the camera over my shoulder. “I’m here with Remington once more. He’s just returned from his date with the day three suitors, and he’s only moments away from meeting the next four suitors. We like to check in each day to see how our omega and their suitors are doing. So, Remy, why don’t you tell us how you’re doing?”
I smile, keeping my eyes focused on Reginald. I’m so damn lucky I’m not required to look into the cameras like he is. Even just glancing at them has my anxiety shooting up.
“If I’m being honest, I’m a little overwhelmed—but not necessarily in a bad way? I don’t really know how to explain it.” How am I supposed to put words to thoughts I haven’t even worked out in my head? “Meeting so many people in just a few days is hard for someone like me, but I also love that my boundaries are being tested. I have a tendency just to live in my little bubble and not venture outside of it.”
Reginald nods. “So far, you’ve met twelve suitors in three days. That would be a lot for anyone. Just imagine being Bree during season one when she met all twenty at once.”
“Ugh, no thanks. I wouldn’t have survived.” I chuckle. “She’s a braver omega than me.”
“We’ve gotten your thoughts on the day one and two suitors, but what about the day three suitors? Does anyone stand out as a top contender?”
Narrowing my eyes at him, I shake my head. “You keep asking me that question, but the answer will not change. I can’t choose top contenders before I’ve met everyone or spent more time with them. Omegas might be instinct-ruled sometimes, but that doesn’t mean they rule me or how I behave. Plus, if I chose everyone based on feeling a connection at the first meeting, I’d either end up with an enormous pack or a tiny one.
“For the pack I want to build, it has to be more than just a momentary spark of interest. Yes, I need to be attracted to the men and women I choose for my pack, but it’s about so much more than that. I need to know that any connection we share is going to be long term, otherwise, the pack will fail.
“As far as the day three suitors, I enjoyed the time I spent with them. Each of them has qualities I find endearing. I love watching the way Alexei and Nikolai interact with one another and seeing how they’re so similar but so different from one another. Camila and Rhys are both easy to be around and breaths of fresh air. Just like the other suitors, any of them could be a fit for my future pack.”
Reginald continues smiling. “Once again, you’ve given us nothing. I do think this omega enjoys holding everything close to his chest. What do you think, viewers? Will he ever let us in on the thoughts he keeps locked away from us? Only time will tell. I wonder what secrets the suitors might be spilling. It won’t be much longer until Remy meets his day four suitors, so stay tuned in, and we’ll see you there.”
When Reginald turns back to me, his lips quirking up into a smirk. “You’re making these interviews quite interesting by refusing to give your thoughts.”
“I don’t know what you want me to say. I will not jump into decisions whether it makes it hard for you or not.” I stand, shooting him a smile. “Plus, you like it when I’m mysterious. Admit it.”
“I do, and so will the viewers. They’re going to be wondering what you’re thinking the entire time. We’ll just see how long you can keep it up, won’t we?”
Tessa scoffs, gesturing for me to join her at the bottom of the gazebo steps. “Don’t let him pressure you into anything, Remy. He’s charming and very good at getting people to think they want whatever he wants.”
Reginald gasps, holding his chest in mock horror. “I would never.”
“Yeah, right.” I snicker, following Tessa down the walkway.
At this point, I know right where to go since it’s now the fourth time I’m standing here waiting for my suitors to arrive.
“On a more serious note, I just want to check in with you, Remy, and make sure you’re doing okay?” Tessa reaches out to straighten my tie before meeting my gaze.
“I’m good, Tessa.” I pause, trying to ignore the rising panic. “Well, as okay as I can be when I’m about to meet four strangers.”
I don’t think there’s anything I can really do to wipe away the anxiety I feel when it comes to meeting new people. It’s been three days, and every encounter has been fine—if a little weird in the case of Lorenzo—but I just can’t turn off my brain.
It just keeps reminding me of all the ways each meeting can go wrong. Of how the suitors might not like me or I might not like them.
You know, the usual thoughts people have when they’re meeting someone new. It’s just an entirely different battle for me.
Anxiety can be such a hidden disorder until it makes itself known. While I haven’t been able to hide my anxiety on the show, I’ve spent years mastering my ability to keep it hidden in most places—like at work. Being on Heated is too stressful for me to attempt to hide it.
But more than that, I don’t want to hide it. So many people deal with anxiety, and I want them to see they’re not alone. It might sound ridiculous, but I feel like making myself vulnerable like this could help someone who doesn’t know how to deal with the anxiety that could be running and ruining their life.
Tessa nods. “As always, if you need to stop, just let us know. We want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“Thank you, Tessa.”
She steps away, finding her spot behind me and my eyes find Reginald, who’s still smirking at me. “What now?”
He shakes his head, hands going up in surrender. “Nope. Nothing. The first suitor’s limo is on the way. They should arrive momentarily.”
“You’re being sketchy,” I tell him with narrowed eyes, and he just smiles. Knowing he won’t reveal what he’s thinking unless he wants to, I turn my attention to the circular driveway.
Since it’ll take a few minutes for the limo to arrive, I find my thoughts drifting to the suitors I’ve already met. I wonder what they’re doing while sequestered on the top two floors. Are they all getting along? Do they think about me?
Ugh, those damn omega instincts again—always so needy.
Of course, they think about me even when I’m out of sight. They’re all here hoping to find a place in my pack. I just need to keep reminding myself of that.
Unless one of them is out to sabotage me like the asshole from last season, Viktor, tried to do to Evangeline. I don’t know why anyone would want to disrupt my season like that, but I still find it hard to understand why they’d have wanted to do that to Evangeline.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I wonder if that’s a real possibility. I know Tessa and Bree vet the suitors the best they can, but is it possible for someone to slip by like Viktor did?
“Remy?”
My head jerks toward the sound, wide eyes clashing with Reginald’s.
I blink, trying to steady my breathing.
Fuck, I really hate having anxiety sometimes. Just one simple, stray thought can cause me to lose my shit.
“I’m okay,” I assure him. “Just letting my mind run away from me. I’m good now.”
He looks like he doesn’t totally believe me as he nods, but I can already hear the limo pulling in. By the time it comes to a stop in front of me, I have my thoughts and breathing back under control. I even have a smile on my face as the limo door swings open.
A man steps out, an easy smile on his face as he meets my gaze. He’s really tall, probably close to six and a half feet, and while he’s a big guy, he’s not massive. With wide shoulders and a tapered waist, the tux he wears hugs every part of him perfectly. His dirty blond hair is on the longer side, long enough to brush his chin before he runs a hand through it and pushes it back. His jaw is covered in a short beard, neatly trimmed. Even from this distance, I can see how pale his blue eyes are behind the large black frame of his glasses.
Yup, he has glasses, making him even hotter.
I bite my lip as he saunters over, the smile never leaving his face. “Hello, Remington. I’m Aubrey Winslow.”
“Well, hello, Aubrey Winslow,” I say, my voice husky as hints of his scent hit me. It’s not a combination I’d expect from an alpha, which he certainly is—peach, something citrus, and vanilla. It’s an amazing scent, but something I’d expect from a beta or omega. Or maybe from a female. Either way, I love it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” he says as he offers me his hand.
Taking it and giving it a firm shake, I’m floored by how much larger his hand is than mine. I’m not what anyone would consider petite, but his hand seems to dwarf mine.
“I really like your glasses,” I blurt as my face warms. What is it with me and glasses? It turns me into putty every damn time. “Ummm…maybe you can tell me a little about yourself?”
Aubrey reaches up as if to adjust his glasses but stops himself, letting his hand fall back to his side. “Of course. I’m twenty-nine and an alpha. I’m a systems analyst at a telecommunications company. I have a brother who’s a year older than me and a beta. My mom is an alpha and Dad is a beta. All four of us work with computers in one way or another. Umm…as far as hobbies, I enjoy video games and tabletop roleplaying games—“
“No way? Me too!” I grin at him. “Do you have a favorite system you like to play?”
And down the rabbit hole we go as we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different systems we’ve played. I’m so lost in Aubrey and the conversation that I don’t notice Reginald trying to get my attention at first.
By the time my eyes meet his, his eyes are wide and filled with frustration.
Oops.
“So…I think we might have gotten a little caught up in our conversation, and we might have run over our time. It’s been fantastic chatting with you, but I have three other suitors tonight. We’ll definitely have to continue this conversation later.”
Aubrey’s smile is huge as he nods his agreement. “I look forward to it. I knew from the information they provided us you enjoyed some of the same things as me, but I didn’t realize how much.”
Awesome. I totally just geeked out in front of the cameras. At least I wasn’t alone in it. I should just be grateful for that.
When Aubrey steps away to join Tessa, my eyes find Reginald. He’s shaking his head. “You’re such a nerd.”
“Yup.” I shrug. How else am I going to respond to that? He’s right. Hopefully, he doesn’t notice just how red my face is turning right now.
Luckily, I can already hear the next limo arriving, so I don’t have to focus on the beta host anymore as he smirks at me.
Jerk.
The limo door opens as soon as it comes to a stop and a woman steps out. She’s tiny—even smaller than Brooke. If she’s even five feet tall, I’d be surprised. She reminds me of a pixie with her short, light blonde hair that stops at the base of her neck, combined with her petite stature. Her dress isn’t like any the other women have worn. It has thin straps and is fitted to her waist before flaring out into layers and layers of material in a cream color. I bet the dress would twirl around her if she were to spin.
She moves with effortless grace as she makes her way over to me, a small smile gracing her lips. She stops in front of me with her head tilted back so she can meet my eyes. The hints I can get of her scent over the blockers are earthy and calming. If it weren’t for her scent, I’d think she was an omega, but it confirms she’s a beta. Her eyes are a dark, soulful brown, and I don’t want to look away.
“Hi.” Her voice is soft, just loud enough I don’t have to struggle to hear her.
“Hello. Who might you be?”
She brings her hands up to her cheeks as her pale skin flushes. “Oh, right. I should introduce myself. I’m sorry. I’m Gracie. Gracie Lively.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Gracie.” I offer her my hand and she takes it in both of her, turning it until it’s palm up.
Her small fingers graze over the lines covering my palm, licking her lips as she stares down at them. “Oh, yes. You’re right where you need to be, Remington. This is a major turning point in your life, and it looks like you’re already choosing well. That’s excellent.”
All I can do is gape at her. What is she talking about?
She giggles when she sees my expression, the sound like the tinkling of bells. “Don’t mind me. I’m into a little bit of everything, including palm reading. I can already tell you’re a good man, Remington Montgomery.”
“Uhhh…thanks…I think?” I can’t help glancing over her shoulder at Reginald, who just shrugs. Really helpful. “I’ve never had anyone read my palms before. Why don’t you tell me a little more about it and yourself?”
Gracie giggles again. “I think we’ll leave the palm reading for another conversation. I’m twenty-four, and as I’m sure you’ve realized, a beta. I’m a tea maker by trade, but I do so much more than that. I’m very into everything metaphysical. I even studied it in college. Well, as much as I could. It’s not like they have a degree in metaphysics.”
“That you can’t. I’m not sure I know much about metaphysics beyond the basics. It’s not really my area of study,” I tell her, and she nods.
“It’s not most people’s area of study. That’s why I only did about a year of college before setting out across the country. I’ve been traveling for the last five years or so, studying with so many amazing people. I even went to Europe for a year to study there. It’s amazing.” It’s clear just how excited she is as she practically bounces on her toes. “I’ve been living in my van, which I’ll admit was a hard change for growing up living in one house all my life. While I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s time to start settling down. I’d love to find a pack, and that’s hard to do when you’re traveling all the time.”
“I can only imagine.” Actually, I can’t imagine it at all. Living in a van for years? I could never. Maybe I have a lot more omega tendencies than I thought I did. “It sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure.”
She nods. “It’s been amazing, but I know it’s not for everyone. Not everyone understands what I was doing and why, and that’s okay. What’s important is that I got what I was looking for out of it.”
Wow. She said she was only twenty-four, but she’s wiser than a lot of people I know who are more than double her age. It’s refreshing.
“That’s a good view to have,” I tell her. “It’s one many people never learn and most not until they’ve lived a lot longer than you.”
“My mom always said I was an old soul. She wasn’t surprised when this was the life I chose to lead. Dad, on the other hand, still doesn’t understand.” She shrugs. “But I’m okay with that. Even if he didn’t understand it, he always supported me. That’s all we can ask of our parents, isn’t it?”
Blinking at her, I nod. I’m not sure that Gracie and I have much in common, but I’m dying to talk to her more. I want to hear her views on things and see how they differ from mine. I can’t remember the last time I was able to have a discussion like that with someone.
“I think there are a lot of things I’d like to discuss with you. I’m fascinated to understand your view on life,” I say, feeling the need to be completely honest with her. “I think we might be complete opposites, and there’s something intriguing about that.”
She grins. “Well, the good news is I’ll be here as long as you want me to be. This is just the first step in my new adventure.”
A glance at Reginald tells me it’s time to wrap it up, so I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Something tells me you’re going to change things around here, Gracie, and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too,” she agrees before practically skipping off to join Tessa and Aubrey.
I’m in awe of the woman. I know I’ve never met another like her, and I’m not sure if I ever will again in my life. She’s so different from the other suitors. I don’t know if that will be a positive or a negative, but I think having her here will change the dynamic. It’ll be interesting to watch it unfold.
Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, I hear the next limo arriving, and it doesn’t take long for it to stop in front of me. The man who steps out isn’t too tall, close to my height. Or maybe an inch shorter, I realize as he steps toward me.
His hair is a medium brown that’s a little long and falling over his forehead, his eyes a similar shade. He has a square jaw and a wide nose that not everyone could pull off. His face is scruffy, almost as if he’s trying to grow a beard. It’s a good look on him. He’s handsome, but the kind of handsome that you see every day. He lacks the striking features that make many of the previous suitors stand out.
He feels comfortable, and I love it.
“Hello, Remington,” he says, voice deep and a little gruff. “My name is Nolan Austen.”
Hints of sage and clove reach my nose, mixed with something else I can’t place—at least not with the blockers being used—but it’s enough to tell me he’s an alpha.
“It’s nice to meet you, Nolan. Can you tell me a little about yourself?”
His face remains impassive as he nods, giving away nothing. “I’m thirty-eight years old, an alpha, and I work as a physiotherapist—or physical therapist. I come from a long line of alphas. Going back generations, my ancestors are male and female alphas, who birth other alphas.”
Now, he has my attention. “Really? That’s so interesting. Obviously, alpha/alpha pairings happen frequently, but they often end up with beta children—especially as of late.”
I wonder if he’d consider allowing me to study him and his family. While my research is focused mostly on omegas and their fertility, knowing that there is a family who has produced alpha after alpha from alpha/alpha pairings…not only is it interesting, but it could prove fruitful to my research.
Damn it, I’m not supposed to be thinking about work right now. It’s probably not an appropriate time to ask him either. I’ll just have to keep that in mind in the future.
“I’m sorry. I let my mind slip into work mode for a moment there,” I tell him with an apologetic smile. “What are you interested in when you’re not working?”
“History. I’ve always been intrigued by the history of our world—both pre-Event and post-Event. I’m actually working on a second degree in just that,” he tells me, but his inflection and face give nothing away for me to tell if he’s excited about what he’s studying.
Not wanting to discourage him and hoping he’ll open up a little, I gesture for him to continue. Once he gets started, all I can do is listen. I’m not sure I could get a word in even if I wanted to.
Luckily, he pauses when Reginald gives me the signal. “That’s fascinating. I’ve only studied history in how it affects my research. Unfortunately, my next suitor is arriving soon.”
“Of course. Thank you for the riveting conversation, omega.” Nolan bows his head slightly before skirting around me and heading for the others.
What an interesting mix of suitors I have today. They’re definitely not a group of people I would’ve paired together, and I’m curious how Bree and Tessa choose which suitors are grouped together.
When I yank myself from my thoughts, it’s to see the last limo pulling to a stop in front of me. The door swings open to reveal a man wearing a white tuxedo.
His presence is commanding as our eyes meet. His black hair is fashionably styled, as is his short, trim beard. His bronzed skin looks amazing against the white of his tux.
He keeps his gaze locked on mine as he moves toward me, hints of his scent reaching me before he does. An alpha—not surprising based on his presence. His scent is woody with a bit of a bite to it. It’ll be interesting to smell it tomorrow to see exactly what those scents are.
“Good evening, Remington,” he says, voice smooth as he takes my hand and lifts it to his lips. “My name is Santiago Diaz.”
The way his tongue moves when he says his name tells me he’s likely fluent in Spanish, like Camila, but his accent is much more refined than hers.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Santiago. You’re the lucky last suitor of the night. Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”
Santiago inclines his head. “It would be my pleasure. I’m forty-seven, and I’m the director of sales for a medical device manufacturer. Obviously, I’m an alpha. I have an older brother, who’s also an alpha. He runs our family business, and while I could’ve chosen a job at the company, I decided I wanted to make my name elsewhere. He’s been trying to get me to come work for him for years, but I think it’s better for our relationship if I don’t work under him—something he still hasn’t come to understand.”
“Hmmm, yes,” I hum my agreement. “I can see how working under your sibling could be stifling. That’s not something I’ve had to deal with since my sister and I are in two completely different lines of work, but I don’t believe I’d want her to be my boss.”
“See? You understand.” He shrugs, a good-natured smile on his face. “My parents also understood, but our family has been known to be more than a little stubborn. I believe he just doesn’t want to accept that it isn’t in any of our best interests for me to work for him. Although, he’s let up quite a bit since his daughter decided she wanted to work with him.”
“And what business is your family in?”
“Pharmaceuticals, so it’s not as if I strayed too far from the family business. We’re both still in the healthcare industry.” He rolls his eyes. “But that’s enough about work. I spend enough time there. I don’t need to dwell on it when I’m not there. Work keeps me busy, but I have a great love of rebuilding classic cars and running. I did a marathon just last weekend. I like having hobbies with goals. It makes me feel as if I’ve accomplished something.”
Something tells me video games and the goals I reach on those aren’t quite what he’s talking about.
I have to bite back a chuckle at my thoughts. “Goals are usually a good thing. Although, I’ve never really thought about having hobbies that are goal-oriented as well.”
Before I can continue, Reginald signals that our time is up, and I give Santiago a smile.
“It’s been nice meeting you, Santiago, but it looks like our time is up. Why don’t we join the other suitors so I can introduce you before we head in for dinner?”
He dips his head, gesturing for me to lead the way. “That sounds wonderful.”
We join the others and do just that before Tessa leads us back toward the mansion. I trail behind the others, curious how this group of suitors will get along. Unlike past groups of suitors, they don’t seem to have anything in common, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Tomorrow will be very interesting indeed.