Chapter Twenty
Remington
A fter spending Sunday with most of my suitors—Brooke hadn’t chosen to rejoin us sadly—I wasn’t sure what to expect on Monday.
Daniel informed me at breakfast that we’d leave for our date around five but offered no details. Even when I tried to get him to tell me what we’d be doing, he wouldn’t tell me a damn thing.
Maybe allowing them to plan the dates was a bad idea. I hate being unprepared for things.
I dress in a polo shirt and jeans, hoping it will work for whatever he has planned.
When there’s a knock at my door, I throw it open. I might have been waiting beside it for the last five minutes or so—although I won’t admit that to Daniel.
“Good evening, Remy.” Daniel grins as he inclines his head ever so slightly. “Are you ready to head out for our date?”
“Yes. I can’t wait to see what you have planned.” Stepping out of my suite, I’m surprised when he doesn’t take a step back and chooses to crowd my space instead.
His cedarwood, fir, and juniper berry alpha scent is heavy in the air as I stare down at him. While pleasant, it feels overwhelming right now. “I’m very grateful you chose me for a solo date. Sometimes it’s so hard to get to know one another in a group setting.”
“Mm hmm,” I hum, stepping around him as my door falls shut. “Shall we?”
Without waiting for a response, I head for the door and shake my head. I don’t know what that was all about, but I’m not a fan.
Daniel is quick to catch up, opening the door for me. I murmur my thanks, asking him about his day as we start down the walkway.
I’d spent most of the day in my suite today, knowing I had a date tonight. I shared meals with my suitors but felt like I needed a little me time after being around them all day yesterday.
Lucas is waiting beside the open door of the SUV, nodding as we climb inside. Mike is behind the wheel and he offers me a nod as Lucas shuts the door and climbs inside.
“So, why did you choose me for the first solo date?” Daniel asks as we start down the road to Rancho Mirage.
Hmmm…I need to be careful how I word this.
“Because you arrived with Pack Hawthorne, I was afraid you didn’t have time to really shine. I can only imagine how hard it was for you to find your place among them when they’re so close.” I offer him a smile. “So I wanted us to have this time where you didn’t have to compete with that.”
He considers me for a moment before nodding. “That makes sense.”
His tone is very neutral, and I’m not sure if I succeeded in making him feel better.
It’s not like I can tell him that he was forgettable once I met Pack Hawthorne. They drew me in from that very first moment, and I forgot about anything else. There’s clearly a spark between us that I’m looking forward to exploring on our group date tomorrow.
But today, I need to see if there’s more to Daniel than I initially noticed. What he doesn’t realize is this might be the last chance he has to catch my interest.
It might seem cruel, but I can’t keep everyone on the show. I don’t want a twenty-person pack. I have to start weeding out those who haven’t caught my fancy.
We’re already on the second week of the show, and my heat is coming in six or seven weeks. That’s all the time I have to choose who I want to spend the rest of my life with.
You’d think this would be the part of the process that gives me the worst anxiety, but it’s actually what causes me the least. I know I’ll make the right decisions for me and the pack I’m here to build. That means some tough calls will need to be made, and some people’s feelings will be hurt.
I hate the idea of hurting anyone, and that’s what gives me the most anxiety. I don’t want to smash someone’s dreams of finding their omega, but in this one case, I have to be selfish. I feel like even Brooke would agree with me.
I can’t let others’ feelings affect me and who I choose for my pack. This is something my head, my heart, and my instincts will have to guide me on.
Daniel chooses a nice Italian restaurant for us to eat at, and the food is amazing—even if the conversation is stilted.
It’s clear very early on that the two of us don’t share any interests, and that doesn’t set the tone well for the rest of the night.
By the time Mike drives us out to a lookout so Daniel can point out the constellations, I’m already wishing I was at home in my nest. The stories he tells are interesting but don’t really hold my interest. I don’t know if it’s how he’s telling them or just that he’s the one telling them, but I end up tuning him out.
I love looking at the stars, being reminded that there’s something bigger than me out there. That’s what I think of when I stare up at their brilliance. I don’t know what’s out there, but I know something is. Call it fate or gods, or whatever you want, but it’s there.
Finally, we return to the compound and Daniel walks me back to my suite, crowding me against my door once more.
“I had a really good time tonight, Remy.” He moves closer until he’s pressing me into the door. “I think this thing between us could be great.”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
I lay my hand on his chest, pushing back against him slightly, but he just pushes against me harder.
I see fucking red.
Planting both of my hands on his chest, I push him away from me. I might not be as strong as an alpha or even betas, but I’m no weakling. I can take care of myself—something my parents made sure both me and my sister could do.
“Back the fuck up,” I snarl.
Daniel’s eyebrows shoot up, his hands raising in surrender. “There’s no reason for that. I was just going to kiss you.”
“Does it look like I want you to kiss me right now? Does it smell like it?” I wave my hands in the air, knowing my scent will hold a burnt quality to it even if I can’t smell it right now. “That’s not something you just get to decide.”
“Look, I thought you were into it too,” he says quietly, slowly backing away with wide eyes. “I’d never force anyone—”
I scoff. “It doesn’t seem like that to me. I think the date’s over, Daniel. Good night.”
Once I’m in my suite, I slam the door behind me before sinking to the ground.
Well, the dates aren’t off to a great start, are they?
There was a note waiting for me when I got back from my date with Daniel from Pack Hawthorne, letting me know that our date would start at six thirty in the morning.
Needing comfort, I slept in my nest, but it didn’t feel especially restful.
As requested, I pull on a long sleeve tee, sweats, and a light jacket when I wake up.
I’m still blinking away sleep when a knock sounds out. I try to smile when I find a grinning Victoria on the other side, but I’m sure it comes out looking more like a grimace.
“Good morning, Remy. Are you ready to get started?”
I nod as my eyes find Milo and Eric standing just behind her. Milo’s eyes are shut as he leans against his alpha. He kind of looks like he’s sleeping.
“Are we sure Milo is going to join us?” I ask with a snicker, and the beta blinks his eyes open.
“Oh, I’m going to be here—at least physically. We’ll see about the rest of me once they give me coffee.”
Victoria rolls her eyes as she offers me her hand. “He’s always so dramatic. I told him he could stay in bed, and we’d get him after breakfast, but he was having none of it.”
“I’m not missing out on any part of our date with Remy—even if that means waking up at the butt crack of dawn.”
Twining my fingers through Victoria’s, I allow her to pull me into the hallway and toward the front door as I bite back laughter.
“So, what exactly does one do on a date this early in the morning?” I ask, taking in the athletic wear they’re dressed in.
“Sunrise yoga.” Victoria grins as we step outside. Instead of walking down the path, she veers off to a parked golf cart.
Mike is sitting behind the wheel with narrowed eyes. “Get in the cart. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can take a nap.”
“Tired?” I ask with a grin. Victoria tugs me into the backseat until she’s at one side and I’m in the middle. Eric takes the open spot while Milo climbs into the vacant front seat.
“Don’t talk to me,” Mike fake growls, tossing me a grin before taking off.
We pass around the house and the cabins behind it. I practically dance in my seat when I realize we’re heading for the lake and hot springs. It looked gorgeous when I saw it during previous seasons, but now I get to see it in person.
When Mike pulls to a stop beside the lake, Victoria leads us over to where four yoga mats have been set up. Three of them are side by side while the fourth is set before it.
“I’ll be walking us through the Sun Salutation,” she tells me with a smile. “Have you ever done yoga before?”
“Nope.” I shake my head, moving to the center mat.
“Not to worry. I’ve made the guys do it with me enough times that they know it well. We’ll help you. There’s the sun. Let’s get started.”
While I won’t say yoga is hard, it’s not exactly easy when I’m forced to move my body in ways it never has before. I enjoy it though, and I feel much more awake when the three of them lead me over to a blanket and start pulling out breakfast. It’s mostly fruit and muffins, but when Eric hands me a container of bacon, I almost cry.
“Fates, this place is spoiling me. I’m going to want bacon every day for the rest of my life now.” Without a thought, I lean forward and kiss Eric before settling in to devour the bacon. “Thank you, alpha!”
Realizing it’s fallen silent around me, I lift my head to find all three of them staring back at me. “What?”
Milo smirks. “You just kissed Eric like it was something you do every day.”
“I did?” Shrugging, I realize he’s right. “I guess I did. So what?”
“We like how comfortable you feel with us, omega,” Eric rumbles, a small smile turning up the corners of his mouth. “It feels nice.”
“I have since the first moment,” I admit. “There’s just something that clicked, you know?”
Victoria beams at me. “I’m so glad it isn’t just us that thought so. We really like you, Remington.”
“And I really like the three of you.” I hesitate. “It’s a little fast, though, isn’t it?”
Milo scoots across the blanket until he’s pressed against my side. “Does it feel like it’s too fast?”
It’s hard to think with him touching me like he is. I turn my head to find him just inches away. His tongue darts out, wetting his lips, and my eyes follow the movement, unable to look away.
My cock hardens as hunger rushes through me. My perfume scents the air around us as Milo grins.
“Hello, omega.”
I feel feral as I throw myself at him, our lips crashing together as I push him onto his back. Our tongues move together and I lift my leg intending to straddle him but hands on my hips still my movements.
“Now, now, now,” Eric rumbles as he presses against my back, and a whine spills from my lips. “Milo, that was naughty. You got Remy all worked up, and that’s just not right.”
“Please,” I beg, not sure exactly what I’m asking for as Eric’s thick cock presses against my ass, his sweats doing nothing to hide his erection.
Smaller hands land on my cheeks, turning my head until I’m staring into Victoria’s gorgeous forest-green eyes. “We’re not having sex, Remington. This date is about the four of us getting to know one another. Sex both simplifies and complicates things.”
I stick my lower lip out but don’t try to tear my eyes away from hers. “Fine.”
“That’s a good boy,” she purrs, leaning in to brush her lips across mine, and I have to bite back another whine. “Let’s finish breakfast because we have a busy day planned for you.”
The alphas force Milo across the blanket from me as they take turns feeding me, and while it’s not as good as having sex with them would’ve been, it’s still nice.
After breakfast, we head into town and spend a few hours at an indoor obstacle course—which shows me just how out of shape I am before heading to a small café for lunch where they’re holding an open mic night—afternoon? We listen to poets and singers sharing their words and voices with us, and it’s altogether an amazing day.
Once we return to the compound, I make a point of spending time with the other suitors, checking in with Brooke first. She seems to be doing much better, back to her usual perky self. I take a few minutes to talk to Daniel but avoid being alone with him.
He’s lucky I let him anywhere near me.
I can tell he regrets his actions, but I’m not sure if that’s enough for me. I’ll have to see how I feel in a few days.
I have a blast on Wednesday’s date with the Ivanov twins, Gracie, and Rhys. I don’t know how Gracie convinced them, but we ended up visiting a variety of psychics and a few metaphysical shops. I’m not sure how much I can believe the things they tell me, but it’s a ton of fun.
Now, it’s Thursday and time for my solo date with Santiago. We set out to Rancho Mirage around lunchtime, and I settle back in my seat to enjoy the ride.
I don’t bother asking what we’re going to be doing since I know he won’t tell me. At least, that’s something I learned from the last three days of dating my suitors. If I ask them to plan the dates, I better be ready to be surprised because they’re all very closed-minded about what they plan.
When we pull up outside of a movie theater, I grin. “We’re watching a movie?”
“Can’t get anything past you, can I?” Santiago chuckles, nodding toward the electronic marquee. “But we’re watching more than one. They’re doing a marathon of old pre-Event movies for us. We can stay for as few or as many as you’d like. I love anything pre-Event, and since so much of that was lost to us, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.”
“I think I’ve seen one pre-Event movie before. This is exciting,” I tell him once we have the all clear to head inside. “But what about food? I’m already getting hungry and as much as I love candy and popcorn, I’ll need actual food.”
Santiago’s smile only grows as he opens the door and ushers me inside. “This theater has an entire menu available. Once we’re in our seats, we can order anything we want. They’ll leave a tablet for us, so any time you want something, you can order it.”
That makes me smile. “I like the sound of that. We get the full theater experience but food and snacks like we’re at home. This is amazing.”
Twenty minutes later, the first movie is just starting, and I’m already halfway through a basket of hot wings. I wouldn’t have thought to order wings at a movie theater, but they’re damn good.
They have a little bit of everything on their menu, from hamburgers to hot dogs to grilled cheese. Of course there are candies and popcorn, but there are also full meals like a steak and salad with a vegetable side. My plan is to work my way through their appetizer menu slowly and then move onto the other food.
“You know, I always thought they should look different from us,” I admit, leaning close to Santiago. “But we look exactly the same as they did pre-Event.”
He grunts, nodding without taking his eyes off the screen. “We do. Now, shhhh. No talking during the movie.”
I frown, staring at him to see if he’s joking, but he doesn’t seem to be.
Settling back into my seat, I continue eating my wings, but I’m finding it hard to concentrate on the movie.
Did he invite me on a date where he expects me not to talk? How are we supposed to get to know one another if we don’t talk?
Maybe he just really likes this movie?
Rather than making assumptions, I eat and watch the movie in silence.
Once the credits start, he turns to me with a huge smile. “Well? What did you think?”
“It was good. It’s clear they lived very different lives than we do.”
He nods. “It really is. They said they’ll give us fifteen minutes between movies so we can use the bathroom or whatever. I’m going to do that and then come back and order something to eat. Is the food good?”
“Very good. I would’ve shared it with you, but…” I trail off, not wanting to point out that he told me not to talk.
“Oh, that’s no problem. I’m not a big fan of sharing food with others.” He heads for the bathroom, leaving me to stare after him.
Everything about this date feels…weird? I don’t know how to describe it.
I don’t feel uncomfortable or anything, but I’m so confused by why Santiago chose this for our date.
The reason I chose him as the other solo date for the week is I wanted to make sure to give him another chance after his initial blunder. He’s definitely been getting along better with the other suitors, but things still felt a little stilted between us. I was hoping we’d be able to move past that by having some time with just the two of us, but it almost feels like he doesn’t want to talk to me.
Just before the second movie starts, I lean over to ask, “Does the no talking apply to all movies?”
“Of course.” He frowns. “You’re not someone who talks through movies, are you? That drives me crazy.”
I don’t know how to answer that because I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I know I don’t like not being able to talk.
“It’s all good. I just wanted to make sure,” I tell him before turning back to order something else from the tablet.
“Oh, you’re getting more food?” Santiago asks, sounding disappointed, and I frown.
“Uh, yeah. I’m planning to work my way through their menu until I can’t eat another bite. Is that a problem for you?”
He shrugs. “It’s just a little distracting when they come in to deliver the food—that’s all. But don’t let that stop you.”
“I won’t.” Looking down at the tablet, I focus on deciding what to order next.
Now, I’m really confused about why he brought me here. It feels like he’d rather be watching the movies alone.
I like the idea of what he planned, but the way he’s handling it? Not so much.
A date where you don’t expect to speak to the person you’re with outside of a fifteen-minute intermission between movies? Bringing someone to a place that serves food when just a click of a button and he expects me not to order food during the movie?
I’m not sure the movies are worth this, which is probably why I call it after the second movie.
I don’t bother thanking him, leaving him at the front door and hurrying to my suite. Once in my nest, no one can coax me out for the rest of the night.
Here’s to hoping Friday’s date goes a lot better.