Page 30 of Knot Her Reality

“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.

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