Page 34 of Knot Her Reality

Glancing at Malachi, I wonder how he feels about what just happened. Only his eyes aren’t on his pack mates, they’re on me.

“This is a regular thing. It’s fine.” Malachi takes my hand in his, intertwining our fingers together. “Ana’s a little possessive. I’m okay with that. She gets like that with all of us.”

“I can hear you, you know?” Ana calls over her shoulder, and I giggle.

Malachi’s grin just grows. “I’m well aware. You just worry about your omega, yeah?”

It takes us close to an hour to arrive at our destination, and I spend the time getting to know Malachi a little better. Every time I mention his work or family business, he gets a little squirrely and changes the subject. I’m not really sure what’s up with that, but eventually, I just let it go.

“Zip-lining and bungee jumping?” Ana asks, turning in her seat to show that her eyebrow is once again cocked. “Is that what we’re doing?”

I grin, seeing the same sign she did. “Yup, and having some food. This place is great. They’ve got a huge zip-lining course across the desert. We’ll end at the spot where we’ll be bungee jumping, and we’ll eat in the canyon we’re jumping into. Cool, right?”

“I don’t know if cool is the word I’d use,” Ana snarks. “But it should be interesting.”

“It’s all very safe, in case you’re worried about that. They have the best safety ratings in California.”

Ana hums as if she doesn’t believe me. “We’ll see about that. If it doesn’t look safe, I won’t allow you or Paisley to do it.”

Her words immediately have my back up. Allow me? She’s not even my alpha, and even if she was, no one allows me to do anything. I do whatever the hell I want. I’m a grown-ass woman who’s older than the alpha currently talking like she’s going to run my life. If Paisley’s okay with that, then good on her, but I’m not. I didn’t escape the hell of my family, only to be sucked back into a pack that’s similar.

“She doesn’t mean it like that,” Malachi assures me. “She just means that she needs to make sure it’s safe enough for you. Obviously, the decision about what you do or don’t do is up to you.”

I glance back at Ana for confirmation, but she’s already turned forward once more. I shrug, deciding it isn’t worth it. Even if she meant it the way it sounded, she’ll find out rather quickly that I’m not an omega who will allow herself to be pushed around.

The car pulls to a stop, Nash getting out first and then helping Ana and Paisley out. He steps back when Malachi exits, and it’s him who helps me down. Lucas is already waiting outside of the SUV for us. “Mike will go park the car and then meet us inside. The camera crew came much earlier so they could work out how to film the date.”

“Lucas? Evangeline? Pack Reyes?”

We all turn to find a pretty brunette walking toward us. She’s taller than me, possibly even a full six feet tall, and it’s clear she works out. Damn. What would it be like to have that much muscle?

“Hi, I’m Bridget! I’ll be your guide today. I’m so excited for you to get to try out the course today. Are you waiting for anyone else?”

Lucas nods. “We have one more who is parking the car right now.”

As soon as he finishes talking, Mike walks up, and I take a look at him for the first time. He’s tall and built with long blond hair. He looks like a damn Viking. I don’t catch his scent on the breeze, but I don’t think he’s an alpha.

“Looks like we’re all here, then. Follow me and we’ll get you started. There will be waivers to sign, videos to watch, and a lot of information for me to cover before we get started.” Bridget smiles, and I hurry to follow her.

I’m stopped by a hand on my arm. Frowning, I find it’s Ana. “We’d prefer you not hurry ahead without us. Let one of the security guys go first. That’s what they’re here for.”

“But I have questions for Bridget,” I say with a frown.

“And you’ll have time to ask them, but we want to make sure you’re safe,” Malachi tells me, arching his eyebrows.

I glance at Lucas, who shrugs. “They’re not wrong, Evangeline. One of us should be at the front and one at the rear.”

It takes more effort than it should to not pout. “Fine.”

“Come walk with me, Evangeline.” Paisley holds her hand out to me, and I take it with a smile. “Just let the alphas and security keep you safe. I know you’re new to the whole bodyguard thing, but you’ll get used to it.”

“Do you have bodyguards?”

Paisley giggles. “Of course I do. It’s not safe out there for omegas on their own. My alphas want to make sure I’m safe, after all.”

“So, you never go anywhere alone?” I ask, surprised.

“Not since revealing as an omega. I don’t mind, though. Honestly, most of the time, I forget they’re there.”

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