Page 71 of Knot Her Reality

His pace picks back up, a door closing, and then we’re in blissful darkness. I blink open my eyes, pointing to the fingerprint scanner on the wall. As soon as the door opens, revealing my nest, Koda hesitates.

“Do you want me to leave you or…”

“I’d prefer if you stayed, but I understand if you don’t want to.”

Koda chuckles softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Of course I want to stay. Why don’t you climb inside and I’ll go grab the stuff Millie is having sent to you? I’ll join you as soon as it arrives, okay?”

“Mmmkay,” I murmur, burrowing my head further into his chest. I really don’t want him to go. While his presence can’t make the migraine go away, it does calm me. He sets me on my feet, and I crawl into my nest but leave the door wide open. He won’t be able to get in if I shut it—at least not without me releasing the door, and I’m in no place to do that.

I lower myself to the cushioned floor and yank my favorite blanket up and over my body—even covering my head. I don’t hear Koda leave, but I hear him when he returns. He pulls the door shut behind him before shuffling around the nest.

“What are you doing?” I ask, sticking my head out of the blanket, eyes narrowed on him.

“Sorry, Evangeline. I had to find a plug for the heating pad.” He lowers himself gently beside me. “What do you need? Ice pack? Heating pad?”

I shake my head, immediately regretting it. “Just hold me?”

“Of course.” He pulls me into his arms, and I nestle my head back into his chest. A sigh escapes me as his purr picks back up again. All tension leaves my body, and sleep calls my name as he holds me. This is exactly what I need.

Chapter Twenty-one

Evangeline

I’m currently getting ready for my third date of week three. On Monday, I went out with Evander and Gavin. We’d grabbed dinner at one of the local restaurants and spent the rest of our time just walking around town. Turns out both men actually enjoy shopping—or at least that’s what they told me, and who I am to question their words? It was nice to spend time with them but also get to do something I don’t always have a lot of time for. Most of my shopping gets done online because of how busy I am.

That’ll have to change now, I guess, since I’ll be leaving this show with a pack. They’re not going to allow me to bury myself in work like I’ve done all these years, and I’m honestly looking forward to it. I love what I’ve built and how far I’ve come in the fashion design world, but it’s definitely time for the next step in my life. It’s time for love, a pack, and gods willing, a family.

Yesterday, I spent most of the day with Lillian, again confirming that she’s the kind of sunshine I need in my life. Even kissing her is the sweetest thing I’ve ever felt. It helps that she seems to get along with almost all the suitors—the only exception being Viktor.

I asked her about it yesterday, and all she would tell me was that she didn’t like him and that he gave her a bad feeling before quickly changing the subject. I’m unsure if she is one of the ones who believes that Viktor attempted to hurt me on purpose or not, but it’s clear that he’s not a favorite among the suitors. Something I’ll need to consider when making my decision at this week’s rose ceremony.

Shaking my head, I finish pulling my blonde hair up into a messy bun and give myself one last once over before deciding I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. Today’s date is much more laid back than the others, as we’re not even leaving the compound. When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel like leaving and doing the date I’d planned. When I suggested to the group that we stay in for a date, they all readily agreed.

Sometimes we just need to not go out. Today is one of those days, but I think the date I have planned will be even better than the original one. We spend the morning and afternoon hanging out with the rest of the suitors, but in just a few minutes, we’ll be taking over the back deck area by the pool.

I had each of the suitors joining me tonight—Tessa, Koda, Ronan, and Natalie—give their favorite meal to Mille. We’ll all be served someone else’s favorite, and then we’ll be guessing whose favorite it is. The plan is to do that with our favorite drinks as well and maybe a few other things. It’s about getting to know one another better.

This is the biggest group date of the week as I have another individual date with Jagger tomorrow, then another group date with Conrad and Alejandro on Friday. I knew when I invited Koda and Tessa for a group date that it would be together because I want to see how the two of them are together.

After all, male omegas are technically made for female alphas. But female alphas are even more rare than male omegas. It’s possible that the two of them might pair off and want nothing to do with me, and it’s something I’d rather find out now versus later after I’ve fallen for both of them.

Though, it’s hard for me to imagine Koda not being a part of my pack. Sure, I’ve really only known him for all of a week, but the pull between us is definitely there. I know he feels it, considering that he was having breakthrough heat symptoms when he was unable to see me following my injury.

I just don’t know how much of that is just because he’s hot as hell and how much of it is just sexual chemistry. Or a desire to be a part of a bonded pair.

Koda also seems rather attached to Jagger, Alejandro, and Lillian. It’s fascinating to me how the suitors have grouped together thus far. But that’s not something for me to worry about now. I have a date to get to that I’m more than a little excited for.

Running my hands over the pink cap sleeve wrap dress I chose for today. It’s casual but looks amazing against my curves, with a good amount of cleavage showing. Add in the messy bun and dangly earrings, and it’s the perfect look for date night in.

A knock on the door to my suite has me leaving the bathroom and hurrying over to said door. I don’t bother sliding on shoes, wanting to keep the look even more casual. Throwing open the door, I find Koda standing there with a smile on his face that only grows as he takes me in.

“Hello, Evangeline, you look exquisite.”

Allowing myself to take the time to run my eyes over him, I can’t help returning his grin. He looks good enough to eat with his hair flopping in his face, a tank top that reveals more of his tattoos than usual, and a pair of tight black jeans.

“And you look yummy.”

I hear laughter behind him and peer around him to see the others standing there with smiles on their faces. It was Ronan’s laughter that I heard as he doesn’t attempt to hide it, but Natalie and Tessa at least try to hide theirs behind their hands.

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