Page 43 of Knot His Reality

The panna cotta mixture takes us about twenty minutes before we’re pouring it into a pan and setting it inside the fridge to rest for a minimum of three hours. Really, it’ll just sit there until it’s time for dessert.

“Now it’s prep time!” Pierce calls out. “We grow our own vegetables out back, so we’re going to head out there so we can show you how to go about choosing the right vegetables.”

While we prep and cook the meal, we try a few Italian wines Pierce has on hand before choosing one that will pair well with our late lunch. Shortly after three, we have a full meal spread out before us, and I’m so ready to dig in.

We each grab a little from each person’s attempts, and I’ll admit some are better than others, but they all turn out pretty good. I don’t like to brag, but mine and Nikolai’s Farro Mafaldine are the best by far—except for Pierce’s.

Rhys surprises us all, including himself, with his panna cotta. Even Pierce and Tawny can’t stop raving about how good it is.

Once I’ve eaten more food than I should, I sit back in my chair and glance around the table. Lucas and Evan have joined us while Pierce and Tawny left us alone after tasting each dish. Everyone is joking around and having a good time, and I really see what I’ve been missing out on.

This is what a pack should look like. Or at least, this is what I want my pack to look like. Spending time doing something together—even if it’s not an activity everyone enjoys—and just enjoying that time together.

It’s hard to believe that I’ve known these people for less than twenty-four hours, and I already feel more comfortable with them than most people I’ve met in my life.

Is it because we’re forced together forHeated? It is because Bree and Tessa are miracle workers and just seem to know who and what that season’s omega needs?

I shake my head at that because I’ve seen some of the suitors on past seasons who were far from a good fit for the omegas.

So does that make it all luck? Fate?

I have no idea, but I’m willing to admit I’m so grateful for it.

“What big thoughts are you thinking over there, Remy?” Rhys asks with a smile.

“It’s crazy that we’re just a group of random people thrown together, and yet we get along so well. It’s crazy what this show does for people.”

When Nikolai smiles, it’s the softest I’ve ever seen him look. “Things are sometimes just meant to be.”

And maybe he’s right.

Lucas pats his stomach. “As amazing as this food is, we need to head back to the compound. Remy has four more suitors he still has to meet tonight.”

Which means saying goodbye to these suitors—a thought that makes me a little sad. Not enough to sour my scent, just enough that makes me wish that maybe I met the four of them somewhere besides the show.

Will I choose them for my pack? I don’t know yet. I still have eight suitors left to meet and two more group dates to go on. I barely know any of the suitors.

As much as I’d love to say yes, I’ll know exactly who I’m choosing after I’ve met them all, but that’s not how it works, is it? Instant connections and attraction are great, but they’re not what you build a pack on. You build it on shared beliefs, mutual respect, and love.

I like these four but I don’t know them well enough to be in love with them. That’ll take time.

I’m sure there are those out there thinking that eight weeks isn’t much time and maybe it’s not, but it’s what I have.

The drive back to the compound goes by entirely too fast and then the five of us are standing outside the door to my suite.

“Have fun meeting the rest of the suitors. They’re all amazing,” I tell them. “And I’ll see you in a few days.”

Camila grabs my hand before I can open my door. “Come now, Remy. If I wanted a kiss when we first met, don’t you think I want one after our first date?”

I really have no desire to say no to that, so I lean down and kiss her. This time, I run my tongue along the seam of her lips and sigh when she opens for me. Her hands slip beneath my tee as our tongues twine together, her body pressing against mine. My cock immediately goes rock hard as I grind against her.

We’re both breathing hard when we break apart.

“That was hot,” Alexei says as he turns my head to him. “My turn.”

At this point, there’s no way I’m not perfuming like crazy, but all I can smell is his whiskey and oak scent, tantalizing me along with his tongue. He pulls away and Nikolai is taking his place. They’re both damn good kissers, but I’m surprised to learn that Alexei is the more aggressive of the two.

I lean back against the door, trying to get my bearings, when Nikolai steps away with a smirk on his lips. I turn my head toward Rhys, ready to kiss him too, but he shakes his head as he brushes his lips against my cheek.

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