Page 50 of Knot His Reality

“Uhhh…thanks…I think?” I can’t help glancing over her shoulder at Reginald, who just shrugs. Really helpful. “I’ve never had anyone read my palms before. Why don’t you tell me a little more about it and yourself?”

Gracie giggles again. “I think we’ll leave the palm reading for another conversation. I’m twenty-four, and as I’m sure you’ve realized, a beta. I’m a tea maker by trade, but I do so much more than that. I’m very into everything metaphysical. I even studied it in college. Well, as much as I could. It’s not like they have a degree in metaphysics.”

“That you can’t. I’m not sure I know much about metaphysics beyond the basics. It’s not really my area of study,” I tell her, and she nods.

“It’s not most people’s area of study. That’s why I only did about a year of college before setting out across the country. I’ve been traveling for the last five years or so, studying with so many amazing people. I even went to Europe for a year to study there. It’s amazing.” It’s clear just how excited she is as she practically bounces on her toes. “I’ve been living in my van, which I’ll admit was a hard change for growing up living in one house all my life. While I’ve really enjoyed it, it’s time to start settling down. I’d love to find a pack, and that’s hard to do when you’re traveling all the time.”

“I can only imagine.” Actually, I can’t imagine it at all. Living in a van for years? I could never. Maybe I have a lot more omega tendencies than I thought I did. “It sounds like you’ve had quite the adventure.”

She nods. “It’s been amazing, but I know it’s not for everyone. Not everyone understands what I was doing and why, and that’s okay. What’s important is that I got what I was looking for out of it.”

Wow. She said she was only twenty-four, but she’s wiser than a lot of people I know who are more than double her age. It’s refreshing.

“That’s a good view to have,” I tell her. “It’s one many people never learn and most not until they’ve lived a lot longer than you.”

“My mom always said I was an old soul. She wasn’t surprised when this was the life I chose to lead. Dad, on the other hand, still doesn’t understand.” She shrugs. “But I’m okay with that. Even if he didn’t understand it, he always supported me. That’s all we can ask of our parents, isn’t it?”

Blinking at her, I nod. I’m not sure that Gracie and I have much in common, but I’m dying to talk to her more. I want to hear her views on things and see how they differ from mine. I can’t remember the last time I was able to have a discussion like that with someone.

“I think there are a lot of things I’d like to discuss with you. I’m fascinated to understand your view on life,” I say, feeling the need to be completely honest with her. “I think we might be complete opposites, and there’s something intriguing about that.”

She grins. “Well, the good news is I’ll be here as long as you want me to be. This is just the first step in my new adventure.”

A glance at Reginald tells me it’s time to wrap it up, so I lean down to kiss her forehead. “Something tells me you’re going to change things around here, Gracie, and I’m looking forward to it.”

“Me, too,” she agrees before practically skipping off to join Tessa and Aubrey.

I’m in awe of the woman. I know I’ve never met another like her, and I’m not sure if I ever will again in my life. She’s so different from the other suitors. I don’t know if that will be a positive or a negative, but I think having her here will change the dynamic. It’ll be interesting to watch it unfold.

Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, I hear the next limo arriving, and it doesn’t take long for it to stop in front of me. The man who steps out isn’t too tall, close to my height. Or maybe an inch shorter, I realize as he steps toward me.

His hair is a medium brown that’s a little long and falling over his forehead, his eyes a similar shade. He has a square jaw and a wide nose that not everyone could pull off. His face is scruffy, almost as if he’s trying to grow a beard. It’s a good look on him. He’s handsome, but the kind of handsome that you see every day. He lacks the striking features that make many of the previous suitors stand out.

He feels comfortable, and I love it.

“Hello, Remington,” he says, voice deep and a little gruff. “My name is Nolan Austen.”

Hints of sage and clove reach my nose, mixed with something else I can’t place—at least not with the blockers being used—but it’s enough to tell me he’s an alpha.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nolan. Can you tell me a little about yourself?”

His face remains impassive as he nods, giving away nothing. “I’m thirty-eight years old, an alpha, and I work as a physiotherapist—or physical therapist. I come from a long line of alphas. Going back generations, my ancestors are male and female alphas, who birth other alphas.”

Now, he has my attention. “Really? That’s so interesting. Obviously, alpha/alpha pairings happen frequently, but they often end up with beta children—especially as of late.”

I wonder if he’d consider allowing me to study him and his family. While my research is focused mostly on omegas and their fertility, knowing that there is a family who has produced alpha after alpha from alpha/alpha pairings…not only is it interesting, but it could prove fruitful to my research.

Damn it, I’m not supposed to be thinking about work right now. It’s probably not an appropriate time to ask him either. I’ll just have to keep that in mind in the future.

“I’m sorry. I let my mind slip into work mode for a moment there,” I tell him with an apologetic smile. “What are you interested in when you’re not working?”

“History. I’ve always been intrigued by the history of our world—both pre-Event and post-Event. I’m actually working on a second degree in just that,” he tells me, but his inflection and face give nothing away for me to tell if he’s excited about what he’s studying.

Not wanting to discourage him and hoping he’ll open up a little, I gesture for him to continue. Once he gets started, all I can do is listen. I’m not sure I could get a word in even if I wanted to.

Luckily, he pauses when Reginald gives me the signal. “That’s fascinating. I’ve only studied history in how it affects my research. Unfortunately, my next suitor is arriving soon.”

“Of course. Thank you for the riveting conversation, omega.” Nolan bows his head slightly before skirting around me and heading for the others.

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