Page 37 of Knot Our Reality

“So do you,” he admits as he takes a step toward me, coming up short when Wilder stops him. He frowns as he glances at his alpha. “What are you doing?”

Wilder chuckles. “You don’t think this is a little strange? The way the two of you are reacting to one another?”

Camden shrugs. “Sure, it’s weird, but sometimes you’re just drawn to someone.”

Wilder sighs, his eyes finding mine. “Are you okay with this?”

“Actually, I’m freaking out, but my instincts are going into overdrive. I just…I think I need to touch you, Camden.” This time, I’m the one who takes a step forward—only I forget I’m extremely pregnant, and my belly runs into him first.

“Oh.” Camden’s smile grows as he lifts his hands to touch my baby bump—something I usually hate people to do without explicit permission—but I just melt into his touch. “Obviously, I knew you were pregnant, but I haven’t been around very many pregnant women before. I didn’t realize you’d be this big.”

“Camden,” Wilder hisses. “You never tell a woman she’s big.”

I snort out a laugh, my hands moving to cover Camden’s. A small sigh leaves me when our skin comes into contact, a giggle following it when the baby kicks us. “It’s okay. I know I’m big. Pregnancy does that to a woman. Although Wilder is right. It’s not usually recommended to just say it out loud.”

“Is that the baby?” Camden asks, a look of awe in his eyes as he kneels in front of me so his face is level with my belly.

“Yeah, he’s kicking.” I glance at Wilder. “Would you like to feel?”

He considers me for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I think this is something for the two of you. Maybe later.”

“Hello, baby,” Camden murmurs as he lays his head against my belly. “I bet you’re growing big and strong in there. I’m Camden, and I’m here to win your mom’s heart. Do you think I stand a chance?”

He’s grinning when he meets my gaze, and I know in that moment it would be so easy to fallfor this omega.

When my hands fall away from Camden’s, he stands and steps back to join Wilder. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’m usually not this forward with people.”

“It’s quite alright. I think we were both taken by surprise.” I clear my throat, trying to rein in my warring emotions. “Will the two of you tell me about yourselves?”

Camden glances at Wilder, who nods. “As I said, I’m Wilder. I’m a forty-five-year-old alpha and CEO of a tech company. I was one of Bree’s suitors on the first season. Back then, I was part of an unbonded pack with another alpha, who turned out to be a completely different man than the one I thought I knew. His actions are what made Bree send us home—as she should have. I knew I couldn’t remain in a pack with him. Not knowing the man he really was, I moved out immediately. I didn’t need that in my life.”

“Oh, wow. That must have been hard.”

He shakes his head. “Not as hard as I thought it would be, which just told me I was making the right decision. If I’d remained in Wren’s pack, he would’ve dragged me down. Plus, I never would’ve met Camden.”

“Wait. You said you’re the CEO of a tech company?”

Wilder grins, nodding. “Yes, I am, Emilia. I actually met you and your pack about five years ago. Davis was a speaker at a convention I attended. We discussed doing business together.”

“You own Sparkwave Technologies!” I grin. “So I really did recognize you because of business and not the show. Shit, I’ve been ignoring your emails. I’m sorry.”

“You’re fine. There are just some new products I think you’d like to get your hands on.”

Camden shakes his head as he glances between the two of us. “Can we not discuss business?”

I laugh. “We’ll talk after the show, Wilder. Our companies always had a good rapport when we worked together before my pack passed. I let a lot of things fall through the cracks over the last two and a half years. At least this is one I can remedy.”

“I’m sorry for your loss—even if it’s two and a half years too late. Davis, Gerald, Ryan, and Maxwell were good men. It was clear to everyone how much they loved you.”

“Yeah, it’s been hard, but I had no choice but to soldier on.” I focus my attention back on Camden. “No more business talk, I promise. Why don’t you tell me about yourself and how you met Wilder?”

He grins. “Sure. I’m twenty-eight and an omega—obviously. I’m a professional baseball player for the Los Angeles Panthers. I’m the only omega currently playing professionally. It was really hard to find a team willing to bring me on. Baseball’s not exactly a contact sport, but with the hoops I’ve had to jump through, you’d think it was. I’m a pitcher, and I think that’s the only reason the LA team was willing to give me a shot. Now, they’d do anything to keep me.”

“I’m not a big sports person, but I’ve been to a few games. How long have you been playing for them?”

“The upcoming season will be my third.”

Doing the math, I realize he wouldn’t have been on the team the last time I went to a game with my pack. “The last time I went to a game was when my pack was still alive, so that was probably the season before you were drafted. I’ll definitely have to make sure I check out a game this season. I’m failing to see how a baseball player and a tech company mogul met and fell in love.”

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