Page 14 of Knot Our Reality

Stepping out, I glance up the stairs to confirm no one is coming down before making my way to the dining room. As soon as I step inside, I realize why I didn’t hear any of them on the stairs.

Lee, Malik, Bradley, and Sasha sit at one end of the table, two to each side of the chair at the head of the table—obviously saved for me.

“Good morning, Emilia,” Bradley says in that soft voice of his as the four of them stand.

“We’re glad you’re joining us for breakfast,” Malik adds. “Would you like one of us to make a plate for you?”

I bite back a scoff. As if I need anyone to get food for me. I’m sure there are a multitude of omegas who would love that, but I’ve been on my own for two years while taking care of two small children. To say I’m independent is putting it lightly.

I offer them a smile. “Good morning, gentlemen. Malik, while I appreciate the offer, I’ll get it myself. Sit and eat. I’ll join you shortly.”

“As you wish, Emilia.” Sasha’s smile lights up his face as he lowers himself into his chair, the other three following suit.

I can feel their eyes on me as I walk over to the buffet, filling my plate with eggs, fruit, and French toast. Once finished, I join them at the table—only to find that none of them are eating.

Of course not.

Their scents hit me full-blast. The hint I’d gotten last night was nothing compared to the real thing.

Malik’s citrus and lavender scent settles any nerves I’ve been feeling, making me want to melt into my chair.

Bradley’s oven-baked bread, tomato leaf, and bay leaf have me licking my lips as my stomach complains about the lack of food. Being around him is going to mean being hungry constantly, I can already tell.

Same with Lee’s key lime pie scent. It’s just as I remember it from when he visited Wilde with my brother, and I’m glad I added extra powdered sugar to my French toast because now I have a sweet tooth.

Sasha’s leather, sandalwood, and vanilla scent hits me last and the hardest. I bite back the moan threatening to spill from my lips, wanting nothing more than to rub against him until his scent covers me.

I knew he was going to be trouble.

Shaking my head, I dig into my food, grateful when they all do the same. We eat in a comfortable silence, and I hope our date will feel as comfortable as this. The last thing I want to do is spend the day feeling awkward.

“Did you have a good rest of your night?” I ask when I finish eating, pushing my plate back slightly and using my napkin to clean my face.

Lee nods. “We did. We took advantage of the indoor pool since the temperatures drop at night. We didn’t want to freeze our asses off.”

I laugh. “That makes sense.”

Part of me feels like I should apologize for abandoning them, but I learned a long time ago not to apologize for taking what I need. It’s something my pack instilled in me early on, and that I’ve carried with me even after they’re gone.

Pain lances through me, and I rub at my chest. It never helps, but it’s a habit I can’t seem to break.

“Are you okay?” Sasha asks, drawing my attention.

I nod, shooting him a half-smile. It’s all I can manage as grief threatens to overwhelm me. “I’m fine.”

“You think of your pack again.” It’s not a question, and even if it were, I wouldn’t be able to deny it. “Tell us.”

“Tell you what?” I glance between them, eyes wide.

Malik’s smile is gentle. “Tell us what made you think of them.”

“You don’t want to hear about them,” I argue, shaking my head.

“But we do,” Lee assures me.

I stare at them blankly before glancing at Bradley, who gives me a small nod of agreement.

The idea of talking to them about my lost loves doesn’t feel right. They shouldn’t want to hear about the men I loved, and I shouldn’t want to share with them, right?

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