Page 1 of Knot Their Reality

Chapter One

Sophia

Year: 2259

One last glance in the mirror shows me what I already know—I barely recognize myself.

Not because it's not me in the mirror or that they've made me unrecognizable, but how did I become this omega? So desperate for a pack that I signed up to appear on Heated? Not that I think it's a terrible thing. I loved the first season and getting to know Bree, some of her mates, Reginald, Tessa, and the rest of the crew has been great. But why can't I forget about them?

It's been over two years since I walked out of the cabin, leaving behind the pack that I somehow convinced myself could be mine—even if they already had an omega. As much as I would've loved to tell them what I thought about the comments they made when they thought I wasn't listening, they tore me to the bone. So I tucked tail and ran. Obviously, they had no desire to be with me so why would I stick around to hear them tell me that?

Only, it had hurt more than I thought it ever could. There's still a piece of my heart that belongs to them, and I hate it. I've spent the last year dating as many men as I could just to try to forget their scents, their smiles, and their cocks. But nothing has been able to erase their presence in my heart.

Which fucking sucks.

Heated is my last shot. If I can't find a pack here, then I'm going to have to accept that I'm meant to be a spinster omega.

A soft knock on the door to my suite has my head snapping toward the door, hand going to my chest as my heart beats wildly. That shouldn't have startled me, and yet, somehow, it did. I have to stop thinking about them. This is my new beginning. It's time for me to find a pack that appreciates who I am.

"Come in," I call out, brushing my hands down my black dress to remove the non-existent wrinkles as I turn to face Bree as she steps inside.

"Sophia, you look beautiful," she says with a smile.

I dip my head in acknowledgment. "Thank you. Is it time?"

"Just about." Bree walks over, taking my hands in hers. She's a few inches shorter than me at five foot five, but with my heels on, I practically tower over her. Not that it intimidates her. I'm not sure that much does, and I adore that about her. "I just wanted to check on you while we had the chance; to see how you're dealing with all of it?"

As usual, my first response is to say I'm fine and push my anxiety to the side. But I know I don't need to do that with Bree. She genuinely wants to know how I'm doing, so when I respond, I'm honest.

"I'm nervous. Scared. A whole lot of uncomfortable." I laugh, shaking my head. "I don't want to be a disappointment. What if I'm not actually ready for this? What if I don't find my pack? What if—"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Bree cuts me off. She leads me over to one of the couches where we settle side by side. "You need to stop worrying about the what-ifs. There are always what-ifs, and most of the time, they're irrelevant. When you continue to stress out over what could be or what you could've done differently, all you're doing is hurting yourself. This is a brand new opportunity to find what you've been looking for.

"And you are ready. If you weren't ready, you wouldn't have applied for the show. You've taken the first step. Now, you just need to take the second and then the third. Take it one day at a time. At least meet the suitors before you start worrying if they're the right ones for you or not.” Bree laughs. "Trust me when I tell you it's going to be overwhelming when you meet them, and it'll take some time for you to decide if you could see them as a part of the pack you wish to build."

I nod slowly. "I know you're right, but that doesn't make it any easier. I am glad that I won't have to meet all twenty of them at once, like you did. Talk about overwhelming. I never would've been able to remember their names."

Bree throws her head back as she laughs again. "It's definitely overwhelming which is why we made the changes that we did. And I'm just lucky to be able to remember names well. We always knew it might be harder for someone else to do the same. That's why I was the omega for the first season so we could see what didn't work before we put another omega through it."

"Thank goodness for that." I laugh.

Upon my arrival a week ago, Bree and Tessa had sat me down to explain how things would run a bit differently this season. Instead of having all twenty suitors arrive at the same time, they'll arrive four per day over the course of five days. I'll meet them in the evening as their limos arrive, as Bree had, and then once all four have arrived, we'll have dinner. After dinner, we're allowed to do whatever we'd like—be that together or alone. Then the next day we'll have breakfast, followed by a group date, and then time off for me before the next four arrive.

Apparently, the goal is to give both myself and the viewers a better chance at getting to know the suitors before the first rose ceremony. It might seem that the first group has the advantage as I meet them first so they have more time with me, but that isn't the case. After our group dates, I won't see them again until after the last group's date. This is to make it fair for each group, as well as making sure I'm not overwhelmed by the suitors on the first day.

Honestly, it sounds so much better than what I watched Bree go through. I'm not a woman who is often overwhelmed, but I have no doubt that meeting them one right after the other would be my undoing. Even knowing that, I still signed up for the show. Crazy, right? Well, let's just say I have a great desire to find my pack. Almost a desperate need.

Bree's phone chirps and when she pulls it out, she turns to me with another of those soft smiles. "The first limo will be arriving in about fifteen minutes. Why don't we get you out there so Reginald can get your initial interview done?”

"Guess I'm going to have to get used to that, aren't I?" I shake my head. "I still can't believe I'm here doing this."

As we both stand, Bree reaches out to squeeze my hand once more. "You'll get used to it. You have no choice but just think about what you'll be gaining. And if you need anything, you just reach out to either me or Tessa. We’ve got you, Sophia. You don't have to do this alone anymore."

I can't help but smile at her words. I'm not alone. I think that's one of the reasons I wanted to do this so badly. I didn't want to do it alone anymore. There's a comfort in knowing I have a support system in place that I've never had before. No matter how many times I question my sanity for signing on to Heated, it all comes back to this. I have people here to help me find my pack.

It's not too late.

I'm not too broken.

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