Page 18 of Knot Their Reality

Reginald tilts his head. "And now?"

"I'm not as sure, but I guess we'll see how tonight and tomorrow go."

"An excellent choice." He turns to face the suitors. "If the four of you will accompany Sophia, dinner is waiting to be served in the dining room."

While Reginald turns back to the cameras, Tessa steps up by the suitors and waves me over. "Welcome, gentlemen."

She proceeds to explain how the rest of tonight and tomorrow morning will go. She advises them to make sure to leave me with a favorable memory of them, as the first rose ceremony will be on Saturday after my group date with the last group of suitors. Then we're off to dinner where I hope I can figure out if this is a new behavior for Ramsey or if he's always like this. For his and his pack's sake, I hope it's a one-off. I'm not down to deal with someone who can't deal with the fact that they won't be the only person in my life.

Sure, it's absolutely possible for me to choose only three for my pack, but I also know it's highly unlikely. I've always wanted a large pack. When I signed up for Heated, I'd joked about choosing all twenty suitors, but there's no way I could handle that much dick on the regular. Even I'm not that horny.

With a laugh at my own thoughts, I find myself walking in between all four suitors. Ramsey walks just in front of me and Brooks, right behind, leaving Zayd and Silas to walk beside me. While we walk in silence, it feels comfortable. I could see the four of them as a part of my pack—so long as Ramsey doesn't ruin his pack's chances. I guess only time will tell.

Chapter Seven

Sophia

The walk to the dining room is quiet, something that I know is mostly my own fault as I lose myself to my thoughts. Now that I've met this group of suitors, the Duval pack and Brooks, it's hard not to compare them to the suitors I'd met just yesterday.

While something had felt wrong with me and Ezra at first, and Alejandro's tantrum, none of them made me feel as bothered as Ramsey. There's something about him that I can't put my finger on, but I don't like it. It rubs me the wrong way and has my omega curling up inside of me. It's not just that he's an alpha, but it's something to do with the type of alpha he seems to be.

I don't want to judge anyone only by one interaction, but when something feels this off... am I meant to ignore it?

"Hey, are you okay?"

I jump, not just at the unexpected voice but the touch to my lower back. Glancing over my shoulder, I find Brooks walking much closer behind me than he had been previously. I give him a tight smile and nod.

"It's okay if you're not," he says, drawing Zayd's and Silas's attention as well. "I'm sure this is quite overwhelming, having to meet so many people so quickly."

"I appreciate it, Brooks, but I'm fine. I promise." And it's not a total lie. I really am fine. Yes, I'm upset with the way Ramsey acted, and it has me feeling a bit off, but I'm okay. It's just something I'm going to have to let stew for now and come back to it when I'm alone.

He nods, smiling. "Okay, but you'll let me know if you're not?"

"I will." I nod before facing forward once more. The last thing I need to do is trip over my own feet.

Bree comes to a stop outside of the dining room with a smile. "As soon as you're seated, I'll send in the staff with your food. None of you had any special dietary concerns, so you'll be served family style."

That has me smiling. "And what are we having tonight?"

"Go sit your butt down, and I guess you'll find out, won't you?" Bree sasses with a grin.

I almost stick my tongue out at her but decide against it. There's no reason to show these men how childish I can be when I choose to do so. We'll save that revelation for another time.

Instead, I just shoot her a grin and step around the others to move toward my seat. Before I reach it, Ramsey hurries around the other side of the table and pulls it out for me. He inclines his head as I near.

"Here, omega, let me get that for you."

Well, that's unexpected after the way he acted previously and puts me even more on edge. But I force a smile as I lower myself into my seat and allow him to push it in. "Thank you, Ramsey."

"It's my pleasure." He moves to the seat on my left side and drops into it, gesturing for Zayd and Silas to sit. Brooks sits in the chair on my right side, while Pack Duval sits on the opposite side.

I can't help but frown at that. It would be much easier to have two suitors on each side for conversational purposes. It feels like they're isolating Brooks, and I don't like it one damn bit.

"Actually, if one of you will sit beside Brooks, it would be easier for us all to talk."

Both Zayd and Silas look at me with eyes wide before turning back to Ramsey as if asking his permission.

Before he can say anything, I lose my shit—something I'm not proud of, but damn it, I don't like this.

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