Page 101 of Knot Their Reality

"Yeah, I guess," I grumble. "I'll think about it."

"That's all we can ask for." Chase kisses me again. "So, what's the plan for today?"

I run through my head, trying to remember what day today even is. "It's a down day, though Bree will be stopping by during breakfast to share tomorrow's surprise with the suitors."

"Surprise?" Chase's eyebrows shoot up.

I mime locking my lips and throwing away the keys. "Nope, I'm not taking a chance that you'll let something slip with your pack. Plus, you'll all find out soon enough. After we get dressed and make our way to breakfast."

Chase grumbles but climbs out of the bed. "I guess that means I have to head back to my suite so I can change."

"Me, too. Brooks is probably waiting for me so I can tell him how it went."

"Wait. You're rooming with Brooks?" Why didn't I know that?

Brody laughs. "Yeah, we've shared a room since day one. You have no idea who is in what rooms, do you?"

"Not a clue, but that's going to change. The two of you are going to tell me who is in what rooms and where." I narrow my eyes when they look like they're going to argue with me. They quickly hold up their hands in surrender. "Good. I'm going to take a shower. Walk with me to breakfast?"

They both nod. Chase turns to Brody. "I'll stop by your room and grab you when I'm done. I have a key to the suite—which is how I got in here last night."

“We’ll get you one of your own when Tessa gets your thumbprint added,” I call after them as they head for the door.

I lay there for another moment before pulling myself from the bed. Sure, they bathed me last night, but I need a full-on shower at this point. I turn the water on entirely too hot before taking care of business. I’d flipped the heated floors on when I’d walked in, so it’s a nice walk back to the shower.

Stepping under the steaming water, I groan. Already I can feel my muscles relaxing. But as I let my mind wander, I feel myself tensing back up again. If Brody was wondering why I hadn’t chosen Brooks last night, is the man himself asking the same thing? He has to be, doesn’t he?

Hell, I’m sure that most of the suitors are confused by my choice last night. So far I’ve chosen an omega—though, that was less about me choosing and more about me having to bond him—and a beta. I ignored the connections I’ve made with the alphas because I’ve been afraid.

I can’t let that fear rule me. Which is exactly what Brody has been saying. I need to make sure I take time to talk with Brooks today. He has to know that it’s nothing he’s done that made me not choose him… even though a part of me already thinks of him as mine.

Gods, I’m a disaster. I’d been so excited about joining Heated that I hadn’t actually thought this through. Obviously, I knew what I was getting into, but I didn’t think about how my trauma would make this harder for me. Talk about a wake-up call.

Shrugging off my worrisome thoughts, I finish up my shower. I walk back into my room completely naked, as usual, and trying to dry my hair with a towel.

“I think I’ll wait in the sitting room,” someone mumbles, and I jerk my head up in time to see Brooks ducking out of the room.

I laugh, eyebrows raised as I turn to find Brody and Chase standing there looking a bit chagrined.

“Right… the naked thing. I forgot.” Brody runs a hand down his face. “I didn’t even think about it when I brought him with us. I’m sorry, Sophia.”

“Why? He’s already seen me naked.” Raising my voice, I add, “I’m not sure why he skipped out of here like it’s something he hasn't seen before.”

Laughter filters in from the sitting room, and I realize he’s not the only one in my suite. Turning to my omega and beta with my hands on my hips, I ask, “How many people did you invite into my suite without letting me know.”

“Ummm…” Chase wrinkles his nose. “Just Brooks and my pack.”

I roll my eyes. “I guess I should just be glad you didn’t invite them all into my bedroom.”

“They actually did,” a voice in the doorway replies, surprising me.

When I turn my head, I’m not at all surprised to find Carson standing there. “Of course they did. I’m surprised you’re not lounging on my bed naked right now.”

A smirk slides onto his lips. “I could be if you want me to.”

“Carson, get your ass back in here,” Liam growls, and now it’s my turn to smirk as I shoot him a shoo gesture.

I head for the closet, throwing the dirty towel into the hamper while Chase and Brody trail behind me.

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