Page 23 of Knot Their Reality

I nod. "That's fine. I completely understand. I'm a lawyer; I know how to compartmentalize. Am I going to have to go on a date with them tomorrow?"

"Absolutely not," Bree spits out, looking slightly offended. "We would never force you to continue in a situation you weren't comfortable in—especially after hearing what happened to you. I knew the basics but hearing you tell the story? I'm devastated, and I'm sorry you had to go through that."

Tears fill Bree's eyes and Tessa sighs. "Your damn hormones are still over the place. Come here, omega."

Tessa wraps her arms around Bree, who buries her head into the other woman's chest. "Sorry, Sophia. Bree is still waiting for her hormones to even out after the pregnancy, but because she's breastfeeding, she's not quite there yet. Sometimes things hit her harder than she can predict."

"Empathy can be a bitch, that's for sure." I grin, watching as Tessa fights back her own smile. I can already see her shoulders shaking, telling me it won’t be long until she laughs.

Bree pulls back from Tessa, laughter spilling from her lips. "It's okay, Tessa, you can laugh."

She wipes at her face, rolling her eyes as she faces me once again. "I'm telling you, having babies is hell on your body. Emmy is totally worth it, but damn. I'd like to not cry at the drop of a hat."

"At least I know what I have to look forward to," I say with another laugh.

"As we were saying before Bree's minor meltdown," Tessa grins at her friend, "we would never force you to go on a date with them. It's understandable that their dynamic isn't something you're looking for. But that does cause a slight issue with the plans for tomorrow."

"I'm sorry—"

"No," Tessa cuts me off. "You will not apologize for this. We already know that things will pop up that we can't plan for, and this is one of those things. It's not a problem. We'll make adjustments like we always do. As you've already figured out we have two choices—a one-on-one date with Brooks, or a group date with him and the day one suitors. Either option gives someone an advantage.

"If you choose a one-on-one date with Brooks, he has the advantage of spending alone time with you, and that will allow both of you to get to know one another better. Which, again, is an advantage. If we choose a group date, then Jackson, Jace, Ezra, and Alejandro have the added bonus of a second date with you. No matter what, someone is getting to spend more time with you."

"With that being said," Bree takes over the conversation, "we will leave the choice up to you if you feel strongly one way or the other. If you don't, then we'll make the decision for you."

I suck on my teeth as I watch the two of them. "I'm not sure that I want to make this decision on my own. Maybe you can share your thoughts with me?"

Tessa smiles. "That we can do. Bree and I have already discussed it, but couldn't figure out which is the better option. I personally believe that Brooks has earned the alone time of a one-on-one date with you. The both of you bonded tonight over your trauma—there's no way that you couldn't have. But I also think you should have the opportunity to bond over something less traumatic. It's the least you deserve."

"And while I agree, there's an argument to be made for a second group date for the day one suitors. The four of them had a conversation/interview after your group date today. Obviously, I'm not going to tell you anything they said—as it's not something you would know unless they told you. But it's clear that there were some issues with the first meeting and date where you might not have gotten to really know everyone in the way that you would have liked." Bree shakes her head. "But let's be real. If that happens to another set of suitors, neither you nor they, will get the chance at a second date."

I hum, agreeing with her. "I think that they're going to have to live with the first impressions they gave me. I'd honestly really enjoy a one-on-one date with Brooks. I felt drawn to him right from the start—even before I came to the conclusion that Pack Duval wasn't going to be a good fit for me."

"Oh, we could certainly tell just how drawn to him you were." Tessa snickers, causing a blush to creep up my neck.

Bree's eyebrows rise as she turns to the other woman. "You better not be omega shaming, Tess. You know how I feel about that."

"I would never, and you know that. I don't shame anyone for their sexual choices." Tessa shakes her head, facing me once more. "We'll do a one-on-one date for you tomorrow. Take care of yourself tonight, and don't worry, since we know you have a penchant for being naked when you're in your room, we've assigned a woman to watch the feeds of your room."

I throw my head back, laughing. "I'm in no way ashamed of my body. I know there are cameras in here. If I decide to be naked, then that's on me, yeah?"

Bree laughs with me. "While that may be true, there's no reason to not have a woman be the one combing through the footage. Most of it just gets tossed anyway, but this way, no one is uncomfortable."

She stands up, Tessa quickly following suit. They both pause in the doorway to give me a small smile each, but it's Tessa who speaks. "You're doing great, omega. If you need anything, just let me or Bree know."

"I will. Thank you."

Shutting the door behind them, I let out a sigh. I'm in need of some nakedness, a scalding hot bath, and then nest time. But at least I have a date to look forward to tomorrow.

Chapter Eight

Sophia

The next morning, I decide to take my breakfast in my room so that Pack Duval doesn't have to eat in theirs. When I told Bree, she said she'd just have all eight suitors eat at the same time so it was less for everyone to have to worry about—which I guess allows them to bitch about me since I've obviously already decided to send one of the packs home.

I don't regret the decision as I believe it's the correct one for all parties involved, but especially for myself. They can talk shit all they want—it's not like I'll know—but they might as well get used to it now. I'm the one calling the shots on who I make a part of my pack.

I might have woken up in a slightly bad mood that may or may not have sent me down a spiral about what people would think about me after yesterday. That's the other reason I decided to eat alone in my room. I needed a bit more time to myself.

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