Page 40 of Knot Their Reality

As I listen to his words, I feel myself begin to relax, and my body stops shaking. It's easier to breathe, easier to have this conversation with them.

“About nine years ago, I decided I wanted to run my own company and not just my own crew. It started out small, but we’ve definitely grown since then. Gage was the first person I hired.”

"With no experience, might I add." Gage laughs. "He took a chance on a kid who had nothing—including no skills—and taught him a vocation that could carry him through life. What he didn't realize was that he was never going to be rid of me."

Gage rolls his eyes again. "As if I'd ever want to be."

Though they're unbonded, I'm unsure if they're together or not. I get a sense of them being close, but that could really mean anything. I know we're running low on time because of my freak out so I make a mental note to ask later.

"I like that. Not everyone would be willing to take on someone so inexperienced, not only in the job, but in life. That says a lot about you, Ulf."

The big guy flushes, ducking his head. Rather than call him out on it, I choose to ignore it. "Thank you both for helping me pull myself back from the edge. There is a chance I could've ended up in a full-blown panic attack if you hadn't. Even if your word choice isn't what I would've preferred."

"It was our pleasure, omega," Ulf says quietly, his eyes catching on something over my shoulder. "You still have one more suitor to meet, so the two of us will go speak with Dylan. It'll be nice to catch up with him and find out what he's been up to for the last twenty years."

I wave them off, trying not to beat myself up for falling apart in front of them and the cameras that I'm sure caught every moment.

Great. Just great. So all of America got to see my meltdown. I'm definitely going to be needing that meeting with the psychologist tonight, that's for sure.

Reginald's smile is soft and understanding, but he doesn't move toward me. Something I'm extremely thankful for. Just knowing that he's there and that he cares is all I need. It's so sad just how little I've had of that in my life up until now. Pathetic, really.

This show is already changing me, showing me what I want and need from my life. What I've pushed aside as I climbed my way up the ladder at work. I don't regret it, but I know things will be different when I leave here in eight weeks. I'll be different.

The sound of the last limo pulling in draws my attention back to where it should have been this entire time. All I can do now is hope that my makeup didn't get messed up during my meltdown. I know I didn't cry, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have been messed up in another way. There's nothing I can do about it now, is there? So I push away the thought and focus my attention on the last suitor who will be stepping out to meet me any second.

The door opens as soon as the limo comes to a stop, and out climbs another man that has to be close to six and a half feet tall. No, that's an exaggeration. He's definitely shorter than both Ulf and Dylan, but probably only by about two inches. What are they giving these alphas to make them grow so tall, and why are none of the alphas I know this tall and built? I might have gotten distracted from building my career if that had been the case.

I giggle at the thought and the man before more smiles, tilting his head slightly as he steps toward me. "Want to let me in on the joke?"

"You're so fucking tall. And big—I meant built." I throw a thumb over my shoulder to gesture toward the other three men. "So are they. I was just thinking if I'd met alphas that looked like you all and were built like you, I might have been distracted from getting as far into my career as I have."

His smile grows as he holds his hand out to me. "Well, I'm Foster Madden, and I'm happy to be a distraction to you anytime, but I'm not an alpha."

I frown, looking him over to see how I could've missed that. His chestnut brown hair is cut close on the side with the top styled into a faux hawk that I adore. His beard is full but obviously well cared for and those honey brown eyes of his are so easy to get lost in.

That's when his scent tantalizes my senses as we shake hands. He smells of jasmine, a whisper of patchouli, and warm amber musk. He really is a beta—even if he rivals Dylan and Ulf in size. His scent instantly calms me, and I want to melt into him. This is what I adore about betas. Without saying a word, they make my omega side melt. If I didn't need to be knotted so badly, I'd say screw the alphas and make my pack nothing but betas.

"Wow... I guess that's what I get for assuming based on your build. And it definitely makes me feel like an ass." I sigh. "Can we just forget that I made assumptions and you can just tell me about yourself?"

"Nahhh... I don't think I will forget," he says as he puffs up his chest. "There's nothing more a beta loves to hear than an omega thinking he's an alpha."

When he grins, giggles spill from my lips. "Thank you for not making a big deal out of it—even though I really am sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. You're not the first person to make the assumption, and I'm sure you won't be the last." Foster continues to smile, and I think I might be falling a little in love with him and that smile. "But if you want to know about me, I'll be happy to tell you the basics. I'm thirty-six and as we've now established, a beta. I work as a massage therapist."

"Oh, that means you're good with your hands." I'm blushing before I finish the sentence and regretting my choice of words.

Foster winks. "I'm very good with my hands and not just when I'm giving a massage. I'll be happy to give you a sample of both anytime you'd like."

Now my poor scent canceling panties are drenched. I guess I'm testing their limits once again. Who knew that just meeting these men would set me on fire as much as they have?

I guess it has been a little over two years since I slept with anyone. Of course they're turning me on.

Focus, Sophia. Focus.

"It's been a long time since I've gotten a massage—okay, that’s a lie. I had one on day two. But I'll definitely still be taking you up on that." I hesitate before smirking. "As for the other, that one can be up for discussion at a later date."

"I'll take it, babe. I'll take it."

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