Page 73 of Knot Their Reality

When he catches me watching him, he just raises an eyebrow. "I'm starving, baby. I burned a lot of calories last night, as I'm sure you did as well."

Shaking my head, I lean over to kiss his cheek. "Go sit with your pack. I'll stop by after I check on the other suitors."

"I can come with you if you want."

I'm shaking my head before he even finishes. "You spent the night away from them. They need you right now. I'll be fine. We'll get you introduced to everyone a little later."

"You're the best, you know that, right?"

I shoot him a wink before heading over to where Brooks, Jace, and Jackson sit at a table talking.

"Looks like someone had a good night," Jace calls as soon as he sees me walking toward them. I roll my eyes even as a smile spreads.

I drop into a seat between him and Brooks, across from Jackson, before turning to face Jace with a saucy grin. "I sure did. Bet it was better than yours."

Brooks snorts. "She's got you there."

I take the time to speak with each of the suitors for at least a few minutes until I finally circle back to Pack Lewitt. I've watched as the other suitors have eyed them, but no one has approached them. I wonder if anyone has even spoken to them. And if not, why haven't they?

Is it because Chase is there? Is having the omega with them preventing the others from getting to know them? Hmmm... That'll never do.

"Welcome back, baby." Chase leans over to kiss me when I sit in the chair beside him.

Smiling, I turn to the other three. "Have any of the other suitors spoken to you at all?"

"Brooks and Jace introduced themselves to us at breakfast. The others included us in their conversation, but that's about it." Asher shrugs. "I think finding out that you've known us before sets them on edge. Not to mention the fact that you've claimed Chase—and the whole omega pair thing."

I snort, rolling my eyes. "Yeah, that's not going to work for me."

They watch me, their confusion clear, as I stand up and clamber onto my chair. Lifting my fingers to my lips, I let out a sharp whistle that has everyone's attention turning to me. I look from face to face as I try to figure out exactly what I need to say.

"I know last night was a surprise to all of you, but this was a surprise for all of us. It's come to my attention that most of you haven't made an effort to speak with the members of Pack Lewitt. While I don't expect everyone to get along, one of the things I'm looking for is how you all interact with one another. I want a cohesive pack—even if that ends up looking differently than what I originally thought it would look like.

"No matter who I choose, Pack Lewitt will be a part of my pack's life—even if I don't choose them—because they are Chase's chosen pack. This is new to all of us, and who the hell knows how it's going to work. But that could've been said about this whole situation when we signed on for the show. Today is meant to be spent with all of you, and I still plan to do that. But I'm going to ask something of you. I'd like it if you could group up with suitors that you might not have spoken with as much as others."

My eyes scan the suitors again, not seeing any disapproval as of yet. "And I'd like the packs to separate as well. Get to know one another. Make a new friend. Any one of these men could be your future pack mate. I'll bring Chase with me, and we'll come around so each of you can meet him as well. Can we do that?"

"Whatever our queen wants, she shall receive," a voice yells out, and without looking I know it's Jace. I just roll my eyes at his antics, fighting the smile that's threatening to break free. There are murmurs of agreement from the others as they start shuffling around.

When a hand appears for me, I take it and allow them to help me down from the chair. Once my feet are firmly on the ground again, I turn to thank them and find that it's Ezra. I'd have sworn he'd been on the other side of the deck when I started speaking so it surprises me to find him next to me.

"Thank you, Ezra. You're such a gentleman."

Ezra clears his throat, eyes darting around. It's obvious that he's uncomfortable, and I hope it's not my comment that made him feel this way. He takes a deep breath before meeting my eyes. "Before you begin making your rounds with the other suitors, I was hoping that I could have a word with you?"

"Of course." I incline my head. "Would you like it to be just me or is it okay if Chase joins us?"

Ezra's eyes dart to Chase before returning to me. "The other omega may join us if you wish."

"Chase?" I raise an eyebrow. I won't force him to join us, but I do need to make sure that the others grow accustomed to him being by my side. Hell, I need to grow accustomed to it.

Chase grins at Ezra, linking our hands together. "Hi, Ezra. It's nice to meet you."

Ezra's eyes are locked on our intertwined hands, making me frown. "Do you want to speak out here or would you rather head inside?"

"Inside would be better, I think." Ezra continues to stare at where Chase and I are connected. I lift an eyebrow and glance at Chase, who just shrugs.

"Lead the way then," I finally say after a few moments of silence, and my words seem to finally kick Ezra out of whatever trance he seemed to have been in. He gives a sharp nod before spinning on his heel and heading through the sliding glass door.

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