Page 74 of Knot Their Reality

"You should know that Ezra is autistic. He can come off as quite brusk, but he genuinely seems like a nice guy."

Chase nods. "I'll keep that in mind. Any idea why he wants to talk to you?"

"Not a clue, but I guess we'll find out shortly."

We step into the living room space, making sure to pull the door shut behind us. Ezra is pacing back and forth in front of a couch, but he stops long enough to gesture for us to sit. "I'd like it if you'd sit?"

"Of course." Chase and I settle on the couch Ezra indicated, watching as Ezra continues his pacing. I have no idea what's going on with him right now, but it's obvious that something is really bothering him.

Finally, he comes to a stop in front of us and nods, seemingly to himself. "This is a slightly different conversation than I thought I would be having with you, Sophia. Originally, I had planned to let you know I was not sure I would be a good fit for you. After seeing you kiss Jace, I was... jealous, I believe. That is why I asked for no PDA. It is not something I have ever really felt before. As I told you before, I do not feel things the same way that others do so this was upsetting to me.

"I talked with the others about it, and they made a good point. They told me I needed to figure out if I would be able to see you with others because you want a pack. You would not just be with me. You would be with others as well. I understood their point and thought that I would be telling you today that I could not do that."

I lift an eyebrow. "But now you're not going to?"

"I am even more confused than I was before." Ezra throws his hands in the air, making me realize just how upset he is. "We discussed our sexualities with one another so we would all know where we stood. Though, I do not know if anyone mentioned that to you yet. We were unsure if you would be fine with your pack being involved with one another or not. Based upon Pack Lewitt, I would assume you are more than fine with it."

That brings a smile to my face. "I absolutely am. I just want the pack I choose to be happy, in whatever form that takes. But I'm also unsure what that has to do with this?"

Ezra's eyes stay locked on me, but he jabs his finger in Chase's direction. "It is because of him."

"Me?" Chase's frown matches mine. It's not like they've spoken before this moment so what could he have done to upset Ezra so much? Was it because he's seen me holding his hand and kissing him? If he can't be around that, then he's right, he has no place in my pack.

"Yes, you." Ezra's face flushes as he continues to keep his eyes from drifting to the other omega. "I did not have a problem seeing the two of you kiss. I did not mind watching you touch. In fact, I liked it a lot. More than I should have."

What? That doesn't... oh!

"You're attracted to Chase?"

He gives another sharp nod, and I relax into the couch.

I pat the cushion at my side. "Come sit with us, Ezra. Please?"

He hesitates for a moment before sitting down carefully, his body tense. I glance over at Chase, who is watching the other man with curiosity in his gaze.

"This is the first time that you've been attracted to a man?" I ask, offering my hand to Ezra. I don't want to push his boundaries when he's opening up to us. He doesn't hesitate to link our hands together, and I love that.

"It is. I do not often find myself attracted to others, but I am attracted to both of you. Both together and separate, but I do not understand it. I do not like things I do not understand. I have been trying to figure it out since last night, but I have not. I was hoping that the two of you would have an explanation."

I bite my lip to keep from laughing, grateful that Ezra refuses to look in my direction as if he's afraid he will see Chase. I'm not laughing at him, but at the situation. I can only imagine what it must be like for him when this isn't something he's ever had to deal with before. I'm also at a loss for words because I have no idea what to say.

"I don't think we have much say over who we're attracted to, Ezra." Chase's voice is soft, and I realize he's trying not to spook the beta. "There have been studies done both before and after the Event. It's apparently a part of our biology, and of course, there are our scents now. Scents play a huge part in our attraction as well."

Ezra grunts but finally glances at the two of us. "That is not a great explanation."

This time I do laugh. "It's really not, but even with all the studies that have been done, no one can really tell us why we're attracted to one person and not another."

"It's fine if you're attracted to me, Ezra. It doesn't have to mean anything more than that, but I plan to get to know all of Sophia's suitors. I'd love it if I could get the chance to get to know you. I won't lie, you're hot as hell, but it's about more than that to me."

"And me," I chime in. "Initial attraction is easy. Getting to know someone is the harder part and it can ruin a relationship if you're not attracted to them as a person. That's what this is all about, after all, because every damn suitor is hot as hell. They do it on purpose, I'm sure."

Ezra nods, the corner of his mouth tipping up. "I would like very much to get to know both of you. It is likely to be harder for me than the others, but I will do my best to be open with you both."

"That's all anyone can ask of you. If at any point you realize that you can't deal with seeing me with others beyond Chase, please let me know so we can talk about it. I don't want you to be uncomfortable, and there's always a chance that being a part of a pack isn't for you." I lean over to press a kiss to his cheek. "But as long as we keep the lines of communication open, I think we'll be fine."

"I will. Thank you both for listening to me. I feel... clearer now."

And with that, he stands and heads outside once more without another word.

---