Page 81 of Knot Their Reality

The second time around, I focus on all three and realize that they're telling a story with their moves and not just dancing. Alejandro and Carson are dancing—and dancing well, might I add—opposite one another in what looks like mimicking a football game before both dropping to their knees in front of Ezra, begging to be chosen.

"That was fucking awesome," I say as we all jump to our feet.

Brooks nods. "It was good use of Ezra since it's clear he's not a dancer. Smart and well thought out. They're going to give us a run for our money."

We all chat about the different dances with one another as the omegas trade whispers back and forth. It's about ten minutes later when Sophia stands up. "Chase and I have been unable to decide between two dances, so we're calling in a third omega."

A few minutes later, Bree walks out the door and heads straight for Sophia and Chase. The three of them confer before Sophia throws her head back with a laugh. Bree steps forward, raising her hands to get our attention.

"While I was called out here to be the tiebreaker, I was unable to choose a winner. So instead of there being one winner of a lunch date there will be two. One winner will join her for lunch tomorrow and the other the day after." Bree raises her eyebrows. "But you don't seem overly excited, so maybe we won't announce the winners."

That gets everyone's attention, and we start yelling for the winners.

With a laugh, she holds up her hands. "The winner of tomorrow's lunch is Dylan and Brooks!"

"Yeah, it is!" I yell, pulling Brooks in for a hug.

After everyone calms down, the next winner is announced: Carson, Ezra, and Alejandro. I'm glad to have won one of the dates, and the trio deserved to win, but so did Ulf and Liam. Hell, we all deserve it, but we can't all win, can we?

"Speaking of lunches," Sophia calls out, "let's eat. I'm starving."

Chapter Twenty-Five

Sophia

After we'd put the suitors through today's challenges, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. It had been a ton of fun, but even though I wasn't the one going through said challenges, it still took a lot out of me.

It seemed like a good idea. The dance challenge was super fun to watch, and it was surprising to see how well, or badly, each of the suitors could dance. The second challenge had been an eating challenge, which hadn't turned out quite like I thought it would. But Ulf earned himself a dinner date with just me tomorrow night. We had more challenges planned, but I'd been wiped. I hadn't even been able to hang out by the pool anymore. Everyone seemed to understand, but when I laid down on my bed, I found myself missing Chase.

I'd sat down with him and his pack a few times over the last couple of days—even though parts of the conversation had nothing to do with me, but they'd all wanted me there. Asher had explained that even if I didn't end up as their omega as well, that there would still need to be open communication between them and whoever else I choose for my pack.

I appreciate their thoughtfulness, but it's also a lot. Everything about the show is a lot.

I know I should be getting dressed for dinner, but I can't seem to drag myself from the bed. I hear the door to the suite open and close, telling me that Chase or Bree have come to check on me. I bury my head further under the blankets, not wanting to deal with anyone.

Whoever it is, they don't speak, but I hear shuffling and what I think is the sound of clothes hitting the floor before the blanket is lifted up just enough for me to see Chase's face. "Would it be alright if I joined you?"

I shrug like it doesn't matter, but I do want him to join me. I just can't seem to articulate that. He just nods before the blanket drops back down. Don't ask me why my eyes fill with tears when I hear him walking away from the bed. I hadn't been able to tell him that I wanted him to join me more than anything.

He probably thinks I don't want him in here with me—which is the exact opposite of what I want. I don't understand why I'm feeling like this or why I hadn't been able to tell him I wanted him here with me. I always want him here with me. I thought maybe he'd be able to feel it down our bond, but I guess not.

I gasp when the blanket lifts behind me, just long enough for Chase to slip beneath them. He scoots closer until he's pressed against my back, wrapping his arms around me and resting his head atop mine. He's just as naked as I am, making me smile. He'd been surprised when he found out that I prefer to spend my time in the bed or in the nest in the nude.

It doesn't matter if I'm sleeping or hiding like I am now, there's just something comforting to me about feeling the material brushing along my bare skin. He seems to enjoy it, and while it led to a lot of sex the first two days, our hormones seem to have leveled out.

When he purrs, the vibrations running up and down my spine, my tears spill over. Chase doesn't say anything as he pulls me over, continuing to purr. I roll over in his arms, burying my face in his chest. He doesn't seem to mind the tears that course out of me and down his bare chest. I don't know how long we sit there like this, but eventually the tears stop falling.

We continue to lie here in silence, his hands running up and down my back, comforting me more. Finally, I sigh and lean back to look up at him. He lifts a hand to my cheek, wiping away the tears before pressing a kiss to my forehead.

"Feeling better?"

I shrug. "A little? Maybe?"

He nods as if he completely understands and maybe he does. "Want to talk about it?"

"I don't even know what it is. I ran out of spoons, and I thought I'd take a nap, but the minute I climbed under here, all I could focus on was how much I missed you."

"I missed you, too, baby. You should've called Bree and had her send someone to get me." He pushes back a strand of my hair. "If you ever need me, all you have to do is ask, and I'll be here."

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