Page 97 of Knot Their Reality

"We also will not allow any mistreatment of Sophia and Chase." Tessa's eyes flare with anger. "Omegas are a prize to those who find one that accepts and chooses them. We won't allow for anyone to be mistreated, but especially not the two of them. If anyone comes to me with complaints, they will be dealt with."

Both women's eyes scan over all of us before they step down the stairs and drift off to wherever they watch the ceremony from. Reginald glances toward the door. "Sophia and Chase, would the two of you join us now?"

The door opens to reveal both omegas looking hot as hell. Sophia is wearing a silky red dress that hugs her curves and has a split almost all the way up to her hip. Her wavy hair spills over her shoulders and I don’t know what she’s done with her makeup, but her eyes stand out. The red lipstick she wears makes it hard for me to tear my eyes away from them.

Chase looks dashing in a charcoal suit and red button-up that seems to be an exact match for Sophia’s dress. As usual, his hair is a mess, but at least it’s an artful mess. The pair makes a dashing picture as Chase leads them to the stairs. He only releases her arm so she can climb onto the stage, but as soon as he’s joined her, he slides his hand into hers.

It makes me smile. The two of them were so obviously made for one another. I’m glad I could keep his pack together for both of them.

“Thank you so much for joining us. I’m sure that you both want to get this over with, so I’m handing the show over to you.”

Sophia gives him a small smile before she glances over the rest of us, her eyes lingering on me, the same smile sent my way. When she looks away, it’s to turn to Dylan.

“Dylan, I won’t be inviting you on the stage tonight. I was surprised by the way you acted on our date, but putting your hands on Chase the way you did was unacceptable. The apology you gave him yesterday was so far out of line, it’s not even funny. I recommend you take a good long hard look at how you acted and get your shit together. I hope the next time you come across an omega, you treat them with more respect than you did Chase. Obviously, you’re going home today, but I’m not going to waste any more time on you.”

“Alejandro, will you join us on stage?”

Jace reaches over to squeeze my shoulder, and I shoot him a grateful smile. As I pass the other suitors, each of them that can reach out to reassure me with their touch. By the time I make it to the stage, I’m fighting back tears. When Reginald reaches out to lay his hand on my shoulder before pulling me in for a hug, I lose the little control I had.

When we break apart, tears are streaming down my face. I climb the stairs slowly, my eyes locked on the two omegas that wait for me. As soon as I’m close enough, they both reach for one of my hands. I don’t bother trying to hide the tears. They’re out there now, I might as well own them.

“What you did yesterday, while stupid,” Sophia says with a huff, “showed me just the type of man you are. Our first meeting may not have gone well, but then you sent me that letter. And every day since then, I’ve watched you grow. You’re going home too soon, but by stepping in to hit Dylan when Carson was going to do it, means a lot to both of us.

“I hate that we have to say goodbye to you today, but don’t give up, Alejandro. You’re a good man, and you deserve your chance at happiness. I think you should take Bree up on her offer. If not next season, then a later one.”

I nod. “I’ll definitely consider it, Sophia. I did what I did because Carson is a good guy and he didn’t need to be sent home for defending the way his omega was being treated. But more than that, both of you need him here. No matter how much you deny it, you feel something for Pack Lewitt. Don’t give up on them because of a misunderstanding. You talk about me being a good man, but the three of them? They’re some of the best men I’ve had the pleasure of knowing.”

Now all three of us have tears running down our faces. I hadn’t meant to upset them, but I’m only speaking the truth. “What you and Chase have is something I can’t even begin to understand, but I’m glad I was here to see it. It gives me hope for this world that seems to be falling apart around us. You’ve been blessed with something special, and the two of you deserve the best. I know you’ll both choose the best pack for all of you. I’m just sad I can’t be a part of it.”

They throw themselves into my arms, and I hold them as they cling to me. Eventually, they pull back, and Sophia stares up at me. “Thank you for being amazing, Alejandro. We won’t forget you or what you did today.”

Then she’s lifting up and kissing me. My arms snake around her waist, and it’s my turn to cling to her. The tears had slowed finally, but now they’re back with a vengeance. I don’t ever want to let go of the woman in my arms because she truly is one of a kind, but I don’t have a choice.

When she pulls away, Chase is suddenly in her place, kissing the hell out of me. To say I’m surprised is putting it lightly. I chuckle when he pulls back. “Thank you, omegas. That was unexpected.”

Sophia brushes her tears away as she reaches for a black rose. “As sad as we are to see you go, tonight you’re heading home. I wish you a full and happy life, Alejandro. Don’t let anyone bring you down or make you doubt yourself.”

I take the rose from her, and for a moment, I consider kissing her again but decide it will make things harder. “Thank you.”

I practically flee the stage. This time, the other suitors give me space as I find my spot beside Jace once more.

Sophia looks out at us again, still clinging to Chase. “I won’t be calling each of you to the stage as I’ll just be handing out yellow roses. Hector will be coming around to hand them to each of you now.”

She sniffs as she glances at Chase, who reaches behind them and grabs a red rose to hand to her. “I had made a decision already about who I wanted to ask to be mine tonight. After the incident today, I considered putting it off for a week because I felt like Alejandro deserved to be the center of tonight’s ceremony after everything he sacrificed for us.”

I shake my head. That’s not at all what I wanted.

Chase snickers, pointing to me. “I told you that’s what he’d say.”

“Yes, yes. You did, and I listened to you, didn’t I?” She laughs. “Chase told me that it would be going against the sacrifice you made. That you’d want me to be happy, and now I see that’s true. Brody? Can you join me, please?”

Brody looks shell-shocked as he stumbles to the stage. I realize all the other suitors hold yellow roses in their hands. Smiling, I watch as Sophia spills her heart to the beta and asks him to be hers. With tears in my eyes, I yell and clap with the other suitors as they kiss.

This right here is why I did what I did. I just want this omega to find her happiness. I want her to have the pack that she wants, and if I'm honest with myself, I know I’m not what she needs. I have a lot of growing to do before I try this again. But I will do it again because I want to be as happy as Sophia is right now.

Hopefully one day, I’ll find that kind of happiness.

Chapter Twenty-nine

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