Page 39 of Knot Our Reality

“What?” I sit up, confused by his words.

Ryan also sits up, holding my hand in his. “It’s okay to move on, Em. It doesn’t mean you love us any less.”

I jerk awake with tears streaming down my face, my hand lifting to my chest where it feels like my heart is going to beat out of my chest.

What the fuck was that?

I know it was a dream—there’s nothing else it could be—but it felt so real. It felt like the four of them were right there with me.

A sob shakes free, and I curl into myself the best I can with my pregnancy belly.

It’s not the first time I’ve dreamed about them, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. I think I’m so upset because they said exactly what I needed to hear right now. Logically, I know they wouldn’t want me to be alone for the rest of my life, but getting my heart to believe it? That hasn’t been nearly as easy.

I don’t know how much time passes as I lie there crying, but eventually, my tears slow. By the time I’m able to rein in my sobs, my head is killing me and my nose is all stuffy.

I sit up slowly, my eyes falling to the clock and widening. I must have slept through my alarm. My date with the day three suitors is supposed to start in less than an hour. That’s not nearly enough time to shower and eat, but I’m going to have to take a shower. It’s the only chance I have to get rid of this headache.

Picking up the phone on the bedside table, I glance at the paper with all the important extensions and quickly dial Bree’s.

“Emilia? Is everything okay?”Bree sounds a little stressed out as she answers her phone.

“Umm…yeah. Mostly. Look, I woke up late.” I fill her in on the situation, asking if we can delay leaving for the date until after I have time to get ready and eat. Because, as a pregnant woman, there’s no way I’m skipping breakfast. There’s no way that’ll end well.

“Of course, Emilia. Go get in the shower and see if it helps your headache. If it doesn’t, then we can delay the date until you feel better. Or we come up with an alternative. I’ll call and let them know you’ll at least be late.”She pauses.“Please don’t push through this. If you can’t do the date, then all you need to do is say so.”

I smile, nodding even though she can’t see me. “I understand. I promise if the shower and eating don’t wipe out the headache, then I’ll let you know.”

“You better. We’ll see you soon.”

As soon as I set the phone back down, I hurry into the bathroom. I take care of business before climbing into the shower. As the warm water from the multiple shower heads hits my skin, I can feel thetension melting away. By the time I’m finished, my head still hurts a little, but I think eating will knock it out the rest of the way.

I don’t really have time to deal with a whole lot of makeup, but I make sure to brush on some mascara before pulling on the short T-shirt dress Evangeline picked out for me last night.

Once I have my sneakers on, I exit my suite, surprised to find Bree and Tessa waiting for me. “Uhhh…hi?”

“We wanted to check in on you,” Tessa assures me. “Bree said your head was hurting and that you had a dream that upset you. I know you’re probably hungry, but we just want to reiterate that you don’t have to go on today’s date if you’re not feeling up to it.”

Gratitude races through me once more. “I know. It’s down to a dull roar now. I think it’ll be fine after I eat.”

“Then we won’t keep you any longer. Your day three suitors are waiting in the dining room. They’ve already finished eating and were all very worried about you.”

“That’s sweet. I better hurry and let them know I’m fine. I’ll let you know for sure how I’m feeling after I eat.”

With a quick wave in their direction, I dart into the entryway and hurry toward the dining room. Okay, I don’t really hurry. I can’t exactly move quickly in my condition.

“Emilia!” Camden jumps to his feet as soon as I step inside and hurries over. His fig, sea salt, and brown sugar scent is crystal clear today. There’s a hint of spring rain to it, but I think that’s from his bonded alpha’s scent.

He pulls me into his arms, and I bury my head in his chest, allowing his scent to wash over me. A little more tension slips from me as he begins to purr.

I lean back enough to look up at him with a grin. “Are you purring for me?”

He blushes, but doesn’t break my gaze. “I guess I am.”

“That’s sweet. I’m okay. Just a rough morning. I have a bit of a headache, but I think it’s because it’s so late and I haven’t eaten yet.” I pat his chest, his purr settling something inside me.

“Then we should get you some food.” He leads me over to the buffet. “I’d make you a plate, but I don’t know what you like and what you don’t.”

“Omega, give her some room to breathe.” Wilder’s tone is just this side of a bark as he joins us, his cedar and spring rain scent wafting over me, and the last of the tension falls away. “You don’t want to overwhelm her.”

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