Page 57 of Knot Our Reality

“Alexei! That was just rude.” I step into the towel, allowing Gavin to help me dry off as I glare at Alexei. “There’s nothing wrong with him telling me I look good.”

“Maybe not, but he stare at your…” he trails off, gesturing toward me. “Your chest. That rude.”

I roll my eyes as Nikolai and Paxton pull themselves from the water, immediately pulling my attention as the water runs down their body in rivulets. I lick my lips, thankful for the scent-blocking bikini that’s already wet, so no one will notice as it grows damper with slick.

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with appreciating someone’s body, Alexei,” I tell him, without taking my eyes off the two men whose eyes flash with hunger. “At least if there’s already been interest shown,unless otherwise stated. I have no intention of not appreciating your bodies.”

Gavin chuckles, pulling me toward the entrance. “You might want to rein it in a little, Emilia. I’m a beta, and I’m practically choking on your perfume. I can’t imagine what Nikolai and Paxton are dealing with.”

“But the swimsuit blocks scents, and I used a spray before we left—”

“That’s all been washed away after a swim in the lake,” Lucas interrupts, holding up an aerosol can. “Gavin, if you’ll take the towel, I’ll get her sprayed down.”

Less than a minute later, I’m all freshly sprayed with my dress and shoes back on. Each of the suitors follows me out of the canyon, and I can feel the wildness coursing through Nikolai and Paxton.

I grin at Jason and his pack. “Ride back hard for the others. Nikolai and Paxton need it.”

George’s smile grows mischievous as he nods. “I can see the alpha trying to override them. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure they’re perfect gentlemen by the time you make it back.”

True to his word, neither alpha looks like they’re one step away from pouncing on me when Lucas and I make it back to the tour company.

The omega in me wishes they would pounce, but it’s neither the time nor the place.

“Thank you so much for an amazing day,” I tell Pack Overton as we head for the SUV. “I’m definitely coming back when I can enjoy the full tour.”

Back in the SUV, I find myself snuggled between the twins in the backseat. I end up nodding off on the short drive, only to awaken in Alexei’s arms.

“You seem to be making a habit of carrying me around,” I tell him with a smile. “I’m awake now. You can put me down.”

We’re almost at the front door, but he doesn’t put me down until we reach it. Gavin opens the door and the four of them walk me to my suite. They leave me with kisses on the cheek and promises of seeing me at the rose ceremony.

Not only do I need to get ready for that, but I have less than thirty minutes before my mandated meeting with Finn. I guess I better hurry up if I don’t want to be late.

Chapter Fourteen

Gavin

As the last suitors and with our date on the same day as the rose ceremony, we’re given an hour to get cleaned up before Bree needs us back in the second-floor living room to meet the other suitors and for our interview.

I take a quick shower to wash away the dust from the ride back in the UTVs. Not only was I still slightly damp from our swim, but George hadn’t been kidding when he said he was going to take us for a ride. It was amazing.

It’s not something I would’ve signed up for on my own, but I think it would be fun to come back one day and do their all-day excursion package. If I have the right people to come with me, that is.

Because I know I’ll have to wear a tux to the rose ceremony tonight, I just pull on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. I’m only going to be wearing the clothes long enough for the interview and dinner before having to get ready for the ceremony. Best to just go casual.

I still have some time before we’re supposed to meet with Bree, but I decide to head downstairs now. Maybe some of the other suitors will be there too.

Paxton and I have the rooms closest to the game room, while Alexei and Nikolai share one of the two third-floor pack suites. I’m pretty sure the other rooms up here are filled, as I heard people shuffling around as I made my way to my room after our date.

Since most of, if not all of us, are from previous seasons, I wonder who else might be here from my first season. Obviously not Pack Reyes or Skylar and Cora, since Emilia isn’t bisexual—that I know of.

I frown as I step into the hallway, trying to recall if that information had been included in what they’d given us.

I guess I’ll find out soon, won’t I?

I consider knocking on Paxton’s or the twins’ door, but decide against it. They might be getting a quick nap in or something. I’d rather not bother them if they’re relaxing. We all agreed to meet in the living room, anyway.

Hurrying down the stairs, I step into the living room to find it already packed. It seems like me and the other day four suitors are the only ones missing.

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