Page 7 of Knot Our Reality

“Simon will be released from prison around the same time I give birth to my baby, and we’ll go to court. It’ll be up to a judge to decide what will happen to not only my baby but my boys as well. They’ll use my assault against me, using it as proof that I’m unable to care for myself and my children. I could lose all of them. And do you know what the only answer is to that?” I sigh. “The answer is to find a pack of my own. With a pack, I might not lose custody of my children. There’s still no way to say for sure that I’ll win the lawsuit, but I stand no chance without a pack.”

When my eyes find Reginald’s once more, his smile is gone. “And that brings us to this season ofHeated. While we can’t do much about the laws currently in place, we can help Emilia find a pack just like we have for four other omegas. The showrunners and myself believe it’s a travesty that it’s come to this, but Emilia is one of ours—even before she became the season five omega—and we take care of our family. The season starts with a dark cloud over its head, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have a happy ending.

“Originally, we found twenty suitors from previous seasons who agreed to join us for season five, but one of the packs found their happily ever after before arriving on the show. Some of you may remember Pack Astor from season one with Bree. Two weeks ago, they found an omega pair who have decided they want to be a part of Pack Astor for the rest of their lives. We’re so happy for them, but it means that Emilia will start season five with just sixteen suitors, as we could not find replacements before the season began.

“With that being said, your first suitor or suitors are on their way now. Why don’t we head down to greet them?” At my nod, Reginaldsmiles at the camera. “Viewers, while this season might be different, I hope you’ll continue to watch to see how Emilia’s story plays out. Tune back in after this commercial break to meet Emilia’s first four suitors alongside her.”

“We’re clear,” Tessa calls out.

I let out the breath I’d been holding, practically folding in on myself. It was harder to talk about all of this than I thought it would be, which is saying a lot since I knew it would be hell.

A small hand runs down my back, and I smile when I recognize Bree’s muted scent. “If you need us to, we can have the first suitor wait—”

“No.” I sit up quickly, shaking my head. “I need to do this now.”

Tessa joins Bree, considering me, before nodding. “If you’re sure.”

“I am.”

Reginald wraps an arm over my shoulders and leads me down the stairs. “You’ve got this.”

He has more faith in me than I do.

Chapter Three

Emilia

Standing beside the circular driveway, I find I’m nervous. I’m not sure why, when I know this won’t be real.

Maybe that’s exactly it.

Maybe I’m nervous because I know the suitors are expecting to find an omega looking for a pack, which I am, but I’m also not.

I might need a pack, but I don’t want one.

My mouth tugs up at the corners as I hear the limo turning onto the driveway. Remington had told me I’d be able to hear them coming, but I hadn’t believed him.

That’s what I get for not believing my brother, I guess.

I straighten my shoulders, smiling as the limo appears and drives around until it comes to a stop. I know most of the suitors are going to be suitors from past seasons, and I approved their scents, but that’s all I know. I have no idea if I’m going to recognize any of them or remember anything about them.

I’m sure Remington will be happy to fill me in on the past season’s exploits when I get my family day on Sunday.

How bad is it that I wish it were already Sunday? It’s been mere hours, and I already miss my boys.

I’ve never been away from them, especially not since losing their dads. I hope they’re okay.

No, I know they’re okay. They’re withRemington’s pack.

The door to the limo swings open, drawing my attention away from my thoughts and to my very first suitor, who looks vaguely familiar, but I don’t recall his name.

He’s tall, probably around six feet, with deep brown skin that practically seems to glow beneath the lights. His black curly hair falls around his face, some strands spilling onto his forehead. He’s handsome—there’s no denying that—but what draws me in are his eyes. They’re a pale blue that stands out in stark contrast to the remainder of his dark looks.

Then it hits me why he looks so familiar.

Malik Bakir—he’s the veterinarian who has his own reality television series.

Maxwell always loved the show, and he would make the rest of us watch it with him.

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