Page 9 of Knot Our Reality

“My name is Bradley Perceval. I’m a beta. I’m forty-five and was on the third season ofHeatedwith Evangeline. I work as a teacher.”

That makes me smile. I have the utmost respect for anyone who is able to work with children of any age. “What grade do you teach?”

“High school.” He shrugs. “I enjoy working with that age. They’re always a challenge, but when you get through to them? It’s unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced.”

“Teaching isn’t a profession I ever considered. It requires too much patience,” I admit. “Even if working in the corporate world feels like working with children at times. At least I can treat them like adults, even when they act like children.”

Bradley snickers. “Better you than me. I’ll take kids over adults any day—even the teenagers.”

More points in his favor.

“Before we delve into getting to know one another better, I want to discuss the elephant in the room. And when I say elephant, I mean me.” I snicker at my joke, but Bradley looks horrified. “Oh, come on. Most women say they feel like a beached whale. Surely I can call myself an elephant.”

“I…umm…” Bradley looks unsure of how to respond, so I take pity on him.

“I’m just messing with you,” I tell him with a smile. “I know my situation isn’t like any of the other suitors, so I feel like it’s important to discuss it up front. Tessa and Bree have assured me you’ve been provided with the details of my situation before signing on for the season, but I have to make sure that you truly understand what it means and how it can affect you. It’s not just me I have to worry about, but my children. Not everyone is willing to take on three children that aren’t theirs.”

Bradley shakes his head. “I love kids. It’s why I became a teacher—even if I work with teenagers. Plus, I’m a beta. In a lot of packs, we never father children. A child doesn’t need to be biologically mine for me to love them. Anyone who feels that way has no right to be a part of a pack and should be ashamed of themselves.”

I’m a little taken aback by the vehemence in his voice as he offers me a tight smile.

“I’m sorry. This is clearly something that gets me riled up. I don’t want to think about the number of times I’ve seen children treated differently by their non-biological parents. It affects them in ways that no one realizes.”

“Don’t ever apologize for standing up for people who can’t or don’t know how to stand up for themselves,” I tell him softly. “Children need people who will advocate for them, and I’m glad your students have you.”

A heavy silence falls around us, and I feel partly to blame for bringing up a topic that seems to affect him so deeply.

Clearing my throat, I glance at Reginald, but he just nods for me to continue. Apparently, our time isn’t up yet.

“So, what do you like to do for fun?” I finally ask.

Bradley’s eyes rise to meet mine, pain reflecting back at me, and I realize maybe this is about more than just the children under his care.

“I don’t have a lot of hobbies,” he admits. “I enjoy reading and doing puzzles. Sometimes I watch TV.”

“Puzzles? Like jigsaws? Word puzzles?” I ask, latching onto the topic like the lifeline it is.

His mouth ticks up at the corner, a shadow of his earlier smile. “Any and all of them. I like to keep my mind engaged, which is why I read and do the puzzles. The reason I don’t watch much TV or movies is because they do the opposite. My mind just shuts off when I’m watching something.”

We talk for a few more minutes, but I nearly sigh in relief when Reginald signals to wrap it up.

“It was nice learning a little about you,” I tell him, and it’s true. It wasn’t easy with him like it was with Malik, but I can’t expect it to be easy to get to know all sixteen suitors. Plus, it’s not like I’m going to get on with all sixteen of them. I’d be in trouble if I did.

I can’t imagine having a pack of sixteen. There’s just not enough of me to go around.

“Yes, it was nice to meet you,” Bradley responds. He’s still more reserved than he was when he first approached, but I now know what a touchy subject non-biological children in packs is with him. At this point, I don’t know where that lands him on my list of possibilities, but it doesn’t make me write him off immediately, which is something at least.

He gives me another tight smile before leaving me.

This isn’t going at all how I thought it was going to. I didn’t expect to care so much about how my words affected my suitors. My plan going into this is to be blunt and honest with them about what I expect and how I need this to go. Realizing this might not work with all the suitors throws me off.

Should I adjust my plan moving forward? Should I write off those who can’t deal with my bluntness? Maybe I should be a little softer when approaching the topic?

Damn it.

I’m still lost in thought when the next limo pulls into view, circling before coming to a stop.

Shaking my head, I force myself to focus on the here and now as my next suitor exits the limo. A small smile forms when I recognize him.

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