Knot Broken (Hiddenverse)

7. Lilah

CHAPTER 7

Lilah

The cameramen went home, the alphas said their group goodbyes, introductions were made all around, and I made it through the first night blending in with the crowd. Well, sort of. I fall back on my bed, which is actually pretty comfortable.

The sounds of the three other omegas in my room chatting with each other is nothing but background noise as I stare at the ceiling. If they didn’t take my cell phone, I’d call Ashlyn and tell her that this show probably isn’t for me.

My solitude doesn’t last long before Chad’s perching on the side of my bed, uninvited. I groan and fling my arm over my face, burying my head in the crook of my elbow.

“What do you want?”

“We need to plan. The group dates start tomorrow, and we need to go on the same one. Which guy should I wear down first?” he says, as he makes himself comfortable, puffing up one of my pillows and leaning against the headboard, his legs crossed at the ankles.

I roll my eyes, not that he can see me through my arm, and sigh loudly. “Why me, Chad? ”

I peek out at him, and he stares down at me as if I should already know. “You are the only one besides me who deserves to be here. I think the perfect angle to spin for us is opposing omegas. We can bring the drama, stage a fight over one of the alphas. You know, how the girls on other seasons have done it.” He snaps his fingers as if he’s trying to remember something. “Like Erica and Sarah, you have watched this show right?”

Puffing out my cheeks, I release the air slowly as I push up to sit next to him. “You think their fights were staged?”

He scoffs. “This whole thing is fake. Love doesn’t exist. The only thing to gain is your place in this life, one that doesn’t include folding the laundry of an alpha who—” He snaps his mouth shut, his jaw working. “Never mind. What do you think? We will both get what we want out of it.”

I flick my gaze to the camera in the corner of the room. It’s probably picking up every word, even without our mics on. Although it doesn’t appear to be focusing on us. He follows my path up to the camera. The almost-there smile that’s more of a pout forms on his lips, and he chuckles.

“They want drama. This conversation won’t make it on TV. So?”

He’s like a dog with a bone, and I know if I don’t go along with his scheming, it might turn out bad for me.

“Okay,” I sigh. “Who do you have the best connection to so far?”

He lifts a brow like that isn’t even on his radar. “Connection?”

“Yeah. How do you expect to win in the end if you don’t get one of them to keep you each time?”

He purses his lips and wrinkles his nose like it’s a foreign concept at this point that they wouldn’t automatically want him.

“If you want them, you’ve got a lot of work to do,” I say .

He scoffs. “I’m a masterpiece. Any alpha would be lucky to have me.”

I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “You have the confidence down,” I mutter sarcastically, not that he catches on to it.

He nudges me, and I look over at him. “We will work on yours too.”

There is a friendliness to his face that seems alien. I’m not sure he has many friends; how could he, being so abrasive all the time. I’m not in the market for a new B.F.F., but his no filter, snarky self could probably make the running if I were. At least I would know where I stand with him.

“Fine. Can you go now?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow at him.

He pokes his tongue into his cheek. “Yeah, I suppose you need your beauty sleep. It doesn’t come naturally for everyone.”

I snort before shoving him off my bed. “Go.”

He laughs softly as he picks himself up off the floor and brushes himself off. “You’re gorgeous, Lilah, just not my type. No offense.”

“None taken.” I’m pretty sure I’ve just been friend-zoned by him. I mean, if we were friends.

Music blasts from speakers I didn’t notice last night, and I bury my head under my pillow. What sadistic kind of torture is this? I am pretty sure I did not sign up to be woken up with music from the 80s. ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is’ blares from them. I peek out from my pillow at the same time another pillow thumps against the speaker and falls with a plop to the floor.

The other omegas are in various stages of waking up. Kayla and Tamika on the beds across from me share an annoyed look with each other. I guess they bonded last night. Once all of us are stirring, the music fades and a voice comes over the speaker.

“You have one hour to prepare for a group date. Dress to impress with outerwear.”

The guy next to me kicks his covers off at the same time he picks up a pile of clothes from his bedside table, moving as if he’s the flash—straight into the adjoining bathroom. Kayla and Tamika both get up cursing him. While I slowly sit up and push my tangled hair away from my face and wipe my mouth in case of any left over drool. I am not a pretty princess when I’m asleep. Anna from Frozen is my girl. At least she wakes up realistically.

“Guess they only make us over the first night, then bam, the alphas get the real us,” I joke, but it only seems to make Kayla and Tamika more frantic as they toss clothes onto their beds.

Okay .

Sliding my bare feet to the floor, I stand up and pad over to the walk-in closet we each have stuff in. I’m sure I can find something that will look good. Greta from costuming did an amazing job at picking colors that go with my complexion without washing me out. All bright and almost cheerful. Colors I wouldn’t have been caught dead in a week ago in my quasi-mourning of the relationship with Jared.

This show is a chance to let the public see I’m not lost and that he didn’t break my heart. Maybe it will be a chance for me to believe it too. I pull a pretty lavender top from a hanger in my marked area and a simple pair of jeans. I debate for a moment over sandals or tennis shoes before grabbing a pair of black Vans.

Kayla picks up a sundress and holds it to herself. It will look amazing on her, but if we are doing something like hiking or anything with physical activity she will regret it. She will be that girl on the show that lags behind, annoyed that the date wasn’t something rich and fancy, as she pushes her hair from her sweaty face. Has she not watched Omega in Paradise before coming?

Ignoring her in favor of grabbing panties, bra, and socks, I head into the hallway in search of an empty bathroom. I know there were a few half baths on the main floor. Luckily, I find one near the back of the mansion on the main floor and slip inside, quickly changing for the day. I should have brought my hair brush and my toothbrush.

Live and learn. If I make it until tomorrow without quitting or being sent home—I’ll bring them.

I step out of the half bath and run straight into a firm chest. A squeak of shock bursts from me as warm hands grip my shoulders to steady me.

“I’ve got you.” Warmth spreads through me where he touches me, and his soft words only add to that.

Tilting my head back, I look up at him. He’s handsome in the light of the morning. My heart pitter-patters in my chest as I blatantly stare. Can you say Greek God?

“Are you okay?” He brushes a finger over the side of my face, moving some of my tangled hair away, and it brings me back to myself.

“Miles,” I breathe. Forcing my feet to move and my hands to uncurl from his shirt, I smooth my fingers down his turquoise shirt, which brings out his stunning blue eyes, and step back. “Shit, are you all muscles under this shirt?”

His brow creases as a smile attempts to pull at his bow-shaped lips. I can see him debating on if he should laugh at my awkwardness or not. All while I just want to sink into the ground .

“It’s Lilah, right?” he asks instead, tilting his head to the side with curiosity.

Probably so he knows who not to offer a trinket to tonight. I press my lips together and nod. “Last time I looked at my birth certificate. And I’m not a twin, so?—”

He does laugh this time, and it makes a responding smile pull at my lips. His eyes do a lap around my face as if he’s surprised I could make him laugh. And who knows, maybe he doesn’t laugh often. Of the three of them, Rafe’s the one that splashes himself across the tabloids almost daily. Although, I do have to admit, now that I have had a better look at Miles and Elliott, I recognize them, they are just more low-key with their fame.

Elliott’s been featured in a few magazines as an up-and-coming director. If he was telling me what to do, damn I just might listen because there is just something about him that pulls me in.

While Miles has made a name for himself in interior design. I’m pretty sure he owns the company that has consultants to find omegas the best nest for them. Which sounds interesting, and I know it has garnered him a lot of attention in the world of design. Because he’s so meticulous in the way he operates. Almost perfect, really, just like him.

Having a sister that is not only a huge actress but also the creator of her own show, makes me fully aware that they are just people. And not some untouchable Gods to be worshiped. Even if they look like Greek Gods. Holy hell. He makes my whole body wake up and take notice, like a pure shot of caffeine to my system.

“I should let you continue getting ready,” he says.

Heat infuses my cheeks, and I want to cover my mouth and smooth down my hair. Well, if my just rolled out of bed look doesn’t do it for him, I won’t have to worry about figuring out if I’m going to self-eliminate .

He steps to the side and gestures down the hall.

“Thanks.” I brush past him, when the slightest scent of coconut and almonds hits my lungs. My feet freeze as every molecule in my body recognizes the musk of an alpha. Pheromones assault my senses. I close my eyes and inhale the fleeting smell. It’s almost tangible. Slowly, I turn to face Miles. “What does your musk smell like?”