Page 2 of The Knot Before Christmas

Snatching my phone charger off the dresser, I head back out into the hall.

“Nova, you can’t take my money!” he shouts, chasing after me with his pants around his ankles.

“And you shouldn’t have fucked my mother.” I laugh. “Look, Trip, it’s been nice, really. Your cock was a wonderful thing, and it helped me through my heats, but honey, that was all you were really good for: you’re pretty face and fat cock. Now she can enjoy it.”

I toss my hand in the direction of my mom. “You can take over his credit card debt and gambling addiction too.”

Jogging down the stairs, I ignore their pleas and half-ass apologies, then slip my boots and jacket back on. Grabbing my purse, I pull the front door open and take off, leaving it wide open.

“Oh, my!” Mrs Johnson across the street gasps, clutching her little dog to her chest. I look behind me to see Trip standing there, shouting at me butt-ass naked. I snort a laugh.

“Trust me, it might look nice, but the man it’s attached to is nothing to get excited over.” I wink as I start down the sidewalk. “Also, better keep an eye on your husband, my mom isn’t above going after someone who’s taken.”

With a grin, I take off down the street. Where am I going? I have no clue. Like I said before, I don’t have any friends. At least none that live around here. My best friend lives in California, but she’s all shacked up with her own Alphas, so I’m not going to bother calling her for help.

It’s Christmas, I’m sure there are a ton of places needing help for the holiday season. I could get a room at one of the cheap hotels across town and take the bus to the mall.

By the time I reach the mall, I’m a shivering mess. I can’t feel my hands or feet. Looks like I’ll be using this money to buy warmer clothes, maybe a hat and some fuzzy socks.

I do love me some cute, fuzzy socks.

The mall is busy and bustling with shoppers. People pay me no mind as I head deeper into the mall. I pause when I come to the winter wonderland set up and smile as I take in all the lights and Christmas decorations.

As a kid, Christmas used to be my favorite holiday. Every year, my parents would bring me to see Santa and get my photo taken with him. I’d tell him all the things that I wanted, but I’d always end it with asking for a cat, if the gifts were too much.

I wanted one so badly. I’m an only child, and my parents worked a lot. So I was often home alone or with a babysitter. I thought a cat would be good company.

I never did get that cat.

After seeing Santa, we would go to the food court and get ice cream before going home to watch Christmas movies.

Sadly, when I was ten, my father was driving home and lost control on some black ice. An oncoming truck stole him from me. Christmas was never the same after that.

Mom quit her job, saying it was to take care of me, but we lived our lives like normal, living off his life insurance money for a few years. Once that was all gone, she started her dirty tricks.

The sounds of children laughing catch my attention, pulling me from my crappy walk down memory lane. I smile again at the line of kids waiting to see Santa, all dressed up in cute outfits.

Stepping to the side, I get a better look at who they have playing Santa. When I got older, I’d look back at the photos and was able to tell who had the real beard or who was wearing a fake one.

When I get a good look at this Santa sitting up on the big, red velvet chair, my eyebrows shoot up. “Well, hello, Saint Nick,” I mutter to myself. “I’d very much like to sit on your lap and tell you exactly what I want for Christmas.”Like maybe a ride on his sleigh, if you know what I mean.

What? The man is fucking hot. He’s sitting down, but I can tell he’s tall. And the way the fabric of his Santa costume stretches against his arms, it looks like he could go all hulk any moment and rip right out of his clothing.

And don’t get me started on those tree trunks for legs.

But he’s not the only one who is fine as hell. Next to him stand two elves. My eyes widen when I see their arms, which are covered in tattoos.

“Maybe I should get in line.”

The person standing next to me gasps, my eyes flicking over to the mom with her three kids.

“What? You have eyes, don’t you? You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him how you were a good girl this year.” I roll my eyes as the woman clutches her literal pearls.

With one last glance of the fine-ass men, I continue my way to the food court, the hunger of not eating all day finally getting to me.

Sadly, even if I was given the chance to have a little mistletoe action, I wouldn’t take it. They’re Alphas, I can tell just by looking at them. That's not a line I’m willing to cross, even if it is only for a night or two of fun.

I order myself a hamburger and fries with a large Coke on the side. With my tray in hand, I stand and look for a table. After searching the whole food court seating area, I see there are none available.

---