Page 38 of The Knot Before Christmas

“I’m not going to fall for you,” I warn him, even though I’m already halfway there.

“We’ll see.” He winks.

“I’m going to go grab the cat stuff from the basement,” Will sighs in annoyance.

“Cat stuff?” My eyes light up. “Oh my God, it was meant to be!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Will mutters as he disappears.

Stepping inside the house, I hand the cat over to Ian. He’s grinning like a fool, petting the kitten as she rubs against his face. “I think she likes me.”

“Traitor.” I glare at the little ball of fur.

“Don’t listen to her,” Ian says to the kitten. “You like me just like your mama does.”

“I’m keeping her,” I tell them before any of them expect me to put her back outside.

“Well, yeah.” Ian’s eyes widen. “I’d never dream of letting this little one go back in the snow. She’s so damn cute.”

“She?”

Ian lifts her up, taking a look at her back side. “Yup. She. What are you going to name her?”

“She looks a like a Duchess, doesn’t she?”

He lifts her up and looks her in the eyes. “I think you're right. Duchess it is.”

I stand there, taking my coat off as I watch Ian leave with the kitten, baby talking to her.Damn it, fucking damn it.This man, this Alpha, is making it so damn hard to resist him. He’s perfect. Too perfect. There’s got to be some kind of catch.

“Screwed, aren't you?” Will’s voice makes me jump.

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” I cross my arms and glare at him.

“Mhhmm.” Will chuckles. “This is what I found.” He places a cat bed, some toys, and a litter pan on the table. “This is one of those travel, one-time use litter box things. But as long as you clean it, it should last us until we get out of here. I’m not sure how old the dry food is, though. But I did find some canned cat food. It should be good. Whoever lived here before had to have a few cats. They have everything downstairs.”

“Like I said, Christmas miracle. She was meant to be mine. And if you or your asshole brother try to take her from me, or put her outside, I’ll chop your dicks off,” I promise.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You sure are a scary little Omega, aren't you?”

“Wanna find out?” I huff.

“Nope,” he says before leaving me with the cat stuff.

Tears of happiness fill me as I smile, listening to Duchess’ little meows. They might think I’m joking about this being a Christmas miracle. But they didn’t know how many years I asked Santa for a cat, how long I craved having a furry little friend. And how every year, I never got one.

Now I do. I have something to love that loves me back without disappointing me or letting me down.

Chapter 10

Nova

“Good morning, Duchess.” I smile at the little ball of fur curled up on my chest.

She blinks her little eyes open and yawns before letting out the cutest little meow. I pet her head, loving how soft her fur is as she starts to purr.

After finding her and getting everything set up, Duchess slept most of the night on Ian’s lap. I was a little jealous, but when she woke up to eat, she came and sat on my lap for the rest of the night.

I was a little petty and told Ian she was sleeping with me, and no, he wasn’t allowed to sleep in the bed with us. I wanted the time to bond with her, making me her favorite.

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