Page 9 of The Knot Before Christmas

“I’m going to check on her.” I put my coffee cup down on the table and stand.

“You heard what Nick said.” Will peeks up from his phone.

“I don’t give a shit what Nick has to say. Just because he’s the oldest doesn’t mean he’s in charge of us,” I snap.

He raises a brow at me, and I just flip him off.

How are they not going out of their minds knowingtheirOmega is upstairs in distress! I couldn’t sleep a wink last night because all I could think about was her. Was she still crying? Was she hungry? Did she need to use the bathroom?

But most of all, I worried that because of Nick’s barbaric ways, she’s going to hate us. Not that I would blame her if she did.

I don’t want her to hate me. The idea of my Omega despising me makes me sick to my stomach.

I’m not like my brothers when it comes to their views on settling down and finding an Omega. They think an Omega will get in the way. I think one would make us better people if we gave it a try.

This life we live, I hate it. I don’t get any pleasure in it. But it beats the alternative of being under our father’s thumb.

I want what most Alphas want. An Omega to love and care for, to settle down and be happy. I also love my brothers, and I can’t see my life without them in it.

Now life has brought us our scent match, a perfect Omega meant just for us, into our lives, and Nick is treating her like the scum of the earth.

That’s where I’m drawing the line.

The steps creek under my weight as I make my way up the stairs. I’m not sure how this is going to go, but I can’t leave her in there like this any longer.

“Hello!” Her voice meets my ears as I hit the top of the stairs. “Can someone please untie me? I really don’t want to pee myself.”

Fuck. That has me quickening my pace. With the key that Nick gave me in case of emergencies, I unlock the door and throw it open. My eyes flick down to Nova, who’s squirming on the bed.

“Oh, thank God. Please.” Her face is tear-stained, voice cracking. “Please, I beg you, let me pee.”

“Shit,” I hiss, rushing over to her. “Are you okay?” I ask as I make quick work of the ribbons.

“Okay? Do I look okay?” she snaps.

“I’m so sorry he kept you up here like this,” I murmur as I free her legs and then start on her arms.

“Really? Because you did nothing about it. I’ve had to pee for hours.” For someone who is technically kidnapped, she doesn’t seem to care too much about the way she talks to her captors.

She’s got a spunky attitude to her that I like.

“Come on. I’ll take you to the bathroom.” I help her to her feet. She moves to take a step forward, but stops, clamping her legs shut, eyes going wide.

“I don’t think I can walk,” she says in a panicky, high-pitched squeak.

My eyes roam over her as I think of what to do. “I can carry you. Are you okay if I pick you up?”

She nods. “Yes, please hurry.”

I nod and try to ignore her tempting pheromones as I scoop her up bridal style. I really try to ignore the way my pants grow tighter as I lift my Omega into my arms.

Making sure not to shake her too much, I rush her to the bathroom and place her down in front of the toilet.

She goes to pull down her pants, but pauses, looking up at me through a curtain of hair. “Thank you. But you can go now.”

“Oh, right, sorry,” I mumble, cheeks blazing as I quickly leave the bathroom and close the door behind me.

I lean against the wall next to the door and wait for her to be finished. I don’t expect her to jump out a window or anything, we’re pretty high up.

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