Page 36 of The Knot Before Christmas

Going over to the window, I open it, letting a little bit of the cool breeze in to air the room out. It’s not that I hate the smell–no, it’s the opposite. I like it. Too much. I won’t get any sleep if my room smells like this.

As I’m headed to the bathroom to use it before bed, I hear a meow.

I pause, brows furrowing. “What the hell?” I hear it again and my eyes widen as I rush to the window.

Opening it wider, I stick my head out and listen.Meoooow.There it is again, the sound of a small kitten crying.

“What the hell is a cat doing out there?” I mutter. “Here, kitty kitty,” I call out and make a pss-pss-pss sound.

I try to search for the cat, but the snow is still coming down, making it hard to see outside.

But then I see it, a little white and black thing moving around a nearby tree. It cries out again, trying to climb it, searching for shelter.

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “It’s a kitten. A friggin kitten.” The cat distribution Gods have blessed me.

With a burst of excitement, I run downstairs, skidding to a halt when I see the lock on the door. “Fuck.” I could ask Nick to unlock it, but he seems like the kind of guy who wouldn’t give a shit, and let the poor baby freeze just out of spite. I could ask one of the other guys, but fuck it. No time. Who knows how long that baby has been out there. Nope, I’m gonna get it on my own.

Grabbing my coat, I quickly slip on my boots. I could use the window in the kitchen, but with the snowfall last night, it’s completely covered.

The windows in the living room don’t open, so that means using the window in my room.

I run back up the stairs, into my room, and open the window as wide as I can.

This is crazy. I’m crazy.

Still, I duck down and step out onto the snowy rooftop. Thankfully, it’s not too high up; only a one story drop if I fall. The snow makes it seem like the ground is a lot closer, though. Looking over at the drain pipe, I decide to just slide down it and into the snow.

Inching across the roof carefully, I hear the baby cry.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m coming. Don’t go anywhere!”

That excitement from before turns to fear of falling. Grabbing onto the drain pipe, I do my best to get a hold of it. Of course it’s not as easy as they make it look in the damn movies, because the moment I put my whole weight on it, I slip.

A scream rips out of me as I free fall backwards. Slamming my eyes shut, I think this is it, this is how I die.

But I land in the cold snow with a grunt. Then I start to panic, because I’m completely engulfed in snow.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I shout as I dig myself out of the snow. When my head meets the surface I gasp for air.

“Stupid, Nova. Stupid cat!” I shout, then hear the meowing. “No, not stupid cat,” I sigh, struggling to get the rest of my body out of the snow.

It’s so damn cold. There’s snow everywhere. In my pants, shirt, boots, down my back. And snow melting on warm skin isn’t fun.

My hands are freezing by the time I get out and to my feet. Stupid me didn’t grab mittens amidst the excitement.

Putting my hands together, I blow hot air into them as I do my best to shake the snow out of my hair.

“I’m coming,” I call out to the kitty as I trudge my way through the snow. “Fucking hell, this is one hell of a way to get a work out.” I pant with every step, and it feels like I’m walking for hours as I trudge through the short distance between the house and the tree.

When I finally reach the cat, I smile, crouching down a few feet away so I don't scare it. “Hey, sweetie.” I hold my hand out. The cat turns to look at me, and I see that it’s not just any cat, but a Ragdoll kitten. “Oh my God,” I squeal. “You are just too cute.” It screams out a meow before running over to me. I scoop it up. “That's it. Hi, baby,” I coo.

“What the fuck is going on!” Nick’s booming voice fills the air.

I don’t give a shit, I’m smiling ear to ear. Spinning around, I hold up the sweet baby like a prize.

“It’s a Christmas miracle!” I cheer.

All three Alphas stand outside the back door, staring at me in confusion. Well, Nick’s is more like anger, but when is that asshole ever not pissed off? I bet some kitty cuddles would melt his cold heart.

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