Page 3 of The Knot Before Christmas

Sighing, I take my food and find a spot near one of the fountains.

I sit there, long after I’m done with my food, just listening to the music and contemplating my life choices.

Is this really going to be my life now?Yes, because as much as I hate losing everything, I’d rather have nothing, than be with someone who doesn’t respect me.

A part of me feels like I should be more upset over the fact my boyfriend is fucking my mom. But I’m not. Maybe it’s because I made myself believe I liked Trip more than I really did.

Or maybe it’s because I’m no longer with a man who has no goals in life. Either way, I’m free.

I’m just not sure how wonderful this newfound freedom is going to be.

With my heat creeping up real soon, I’m going to have to try and find myself a Beta buddy who isn’t a creep, or just take care of it on my own. And that sounds like a really shitty time.

Because even though Trip was a Beta, he knew how to use that big dick of his, and we used toys. He was just enough to get me through them. Sadly, I never felt fully satisfied afterwards.

He even brought in a few of his friends a couple of times, but after they started getting weird, hinting toward wanting to be a pack, I put an end to it.

I might not want to be with Alphas, but I also don’t want a pack. Being an Omega to an Alpha or Beta pack, I’d feel obligated to take care of more than one person, and that's a lot of work. Plus a pack of Betas still wouldn’t be able to give me what I need.

Before I know it, a voice comes over the loudspeaker, announcing that the mall is now closed.

“Shit,” I mutter, taking my tray over to one of the garbage bins and throwing out my trash before placing it on the ledge above.

I’ve put it off long enough. I need to head out now before the buses stop running for the night. The idea of walking alone in the dark also doesn’t sound too appealing.

Knowing the buses are located behind the mall, I take a shortcut through the back exit of the food court. The first door leads me into a hallway that must be reserved for the staff. I go back, taking the second door, which leads to a back alley.

“Shit.” I look around, wondering if there's another way or if I’m stuck having to go around and take the long way to the buses. “What the...” My eyes land on a white van idling there, the back doors wide open.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I walk over to it, my senses on high alert.

“What are you doing, Nova?” I mutter to myself as I step closer to the van. “Watch. Just as I get to the back, men in ski masks are gonna pull me in and take off; I just know it.”

Yet my dumb-ass keeps walking toward it. I peek inside and see that no one is there.Weird.I walk to the back again and look inside.Empty. Maybe they’re about to load it?

Who’s stupid enough to leave their vehicle running like this?

My eyes go from the door and back to the van, again and again, as a thought forms.

No. No, I can’t. Can I?

What if I get caught or arrested? I mean, it’s not like they will do anything but give me a fine. It takes a lot for an Omega to get locked up. Perk of the designation, I guess?

“Fuck it.” It’s cold out, and I need a ride. I’ll deal with the consequences later. “This is so stupid,” I tell myself, yet I climb into the back of the van and close the doors before moving into the front, taking the driver's seat.

Quickly, I slip on my seatbelt and clip it into place. My hand is on the gearshift, putting it in drive when the doors to the back of the van fling open. I freeze, eyes flicking up to the rearview mirror, widening in horror.Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Three men pile into the van, arms full of boxes. “I thought you left the fucking doors open!” a male's gruff voice snaps.

“I did!” Another one shouts.

“Looked fucking closed to me,” male number one snaps.

“Whatever. Shut the doors, I’ll get us out of here.”

It’s at this moment I realize two things. One, these men are the crazy hot Santa and elves from the mall. And two, they haven’t noticed I’m here yet.

Panic takes over, the need to get away hitting me hard. Only I don’t unbuckle myself and jump out. No, I fucking ram my foot down on the pedal. The van starts speeding down the back alley with a jolt, sending the three Alphas tumbling to the floor and seats in the back.

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