Page 53 of The Knot Before Christmas

He leans back, a sneer on his painfully handsome face. “Listen here, you little bitch.” His hand shoots out, wrapping around my neck.

I gasp, my fight or flight instinct kicking in. My knee comes up hard, right into his balls.

His eyes widen and he lets out a pained groan. As soon as his hand leaves my throat and he drops to his ass on the ground, I take off.

Up and out of the chair, I run up the stairs.

My blood is pumping, my mind a mess.

What do I do? Where do I go?

I know I should turn right and head upstairs to Ian. I should be fucking screaming for his help, but in the heat of the moment, I’m not thinking straight.

So, I turn left and out the damn door.

Not giving a shit about the fact that it’s snowing, the sky is grey and dark on this dreary day, I run into the snow. Only in my sleep shorts and top. Nothing else. No shoes or coat.

“Fuck,” I curse at myself as the ice cold snow starts to bite at my feet.

But I keep running toward the tree line.

Thankfully, there’s no cold wind. If I were to stand still, everything would be quiet and calm as big snowflakes float down to Earth.

But there’s no time to stop, not when there’s a very pissed off Alpha on my trail.

“Nova!” Nick barks from behind me.

My head snaps over my shoulder to see him standing in the door, chest heaving, looking like a feral animal.

It has me running faster. At least trying to. The snow is so deep, it’s hard to move.

I can hear him behind me, getting closer and closer.

God, I’m so stupid. I should have just gone upstairs to Ian. Why the fuck did I come out here?

Managing to get to the trees, I head deeper into the forest. The snow is more shallow here, the trees providing some cover from the storm.

Just when I think I’ve gained distance on him, I trip over something hidden under the snow.

Screaming, I hit the ground hard, face planting into the snow.

Quickly, I move to stand up, to keep running, maybe circle around and head back into the house.

But I don’t get the chance when a hand grabs my ankle, pulling me back.

“Gotcha.”

I’m yanked backward, my fingers clawing at the ground and through the snow as I yell.

Nick grabs me by the hips, yanking my ass up, holding me still with a painful grip. With the other hand, he pins my head down to the ground.

The snow melts against my cheek, stinging my skin.

“Let me go,” I shout.

“Why on earth would I do that?” he asks with a chuckle. “I’ve got you right where I want you.”

“Fuck you,” I snarl, attempting to move, trying to push up with my arms, but he only adds more pressure to my head, making me whimper.

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