Page 64 of The Knot Before Christmas

Ian

“Would you stop that?” Nick grumbles. “It’s getting annoying.”

I shoot him a look as my foot continues to bounce. “You're annoying,” I shoot back. “You and all your Alpha asshole bullshit. If you weren’t my brother, I’d have killed you by now for the way you’ve been treating Nova.”

The asshole snorts, taking a sip of his coffee. Coffee he’s laced with whiskey. “Don’t try and make me the bad guy, she has liked everything I’ve done to her so far. She might like to act like she’s above having Alphas, but she was fucking dripping for me. The more I degraded her, the wetter she got. Don’t act like she’s some delicate flower. Nova is a lot more fucked up than what meets the eye.”

I hate that he’s right. Not that she’s a lot kinkier than I originally thought, but that he can get away with calling her names and treating her badly. When he does though, I make sure to pay close attention for any signs that something truly does bother her or make her uncomfortable.

She has no idea how perfect she is for our pack. She might not be what we wanted right now, but she’s what we needed.

There’s a lot she doesn’t know about our lives and our past. I could see her being the missing piece to heal each one of us. I know she’s already healing me.

She pushes Nick, doesn’t back down, always giving him a challenge. It’s what he needs. If she was to just get down on her knees and be the perfect Omega for him, he would enjoy it for a little while, but then get bored. He likes the fight, the challenge.

The control she lets Will have, the trust that she gives him, it means a lot more than she knows. His past isn’t mine to tell, but it’s exactly what he needs.

But me? I’m more than willing to be anything and everything she wants me to be. I meant it. I’ll just be the Alpha who helps her through her heats if that’s what she needs. I’ve never felt anything for anyone my whole life.

For the longest time I thought I was broken. Never attracted to men or women of any designation until she came into my life and turned it upside down, in the best way. She was the missing piece that made me whole, that made me feel like I wasn’t broken.

We don’t know much about Nova, apart from the fact that her ex was a total douchebag, her mother wasn’t a parent at all, and she lost her father at a young age.

I can see the hurt in her eyes, the way she closes herself off. She’s struggled for too long. No more. My Omega will never know what it’s like to go hungry or worry about having a roof over her head. I’m so damn excited to bring her to my bakery and cook for her, bake for her.

When we leave here, I’m going to spoil my Omega and make it known just how wanted she is by me. By this pack.

The other two might take a little longer to accept their fate, but not me. She’s everything I’ve dreamed of.

A whimper has our attention snapping to the door. My heart stops, my cock thickens and I’m on high alert.

Nova stands there, naked, stunning, and so fucking edible.

Her breasts are full, nipples hard points. Face flushed, hair a little messy and body covered in a sheen of sweat.

My nostrils flare and I can smell her sweet candy cane and chocolate perfume fill the room. My eyes trail down her body to the slick that’s running down her leg.

She’s in heat. This is it. This is what we’ve all known was coming and have been waiting for.

I’m still not sure what the guys plan on doing about helping her through it. If she didn’t want them, I’d make sure they stayed away.

When she went and locked herself in her room last night, I went out of my mind with worry. I hated the idea of her being upset, wanting to help her in whatever way I could.

So when she locks eyes with me, her hand reaching out and says “Alpha.” The word sounding pained and desperate, I’m up out of my chair and over to her in a flash.

“Hey, Little Doe,” I murmur, cupping her face. “What do you need?”

“You,” she moans, rubbing her cheek against my palm, eyes fluttering closed. “Knot.”

Swallowing hard, I nod, kissing her forehead. I look over at the guys.

“I don't know what you plan on doing, but I’m going to take my Omega upstairs and help her through her heat. Join us if you want, if she allows it that is. Or don’t. Take care of the cat, and at the very least, make sure Nova is getting food and water.”

Will nods, letting out a breath. “We got you, brother. Go take care of her.”

“Come on, baby. Let’s get you upstairs to your nest and I’ll help you take that pain away.”

She sighs contently. “Mhhm. Yes.”

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