Chapter 1

Nova

Merry frigging Christmas to you too!

Nothing screams holiday spirit like having your boss hit on you, and getting fired when you turn him down. To top it off, when you're on your way out, you see his stupid wife going at your car with a baseball bat.

I’m not sorry to be leaving this job, it sucked. The hours were horrible, and the pay was worse. Add in creepy Alphas and a jealous Beta, and it was downright shitty.

But now I’m out of a paycheck along with my car. With Christmas a few weeks away, I won’t be able to get anyone anything. Not that I have a lot of people to buy for. It’s just my mom and my Beta boyfriend, Trip.

And knowing Trip, he most likely spent all his money on the slots or beer.

Maybe I can just bake my mom cookies or something. A pre-mixed box is, like... what, four bucks? It’s going to have to do. It’s not like she’s going to get me anything either.

She’s been spending all her money trying to be someone she’s not and looking good for the older, richer men she’s been trying to hook up with, in hopes of finding herself a sugar daddy.

Mom of the year right there.

She never misses a chance to tell me how easy I’d have it if I just tried to get myself a pack, because I’m an Omega, and she’s a Beta. Only, I don’t want a pack. Alphas are dominating and controlling. We would never get along.

I’m not the submissive type, and I don’t plan on changing myself to fit the needs of someone else. Also, most Alphas don’t like it when an Omega speaks their mind or sasses back. And I’m all sass, with hardly a fuck to give.

I shiver as the cold winter air swirls around me as I snuggle deeper into my jacket. Of course, we get hit with a storm on the day I’m without a car. Thankfully, I don’t live too far. I could take a bus, but I’d have to go out of my way to the nearest bus stop, and by the time I do that, I could have just walked home.

“Trip!” I shout, tossing my now useless car keys on the little table by the front door. Taking my jacket off, I hang it up on the hook and slip off my boots. I wait for a response, but no one answers.

That's odd. I know Trip isn’t working today, and his shoes are on the rack. My eyes flick next to them. “Mom?” A pair of red boots sit next to the door.

After checking the living room and kitchen but finding no one, I head for the stairs, taking them two at a time.

“Oh, fuck! Yes, just like that,” Trip moans. I freeze, blinking at the bedroom door. Maybe he’s watching porn? “Oh, fuck, yes, Shelly. God, your mouth feels so damn good.”

My eyes widen. Shelly... as in my mom, Shelly. No, there's no way.

Only one way to find out.

I throw the door open, and... yup, there's good old mom on her knees with my boyfriend’s cock down her throat. “Well, at least someone's having a good day,” I huff out a laugh.

Oddly, I don’t feel any anger or sadness at the sight of this betrayal. I feel... relief?

“Nova, shit!” Trip pushes my mom off him, sending her tumbling back with a yelp.

“Oh, don’t mind me,” I snark, going over to the closet. I grab a book bag and start shoving clothes into it. “Keep doing what you were doing. I won’t be long.”

“Nova, baby, I’m so sorry. It’s not what it looks like,” the asshole has the nerve to say.

“No?” I don’t stop packing my bag. “So she just tripped, and her mouth fell on your cock? Damn, that's some crazy shit right there.”

“Where are you going?” Mom asks.

“Anywhere but here.” I zip up the bag and sling it over my shoulder. I don’t have much, and nothing that holds any sentimental value. I pawned anything that was worth money to pay for rent after this fucker here gambled it all away.

“You got paid today, right?” I ask as if this was just a regular old conversion. I don’t wait for him to answer, kneeling down by his feet and cringing when his semi-hard dick almost hits my face.

Gross, it’s covered in my mom’s spit.

Reaching into his back pocket, I pull out his wallet and open it. Bingo. Some fresh, crisp hundred dollar bills. I grab them all and leave the wallet. “You don’t mind going without beer for a while, right?” I ask, pocketing the cash. “I didn’t think so.”

Snatching my phone charger off the dresser, I head back out into the hall.

“Nova, you can’t take my money!” he shouts, chasing after me with his pants around his ankles.

“And you shouldn’t have fucked my mother.” I laugh. “Look, Trip, it’s been nice, really. Your cock was a wonderful thing, and it helped me through my heats, but honey, that was all you were really good for: you’re pretty face and fat cock. Now she can enjoy it.”

I toss my hand in the direction of my mom. “You can take over his credit card debt and gambling addiction too.”

Jogging down the stairs, I ignore their pleas and half-ass apologies, then slip my boots and jacket back on. Grabbing my purse, I pull the front door open and take off, leaving it wide open.

“Oh, my!” Mrs Johnson across the street gasps, clutching her little dog to her chest. I look behind me to see Trip standing there, shouting at me butt-ass naked. I snort a laugh.

“Trust me, it might look nice, but the man it’s attached to is nothing to get excited over.” I wink as I start down the sidewalk. “Also, better keep an eye on your husband, my mom isn’t above going after someone who’s taken.”

With a grin, I take off down the street. Where am I going? I have no clue. Like I said before, I don’t have any friends. At least none that live around here. My best friend lives in California, but she’s all shacked up with her own Alphas, so I’m not going to bother calling her for help.

It’s Christmas, I’m sure there are a ton of places needing help for the holiday season. I could get a room at one of the cheap hotels across town and take the bus to the mall.

By the time I reach the mall, I’m a shivering mess. I can’t feel my hands or feet. Looks like I’ll be using this money to buy warmer clothes, maybe a hat and some fuzzy socks.

I do love me some cute, fuzzy socks.

The mall is busy and bustling with shoppers. People pay me no mind as I head deeper into the mall. I pause when I come to the winter wonderland set up and smile as I take in all the lights and Christmas decorations.

As a kid, Christmas used to be my favorite holiday. Every year, my parents would bring me to see Santa and get my photo taken with him. I’d tell him all the things that I wanted, but I’d always end it with asking for a cat, if the gifts were too much.

I wanted one so badly. I’m an only child, and my parents worked a lot. So I was often home alone or with a babysitter. I thought a cat would be good company.

I never did get that cat.

After seeing Santa, we would go to the food court and get ice cream before going home to watch Christmas movies.

Sadly, when I was ten, my father was driving home and lost control on some black ice. An oncoming truck stole him from me. Christmas was never the same after that.

Mom quit her job, saying it was to take care of me, but we lived our lives like normal, living off his life insurance money for a few years. Once that was all gone, she started her dirty tricks.

The sounds of children laughing catch my attention, pulling me from my crappy walk down memory lane. I smile again at the line of kids waiting to see Santa, all dressed up in cute outfits.

Stepping to the side, I get a better look at who they have playing Santa. When I got older, I’d look back at the photos and was able to tell who had the real beard or who was wearing a fake one.

When I get a good look at this Santa sitting up on the big, red velvet chair, my eyebrows shoot up. “Well, hello, Saint Nick,” I mutter to myself. “I’d very much like to sit on your lap and tell you exactly what I want for Christmas.” Like maybe a ride on his sleigh, if you know what I mean.

What? The man is fucking hot. He’s sitting down, but I can tell he’s tall. And the way the fabric of his Santa costume stretches against his arms, it looks like he could go all hulk any moment and rip right out of his clothing.

And don’t get me started on those tree trunks for legs.

But he’s not the only one who is fine as hell. Next to him stand two elves. My eyes widen when I see their arms, which are covered in tattoos.

“Maybe I should get in line.”

The person standing next to me gasps, my eyes flicking over to the mom with her three kids.

“What? You have eyes, don’t you? You can’t tell me you wouldn’t want to sit on Santa’s lap and tell him how you were a good girl this year.” I roll my eyes as the woman clutches her literal pearls.

With one last glance of the fine-ass men, I continue my way to the food court, the hunger of not eating all day finally getting to me.

Sadly, even if I was given the chance to have a little mistletoe action, I wouldn’t take it. They’re Alphas, I can tell just by looking at them. That's not a line I’m willing to cross, even if it is only for a night or two of fun.

I order myself a hamburger and fries with a large Coke on the side. With my tray in hand, I stand and look for a table. After searching the whole food court seating area, I see there are none available.

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.

“What the fuck!” one of them shouts as I take a sharp turn onto the road. Thankfully for us all, it’s late, and this back road is dead. Not so good news is it’s full of potholes, which has the van bouncing around violently.

“Sorry!” I yell as the men curse and shout. I wince when I hear a few loud bangs back there.

“Who the fuck are you?”

“What the fuck are you doing?”

Santa Claus finally makes his way up to the front. “Get the fuck up.”

“Nope, sorry, no can do.” I give him a nervous laugh. “Seems like I’m really freaking the fuck out, and I can’t seem to make any of my muscles work.”

“For fuck’s sake,” he grumbles, reaching for the wheel. He doesn’t get a chance to take it, because I yank it to the side, sending him falling into the passenger seat.

“Get the van under control!” one of the elves shouts.

“I’m fucking trying!” Santa snaps.

Somehow, we’ve ended up on a back road, heading away from town. Fucking hell. I’m going to die tonight, aren’t I? I’m driving myself into the middle of the damn woods with three random Alphas.

Alphas who, I’m almost positive, just robbed the mall.

My heart is pounding like crazy, and I feel like I’m going to puke. I probably look like a crazy woman right now with how wild my eyes are.

Santa grabs the wheel and steadies the van, straightening us out a bit. I let out a breath and slowly ease my foot off the gas. The van starts to slow down and Santa guides the van over, so that we’re on the side of the road.

“Good, now press on the brake.”

He has a little bite to his bark, startling me and causing me to slam my foot on the brake.

The guys in the back tumble forward while Santa and I jolt to a stop.

“I meant carefully,” he snarls.

“Sorry,” I squeak.

I risk a glance, peeking up at him. He’s glaring down at me, nostrils flaring.

“Who are you?” he asks in a dangerous tone.

I blink up at him. “Ah... I’m...” Do not give him your name, Nova. I slam my mouth shut, rolling my lips, and biting down.

The other two men join us.

“She’s a fucking Omega,” one of them groans.

“And you’re stupid Alphas!” I snap back, glaring up at them. Stupid, sexy Alphas. Damn it.

“I like her. She’s got bite.”

“I know something I could bite,” I mutter. Once it leaves my mouth, I close my eyes and pray. Oh, Nova.

He chuckles. “I mean, if you really want to.”

“How about we tell you our names, and then you tell us yours?”

“Fine,” I sigh. I mean, it’s just my first name; like hell, I’ll give them anything else.

“I’m Nick. This is Will and Ian,” the guy dressed as Santa says.

“Nick, as in... Nicholas?” I blink up at him.

“Ah, yes?” His brows furrow in confusion.

“So you really are... Saint Nick.” And then I burst out into giggles. Partly because it is funny, but also because I’m kind of low-key freaking out over what these guys are going to do to me.

Will and Ian join in, cackling as if they just realized it themselves.

“Ha-ha,” Nick deadpans. “Alright, Omega. What's your name?”

“My name is Nova. Also no more of that Omega bullshit.” I narrow my eyes.

“Fair enough.” He nods. “Now, Nova, clearly you shouldn’t be here. So how about we drop you off and pretend this never happened.”

“You want me to just pretend that you didn’t just rob that mall?” I bite my lip to keep myself from talking anymore. I’m gonna get myself killed at this rate. I clear my throat. “I mean, yeah, sure... if you don’t mind taking me back into town. Just drop me off at the bus station.”

If it’s even open.

“The bus station?” Ian pipes up. He’s still wearing his elf hat, his dark hair sticking out from underneath it. “Why not just skip the bus, and we can take you home.”

“Yeah. No need to go waiting in the cold. We can drive you home,” Will offers, running a hand through his curly red hair.

I want to tell them no, because there’s no way I’d want three strange men to know where I live, but I tell them the real reason because I just seem to be throwing caution to the wind tonight. Not like I got much else to lose.

“Okay, fine. Maybe not the bus station. How about a hotel?”

“Hotel?” Nick pulls off his Santa hat and shakes out his blond hair.

“Yeah. I need a place to stay tonight because my boyfriend thought it would be fun to play a game called ‘How far can I get my cock down my girlfriend's mom’s throat’. Not a game I was keen on walking in on, but life just loves to fuck me over. So here I am, homeless and nowhere to go.”

I look around at the three of them. “You're not going to kill me, are you?”

Ian snorts a laugh. “Look, we might not be on the straight and narrow, but we’re not in the ‘taking lives’ game either.”

“I mean, I would be the perfect victim. No one would come looking for me.” I blink. “Okay, I’m going to stop talking now.” The realization that I really don’t have anyone in my life, other than my best friend, who cares about me enough to come looking if I were to go missing is just plain depressing.

I take out my phone and go to search for all the hotels in the area. “I’m gonna call ahead and find a place with a room so you're not driving around all over town. Don’t want to risk spending too much time on the road with all that.” I nod my head toward the back of the van.

“You seem really chill about all this.” Will raises a brow in suspicion.

“Why would I care that you robbed some big chain mall. They make too much money off the backs of the people who work on the front line. To be honest, I’d be more bothered if you were breaking into people’s houses. You don’t do that, do you?”

“No.” Ian shakes his head. “Too messy. We’re smart about this kind of thing.” He gives me a wink.

And then I remember something. “Wait a minute! Are you the Mall Bandits?”

They all go silent, shooting each other a look. “So you heard about us,” Nick sighs. “I fucking hate that name.”

“Yeah.” I laugh. “You may want to end your little spree early this year. The cops are already suspicious. And after that stunt, any mall within a hundred-mile radius will be on the lookout.”

“How do you know that?” Nick grunts.

“Heard my old boss talking about it with his buddies at the bar I worked at. They’ve been following your guys’ story for a while.”

So, these three are the Mall Bandits?

Who are they, you might ask? Well, they are three Alphas who hit up a few malls in some random town every year. The police never know where to expect them, because they don’t have a pattern; they just pop up randomly around the country.

“You don’t normally hit up small towns, do you?” I question. “Probably not the best idea. It’s a one-and-done type of thing around here.”

“That's what I said.”

Nick shoots a glare at Ian.

“What!” His eyes widen. “I thought we could switch it up a bit.”

I shake my head at the three crazy Alphas. I’m not getting malicious vibes from them, so there's that. Or maybe I’m just a really, really bad judge of character.

For the next ten minutes, I call every hotel in town, and each of them tells me the same thing. They’re sold out for the week, because of the winter festival starting tomorrow. I can’t believe I forgot about that. It’s normally when the bar gets super crazy busy.

“Damn it,” I sigh, leaning my head back against the headrest, closing my eyes as I do.

“No luck?” Nick asks.

“No. Every place in town is booked.”

“You can come back with us,” Ian chimes in.

“Like fuck she can.” Nick snaps, making me jump at his sudden change in demeanor.

“Nick, we can’t just fucking leave her out in the cold for the night. She’s an Omega. Do you know how many fucking creeps would jump at the chance to scoop her up off the street and hurt her!” Ian snaps back.

“That settles it, she’s coming with us,” Will growls and fuck me, because I’m reminded that these guys are Alphas.

They’ve seemed so level-headed and nice so far. But now I’m wondering...

“You know what, I’m just... gonna go.” I unbuckle my seatbelt and begin to open the door. The van is still running, just sitting parked on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, but now I’m starting to think I’d rather just take my chances out there.

“Nova, wait.” Nick grabs my arm as the door opens. A gust of wind dances its way into the van, and then it hits me. A smell that has my belly in knots, my heart racing faster than reindeer can run, and my pussy gushing.

“No,” I whimper. “No,” it’s all I can say as I stare wide-eyed at the Alpha, who’s looking at me like he wants to eat me for supper.

And by the growls coming from within the van followed by hushed curses, it’s not only Nick I need to worry about.

“Mine!” Nick snarls, his eyes feral as he pulls me back into the van.

One thing’s for sure: I didn’t expect to end my day finding three scent matches, who I think are about to kidnap me for real. But here we are.

I should have just kept fucking walking.

Merry fucking Christmas to me.