Chapter 5

Nova

After it takes me longer than I’d like to get the tangles out of my hair, I find my stomach growling loudly, demanding to be fed. When was the last time I ate? The mall?

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, making my way to the door.

I’m about to pound on it, demand they feed me, because if they don’t, I’ll die. I mean, technically it’s not a lie, right?

But then I wonder... Did he lock the door after I shut it?

Grabbing the handle, I turn it and find it is indeed unlocked. “Huh.” Maybe it’s just Nick who wants to act like a fucking caveman.

Slowly, I open the door and step out into the hallway, looking to see if anyone’s around.

When I see no one, I make my way to the stairs and groan when the smell of pancakes hits me.

“Fuck yes!”

I’m pounding my way down the stairs, making a left, and sliding to a skidding halt when I enter the kitchen.

Ian spins around, a spatula in his hand. “Hey.” He grins. “Hungry?”

“Fuck yeah, I am.” I smile widely back as I take a seat at the table. He chuckles, plating a few pancakes and placing them in front of me.

I raise a brow, looking up at him. “What?” he asks, brows furrowed.

“Ahh, there's only three.”

“Yes?”

“Dude, I’m starving. I haven’t eaten in almost twenty-four-hours.”

His eyes flash with panic. “Shit,” he hisses. “You're right. Fuck.” He places some more on my plate. “Is this enough?”

My brows furrow. Why is he being so weird about me getting enough to eat?

“Yeah. Thanks,” I murmur, grabbing the butter to smother my pancakes in. I drown them in maple syrup next, moaning when the flavor hits my tongue.

A low growl sounds next to me, making my eyes snap open to find Ian watching me with a hungry look.

“Stop that,” I mumble as I cross my legs. Damn traitorous pussy . Last time an Alpha growled at me, I punched him in the dick.

Ian’s growl makes me want to ride his dick.

What is wrong with me? I feel like I’m going to be asking myself that for a while.

“Sorry.” He clears his throat, shaking his head as if he didn’t know what he was doing. “Good?”

“Huh?” His Alpha pheromones hit me, making my mind go hazy and my nipples tighten.

“The pancakes. Are they good?”

“Oh, yeah.” I nod, taking another bite. “Did you know you smell like maple syrup?”

“Ah, no?” he chuckles. “Is that my scent to you?”

“Yup. And not going to lie, I don’t hate it. I actually love maple candies, and now, I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat one without thinking of you.”

He grins, like what I just said means the world to him.

Dude is simping hard. Gonna be a shame when I break his heart.

Maybe I’m being a little dramatic. Maybe he’s just nice and it has nothing to do with me.

The lights flicker, causing the both of us to look up. “Everything okay?” I ask Ian.

He doesn’t get a chance to answer, because a few seconds later, Will comes running up the steps from the basements.

“Fuck yes.” He woots as he steps into the kitchen.

“Got it to work?” Ian asks hopefully.

“Yup.”

“Got what to work?” I ask, looking between the two of them.

Will’s face falls when he sees me, a frown setting into place. Geez, tough crowd. He’s acting like I’m the one who’s keeping him against his will.

“The power,” he says, clearing his throat.

“So, no more generator?” I ask.

“No. Not unless the power goes out. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did, seeing how there’s a big storm coming this way. But at least this will save us a lot of fuel until then. That’s where Nick went—to get some supplies to last us, because we don’t know how long we’re going to be snowed in.”

“Snowed in.” I feel a rush of panic clog my throat. “For, like, how long?”

“No idea.” Will slumps heavily in the chair. “We’re going to have to dig our way out after the storm, so that’s going to take some time. I’d say a week, maybe two tops after the snow stops.”

I just stare at him, eyes wide as I scream inside my head. Noooooo! Fucking hell no. I can’t be stuck with these guys for two weeks. I’ll end up going into heat for sure.

“Any chance Nick could give me a ride back to town before the snow hits?” I squeak out, feeling a panic attack coming on.

Will snorts. “Fuck no.”

My breathing starts to pick up. It feels like someone is pressing down on my chest.

“Hey.” Ian crouches down next to me, hand on my shoulder. “Breathe, Nova. It’s going to be okay. We’re going to have everything we need. You have nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah,” I pant out. “Nothing. Nothing at all.”

“Is she okay?” Will asks, actually sounding concerned. Or is it annoyed? I don’t fucking know. I can’t tell over the ringing in my ears.

Warm arms wrap around me, and I find myself being pulled into Ian’s lap. “Shhh,” he soothes, a deep rumbling in his chest. “It’s okay, Omega. You're okay.”

I want to tell him to get fucked, to let me go, and not to call me Omega.

But I don’t; his scent blanketing over me is like a hit of the most relaxing drug.

My eyes flutter closed, and I focus on the feeling of his arms around me. I’m safe. Protected. And then the bastard starts to purr, and I turn to putty in his arms. Damn me for being an Omega and damn him for being this stupid sexy Alpha. Damn us all.

And that’s when I fall asleep in my captor’s arms, as if I have nothing to worry about.

The sound of a TV playing fills my ears as I come to. Blinking my eyes open, I look around and see I’m in the living room.

“What happened?” my voice cracks from sleep. I go to move, but strong arms hold me still.

“You fell asleep.” Ian’s low, rumbling voice has my eyes snapping up to his stunning blue ones.

“Oh,” I mumble, still a little disoriented. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“I–I need to pee.” I struggle to stand. This time Ian reluctantly lets go of me.

Needing some air and a moment to myself to think, I start to leave the room. “Nova?”

“Yeah?” I look over my shoulder. He moves to sit up, arms leaning on his legs as his eyes meet mine.

“Wanna watch a movie? There’s not much to do. But if you want to be alone, there’s some books you can read. Not sure if they’re any good, but...” He shrugs.

I want to tell him no, to put some distance between us, because who the hell sits and hangs out with the person who’s holding them against their will?

But the look in his eyes, it’s killing me. There’s so much hope in them. Does this mean more to him than it does me? Does he think that now that he’s found his scent match that he’s going to live happily ever after.

I can’t give him that. I can’t be his Omega. It would never work. Maybe if it was just with Ian, but not with the others. We would clash too much. And I don’t think Ian would leave his pack, his brothers, to be with me.

Then again, that's the point, I don’t know anything about him at all.

The longer my eyes are locked with his, the more the fight inside me dissipates. “A movie.” I slowly nod. “Yeah, I could go for a movie.”

Fucking hell, the smile that takes over his handsome face does things to my boarded up heart.

Nope. Not happening, Nova. You just got cheated on, we’re not jumping in bed with the first guy that shows you kindness. Even if he’s literally who the universe picked out for you.

What does the universe know, huh? It gave me Nick. And he’s a raging asshole. A crazy one who clearly wants to hurt me in some way. A smart person would be more afraid. Yet, the longer I’m here, the less uneasy I feel.

Am I afraid of what they’re going to do? Yes. They’re criminals. Ian being nice could just be an act. Maybe he’s a master con artist.

“Awesome,” he cheers, jumping to his feet. “We have some microwave popcorn. Do you want tea? Oh, we have hot chocolate. They even have little marshmallows.” Ian rushes over to a box next to the TV.

“The VCR still works,” he tells me as he crouches down. “And look what I found.” He holds up a VHS tape of A Christmas Story .

I just stand there, blinking at him. What do I do? How do I react?

This man isn’t a criminal, he’s a damn golden retriever. Okay, yes, he’s still a criminal, but how? He doesn’t seem to have a mean bone in his body.

Was Nick just trying to fuck with me, when he said that the way they acted in the van was the nicest I’d get from them?

Because Ian has been nothing but sweet to me. I hate it. I fucking hate it. But also, I’m loving it.

I need to get out of there before these men drive me fucking mad.

“Nova, you okay?” Ian asks with a nervous look on his face. And now he seems bashful. This man is going to be the death of me.

I force a smile. “I love that movie.”

He smiles.“Me too. Okay, you go to the bathroom, I’ll get everything ready.”

“Where's Will?”

“No idea.” He shrugs. “I’ve been sitting with you since you fell asleep. He said something about doing some work outside.” He places the VHS on top of the TV and heads toward me. “It’s snowing now. I’m starting to get worried about Nick. He’s still not back yet.”

“Good, hope he crashed in a snowbank and froze to death,” I mutter, crossing my arms over my chest.

His eyes flash with alarm. “You don’t think that's what happened?”

“Possibly.” I turn around and head upstairs to pee. I don’t give a shit what happens to Nick. He can stay gone as long as he pleases. It’s been nice not having him here. The guys seem to not feel the need to threaten me or lock me up without him hovering.

Does he really think I’m going to bolt?

Listen, I want out of here, but I’m not stupid. I don’t think they’re going to kill me or anything. At least, I hope not.

But if I go outside in that cold and snow without proper gear, I’d die for sure.

Hell, even with the gear, I’m positive I wouldn’t make it. I don’t know which way to go, and I’d most likely end up getting lost in the woods and eaten by a bear or a wolf.

If it was the summer,I think I’d be able to survive a few days in the woods on my own. But not in this snow. I’d die within hours.

Maybe that's a little over dramatic, but I’d still die, though.

Shut up, Nova, and go fucking piss.

I’m back to spiraling again, I see.

Once I’m in the bathroom, I sit on the edge of the tub with my face in my hands. I wonder if I’d have been better off accepting Trip’s apology then staying there.

No. That’s stupid. I deserve better than a cheating boyfriend. A boyfriend who didn’t cheat on me with just anyone—nope, he fucked my mother.

“Gross.” I shiver in disgust at the thought. Standing, I stare at myself in the mirror.

“What are you doing, Nova?” I murmur to my reflection. “We are not getting ourselves a case of Stockholm Syndrome. We hate Alphas. We don’t want one.”

Then why the fuck am I excited to go back downstairs and watch a movie with Ian?

Damn it! I like the damn sweet-as-hell Alpha. I don’t even have the urge to be a bitch to him.

“Fuck it,” I mutter to myself. “Beats being stuck in that room.”

Heading back down stairs, I find Will sitting on the couch. “No one invited you,” I huff, crossing my arms.

He cocks a brow at me. “I invited myself.”

“Well, you’re not welcomed.”

His lip twitches. “And I don’t care. Sit and watch the movie or go upstairs, your choice, but I’m staying.”

I glare at him and the fucker holds my stare. “Fine,” I hiss, marching around the table to the other side of the couch next to Ian. “But you can’t have our popcorn,” I huff, snatching the bowl off the table.

“What are you, five?” Will mutters.

“What are you, a kidnapper?” I volley back.

“I don’t see any napped kids, do you?” He cocks his head to the side. “Unless you're lying about your age. Are you really just a kid, Nova?”

“If I was, that makes you lot a bunch of pervs being scent matched to a minor.”

Will’s eyes go wide. “Yeah, I’m out. I don’t want to play this game,” he grumbles, looking at the TV. “Just play the damn movie.”

I grin with triumph. “You move over and sit next to him,” I tell Ian, who’s clearly amused by my interaction with his brother and moves over to sit in the middle. Taking a seat next to him, I put my feet up on the coffee table and get comfortable.

“You know,” Ian leans in and whispers five minutes into the movie. “I think you’re just what this pack needs.”

My eyes snap over to his, and I glare at him. No. No, I am not what this pack needs. Because they are not what I need.

“Shh,” I mutter. “Watch the movie and shut up.” I grab a handful of popcorn and shove it into his mouth.

He grins, chewing the popcorn, looking too joyful for my liking.

He’s wrong. He just is.

By the time the movie is done, Ian and I are laughing, talking about funny parts of the movie.

“One time in elementary school, some kid stuck his tongue to a pole. Everyone panicked and one kid said they needed to get something hot to melt it off.”

“Did a teacher grab some hot water from inside the school?” Ian asks, grinning.

“Nope,” I snicker. “His friend was fast thinking and helped out all on his own.”

Ian’s eyes widen, lips parting.

“Please fucking tell me his friend didn’t piss on his tongue to melt it off?” Will asks, poking his head around Ian’s body to look at me.

“I could, but I’d be lying.” I burst out laughing at the horrified look on Will and Ian’s faces.

“Kids are fucking nasty little shits,” Will mutters.

I’m laughing so hard, I don’t hear the door open until a tall figure stands in the doorway.

Shit. Looks like old Saint Nick is home.

And there goes any good feeling I might have had tonight.

“What. The. Fuck. Is. This?” he snarls, chunks of snow falling from his coat.

The look in his eyes as he stares into my soul is promising nothing good.

Nick’s made it known that he can’t wait to break me. Well, the jokes on him, I’m not easily broken.

Bring it on, big guy. If we’re going to be trapped here together, I’m going to need something to keep me entertained.