Chapter 8

Nova

This is probably one of the most awkward breakfasts I’ve ever had.

Everyone is quiet, the tension so thick you can cut it with a butter knife.

Ian sits there, a massive grin on his face as he eats his eggs without a word. Will is shooting daggers at him, which seems to just please Ian more. And Nick is watching the two of them with annoyance.

Apart from Nick filling Ian in on whatever business they have, no one has said anything since we sat down.

After I showered, I changed into some of my own clothes. Thank God, someone left my bag in my room. I was so damn happy to have it, I almost cried.

Of course, my phone wasn’t in there. One of these bastards must have it.

“Any chance I could get my phone back?” I ask, looking up from my plate.

“No,” Nick grunts, shoving a spoonful of eggs into his mouth.

“So not only do you kidnap me, you steal from me too?” I huff, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms.

Nick’s fork pauses in front of his mouth, and he blinks at me. “Joyrider, we literally rob malls for a living. And you’re surprised I’m refusing to give your phone back?”

My cheeks heat in embarrassment. Now that I think about it, my question sounded stupid.

“What's the big deal? Do you think I’m going to call the cops or something? I probably wouldn’t get service up here anyways.”

“You're not going to find out, because you're not getting your phone back,” Nick says. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Do you want me to answer that question?” I challenge, raising a brow.

He glowers at me.

“Whatever,” I mutter. “So, what's your pack name anyways? If we’re going to be stuck here together, we may as well get to know each other.”

Nick snorts. “So what? You can get a bunch of information on us to use against us later on?”

“Oh my God.” I sigh. “I’m just trying to make small talk. Relax, dude.”

“Noel,” Ian says. “Our pack name is Pack Noel.”

I blink a few times before bursting out into laughter. “So let me get this straight...you dress up as Santa and his elves to steal from malls at Christmas, your name is Nick,” I point to Nick. “ Your scents are all smells that are found in Christmas baked goods, and your pack name is Noel? That's too funny.”

“Glad we fucking amuse you,” Nick snarls.

“Next thing you're going to tell me is that one of your birthdays is Christmas day.” I grin, ignoring his shitty attitude.”

They all pause, turning to look at Will.

“No way!” I snort. “You were born on Christmas?” I ask, eyes wide.

He clears his throat, sitting up in his chair. “Christmas Eve.”

“Huh.” I nod. “Must have sucked growing up for birthday parties. I get it, my birthday is around Easter. Mom used to just give me Easter candy and say that was good enough.” I shrug, taking a bite of my food.

“My birthday is on Valentine's day,” Ian adds in. “Nick’s is Halloween.”

“Shut up,” Nick grumbles. “Don’t tell her anything personal about us.”

“Why?” I taunt. “You don’t wanna get to know little old me?” I pout, batting my eyelashes.

“No,” he snipes. “The last thing I want is to know anything about you. It would mean I’d have to care. And I don’t. You are an inconvenience in our lives, that's it.”

“Nick,” Ian growls. “Enough.”

“And you think I want to be here?” I ask, tightening my grip around the fork in my hand. “You kidnapped me. Why was that?”

“Lapse in judgement. Call it an Alpha’s biology. Smell of your perfume fucked with my head.”

“You mean you found your scent match but instead of acting like a normal Alpha, you kidnapped me, because you didn’t know how to process your emotions. Did Mommy not hug you enough?” I speak to him in baby talk.

Nick growls, low and deep. Oh, I’ve pissed him off. Fear spikes in me, but so does arousal. Why does he have to look so good when he’s pissed?

“Nova. Please,” Ian begs me, looking at me with real fear.

I make a mistake and look away from the beast I’ve angered to glance at Ian, which means I don’t see Nick make his next move. He’s fast, pushing up from the chair.

Real fear hits me as he grabs me by the neck, lifting me up out of my seat and shoving me up against the wall, taking me by surprise.

“Listen here, you little bitch. You better fucking watch your mouth. The only reason you’re still breathing is because I don’t kill women. But every time you fucking talk, I’m getting more and more tempted to break that personal rule.”

He curls his lip back, nostrils flaring as his breathing becomes heavy. He’s just an inch from my face.

A thrill sparks inside me as my heart pounds wildly in my chest. This man just admitted to killing people, yet my fucked up pussy is getting turned on. Being this close to him, I can finally smell his scent. Gingerbread snickerdoodle. Fucking hell, he smells so damn good.

I start to perfume, reacting to his scent and his eyes flare in surprise for a second. His lip peels back. “You’re fucked,” he growls. “You love this, don’t you? Your fucking pussy is dripping for me, isn’t it, Joyrider,” he scoffs. “You're just a dirty little Omega whore, aren’t you?”

“Fuck you.” I spit. Literally, I spit in his face, because how fucking dare he call me a whore. It’s not like I’m reacting to him like this because I want to. I hate this Alpha with every fiber of my being.

I’ve only managed to piss him off more, causing him to tighten his grip around my neck.

“I swear to God, Nick, if you don’t fucking let go of her right now, I’ll kill you,” Ian barks next to us.

“Don’t stop,” I choke out, meaning to taunt him but God, my pussy is fucking wet for him. This is fucked up. I’m fucked up. Is it possible to be able to blame it on cabin fever after only two nights here? “Choke me harder, Daddy.”

He lets go of me with a sound of disgust, dropping me to the ground. I suck in a gasp of air before hysterical laughter bubbles up.

I must have a death wish, or maybe I’m losing my God damn mind. What the fuck was that?

“What is wrong with you?” Nick growls.

“A lot of things,” I choke out, grinning up at him as I rub my hand on my neck. “Like being mated to you for one.”

“We are not mates,” he snarls. “You're just some Omega we picked up on the side of the road. You mean nothing. You are nothing. And when this storm is over, we’re fucking leaving you here, never to be seen again.”

“Good.” I let Ian help me to my feet. “That's if you make it that long.” I grin. “Be careful, Nick. I know where you sleep, and I know where the kitchen knives are.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you.” Nick steps forward, and I get such satisfaction knowing I’m getting to him. I’m causing him to react and lose control. Oh, he has no idea how much reacting to me is a bad idea.

I’m loving it. I need more. It’s going to be a fun new game to pass the time.

Am I stupid and putting myself at risk of being killed like he threatened? Maybe, but something tells me he won’t actually do it. And if he tried, I feel like Ian would stop him.

He already seems wrapped around my little finger.

“Nick. Stop it.” Will steps up, grabbing onto Nick and pulling him back as Nick takes a step forward. Ian shoves me behind him, getting in his brother’s face.

“Don’t fucking touch her, Nick. I swear to God.”

“What are you? Pussy-whipped now?” Nick growls. “Gonna turn your back on me over some Omega pussy?”

“She’s my Omega, Nick. Our Omega. I won’t let you fucking harm her. I don’t care if you're my brother. She’s mine. And I will kill anyone who tries to hurt her. Don’t make me keep my word.”

Something inside my cold, locked up heart swells. Damn it. No one’s ever stuck up for me like that. It’s not helping in my case of hating these Alphas.

I’d be lying to myself if I couldn’t admit that Ian’s different. At first, I thought it might just be an act to fuck with me and get me into bed, but he’s actually sticking up for me to his brother. Someone he's known his whole life over someone he’s known a little over forty-eight-hours.

“Keep a fucking leash on your Omega, Ian, or I’ll keep her locked up like the bitch she is.”

“Woof.” I grin. Ian groans as Nick’s eyes snap over to me.

I have no idea what's gotten into me. This is not like me at all. Maybe it’s the hormones coursing through me with my upcoming heat, maybe it’s me just not giving a fuck anymore. Nick was right. I have nothing.

No mom. No boyfriend. No home, job, or people who would miss me. Sure, I have my best friend, but she has her own life. I’d never think to burden her with my problems.

I have nothing to lose and it seems like that's made me far bolder than I should be. Or maybe I’m just over Alphas thinking they can disrespect me.

Dish it out, Nick, I’ll just hit you back tenfold.

“Come on. Go cool off.” Will pulls him back.

“You better fucking watch yourself, Omega,” Nick snaps before turning around and pushing out the side door.

Ian sighs heavily, turning to look at me. “Really, Nova? Why? Why did you have to pick at him like that?”

“Me?” I narrow my eyes. “He’s the fucking asshole. He has no respect for me at all. He kidnapped me!”

“Yes, we kidnapped you. Can we move past that?” Will asks.

“Ah, no,” I shout back, eyes wild. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“We made a mistake. We should never have taken you. We were wrong. But there’s nothing we can do about that now. We’re stuck up here until the snow stops. And that's not going to be any time soon. If we want to make it out of here alive, can we just learn to get along?” Ian pleads, making me I feel bad. Why do I feel bad? I have no reason to.

“Fine,” I mutter. “As long as he stays away from me, and doesn’t speak to me, I won't talk back. But, if he does, don’t blame me for retaliating.”

“You’re acting like a child, Nova,” Ian mutters.

My brows jump. “Watch your mouth, Alpha, if you ever want that cock of yours anywhere near me again.” I cross my arms and Ian shuts up, snapping his mouth closed.

I want to grin in satisfaction, because fucking hell, I could get used to an Alpha doing what he’s told. Maybe Ian isn’t so bad after all. He’s growing on me.

I wonder if he would be willing to leave his pack for me once we get out of here. Would beat being alone, that’s for sure.

“If you need me, I’m going to go get some wood for the fireplace,” Will interrupts. “They have some left in the shed a little further back on the property. I saw it as I scoped the place out when we first got here.”

“Can I come?” I perk up.

Will’s brows furrow. “To get wood?”

“Yeah, why not? I could use some fresh air. Been locked up for two days now.”

“You act like that’s a long time.” Ian laughs.

“It is for me.” I look over at him. “I’m used to being up at six in the morning everyday and on my feet all day at work before coming home late to sleep and repeat the same thing again the next day. All for my ex to piss away the money I earned,” I mutter with resentment.

I hope he and my mother are happy together. Dick.

Ian’s eyes flash with rage. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore. I’m nothing like that prick of an ex. I make my own money. You won’t have to work as long as you don’t want to.”

“Does it count if you’re making money off stolen goods?” I ask, raising a brow.

He grins. “I have my own real business, thank you very much.” He chuckles.

“Really now? What do you do?” I ask, perking up in interest.

His cheeks heat. “I ah... I own a shop.”

“What kind of shop?”

“A bakery,” he whispers.

My eyes widen. “No fucking way.”

“I know. It’s stupid–”

“No it’s not.” I shake my head. “It’s hot. You know how to bake?”

“Yeah,” he says skeptically like he doesn’t know if I’m being serious or just making fun of him.

“I do too.” I laugh. “Maybe we can naked bake together sometime.”

He breaks out a laugh. “You really are a wonder, aren't you, Nova?”

I shrug. “I’ll never bore you, that’s for sure.”

“I can tell.” He smiles and it warms my well guarded heart. It should have me worried, but I can’t seem to be right now. I like it. He’s handsome. It’s like I’m under a spell.

And I kind of want him to hug me, so I can rub up against him. Nope. Nope we are not scent marking him. Not happening.

“So, that walk?” I ask Will, suddenly needing some air.

With the boots I brought with me, my hat and coat snuggly on me, I follow Will out into the snow.

It’s daytime, but the sun is hidden behind the clouds. The wind isn’t too bad, but the snow is coming down in thick, heavy snowflakes.

It’s a little cold, but not enough to make me want to turn around and head back.

Snow pants would be nice, though. I should have searched the house to see if I could find some, but by the time I was done getting ready and came down to go, Nick came bursting into the house and down to the basement, where he’s been spending most of his time.

What's even down there that could be keeping his attention?

“So, do you have any jobs outside your life of crime?” I ask Will, huffing and puffing to keep up with him.

I’m stepping in his footsteps as he goes to make it easier for me. Doesn’t help much, because my boots are already filled with snow.

“Not really,” he mutters.

“Oh, come on. There’s got to be something you do in between robbing malls.”

I almost stumble into his back as he stops to glare at me over his shoulder.

I just smile up at him innocently.

He huffs, turning back around and continuing to the shed in the distance.

“Not much of a talker are you?” I mumble under my breath.

We walk another few moments in silence, the frosty air nipping at my cheeks.

“Cars,” he says.

I’m confused for a moment, but then I remember my questions.

“You work on cars?”

“And bikes” he says, but he doesn’t elaborate.

“That's pretty cool,” I reply. “Could have used you a few days ago.” I laugh.

He stops again, looking at me with a confused, furrowed brow.

“Before shit hit the fan, and my car got beat to shit. It’s why I stole your van. Although it’s not your van, is it? Stole that too, didn’t you?”

He just glares at me.

“Anyways.” I roll my eyes. “It costs too much to fix. Money that I didn’t have, because my ex gambled or drank it all away. Honestly, it was a hunk of junk anyways, and wasn't worth the money to get it fixed.”

“What did you do?” he asks me, turning back around. “For work, I mean.”

“Waitress. Worked at this pub a few blocks down from my place. My boss was a fucking creep. Worked me too hard, paid me too little, and then harassed me. Tried to fuck me,” I scoff. “Fucking pig. His wife found out. He blamed me, she freaked. I got fired.”

“That’s fucked up,” Will comments.

“Yup, but that's the life of an Omega. No one takes you seriously. To the world we’re weak, in need of being cared for because we can’t do it ourselves. Jokes on them, because I've been doing pretty damn fine taking care of myself all on my own. No Alphas needed. Didn’t need them then, sure as hell don’t need them now.”

We get to the shed. Will doesn’t look my way, but I can see his body stiffening at my words.

Does he know? Does he know how hard it is for me not to reach out and touch him? To demand to know him better, so I can learn how to please my Alpha? To find out why he’s so much more quiet than his brothers.

Does he want me just as badly as I want him?

He sure as hell doesn’t know how amazing it felt to be held by Ian all night. That every worry inside me disappeared, and I had the best sleep of my life.

No matter how much I hate the fact that these Alphas are my scent matches, the fact is, something deep down inside me is betting on the fact they won’t hurt me.

We might not want each other—apart from Ian, who clearly wants me—but the bond between us is stronger than any of us could have expected.

Shaking my head, I follow Will inside.

“For an abandoned place, it sure seems pretty lived in. The house has most of its furniture, the power works, and look at all the stuff they left behind in here,” I say, looking in the shed. It’s filled with tools and other things.

“The person who lived here died. Everything was left behind. The son who owns it lives overseas.”

“Did some research, huh?” I ask, slowly letting my eyes check the place out.

“We take our job seriously. The media might have made a joke by coming up with that God awful name, but we do what we do well. Never been caught, always making out with at least a few hundred grand per year.”

“Not bad.” I nod my head, not sure why the fuck I’m complimenting these criminals on their robbing skills.

“Thanks,” Will chuckles softly.

My eyes drift toward his back as he grabs something from one of the shelves. His red curls peek out from under his hat.

His smell invades the small room and my pussy cramps. Damn him for smelling so good.

Ripping my gaze away from him, I grin when I find a sled. “Look.” I grab the wooden sled and grunt when I realize how heavy it is.

Will is over to me in a second, grabbing it. “Nice work,” he says. “This will help a lot with bringing the wood back to the house.”

I preen. I fucking preen at his praise before horror slips over my face.

Huffing at myself in annoyance, I follow after him and help load up the sled.

“I’m sorry,” Will tells me after a few minutes of silence.

“Sorry about what?” My brows furrow as I look over at him.

“For Nick. He’s not actually going to hurt you. He might be a dangerous man, but it would take a hell of a lot for him to hurt a woman.”

“He sure did look like he wanted to strangle me,” I mutter as I keep putting wood on the sled.

“Oh, he did.” Will chuckles. “And a whole lot of other things. Your mouth,” Will says low.

My eyes flick up to his and my belly flutters. “What about my mouth?”

His eyes drop to my lips and warmth blooms in my belly. Everything inside me screams for him to kiss me.

“The way you talk to him.” He clears his throat, eyes darting up to mine. “It only turns him on more.”

My lips part in surprise. “Really?”

He grins. “Don’t tell me you weren’t dripping when he shoved you up against that wall. We all smelled you, Nova.”

My cheeks heat, and I look away. “It’s because he’s my scent match and was touching me. It’s nothing more than that. I have no control over my reactions.”

He hums and goes back to loading the sled.

“Do you hate me as much as he does?” I ask Will as we pull the sled back to the house. More like he’s pulling it and I’m trailing next to him. He’s making a new path as I walk in the footprints he made on our way here.

“I don’t hate you, Nova,” he answers, not looking at me. “I don’t even know you.”

“Do you want to?” Why am I asking him that? I don’t care what he thinks of me. I don’t.

Yet, as I wait for him to answer, I feel like I’m losing my mind.

“What's the point? You don’t want anything to do with us after we leave here. It’s better if we don’t.”

Hurt blooms in my chest. “Yeah. Right.”

He comes to a stop. “Ian has himself convinced you’re going to be his.”

“Really?” Why does that send a bolt of excitement through me?

“I know you don’t want an Alpha, you made it clear enough. But I can promise you, Ian is the best choice if you were to pick one. The fact is, we’re scent matched, and if you're not at least with one of us during your heat, you're going to set yourself up for a long life of complications. Long term suppressants can fuck up an Omega’s body. And being put under during your heat is just as bad, if not worse. Don’t punish yourself by denying something you want because Alphas in the past have screwed you over.”

My eyes narrow as my nostrils flare. How dare he tell me how I should and shouldn’t feel. “It’s not just that. I have no interest in being some Omega for Alphas to breed and control. I will not keep my mouth shut and be a good girl. I am who I am, and I will not change for anyone.”

“The time you spent with Ian, has he ever once told you to shut up, to watch your mouth, or tell you to not do something?” Will’s eyes narrow. I don’t say anything, my heart pounding because I know the answer is no. “Exactly, because Ian isn’t like that. He’s never been like that. He’s not looking for an Omega to fuck, breed, and control.”

“Why are you so okay with your brother being with me, even if it means leaving your pack?”

“Because I love my brother. This life we live, he’s never wanted any of it. He might be able to spill blood alongside us, but it doesn’t mean he likes it. He wants a life with someone he can love, spoil, and worship. He’s been dreaming of an Omega and would have already had one if it wasn’t for us. We’re the reason why he held off on his happiness. But now he’s found his scent match, and I can’t take that away from him. Nick might not like it, but he would learn to let it go.”

I look away, biting my lips together to stop myself from asking him why he doesn't want to fight for me to be his. Because I don’t care what he thinks. I don’t care if he wants me.

Lies, lies, lies.

“We might have just met, but you know how the world works for Alphas and Omegas. It moves fast, in a blink of an eye our lives change. Nick and I, it‘s not something we want. Not anytime soon. Our lives are far more complicated than you know. But Ian? He wants it so bad. He would be the perfect Alpha for you. Never asking you to change, always being by your side no matter what, and worshipping you like you deserve.”

My eyes flick up to his, and my heart yearns for him. I want him to shut up. To stop talking, because damn it! He’s right. Ian has let me take control, not once complaining. If anything, he loved it.

Unlike his older, asshole brother, he doesn’t care about how I am.

“Anyway. It’s something to think about. Because reality is, Nova—and you said as much yourself, so don’t shoot me for saying this—you don’t have anything once we leave here. No house, no job, I’m assuming no family?” he asks, his tone isn’t mean or judgmental.

I nod. “Then what do you have to lose by giving in to an Alpha who would make you his whole world?”

Will turns around, heading toward the house, leaving me standing there unable to move.

He’s right. What do I have to lose?

Ian is nothing like the Alphas I’ve come to hate. Yes, he could fuck me over like Trip did. Like every other man I’ve been with has. But this is different. They are different. My scent matches.

And while Nick and Will might not want me, Ian does.

So why not take what’s meant to be mine?

“Fucking hell. I’m falling for an Alpha,” I groan. And you know what, it’s not the end of the world, is it?