Chapter 9

Nova

The men are in the basement, doing God knows what with the stuff they stole from the mall. Inventory maybe?

Whatever it is, they left me upstairs to do my own thing. I’ve been watching a movie, but I’m already bored.

Maybe it’s the curiosity of them being down in the basement that has my mind straying. Maybe it’s the fact that I’ve had Ian by my side, pretty much every moment since yesterday, after Will and I brought the wood back to the house.

I hate to admit it, but I haven’t hated the attention. Sure, he’s a little much at moments, but fuck, the Omega in me loves being cared for. For once in my life, it’s not all about what I can do for someone else.

I hated what Alphas stood for, when the whole time I was dating a Beta who was treating me pretty much the same way. Maybe I’m a hypocrite, because Ian is not at all what I’ve seen in other Alphas.

It’s been three full days since we’ve gotten here, and I’m already feeling the cabin fever kicking in.

Okay, maybe that’s a tad bit dramatic. I just hate sitting still. I don’t remember the last time I had time off work that allowed me to just sit and watch TV for a few days straight. It’s not something I’m used to.

Sure, it’s nice not to be working long hours, waiting on people who don’t give a fuck about you. But I liked being on my feet, keeping myself busy.

I’ve been boredom-eating, and I’m fearing for my health. At this point, we’re going to run out of chips and cookies before the storm is over.

And to top it all off, that asshole Nick locked me in the house. That's right– in . I guess the fucker found some locks, from Gods know where, and installed them while I was sleeping.

Both the front and back door have locks on them. What a dumbass. Does he really think I’m going to take off? It’s freezing out, the snow is at least up to my tits by this point, and I have no idea where we are.

I’m not going anywhere.

He’s just being a dick because of how I acted with him yesterday. Pussy.

“Ugh,” I mutter, tossing the remote onto the couch. I’m bored, kind of tired, and a little bit horny.

I’m sure Ian would love to help me out with that one, but honestly, tiredness beats horniness, so I head up stairs to take a nap. Because why the fuck not? There’s nothing else to do around here.

Sure, being kidnapped could be a hell of a lot worse. I could still be locked in the bedroom. I'm still waiting for Nick to do that again. Thankfully, Ian would let me out if he did.

Once I’m in the room, my nose wrinkles. It still smells like sex and Ian’s maple syrup scent.

Going over to the window, I open it, letting a little bit of the cool breeze in to air the room out. It’s not that I hate the smell–no, it’s the opposite. I like it. Too much. I won’t get any sleep if my room smells like this.

As I’m headed to the bathroom to use it before bed, I hear a meow.

I pause, brows furrowing. “What the hell?” I hear it again and my eyes widen as I rush to the window.

Opening it wider, I stick my head out and listen. Meoooow. There it is again, the sound of a small kitten crying.

“What the hell is a cat doing out there?” I mutter. “Here, kitty kitty,” I call out and make a pss-pss-pss sound.

I try to search for the cat, but the snow is still coming down, making it hard to see outside.

But then I see it, a little white and black thing moving around a nearby tree. It cries out again, trying to climb it, searching for shelter.

“Oh my God,” I gasp. “It’s a kitten. A friggin kitten.” The cat distribution Gods have blessed me.

With a burst of excitement, I run downstairs, skidding to a halt when I see the lock on the door. “Fuck.” I could ask Nick to unlock it, but he seems like the kind of guy who wouldn’t give a shit, and let the poor baby freeze just out of spite. I could ask one of the other guys, but fuck it. No time. Who knows how long that baby has been out there. Nope, I’m gonna get it on my own.

Grabbing my coat, I quickly slip on my boots. I could use the window in the kitchen, but with the snowfall last night, it’s completely covered.

The windows in the living room don’t open, so that means using the window in my room.

I run back up the stairs, into my room, and open the window as wide as I can.

This is crazy. I’m crazy.

Still, I duck down and step out onto the snowy rooftop. Thankfully, it’s not too high up; only a one story drop if I fall. The snow makes it seem like the ground is a lot closer, though. Looking over at the drain pipe, I decide to just slide down it and into the snow.

Inching across the roof carefully, I hear the baby cry.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m coming. Don’t go anywhere!”

That excitement from before turns to fear of falling. Grabbing onto the drain pipe, I do my best to get a hold of it. Of course it’s not as easy as they make it look in the damn movies, because the moment I put my whole weight on it, I slip.

A scream rips out of me as I free fall backwards. Slamming my eyes shut, I think this is it, this is how I die.

But I land in the cold snow with a grunt. Then I start to panic, because I’m completely engulfed in snow.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I shout as I dig myself out of the snow. When my head meets the surface I gasp for air.

“Stupid, Nova. Stupid cat!” I shout, then hear the meowing. “No, not stupid cat,” I sigh, struggling to get the rest of my body out of the snow.

It’s so damn cold. There’s snow everywhere. In my pants, shirt, boots, down my back. And snow melting on warm skin isn’t fun.

My hands are freezing by the time I get out and to my feet. Stupid me didn’t grab mittens amidst the excitement.

Putting my hands together, I blow hot air into them as I do my best to shake the snow out of my hair.

“I’m coming,” I call out to the kitty as I trudge my way through the snow. “Fucking hell, this is one hell of a way to get a work out.” I pant with every step, and it feels like I’m walking for hours as I trudge through the short distance between the house and the tree.

When I finally reach the cat, I smile, crouching down a few feet away so I don't scare it. “Hey, sweetie.” I hold my hand out. The cat turns to look at me, and I see that it’s not just any cat, but a Ragdoll kitten. “Oh my God,” I squeal. “You are just too cute.” It screams out a meow before running over to me. I scoop it up. “That's it. Hi, baby,” I coo.

“What the fuck is going on!” Nick’s booming voice fills the air.

I don’t give a shit, I’m smiling ear to ear. Spinning around, I hold up the sweet baby like a prize.

“It’s a Christmas miracle!” I cheer.

All three Alphas stand outside the back door, staring at me in confusion. Well, Nick’s is more like anger, but when is that asshole ever not pissed off? I bet some kitty cuddles would melt his cold heart.

Or he would just kill it. He seems like someone who would kick puppies for the fun of it. Nope, keeping this baby away from the mean Alpha.

“Get the fuck back here. Now!” Nick barks. Thankfully, I’m so far away it doesn’t have the effect on me that it would if I was closer. Oh, this man would not want to see how I react to an Alpha bark. Not today, Satan.

“Don’t worry about him. He’s a big meany pants. Feel free to hiss at him, scratch him, and piss in his shoes.” I kiss the sweet little bundle of fur in my arms.

It purrs, rubbing its head against my face. Ugh, I’m already in love. Who needs Alphas when I can just become the crazy cat Omega .

It takes a little bit to make it through the snow. My eyes are on the guys, but I can’t keep the smile off my face. I’m so damn happy. Not only did I save this little one, but I have a new friend.

Kinda sad when you think about it, but oh well.

Ian is watching with a smirk-like grin on his face, Will looks unsure, and Nick looks three seconds away from strangling me again. Ha, jokes on him, I almost got off on that.

“What were you thinking?” Nick snaps. “How did you even get out? The doors were locked.”

“Trust me, I know,” I grumble back. His blond hair blows in the wind, making him look like a model doing a photoshoot. Stupid sexy Alpha. Why couldn’t he be ugly? It would make it easier for me not to want to jump his bones.

“I crawled out the window.”

“What window?” Ian asks, brows furrowed.

“My bedroom one.” I shrug as if it’s not a big deal.

“Are you fucking crazy!” Nick snaps.

“Depends on the day.” I grin.

“I’m going to fucking strangle you,” he growls, taking a step forward.

“Careful big guy, didn’t think you were on the orgasm wagon.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “Because if you handle me like that again, I’ll be slicking up my panties.”

“You're a slut,” he snaps.

“At least I’m getting some.”

His face falls, eyes snapping over to Will. “Not me.” He holds his hands up, shaking his head. Nick looks to Ian who only has a small bit of guilt in his eyes.

“Sorry, bro, but have you seen her?” Ian sighs. “She’s a bombshell and my scent match. I’d be fucking crazy not to want her.”

“Yeah, Nick. Crazy. Just like you.” I’m loving this far too much. Some excitement is needed. And I’m still running off adrenaline.

“Says the Omega who jumped out a fucking window to get a rat!”

“Hey! It’s a cat, you idiot.” I hold the little ball of fur up and she lets out a hiss at Nick. “Aww, who’s a good baby,” I coo, peppering her with kisses. “So quick to train.” I look back up to Nick. “And I didn’t jump, I fell.”

“I can’t. I fucking can’t!” Nick roars before storming back into the house.

“What's up his ass?” I mutter to the other two.

“Nova, baby, can you please come inside now. It’s taking everything in me to fight my Alpha nature and scoop you up and protect you, but I’m trying to respect your wishes to be your own person, and I feel like me smothering you would not be good.”

“Damn it, Ian,” I sigh.

“What?” He blinks at me.

“You’re not going to say all the right things and make me fall for you, okay?” I glare at him.

His face slowly brightens, his lips lifting up in a smirk. “Sorry, baby, but no can do,” he says as his smirk grows.

“I’m not going to fall for you,” I warn him, even though I’m already halfway there.

“We’ll see.” He winks.

“I’m going to go grab the cat stuff from the basement,” Will sighs in annoyance.

“Cat stuff?” My eyes light up. “Oh my God, it was meant to be!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Will mutters as he disappears.

Stepping inside the house, I hand the cat over to Ian. He’s grinning like a fool, petting the kitten as she rubs against his face. “I think she likes me.”

“Traitor.” I glare at the little ball of fur.

“Don’t listen to her,” Ian says to the kitten. “You like me just like your mama does.”

“I’m keeping her,” I tell them before any of them expect me to put her back outside.

“Well, yeah.” Ian’s eyes widen. “I’d never dream of letting this little one go back in the snow. She’s so damn cute.”

“She?”

Ian lifts her up, taking a look at her back side. “Yup. She. What are you going to name her?”

“She looks a like a Duchess, doesn’t she?”

He lifts her up and looks her in the eyes. “I think you're right. Duchess it is.”

I stand there, taking my coat off as I watch Ian leave with the kitten, baby talking to her. Damn it, fucking damn it. This man, this Alpha, is making it so damn hard to resist him. He’s perfect. Too perfect. There’s got to be some kind of catch.

“Screwed, aren't you?” Will’s voice makes me jump.

“I don’t know what you're talking about.” I cross my arms and glare at him.

“Mhhmm.” Will chuckles. “This is what I found.” He places a cat bed, some toys, and a litter pan on the table. “This is one of those travel, one-time use litter box things. But as long as you clean it, it should last us until we get out of here. I’m not sure how old the dry food is, though. But I did find some canned cat food. It should be good. Whoever lived here before had to have a few cats. They have everything downstairs.”

“Like I said, Christmas miracle. She was meant to be mine. And if you or your asshole brother try to take her from me, or put her outside, I’ll chop your dicks off,” I promise.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “You sure are a scary little Omega, aren't you?”

“Wanna find out?” I huff.

“Nope,” he says before leaving me with the cat stuff.

Tears of happiness fill me as I smile, listening to Duchess’ little meows. They might think I’m joking about this being a Christmas miracle. But they didn’t know how many years I asked Santa for a cat, how long I craved having a furry little friend. And how every year, I never got one.

Now I do. I have something to love that loves me back without disappointing me or letting me down.