The Alpha's Christmas Kiss

3.

Chapter 3: Twists in the Dance

The music swells as we make our way to the center of the dance floor. My heart beats faster with each step. I tell myself it’s just the excitement of being at a Christmas party, but deep down, I know it’s more than that. Being this close to them, the triplet Alphas—Trevor, Seven, and Ace—it feels different. The air between us crackles with an energy I can’t quite explain.

Trevor moves in first, his hand sliding to my waist, his fingers warm against my skin. He grins down at me, and I can’t help but feel a little shy under his gaze. "Don’t worry, I’ll lead," he says, his voice low and confident, but there’s a softness in it, a reassurance that makes me feel at ease.

"I’m not worried," I reply, though my voice feels small against the thumping bass of the music. I’ve never been much of a dancer. I usually avoid the spotlight, but tonight feels different. Maybe it’s the holiday spirit, or maybe it’s something about them—the way they all look at me as if I matter.

Seven steps in, joining us on the dance floor, his smile wide and infectious. "So, Jess," he says, spinning me around with a playful twirl. "How does it feel to be the center of attention for once?"

I laugh, my cheeks flushing slightly. "I don’t know," I admit, trying to keep my voice steady. "It’s... new."

He chuckles, holding me steady. "It’s good though, right? You should let go and have fun. You don’t have to worry about anything tonight."

I nod, the tension in my body slowly easing. Seven has a way of making everything seem effortless. There’s a charm about him that’s hard to resist. I glance up at Trevor, who’s watching me with a knowing look, as if he’s seen through the act I’ve been putting on for the past few months. But when I meet his gaze, I look away quickly.

Ace appears beside us, his presence steadying the ground beneath me. He places a hand on my back, guiding me through the steps. His touch is light, but his fingers press just enough to send a shiver down my spine. His eyes lock with mine, and for a moment, everything else fades away.

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this before," Ace says, his voice smooth and rich, like dark chocolate.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my words stumbling as my breath catches in my throat.

He grins, a slow, knowing smile. "Relaxed. Happy. I like it."

I raise an eyebrow, a little flustered by his comment. "Maybe I’m just trying to fit in."

He leans in a little closer, lowering his voice so only I can hear. "You don’t have to try so hard, Jessica. You already belong."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, a mixture of warmth and vulnerability swirling inside me. I want to argue, to tell him he’s wrong, but instead, I bite my lip and look away.

"Hey, no fair!" Seven interrupts, a playful whine in his voice. "Don’t hog all the attention, Ace. She’s mine for this song!"

Ace chuckles, stepping back slightly. "Alright, alright, you can have her. But don’t think I’m done with her just yet."

I watch Ace walk away, a strange longing welling up inside me. He’s different from Trevor and Seven. There’s something guarded about him, something I can’t quite figure out. But it’s intriguing. More than that, it’s maddening.

Trevor pulls me back into the dance, his movements fluid and natural. "So, Jessica," he says casually, as if we’re talking about the weather. "What do you do when you’re not at school or hanging out with Claire?"

I blink, taken off guard by the question. "I don’t know," I reply slowly. "I mostly just... read, I guess."

"Ah, the quiet type," Trevor teases. "I could’ve guessed that."

I roll my eyes, though there’s a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "What about you? What do you do when you’re not being the life of the party?"

He shrugs nonchalantly. "Work, mostly. Family stuff. You know, keeping the business running."

I nod, but there’s a nagging feeling in my chest. "Business? What kind of business?"

Trevor glances at me, an almost unreadable expression on his face. "Family business. Nothing you’d be interested in."

I don’t push further, sensing that there’s something he’s not telling me. It’s just like him—always keeping things close to the chest. But for some reason, it makes me more curious.

The song changes, and Seven pulls me into another spin, making me laugh out loud. The tension between us disappears for a moment, and I feel myself getting lost in the rhythm.

"You know," Seven says, his tone playful, "this whole ‘being the center of attention’ thing suits you. Maybe you should think about stepping out of your comfort zone more often."

I stop mid-step, looking up at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you’ve been hiding, Jessica," he says seriously, his voice softening. "You don’t have to keep playing it safe. You deserve to live a little."

I swallow hard, feeling my pulse quicken. "I’m just... not like you guys," I mutter, my voice barely above a whisper. "You’re all so... confident. So sure of yourselves."

Seven’s gaze softens. "You think we’ve got it all figured out?" He shakes his head. "Trust me, Jessica, none of us have it all together. But we’re figuring it out. Together."

His words catch me off guard. I’ve never thought of them as anything other than the untouchable triplets—too perfect, too confident, too... everything. But Seven’s words hang in the air, challenging me to rethink everything I’ve believed about myself.

The song ends, and the lights dim slightly, casting a soft glow over the dance floor. I step back, trying to catch my breath, and suddenly, Ace is standing in front of me again.

"I’m going to take a break," he says, his voice still low and steady. "Would you like to join me?"

I hesitate, unsure. "A break? From the dance floor?"

Ace smiles, his eyes glinting with mischief. "From all the noise, yeah. I think you could use some fresh air."

I glance over at Trevor and Seven, both of whom are laughing and talking to some of their friends. They don’t seem to notice that I’m slipping away.

I look back at Ace, who’s waiting patiently, his hand extended toward me. "I guess a break sounds nice."

He leads me away from the crowded dance floor, and we step into the cool night air. The Christmas lights twinkle around the yard, casting a warm glow over everything. The sound of the music fades into the background, leaving only the sound of our footsteps on the gravel path.

We walk in silence for a few moments, the cold air biting at my skin, but somehow, being with Ace makes me feel warmer. He doesn’t say anything at first, but I can tell he’s watching me, studying me.

"You’re not like them, are you?" he finally asks, his voice quiet but intense.

I look up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Trevor and Seven, they’re used to being in the spotlight. They thrive on it." He pauses, his eyes darkening slightly. "You... you’re different. You don’t want the attention. But for some reason, it’s like you’re being drawn to us anyway."

I swallow hard, not sure how to respond. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Ace’s eyes search mine, like he’s trying to unravel the mystery of me. "You can’t hide it, Jessica," he says softly. "We see you. All of you. And for once, I think you should let yourself be seen."