A Triple Bond from Mistletoe

(Rose POV) The music pulses through the crowded gym, the heavy beat vibrating in my chest, but none of it seems to reach me. I stand off to the side, alone amidst a sea of couples and laughter, the Christmas decorations twinkling around me, mocking my isolation. It’s supposed to be a night of joy, of celebration. But here I am, drowning in my own thoughts, watching the world spin around me. Everyone else is paired off. The slow-dance tunes flow seamlessly as couples sway together, whispering sweet nothings, wrapped in each other’s arms. I glance at them, trying not to show the ache in my chest, the cold emptiness that fills me. It's been this way since... since he left. My ex, Thomas, the one I once thought would be my forever, has already found his true mate. They dance together, wrapped up in each other’s gaze, while I’m left behind in the shadow of my own unfulfilled promises. His absence is a weight on my heart, heavier than I ever imagined it would be. He said we’d have a future together. He swore it. But here I am, abandoned. Alone. And the worst part? He doesn’t even glance my way. He doesn’t know that I’m falling apart on the inside. Or maybe he does. Maybe he’s just too absorbed in his new mate to care. The mistletoe above catches my eye, its green leaves glistening under the fluorescent lights. I haven’t even noticed it until now, hanging just above the center of the dance floor, like a cruel reminder of how much I've been left out of the holiday spirit, out of love, out of everything. It’s a tradition, they say. Stand under the mistletoe, and you’re bound to get a kiss. I scoff at the idea. As if anyone would kiss me tonight. But then I feel it. The subtle shift in the air, like a change in the atmosphere. Something electric, something unfamiliar. I turn, my eyes meeting three pairs of dark, penetrating gazes. The Nightshade triplets. Axel. Damon. Leo. They stand together, as they always do, their presence as imposing as it is undeniable. The three of them are legends at this school, notorious for their mysterious charm and untouchable nature. They’re the alpha triplets, the heirs to the Nightshade pack, and no one dares get too close. They have this air of danger surrounding them, like they could destroy you without lifting a finger. But they’re also... captivating. Axel’s dark hair falls across his forehead, his sharp jawline giving him an almost predatory appearance. His eyes gleam with a knowing look, like he’s seen everything yet nothing fazes him. He’s the leader of the three, and everyone in the room can sense it. Damon, on the other hand, is more reserved, his gaze brooding, constantly observing the room with quiet intensity. He’s the type of person who doesn’t need to speak to make his presence felt. And then there’s Leo. The youngest of the three, with a playful smile and an aura of mischief, yet there’s something darker lurking beneath his charismatic exterior. I don’t know why I’m staring at them, why my heart begins to beat faster, as if drawn by some invisible force. They’re the triplets—the untouchable alphas. And I’m... well, I’m Rose Blackwood. The girl who’s been cast aside, forgotten in the midst of their power. They start walking toward me, and my breath catches in my throat. I try to convince myself it’s nothing, that they’re probably just passing by, but deep down, I know better. Their steps are deliberate, each one bringing them closer, the space around me growing thicker with their presence. My mind races. Why are they coming towards me? They never interact with people like me. They’re the rulers of this high school, and I’m the girl who blends into the background. The girl who got dumped by her ex in favor of a new, better match. I don’t belong here, in this world of power and dominance. But as they stop in front of me, I feel the weight of their gaze, all three of them looking at me, their eyes intense, calculating, and yet there’s something else in them. Something that almost feels... tender. “You look like you could use a dance,” Axel says, his voice low, smooth as velvet. I can barely catch my breath as he speaks. His words hang in the air like a challenge. But it’s not just any challenge—it’s an invitation. My heart stutters in my chest. I can’t breathe. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Damon’s voice cuts through the tension, deep and rich with authority. His dark eyes study me, lingering on my lips for just a moment before moving back to meet my gaze. There’s something strange in his stare, something possessive, almost as if he’s already claimed a piece of me. Leo leans in, his mischievous grin spreading across his face. “Why not? You’re standing alone anyway. It’s the perfect opportunity.” Before I can even react, Axel takes my hand, his touch sending a shock of warmth through me. It’s like fire and ice combined, electrifying and cold at the same time. He pulls me toward the center of the dance floor, the crowd parting around us like the Red Sea. I can’t think, can’t process what’s happening. My body moves almost of its own accord, my feet following Axel’s lead, my mind consumed by the strange sensations pulsing through me. Damon and Leo flank me, their presence an undeniable force on either side. We’re surrounded by music, by bodies moving and swaying, but none of it matters. The only thing I can focus on is the fact that I’m here, with them. Dancing with the three most powerful alphas in the school, when just a moment ago, I was nothing. Just another invisible face in the crowd. Axel pulls me closer, his chest brushing mine, and I feel my heart skip a beat. His eyes meet mine, intense and searching. “Rose,” he murmurs, as though tasting my name on his tongue. His lips are dangerously close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “We’ve been watching you for a while.” The words make my stomach flip. Watching me? Why? Before I can respond, Damon steps forward, his hand resting on the small of my back. His touch is firm, possessive, and I can’t help the shiver that runs down my spine. “You’re not just anyone, Rose,” he says quietly, his voice a low rasp. “You’re different.” I don’t understand. What could they possibly want with someone like me? But before I can question them further, Leo steps in front of me, his hands cupping my face as he tilts my head back slightly, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes are filled with mischief, but there’s something darker behind them—something I can’t quite place. And then, in one smooth motion, they kiss me. First Axel, his lips claiming mine with an intensity that almost knocks me off my feet, leaving behind a tingling warmth that spreads through my chest. Then Damon, his kiss slow and deliberate, his lips lingering on mine longer than I expected, as if marking me in some way I don’t fully understand. And finally Leo, his kiss playful but somehow possessive, the imprint of his touch like a brand on my skin. Each kiss leaves an undeniable mark on me, a connection I can’t explain, a bond that feels both foreign and familiar at the same time. When they finally pull away, I’m left breathless, confused, and dazed. The music swirls around me, but I feel like I’m in a dream. A fevered, impossible dream. What just happened? What was that? I stare at them, my body trembling, and for the first time in a long time, I feel... seen. Not just by anyone, but by them. The Nightshade triplets. Alphas. Powerful. Dangerous. And yet, for some reason, I don’t want to run away. I don’t want to reject them, even though I know I should. I should push them away, tell them they’re wrong, that this isn’t supposed to happen. But I can’t. Because deep down, I know that whatever this is—whatever bond we’ve just forged—it’s real. And I’m terrified of what that means.