The Alpha Who Stole My Christmas

ISLA The Night Everything Changed At first, I didn’t notice the cold. All I felt was the pressure in my chest, it was heavy, sharp and almost choking as I pushed myself out of the lodge and into the snowy night. The sound of Christmas music drifted slowly behind me, like it was indirectly mocking me. Students were inside the building, laughing and dancing, some kissing under the mistletoe. About an hour ago, I had been laughing too with my friends and colleagues, hoping that the night would be magical. Then, I went upstairs to check on my boyfriend, who had been using the restroom for more than thirty minutes and had yet to return. My heart broke when I found him pressed against another girl. Her hands grabbed his hair, his mouth on her neck as she moaned his name. Both of them were so lost in each other that they didn’t hear me when I walked in. My heart broke into so many pieces, like a glass falling off a table and hitting the floor before you can catch it. One second, it was whole, the next, it was shattered into pieces. What made it worse was the embarrassment that came after. Everyone who had seen my face at the party. They had seen their faces and they all knew what had happened. I hated the looks of pity they gave as I ran out. My boots crunched loudly in the snow as I walked faster, trying to get away from the party as fast as possible. I didn’t know where I was going, but I wanted to get far away, and I didn’t care where I ended up. I just needed a place to finally breathe. I was stupid. Stupid. Stupid. “You should’ve known,” I whispered to myself. I walked into a dark dense forest just behind the lodge, but I wasn’t afraid. The moon was bright enough to provide light along the lonely path. The trees were tall and silent along the way, like they were listening to my pain. The snow covered the ground in a thick, soft layer. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I walked. The signs were there but I had ignored them. He had told me not to worry about her, he said she was just a friend and nothing more. I was so stupid to have believed him all this time. The cold started seeping in through my clothes, but I didn’t turn back. If I did, I would have to see him. I’d have to hear the baseless excuses he wanted to give and I wasn’t ready for that yet. Suddenly, I heard a crack behind me. A branch snapping in the woods. I froze. Maybe it was just a deer or a squirrel, or….. I heard the snap again. This time it was closer. My heart jumped into my throat. I turned around swiftly, scanning the trees for any suspicious movements. Silence. “Hello,” I called. I regretted it immediately. My voice sounded shaky and small. Silence again. But the forest felt heavier. Like someone was watching me from the shadows. Then I heard it. A low growl. It wasn’t loud, nor angry, just a deep, rumbling sound that rolled through the forest and sank into my bones. Every instinct in e wanted me to fun but my legs wouldn’t fvcking move. I stared at the shadows between the trees, my heart racing, waiting, barely breathing. And then, he stepped out of the shadows. A man. Tall. Broad. Mid thirties maybe. He moved slowly with so much confidence that it made my stomach twist. The moonlight shone on his shoulders first, then proceeded to reveal his face. Strong jaw. Dark hair. His features were too sharp like he was made out fro something other than flesh. Snowflakes rested on his eyelashes and his hair, but he didn’t seem to be bothered by the cold. Then my eyes met his. His eyes. They glowed, not too brightly but enough for me to see the gold glow in them. His eyes looked warm, strange and….hungry. “Are you lost?” I asked softly, though a part of me knew the answer. He took a few steps closer. His was deep, soothing and warm. “No,” he said. “But you are, human.” Human. Like he wasn’t human too. A cold shiver ran down my spine but it wasn’t from the cold. He wasn’t wearing a jacket. just a dark shirt that exposed his chest and arms. Snowflakes melted the moment touched him. How was that even possible? “What are you doing out here this late?” he asked, his voice a low growl. I swallowed hard. “I’m fine. I was just…just taking a walk.” his eyes scanned me slowly but careful, like he was studying every detail. “You don’t look fine. You’re crying,” he said calmly. I wiped my cheeks quickly. “I know.” He stepped closer again. Not to scare me, but close enough for me to feel his warmth. “i heard you a mile away,” he said. “You’re hurt.” His words were simple but they cut through me. I bit my lips, trying to hold back the tears. Then, he breathed in. It was slight but I noticed it. His nostrils flared, his jaw tightened and sudden;y, something flashed through his golden eyes, like heat, shock or something wild. “Your scent,” he murmured. “it’s unique..I…” “My what?” I interrupted. Before he could answer, a familiar voice echoed through the trees. “Isla. Isla…Please wait. Let’s talk abour this! Where are you?” My stomach clenched in pain and anger as my ex stumbled into view. His hair was still messy, his shirt half buttoned. He looked pissed like I was the one who had ruined his night. “There you are,” he said, breathless. “Let me explain, Isla.” “No, ” the strange man said, his voice steady but sharp. My ex stopped, his eyes wide when he realised I wasn’t alone. “Who the fvck is he?” he snapped, glaring at the stranger. the stranger standing beside me didn’t even look at him. His gaze was fixed on me, his eyes glowing brighter. “Someone who doesn’t like the way you spoke her name.” My ex scoffed. “Who the fvck do you think you are?” he snarled. “Back off. This is between me and my woman.” “She’s not yours anymore,” the strange man growled. That sound wasn’t human. It vibrated through the air, deep and dangerous. “You lost her the moment you touched another.” My ex went pale. “Did you just growl at me? What are you, some kind of psycho?” The stranger finally turned to face him. His expression was calm. Too calm. “Leave now,” he said. “Leave before I forget that killing you would cause her pain.” I froze. My breath caught. My ex stumbled back. Who was this man? I was terrified but I didn’t run. I felt a strange warmth spread through my chest. I was terrified but felt safe, seen. It didn’t make sense. I didn’t even know who this man was. Then the pull hit me. A sudden warm tugged deep inside me, like an invisible thread wrapping around y heart and pulling me toward him. My breath hitched. y knees felt weak. The stranger inhaled sharply, his eyes locking onto mine with intensity. “You felt it too,” he whispered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I stuttered, though inside me, I knew what he was talking about. He stepped closer slowly, giving me the chance to move away if I wanted. But I didn’t move an inch, I couldn’t. he reached out his hand but he didn’t touch me. His hand just hovered near y cheek, close enough for me to feel the heat of his skin. “Who are you?” I rasped. “Someone who should’ve found you sooner,” he said, his voice coming out rough like he had been hurt. His golden eye burned brighter. “MATE.” The word sent a cold chill down my spine. “What?” I swallowed hard. He exhaled. “You’re my mate,” he whispered. “But you’re human. What game is the moon goddess playing at?” Moon goddess? My head was spinning now. “Get away from me,” I mumbled. My pulse pounded in my ears. I had heard of creatures who believed in the moon goddess as their supreme ruler. Werewolves. But to me, they were just myths. Werewolves didn’t exist, those were made up bedtime stories to keep kids in bed. “I feel you. Every heartbeat. Every breath,” he said softly. “You’re human, ain’t you?” I asked, taking a few steps back now. “I can’t explain everything to you, but you need to come with me,” he said. I stumbled back. “No…..no, I don’t know you.” Hie eyes follwed me, sharp and inrense. “You will.” “I don’t want to!” My voice cracked. The cold finally rushing into my lungs, burning. “Stay away from me. You’re scaring me.” His expression changed. It wasn’t softer, it was different. Like a mix of frustration, shock and possessive. “I never wanted a human mate myself but know that I would never hurt you,” he said, low and certain. “Stop with the human thing,” I snapped. “We’re both human.” He scoffed. “Sorry darling, I’m not your kind.”