Three Alphas for Christmas

Chapter Seven: Business as (Not Quite) Usual.

Amelia’s Restlessness

Amelia had always prided herself on being a woman of action. Her career was built on her ability to think three steps ahead, pivot when challenges arose, and outwork the competition. Yet, as she sat in the Blackwoods’ sprawling countryside estate, surrounded by rustic charm, her carefully cultivated composure faltered.

The estate was beautiful, the kind of place that belonged on a holiday card. Vaulted ceilings adorned with garlands, fireplaces in every room casting a warm glow, and windows framing a snow-covered forest—every detail was perfect. But for all its charm, it wasn’t home. And for the first time in years, Amelia felt restless.

She wrapped her fingers around a steaming cup of coffee, the warmth battling the chill that lingered in her bones. Outside, snowflakes drifted lazily, blanketing the world in silence. Inside, the holiday cheer of the Blackwoods’ decorating frenzy had left the house feeling alive. Yet Amelia couldn’t shake the sense of unease, the feeling that she didn’t belong in this picture-perfect scene.

Her laptop was her escape. Work was the one thing she could control in a world that had been turned upside down. As the triplets busied themselves elsewhere, Amelia threw herself into reviewing reports, catching up on emails, and reworking her strategy for the upcoming quarter. Each keystroke was a reassurance that her world hadn’t completely spiraled out of control.

Yet, even as she immersed herself in her tasks, she could feel the weight of their watchful presence. It was subtle—the faint echo of footsteps, the occasional creak of the floorboards—but it was there. A quiet reminder that she wasn’t alone, no matter how much she tried to isolate herself.

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An Unexpected Visitor

Adrian appeared first, interrupting her solitude. His footsteps were nearly soundless on the hardwood floors, but Amelia caught the faint scent of pine and cinnamon before she heard his voice.

“Still working?” he asked, his deep baritone warm and teasing as he stepped into the dining room.

Amelia glanced up briefly, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “Deadlines don’t stop for Christmas. Or, apparently, werewolves.”

He smirked, leaning against the doorway with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in hand. “You know, most people would take a snow-covered estate, a roaring fire, and free cocoa as a sign to relax.”

“I’m not most people,” she quipped, her tone clipped as she returned her focus to her screen.

Adrian crossed the room, his movements fluid and deliberate. He set the mug beside her laptop, drawing her attention. “We’ve noticed.” His dark brown eyes met hers, and for a moment, the teasing faded. “You’ve been through a lot, Amelia. No one would blame you for taking a break.”

“Breaks are overrated,” she replied, though her tone lacked conviction. “Besides, my assistant’s already convinced I’ve been kidnapped.”

As if on cue, her phone buzzed with a message from Lauren, her fiercely loyal secretary.

Lauren: “Are you sure you’re okay? Should I call the police? Blink twice if you’re being held hostage.”

Amelia chuckled softly, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she typed a quick response. “I’m fine. Promise. Just keep everything running at HQ.”

Adrian leaned over her shoulder, reading the message. “She seems… protective,” he observed.

“She is,” Amelia said, a fond smile playing on her lips. “She’s been with me since the beginning. I couldn’t ask for a better assistant.”

“Well,” Adrian said, his voice soft, “it’s clear she cares about you. You’ve built more than just a company—you’ve built loyalty.”

Before Amelia could respond, Jasper strolled into the room, a box of decorations in hand.

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Decking the Halls

“What’s that?” Amelia asked, raising an eyebrow as Jasper dropped the box on the floor.

“Decorations,” he said simply, as if that explained everything.

“For what?”

“Christmas,” he replied with a grin, pulling out a string of lights.

“You’re decorating now?” Amelia asked incredulously, gesturing toward the towering tree already adorned with lights and ornaments in the corner.

“There’s no such thing as too much Christmas,” Jasper declared, handing her a garland.

Amelia hesitated, the weight of old memories pressing down on her. “I’m not really a Christmas person,” she admitted quietly.

Jasper paused, studying her expression. “Why not?”

“It’s just… complicated,” she said, her tone evasive.

Adrian and Caleb exchanged a glance before Caleb spoke. “You can tell us. We don’t bite.”

Amelia sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Christmas hasn’t been the same for me since college. My sophomore year, I thought I was in love. Spent weeks planning the perfect Christmas Eve dinner. And then he showed up and told me he’d met someone else.”

Jasper’s playful expression faded, replaced by quiet anger. “What a jerk.”

“Yeah, well,” she said, forcing a smile. “After that, Christmas lost its magic.”

Adrian stepped closer, his golden eyes soft with empathy. “Maybe it’s time to make some new memories.”

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The Art of Distraction

Later that afternoon, Amelia retreated back to her laptop, determined to finish her presentation. But the Blackwoods had other plans.

“You’ve been staring at that screen for hours,” Jasper said, plopping onto the couch beside her.

“Because it’s not cooperating,” she muttered, her tone clipped.

Jasper grinned, leaning over to glance at her screen. “Maybe it needs a fresh perspective. I’m great at corporate strategy.”

She shot him a skeptical look. “You?”

“Okay, no. But I’m great at distracting stressed-out CEOs.”

Before she could respond, he reached over and tickled her side, earning a startled laugh.

“Jasper!” she yelped, swatting at his hands.

“What’s going on in here?” Caleb asked, walking in with a raised eyebrow.

“Just helping Amelia relax,” Jasper replied innocently.

Amelia rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t deny the warmth spreading through her chest.

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A Festive Transformation

By the time the sun set, the living room had been transformed. Twinkling lights adorned the walls, candles flickered on every surface, and the scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air.

“Now,” Adrian announced, setting down a tray of cocoa, “it’s officially Christmas Eve. No more work.”

Amelia hesitated, glancing at her laptop. But as she looked around the room—the crackling fire, the soft glow of the tree, the brothers’ warm smiles—something inside her shifted.

“Okay,” she said, closing her laptop. “No more work.”

Jasper cheered, pulling her onto the couch.

As the evening wore on, Amelia found herself laughing more than she had in years. The Blackwoods’ playful banter was infectious, and for the first time in a long time, she felt… happy.

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Midnight Promises

Later that night, after the brothers had gone to bed, Amelia stayed by the fire, lost in thought.

The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of danger, revelations, and emotions she wasn’t ready to confront. But as she stared at the flickering flames, she realized she wasn’t the same person she’d been before.

She was stronger now. Braver.

And maybe, just maybe, she was ready to let herself be happy again.

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the arrival of Christmas Day, Amelia made a silent promise to herself.

This year, she wouldn’t let fear or doubt hold her back. This year, she’d embrace the unexpected.

And with the Blackwoods by her side, she had a feeling it was going to be a Christmas to remember.