The Alpha's Christmas Mate

Standing on the doorstep in the Christmas Eve cold, Scarlett Quinn shivered as she struggled with her apartment key. The hallway lights flickered above, throwing weird shadows on the old carpet. She’d been home for a couple of hours, fighting the urge to grab her phone and tell everyone she was okay. But tonight felt different. Her mind drifted back to dinner with Jackson. He’d smiled, laughed at her jokes, kissed her cheek goodbye. Everything seemed normal, until she walked into her apartment. Just inside, she heard laughter—Jackson’s laugh. It was usually comforting, but now it made her sick. It was coming from the living room. Her fingers went numb as she pushed the door open and stepped inside. She froze. He was with someone. A blonde woman, beautiful, fancy, with a laugh very much like her own. For a second, her heart stopped. Then it started pounding as she watched Jackson run his fingers through the woman’s hair and kiss her. A kiss. Her heart broke. It didn’t feel real, like a bad dream. But there she was, in her own hallway, watching the guy she’d loved for three years cheat on her in the worst way. “Jackson?” she managed, her voice sounding strange. He jumped back, eyes wide. “Scarlett—wait, it’s not what it looks like,” he said, stumbling over his words. Scarlett gasped. “Not what it looks like? You weren’t kissing her? Weren’t you about to sleep with her?” “Scarlett, please… it’s not what it seems. You have to believe me—” The other woman stood up, smoothing her dress, looking pleased with herself. “You don’t have to explain, Jackson. She’s clearly upset.” Scarlett clenched her fists, digging her nails into her palms. “Oh, no need to explain. I get it. You’ve had your fun. Go on. You don’t have to lie anymore.” Her voice shook, tears finally starting to fall. Jackson stepped toward her, hands up. “Scarlett, I swear, it’s not what you think. I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.” She laughed, sounding desperate. “How long?” she asked, her voice tight. “Scarlett, it’s—” “How long?!” she screamed, her voice cracking. “A few weeks,” he admitted quietly. “I was… confused.” “Confused?” Scarlett repeated, choking. “Confused? So, you slept with someone else? That’s your solution?” She stepped back, tears streaming down her face. She felt like she was shaking with anger. The woman watched, arms crossed, like she was enjoying the show. “You know what, Jackson?” Scarlett said, her voice a little steadier. “I don’t need this. You don’t need to explain. You’ve made your choice.” She wiped her tears and turned to the door. Jackson called her name, but it was too late. “Scarlett, please! I—” She didn’t hear him. She walked out, slamming the door behind her. It was Christmas Eve. And she’d just lost everything. The cold outside hit her hard. The streets were empty, just a few cars and people walking home. Her phone buzzed, but she ignored it. She didn’t want to hear from him. She didn’t want his excuses. She didn’t want to hear that everything would be okay, because it wouldn’t be. She walked, boots crunching on the snow, city lights glowing against the sky. The cold didn’t matter anymore. She felt frozen inside. Suddenly, she noticed something. Scarlett stopped. A figure flickered at the edge of her vision, darting between shadows. At first, she thought it was her imagination, but then she heard a low growl. It made her shiver. Something was wrong. She wasn’t alone. She spun around, looking up and down the street. No one. But she could feel it. The hairs on her neck stood up. She stepped back slowly. “Scarlett…” She gasped as the voice echoed from behind—deep, smooth, and powerful. She knew it but it wasn’t Jackson. It was deeper, older… and dangerous. A figure stepped into the light, like a shadow coming to life. He was tall, with broad shoulders and something… ancient about him. His eyes glowed in the dark, a piercing amber color. She should have been scared, but she just froze like something was pulling her. “You,” she whispered. “Who are you?” He stepped closer. “You don’t know me, Scarlett? I’ve been watching you. Waiting for you.” His voice was familiar, like a memory. Her heart pounded. Who was he? The world blurred. The snowflakes seemed to fall in slow motion as the man reached for her. “Don’t be afraid,” he murmured, his voice both comforting and scary. “I’ve come for you.”