Claimed By The Winter Alpha

~Snow.~ ~Four days to Christmas.~ "You're going to absolutely kill this presentation," Avery said, linking her arm through mine as we pushed through the terminal doors. The crisp winter wind of Ivory City bit at my cheeks. I watched a plane climb into the grey morning sky, its wings cutting through clouds, and tried to ignore the weight pressing against my ribs. Something about this job felt off. A mysterious client. A massive deposit. Complete secrecy until arrival. My breath clouded in front of my face as I pulled my coat tighter. "Snow Castellano, award-winning architect, about to design the most luxurious Christmas lodge in the country." Avery squeezed my arm. "Your parents are going to be so proud." I managed a smile, though my stomach twisted. "Doesn't it seem strange? A client who refuses to meet beforehand, insists on total secrecy, and wires enough money to fund my entire indie project for next year?" "It's called exclusivity, girl. Rich people love their drama." Avery guided me through the sliding doors into the warmth of the terminal. "Besides, that deposit could change everything for Castellano Architecture." She wasn't wrong. The sum that had appeared in our account three days ago was staggering. More than we'd made on our last five projects combined. My father had been thrilled, seeing it as proof I was finally ready to take over the family firm. But Dad didn't know about the secrecy clause. Or the location, so remote my phone would probably lose signal the moment we landed. We settled into seats near the boarding gate. Across from us, a young couple leaned into each other, the woman's head on the man's shoulder, both of them smiling at something on his phone. My chest tightened. I pulled out my own phone and stared at the blank screen. "Still nothing from Jackson?" Avery asked quietly. I shook my head. "He texted last night. Said he was buried in some territorial dispute." I tried to sound casual, but my voice came out flat. Dating a werewolf had opened my eyes to an entire world that coexisted with humanity. Pack hierarchies. Territorial laws. The sacred bond of mates. Jackson had been patient with me, explaining everything, bridging our two worlds with a gentleness that made me fall for him. But lately, he'd been distant. Calls cut short. Plans cancelled. And when I'd told him about this project, he'd gone quiet for too long before saying, "That's great, babe." My phone buzzed. >Jackson: Hey babe. Sorry I can't be there. Make me proud. I love you. Normally he would send long voice notes, telling me to breathe or teasing me about how nervous I got before big pitches. But today was different. Just three short lines like he typed without thinking. My chest sank a little but still, I smiled slightly. At least he had remembered. "Flight 237 to Silverpine Resort is now boarding," the intercom announced. We both stood and Avery pulled me into a tight hug. "Go design something beautiful. Text me when you land, okay? And Snow?" She pulled back, her dark eyes serious. "Trust your instincts. You've always had good instincts." "Since when did you get so philosophical?" I laughed, but her words settled uncomfortably in my chest. "Since my best friend started dating a werewolf and taking mysterious jobs at isolated mountain resorts." She grinned. "Just... be careful. Promise me you'll be back before Christmas eve" “Sure I will. I promise.” I nodded and gave her one last hug before heading to the plane. As the plane lifted off, I reviewed my presentation one last time. Sketches of grand timber frames. Floor plans that maximized mountain views. Material lists. Budget projections. Everything perfect. So why did my hands keep trembling? I put on my headphones, leaned back, and watched the snow-blanketed city shrink below until my eyelids grew heavy. Then I drifted into an empty, dreamless sleep. *** Four hours later, I stood in the lobby of Silverpine Resort, and the weight in my chest turned sharp. The place was stunning. Vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking endless white mountains. A massive stone fireplace crackling with orange light, sending shadows dancing across the polished floors. But it was empty. Completely, eerily empty. "Hello?" My voice echoed off the walls. No staff at the front desk. No guests milling about with luggage. No Christmas music playing softly in the background. For a resort supposedly hosting a high-profile client meeting, the silence felt wrong. One of the leather armchairs near the fireplace sat angled away from the others, as if someone had just stood up and walked away mid-conversation. I pulled out my phone but there was no signal. "Of course," I muttered. Footsteps echoed from the grand staircase. Relief flooded through me. Finally, someone who could explain where everyone was. But the moment I saw who descended those stairs, my stomach dropped. "Hello, sister." Bianca descended the stairs like she owned the place, which knowing my sister too well, she probably thought she did. Her Sandy blonde hair was perfectly styled, her designer coat immaculate. But there was something off about her smile. It wasn’t Bianca’s usual glossy, smug grin. The one on her face was much colder, like she knew a secret I didn't. What was she doing in the resort? “Bianca?” I asked with arched eyebrows. “What are you doing here? Where's the client?” “Oh, Snow.” She reached the bottom of the stairs, tilting her head with mock sympathy. “So brilliant with buildings… yet still so painfully naïve when it comes to people.” Before I could demand what that meant, a door behind me opened. I spun around and saw Jackson walk out from what looked like a conference room. My heart leaped. For half a second, I thought he'd come to surprise me. Maybe his weird text hadn't meant anything. Maybe he'd flown out here to support me after all. I took a step toward him, ready to throw myself into his arms. Then I saw his face. Blank. Completely blank. No spark of happiness. No surprise at seeing Bianca. No warmth in his eyes when they met mine. Just... nothing. My feet stopped moving. "Jackson?" My voice cracked. "What's going on?" He didn't answer neither did he move. And in that terrible, stretching silence, I finally understood. Whatever was happening here, whatever Bianca's cold smile meant, whatever this empty resort was hiding— Jackson already knew.