Christmas with the Alpha

I

Stranger

had always dreamed of a white Christmas.

As cliché as it sounded, imagined the soft fall of snow, the wintry days spent in front of the fire, sipping hot chocolate and opening gifts.

As a child, moved around a lot with my parents, my father's work sending him all over the country. All of those places were wet during winter, and like the depths of hell during summer. Sure, had seen my fair share of snow. But had never truly experienced the wonders a white Christmas seemed to hold for so many people. As got older and moved out of home, always returned to my parents’ house for the holidays, no matter where they were situated. Sometimes we traveled. Sometimes we stayed put and did nothing but watch Hallmark movies and eat takeout.

This year wasn't any different. was single—like always—alone, and was looking forward to the time would spend opening presents and drinking wine with my mother. was beyond ecstatic when my family said would finally witness my very first white Christmas. They said there’d be snow, fires, and marshmallows. The whole shebang .

But our intended destination wasn't exactly what had in mind.

glowered out the car window as we wound down long country roads, my father being extra careful on the slick surface. We had been driving for hours, listening to a road trip playlist they had put together just for this drive. Most of it consisted of the usual Christmas carols, which loved any other year. But today the upbeat lyrics seemed to get under my skin, like they did everyone else.

"Can we please just put on the radio?" groaned, throwing my head back against the headrest.

"Come on, dear, what kind of Christmas would it be if we didn't listen to some of the classics?"

" ‘The Beatles' or ' Led Zeppelin ' are classics."

Mom grinned, her teeth gleaming in the side mirror. Reaching out her nimble fingers, she turned the dial, increasing the volume. They both started singing at the top of their lungs and to make the situation worse, they looked back at me and urged me on with their playful expressions. couldn't help the small smile that played on my lips.

We were going to visit my aunt and uncle—where my cousin would be joining us—instead of our usual Christmas of just the three of us. My cousin and had lost touch since our childhood days, when we enjoyed making mud pies and s'mores. heard he was successful, whereas was working a dead-end job, painfully single, living in my pajamas with a wine glass perpetually in my hand. So, wasn't particularly thrilled my father had dumped this on me after had arrived at their house. However, my father's smile when he mentioned seeing his brother after so many years convinced me to go along with them—even if was less than enthusiastic about it. As much as didn't like the prospect of spending Christmas with my cousin, dodging all of their life questions, couldn't help thinking that perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"We're here," Dad said, shaking me from a sleep hadn't realized 'd fallen into.

looked past Dad at the towering house behind him, the setting sun highlighting the white paneling and large, ornate porch. raised a single brow.

" This is your brother's house?"

"Not what you were expecting, is it?"

Definitely not. When Dad said my aunt and uncle lived on the outskirts of Ravensborough, was expecting old wooden buildings and a rundown outhouse. nstead, fumbled with my belt, tumbling from the car, and stood before a large manor. t would have been a mansion if it were only slightly bigger. t seemed the sweet uncle recalled in my memories, taking care of a small three-bedroom house, was now just as successful as his son. shrunk back in on myself when the front door burst open, more insecure about my life than ever before.

"Nick! Meridith!" My uncle rushed forward, taking my mother in his arms before turning to my father, and pulling him into a tight hug.

My aunt—his wife—rushed in next, holding my mother in her arms for an extra-long time. There were tears and laughter as stood back and watched. t was a bittersweet moment, one couldn't help beaming at. t wasn't that my dad and uncle had a falling out or anything; it just happened that they lost touch with us moving around so frequently, and then months turned into years.

"Callie." My uncle turned to me, his lips transforming into a huge grin. He pulled me into a hug to match the one he gave my father, then held me at arm's length. "Look at you!" He shook his head as he took me in. "You've grown into such a beautiful young woman, just like your mother."

My cheeks heated, and looked away bashfully. "Thank you, Uncle Andy. t's good to see you." turned my smile to my aunt. "And you, Aunt Olivia." And meant it. didn't realize until that moment just how much missed them.

"Enough of this, let's get you out of the cold." Uncle Andy helped Dad with the bags, leading us into their large home. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with a large sweeping staircase, chandeliers, and ornate wallpaper. paused inside the foyer, my mouth opening as looked around.

"You're definitely doing well for yourself," Dad said, as he paused beside me, his arms weighed down with the luggage.

"Olivia inherited the house from her grandmother." Uncle Andy shot us a wink.

Aunt Olivia shrugged, as if being given such a huge house was nothing. "Callie, your cousin is through that door if you want to say hello." She pointed toward a huge arched entryway, just down the hall. "'ll show your parents to the rooms so they can put the stuff down."

nodded, smiling outwardly, but cringing inside. Here it goes. Can't wait for the snob to judge me and the baggy sweater and tracksuit pants wore for the trip.

"Callie!" Lucas didn't give me a chance to get my bearings when walked inside the games room, finding him playing pool. "My God, 've missed you." There was no sarcasm in his voice, and suddenly felt so small for prematurely judging him.

An unexpected sob escaped me as wrapped my arms around him and buried my face in his sweater, which was very similar to my oversized knit sweater. "Lukey," smiled against him. "You look exactly the same."

And he did. He had the same boyish charm, the same playful smirk, the same soft features as he did when we were younger. And yet he was suddenly six and a half feet tall.

" would hope not," he laughed, pulling back to ruffle my hair. "This is my friend, Viktor." He stood to the side, "Viktor, this is my cousin, Callie."

almost didn't hear him as a tall, rugged man approached the pool table. His dark eyes met mine and the world around me ceased to exist. The noise dissipated until could hear nothing but my own ragged breathing. found myself swallowing to coat my dry mouth, sweating as his eyes raked over my body. He nodded once, then looked away, completely disregarding me.

Lucas shrugged. "He's a man of few words."

He hadn't said a single word to me, and yet when his eyes met mine, felt an intense heat wash over me; at the same moment, my panties dampened. was utterly turned the fuck on and all he had done was look at me. But then with a single nod, he had thrown me away like trash, and felt as if had been punched in the gut.

"Nice to meet you," lied, then turned tail and rushed to the stairs, following the voices of my family.

This was going to be a long holiday.