Page 11 of Enchanting the Alpha

“You should have seen Romi’s first attempt at happiness tea,” he called out. “The whole family spoke in limericks for a week!”

A warm presence appeared at her back - Xabir, lending his strength without words. His magic brushed against hers, steady and protective, helping to contain the magical disruption. Arlo, his second-in-command, slipped quietly around the edges of the room, keen eyes taking in details others might miss.

“Minor magical hiccup!” Romi assured the crowd as the effects began to fade. “Now, who’s ready for some proper tea tasting?”

Gradually, the party resumed its celebratory tone. Witches and shifters returned to their crafting, and Romi noticed newbonds forming as they helped each other recover from the magical mishap. She kept her smile bright, but worry gnawed at her thoughts. Someone had deliberately tampered with her spells.

“A word?” Xabir’s quiet request drew her attention. He guided her to a private corner, his hand warm against the small of her back. “That wasn’t a simple accident.”

“No,” she agreed softly. “But I can’t prove anything, and accusations would only make things worse.”

“Arlo’s investigating.” His thumb traced small circles against her back, probably unconsciously. “And I’d like to help protect your café from further... incidents.”

Romi looked up at him, struck by the intensity in his gaze. “Why?”

“Because this matters to you.” His voice dropped lower. “And you matter to me.”

Her heart performed another acrobatic routine. Before she could respond, Clover called for everyone’s attention - it was time for the tea tasting.

TWELVE

As Romi moved to join her cousin, she cast one last look at Xabir. His eyes hadn’t left her, and the heat in them made her wonder if maybe Thane had been right about that sexual tension after all.

Whatever - or whoever - had tried to disrupt her party had failed. If anything, the shared experience had brought her guests closer together. And if it had also brought her closer to a certain alpha shifter... well, that was just an unexpected bonus.

Whiskers landed on her shoulder, bumping his head against her cheek in approval. Another heart-shaped smoke ring drifted upward, this one trailing sparkles that matched her mood perfectly.

The tea tasting transformed the café’s atmosphere. Enchanted teacups floated between guests, each one trailing wisps of magical steam in different colors. Clover had outdone herself with the blends - lavender dreams that actually showed you glimpses of peaceful visions, happiness-inducing citrus that made everyone’s aura glow with joy, and a particularly popular rosemary remembrance tea that helped recall forgotten happy memories.

“This is incredible,” Valerie Sterling exclaimed, her olive skin taking on a slight green tint from the magical energy. “The way the chamomile interacts with the moonflower essence... pure genius!”

Her twin brother Jett nodded enthusiastically, his silver hair ruffling in a breeze that seemed to follow him. “And the air circulation spell keeps each aroma distinct. Brilliant touch, Romi.”

Romi beamed at the praise, though her attention kept drifting to where Xabir stood with Arlo, their heads bent in serious discussion. As if sensing her gaze, Xabir looked up, catching her eye. The corner of his mouth twitched - almost a smile. Progress.

“You’re staring again,” Thane singsonged under his breath as he passed by with a tray of cookies that changed flavors with each bite.

“I am not,” Romi protested, quickly looking away. “I’m just... monitoring guest satisfaction.”

“Really?” He grinned. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re trying to mentally undress our distinguished alpha.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Thane!”

“What? I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. Even Madame Zephyrine’s been making predictions about your future together.”

Before Romi could respond, a commotion near the tea blending station caught her attention. Harry Noble, the jovial owner of The Arcane Brewpub, had somehow managed to create a tea blend that made the drinker speak in rhyming couplets.

“Oh dear, what have I done? This tea’s effects are rather fun!” He chuckled, his bright orange eyes twinkling. “Though I must say with some dismay, it wasn’t meant to work this way.”

“Here, try this.” Romi quickly mixed a counteracting blend. “It should help.”

“My thanks to you, that’s just what I-” He took a sip and cleared his throat. “Ah, much better. Though I might have to experiment with that rhyming effect for open-mic nights at the pub.”

The incident drew Xabir closer to her station. “Your quick thinking prevented another potential chaos,” he observed, his deep voice sending pleasant shivers down her spine.

“Well, I’ve had plenty of practice fixing magical mishaps.” She gestured to Whiskers, who chose that moment to sneeze another sparkly heart. “Some more entertaining than others.”

Xabir’s expression softened as he watched the tiny dragon-cat’s antics. “The transformation suits him.”

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