Page 17 of Enchanting the Alpha

The vulnerability in his voice made her squeeze his hand. He turned his palm up to catch her fingers, thumb tracing patterns that sent tingles of electricity through her arm. Neither of them seemed willing to let go.

After breakfast, they drove to Mystic Woods in his sleek black car that hummed with protection spells. The hidden waterfall waited for them, its crystalline waters dancing with visiblestrands of wild magic. Xabir helped her over a fallen log, his hands lingering on her waist longer than necessary.

“I used to come here to practice spells,” Romi told him as they walked the winding path. Her breath caught as he tucked her against his side, his warmth seeping into her. “Something about this place makes magic feel more... alive.”

“Show me?”

His request surprised her. Most people - especially alphas - preferred to demonstrate their own power rather than watch others’. But Xabir’s expression held genuine interest mixed with something deeper, more heated.

Smiling, she called her magic forth. It responded eagerly, weaving with the waterfall’s natural energy to create shimmering patterns in the air. Butterflies made of light danced around them, leaving trails of sparkles in their wake.

“Beautiful,” Xabir murmured, stepping behind her. His chest pressed against her back as his arms encircled her waist. His breath tickled her ear. “Though I wasn’t watching the magic.”

Her power surged in response to his closeness, creating a shower of golden sparkles that rained down around them. She felt rather than heard his low chuckle, the sound vibrating through where their bodies connected.

They reached The Luminous Pearl just as the afternoon tide brought the merfolk performance. The underwater restaurant’s glass dome offered a spectacular view of bioluminescent sea life swirling in intricate patterns. Their table floated in a private alcove, surrounded by softly glowing crystals that cast intimate shadows.

“This is incredible,” Romi breathed, watching a group of merfolk create elaborate illusions with glowing plankton. She turned to find Xabir’s gaze fixed on her, dark with an intensity that made her magic spark beneath her skin.

“The view is... enchanting.” His voice had dropped to that low rumble that seemed to resonate through her entire body.

The enchanted seafood changed flavors with each bite, creating a symphony of tastes that had Romi closing her eyes in bliss. When she opened them, she found Xabir watching her with an expression that made her forget how to think.

“You’re doing that on purpose,” she accused, though her voice came out husky rather than stern.

“Doing what?”

“Looking at me like... that.” She gestured vaguely, trying to ignore how his presence seemed to fill all her senses. “All smoldering and alpha-like.”

His lips twitched. “Would you prefer I stop?”

“I didn’t say that.”

The heat in his eyes made her grateful they were sitting.

“I’m trying to come up with more ways for shifters and witches to connect in town,” she smiled at him. “You know, trying to build bridges between supernatural beings.”

“Is there a particular reason you’re so set on this?” he asked, his gaze practically stripping her on the spot.

NINETEEN

Romi cleared her throat and told herself to calm down. “Uh…well, I just think we share our town and we’ve all lived with each other for so long. Why does it have to be so awkward? The younger generations are for more integration, but some of the elders really hate the idea of mixing witch magic with shifter power.”

He gave a predatory grin that made her knees weak. “Maybe they know that if shifters and witches procreate, we will create stronger beings.”

She snorted. “I don’t doubt it for a second. But they need to get with the times. Interspecies, interracial, and inter-whatever mating is normal these days.”

He leaned closer into her, invading her personal space and making the air evaporate from her lungs. “Perhaps,” he whispered with that gravelly alpha commanding tone that promised all kinds of wicked things, “we should try it first. See what happens.”

She licked her lips and blinked, unsure what to do. Flirting with him when he seemed aloof and somewhat distant was one thing. Flirting with him when he was clearly ready for it andwilling to flirt back was like jumping into shark-infested waters with a paper cut.

“That’s…that’s something to consider.”

He cupped her cheek and rubbed his thumb over her chin. “Consider it.”

She jumped to her feet and tried to tamp down the nerves. “Let’s keep going.”

As sunset approached, they made their way to the Twilight Markets. Floating lanterns cast rainbow light across cobblestone streets as magical vendors displayed their wares. Street performers created dazzling shows with enchanted instruments and dancing lights. Xabir kept her close, his hand resting possessively on her lower back, thumb occasionally stroking patterns that made her magic surge.

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