Page 23 of Enchanting the Alpha

“Of course not,” Arlo agreed far too innocently. “She only loses magical control around certain alphas. But if you’re taking things slow...”

“I’m not taking anything slow,” Xabir growled. The kiss they’d shared at the market still burned in his memory. “I know what - who - I want.”

“Good.” Wesley clapped him on the shoulder. “Because that witch looks at you like you hung the moon. Don’t waste time overthinking it.”

“Now, about those scratch marks on your desk...” Arlo dodged the pen Xabir threw at his head, laughing. “I’m just saying, jealousy is very unbecoming of an alpha.”

“Get out,” Xabir ordered, but his lips twitched. “Both of you. Go investigate Monroe and Bastian. And stop gossiping about my love life.”

“Never,” they said in unison, heading for the door.

Alone, Xabir found himself staring at a coffee cup. His friends were right. He wasn’t about to let anyone else have a chance with her. Now he just had to catch whoever was trying to drive their communities apart.

His phone buzzed - his mother’s special ringtone. Xabir smiled despite his brooding thoughts. India Lupo had never quite mastered texting, preferring to call even for the smallest matters.

“Yes, Mother?”

“Don’t ‘yes, Mother’ me in that tone,” India said warmly. “You’re coming to dinner tonight. No excuses about work or pack business.”

Xabir glanced at his schedule, though he already knew he’d end up at the family estate regardless of what it said. No one said no to India Lupo. “Any particular occasion?”

“Does a mother need an occasion to feed her son? Though if you happened to bring a certain witch...”

“Mother.”

“I’m just saying, Romi loves my apple tart. Petra mentioned she was practically purring over it at the picnic.”

TWENTY-FIVE

Xabir’s wolf preened at the memory of Romi’s blissful expression as she’d savored his mother’s dessert. “I’m not ambushing her with a family dinner.”

“It’s hardly ambushing when she’s already part of the family,” India sniffed. “But fine, come alone. Seven o’clock. Don’t be late.”

At 6:59, the family estate welcomed him with warmth and the scent of his mother’s cooking. He found his mother in the kitchen, Petra leaning on a counter stealing tastes of sauce while little Luca colored at the table.

“Unca Xabir!” Luca launched himself into Xabir’s arms. “Did you bring Romi? She promised to show me how to make dragon-shaped cookies!”

“Not tonight, pup.” Xabir ruffled his nephew’s hair, ignoring his sister’s knowing smirk.

“But she makes the best cookies,” Luca pouted. “And she lets Whiskers play with me. And she smells pretty.”

“Does she now?” Petra’s eyes danced with mischief. “What else do you like about Romi, baby?”

“She makes Unca Xabir smile! Like, real smiles, not his grumpy alpha face.”

Xabir shot his sister a look that promised retribution, but Petra just grinned. “Out of the mouths of babes.”

“She does bring out your softer side,” India agreed, setting a steaming dish on the table. “And such a talented witch. Did you know she’s developing a new line of enchanted coffee blends? Very innovative.”

“And beautiful,” Petra added innocently. “I saw at least three shifters watching her at the market yesterday. That warlock from the council seems quite interested too-”

A low growl escaped before Xabir could stop it, making Luca giggle and India hide a smile.

“Darling, if you’re going to be territorial every time someone admires her, you’ll give yourself an ulcer,” his mother said. “Though I must say, your father was the same way when we were courting.”

“We’re not- I’m not-” Xabir stopped, recognizing the trap as both women’s eyes lit up.

“Not what?” Petra asked sweetly. “Not completely, utterly smitten? Because that kiss at the market suggests otherwise. The whole town’s talking about those heart-shaped lanterns.”

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