Page 33 of Enchanting the Alpha

Romi snorted. “Hopefully my café survives until then.”

Xabir pulled her close to his side. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“We should focus on game night,” Romi decided firmly, turning in his arms to face him. “Show whoever’s behind this that they can’t stop us from bringing people together.”

Xabir nodded, admiring her determination. “I’ll talk to my pack, make sure they understand the importance of participating.”

“And I’ll spread the word among the witches,” Otis offered, diplomatically averting his eyes as Xabir stole another quick kiss. “Unity is our best defense against dark magic.”

Later that night, after most of the cleanup had been completed, Xabir watched Romi move through her closing routine. She’d changed into one of his shirts after her original outfit had been splashed with potions, and the sight of her in his clothes made his alpha side practically purr with satisfaction.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she called over her shoulder, though her smile suggested she didn’t mind at all. “We still have work to do.”

“I’m multitasking.” He caught her around the waist as she passed, pulling her back against his chest. “Admiring the view while considering security measures.”

“Is that what you’re calling it?” She tilted her head back for a kiss, which he gladly provided.

A loud noise from outside made them both tense. Xabir moved toward the window, keeping Romi tucked safely against his side as he scanned the darkened street. A shadow darted between buildings – too quick to identify, but definitely suspicious.

“I’ll check it out,” he said, already moving toward the door.

Romi caught his hand. “Together.”

He wanted to argue, to insist she stay safely inside, but the determination in her eyes told him it would be pointless. Instead, he nodded, pulling her close for another quick kiss before they stepped out into the cool night air.

The streets of Mystic Hollow were quiet, the enchanted lampposts casting pools of golden light that seemed to pulse in sync with their footsteps. Xabir’s alpha senses were on high alert, picking up traces of unfamiliar magic.

“There.” Romi pointed to a shimmer of magical residue along the sidewalk. “Someone tried to cast a concealment spell.”

They followed the magical trail to the edge of Felicia Green’s enchanted garden. The normally vibrant magical plants were wilting, their protective enchantments disrupted by the same dark magic that had affected the café.

“This is spreading,” Xabir growled, his alpha energy instinctively reaching out to shield both Romi and the damaged garden. “Whoever’s behind this is escalating.”

“But why continually target Felicia’s garden?” Romi knelt to examine a withered moonbloom, his shirt riding up to reveal a tantalizing glimpse of skin that momentarily distracted him from their investigation. “She’s never taken sides in witch-shifter politics.”

“Maybe that’s exactly why.” He helped her up, pulling her closer than strictly necessary. “She represents the kind of harmony they’re trying to prevent.”

A rustle in the shadows caught their attention. This time, they clearly saw Bastian sprint away, his magical signature oddly distorted.

“That settles it,” Romi said grimly, pressing closer to Xabir’s warmth. “He must be behind this.”

But something still felt off to Xabir. The magical disruptions were too sophisticated, too calculated for someone of Bastian’s experience level. And that distortion in his magical signature...

“We should tell Felicia,” Romi’s voice broke through his thoughts. “Help her restore the garden before?—”

She broke off as several of the plants suddenly straightened, their wilted leaves perking up as waves of healing magic washed over them. They turned to find Felicia herself emerging from the shadows, her hands glowing with nature magic.

“Already on it,” she smiled, though her expression was strained. “Though I wouldn’t mind some help strengthening the protective enchantments.”

They spent the next hour working together, Romi’s magic and Xabir’s alpha energy combining with Felicia’s nature magic to create stronger barriers against dark magic. By the time they finished, the garden was blooming more vibrantly than ever.

“Whatever’s coming,” Felicia said as they prepared to leave, “we’ll face it together. That’s what community means.”

THIRTY-FOUR

Walking back to his private rooms at the hotel – they didn’t even discuss Romi staying late at the café tonight – Xabir kept her tucked against his side. The way she fit perfectly under his arm, her magic harmonizing with his energy, made his heart swell with emotion.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, tilting her face up to his.

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