Page 42 of Enchanting the Alpha

“Traitor. He’s supposed to back his own pack.” But Xabir’s eyes danced with amusement. “What about refreshments?”

“I’m planning specialty drinks for each species. Something that plays to different magical affinities.” She summoned her recipe book. “Like this one – Moonbeam Mist. It sparkles for witches but turns smoky for shifters. Completely changes the flavor profile too.”

“Clever. What about security measures? We don’t want any magical accidents ruining the fun.”

“Already handled. Neve and Madame Zephyrine offered to set up protective wards, and Bella’s contributing some specialty crystals to help balance different magical energies.” She turned to face him. “The tiger pride alpha even volunteered his security team to help monitor things.”

“Oakes Meyer volunteered?” Xabir’s eyebrows rose. “He must be impressed with what we’re building here.”

“What you’re building,” she corrected softly. “You’re the one who opened pack events to everyone, who showed other shifters it was possible to change.”

His expression turned tender. “We’re building it together.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Though I have to admit, watching you charm every supernatural being in town is pretty impressive.”

“Noteverysupernatural being.” She poked his chest playfully. “The Griffin pride still thinks I’m too unconventional.”

“The Griffin pride thinks everyone is too unconventional.” He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “But they agreed to send representatives to game night, didn’t they?”

“Only because you convinced them it would be politically advantageous.”

“See? We make an excellent team.” His smile turned wicked. “Though perhaps we should take a break from planning. All this talk of politics is giving me a headache.”

“Poor, Alpha.” She set aside her notebook, magic sparking as his hands drew her closer. “Need me to kiss it better?”

His growl of approval vibrated through her. “That seems like an excellent solution.”

They got very little planning done for the next several minutes, but neither of them seemed to mind. When they finally returned to their notes, Romi’s cheeks were flushed and Xabir’s eyes held a distinctly wolfish gleam.

“Right,” she said, trying to sound professional despite her racing pulse. “Where were we?”

“Game night,” he murmured, still playing with her hair. “Though I’m finding myself much more interested in private entertainment at the moment.”

Romi found herself curled into Xabir’s side, his arm warm around her shoulders as she shared her own childhood memories—summer afternoons spent learning magic from her grandmother, the first time her powers manifested, the day she realized she could infuse emotions into her baking.

“I miss her,” she admitted softly. “My grandmother. She would have loved seeing the café. Seeing me find my place here.”

Xabir pressed a kiss to her temple. “She would be proud of you. What you’ve built here and how you’re helping unite the community... it’s remarkable.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you.” She turned to face him fully. “Your support has made me feel like I have a partner and I’m not doing all of this alone. Especially with my magic still being so unpredictable.”

“Have you thought of any ways to help your magic?”

“Actually, I have. I spoke to Neve and Madame Zephyrine about teaching a class.”

“Teaching?”

“Yeah.”

“You have a gift for helping others understand magic. The way you’ve worked with my staff at the hotel, showing them how to interact with enchanted items... you’re a natural teacher.”

A spark of excitement flickered through her. “I’ve been thinking about starting some basic magic classes at the café. Nothing too formal, but a way to share knowledge and bring people together.”

“That’s perfect.” His eyes lit up with that intensity that never failed to take her breath away. “We could set up a dedicated space, maybe partner with some of the other magical businesses in town. Bella might be willing to contribute some books from her shop.”

They spent the next hour brainstorming ideas for the classes, their excitement building. Romi couldn’t help but marvel at how perfectly they worked together—the way he built on her ideas, anticipated her concerns, supported her vision while adding his own insights.

“We could start with simple enhancement spells,” she mused, playing with his fingers where they rested on her shoulder. “Basic protection charms, mood-lifting enchantments. Things that would be useful for everyone.”

“Practical magic,” he agreed, bringing their joined hands to his lips. “Though I hope you’ll save some of your special enchantments just for me.”

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