Page 43 of Enchanting the Alpha

She tilted her head to look up at him, breath catching at the heat in his gaze. “Like what?”

“Like the way you infuse joy into my morning coffee.” His voice dropped lower, rougher. “The protection charms you weave into my coat when you think I’m not looking. The little bits of magic that show you care.”

Her heart thundered in her chest. “You noticed those?”

“I notice everything about you, Romi.” His free hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing across her lower lip. “Everyspell, every smile, every moment you let me see the real you. You’re extraordinary.”

The air between them crackled with possibility. Her magic rose to meet his alpha energy, creating a soft golden glow around them. Whiskers had mysteriously disappeared, though a trail of silver hearts sparkled.

“Xabir...” She couldn’t look away from his eyes, now flickering between hazel and wolf-gold. “I’m not very good at this. At opening up, at being vulnerable. But with you...”

“With me?”

“With you, I want to try. You make me feel safe enough to be myself. To trust that you’ll catch me if I fall.”

His growl of approval sent shivers down her. “Always.” He pulled her closer until she straddled his lap. “I’ll always catch you, little witch.”

Their kiss started soft but quickly blazed into something more intense. Romi lost herself in the feeling of his hands in her hair, the way his alpha energy wrapped around her like a blanket of starlight. Her magic sang through her veins, reaching for him with desperate need.

A clock chimed midnight, startling them both.

“It’s late,” she murmured against his lips, making no move to pull away. “We should probably...”

“Probably.” His hands tightened on her hips. “Though I’m finding it hard to care about the time.”

She laughed softly, resting her forehead against his. “We have plans tomorrow. Early plans.”

“Cruel woman.” But he smiled, pressing one last kiss to her lips before helping her stand. “Thank you for tonight, Romi. For sharing your stories, your dreams... your magic.”

“Thank you for listening. For understanding.” She walked him to the door, their fingers intertwined. “For making me feel like anything is possible.”

He pulled her close for a final kiss that left her dizzy. “Everything is possible with you.”

FORTY-TWO

The next morning, Romi threw herself into preparations for the new classes with renewed energy. She transformed a corner of the café into a cozy classroom space, complete with enchanted desks that adjusted to each student’s height and magical disposition.

Clover stopped by to help arrange protective wards and contribute some rare herbs for the teaching supplies. “This is perfect for you,” she said, watching Romi set up a demonstration area. “A way to share your gifts and help others find theirs.”

“I hope so.” Romi adjusted a crystal that would help students visualize magical energy flows. “I want it to be a place where everyone feels welcome to learn regardless of their magical background.”

“It will be.” Clover’s smile turned knowing. “Especially with a certain alpha’s support. You’re glowing, by the way.”

Romi blushed but didn’t deny it. How could she when Xabir had already sent over a collection of enchanted teaching tools and offered to help recruit students from among the shifter community? When every message from him made her magic spark with joy?

By the time she opened registration for the first class, she had a diverse group of eager students signed up—everything from young witches wanting to refine their skills to shifters interested in understanding magical theory. Even a few of the town’s elders had expressed interest in guest teaching specific topics.

Standing in her newly created classroom, surrounded by the tangible results of her vision and Xabir’s support, Romi felt a deep sense of rightness settle over her. She was exactly where she needed to be, doing exactly what she was meant to do.

A shimmer of silver caught her eye—Whiskers had materialized on one of the desks, still trailing those persistent heart shapes in his wake.

“Yes, yes,” she told him fondly. “You were right all along. Now help me set up these enchanted worksheets instead of playing matchmaker.”

Her familiar just winked, adding a few twinkling stars to his trail of hearts. Some things, Romi was learning, were worth embracing fully—whether they came in the form of unpredictable magic, new teaching adventures, or the growing certainty that she’d finally found where she belonged.

Both in Mystic Hollow and in Xabir’s heart.

FORTY-THREE

---