Page 44 of Enchanting the Alpha

Xabir lingered in the doorway of the newly transformed classroom space, pride swelling in his chest as he watched Romi guide her students through a basic protection spell. She moved with natural grace between the mixed groups of witches and shifters, her magic sparking like starlight as she demonstrated the proper wand movements.

“Remember,” she said, adjusting a young bear shifter’s grip, “the intent matters more than the words. Feel the magic responding to your desire to protect.”

Her smile lit up the room when the shifter’s crystal glowed with successful magic. The sight made Xabir’s alpha energy hum with satisfaction. This was what he’d hoped for—his little witch bringing their communities together through her gift for teaching.

“I’ll be right back,” he murmured to Thane, who stood monitoring the class from the corner. “Keep an eye on things.”

Thane’s knowing grin said he knew exactly where Xabir was headed. “Take your time. My sister deserves something special for this.”

The Little Fairy Flower Market buzzed with its usual magical chaos. Tiny sprites darted between enchanted blooms, and theflowers themselves swayed to an invisible melody. Xabir headed straight for Stormdew’s stall where the most powerful magical bouquets were sold.

“Ah, Alpha Lupo.” The elderly fairy’s wings shimmered with amusement. “Let me guess—something for our lovely café owner?”

“Something that matches her spirit,” he agreed. “Bold but sweet. Magical but grounded.”

Stormdew’s fingers danced over various blooms before selecting stems of midnight-blue roses that sparkled like the night sky, dark purple hydrangeas, ivory lilies that chimed softly when touched, and delicate sprays of enchanted baby’s breath that released tiny butterflies when warmed by genuine emotion.

“These will do nicely,” she said, wrapping them in shimmering paper. “The roses match her strength, the hydrangeas her grace, the lilies her personality, and well...” Her smile turned sly. “The baby’s breath will show everyone exactly how you feel about her.”

When Xabir returned to the classroom, he found barely contained chaos. Multiple spells had clearly backfired—student projects sparked with unstable magic, and several crystals spun wildly in the air. But Romi stood calm in the center, her magic pulsing steady and sure.

“This is terrible!” She caught a wayward crystal. “Someone’s been tampering with our materials, trying to destabilize the magic. But watch—” She guided the students through a series of movements. “When you encounter corrupted magic, you can’t fight it directly. You have to redirect it, like this.”

Her demonstration turned the chaotic energy into a controlled light show. The students gasped in appreciation, then paired off eagerly to practice the new technique.

“Brilliant,” Clover called from her observation post. “Turn sabotage into a teaching moment. That’s my cousin.”

Xabir strode across the room and pulled Romi into his arms, flowers and all.

“Xabir!” She squeaked, face flushing as students turned to watch. “We’re in the middle of?—”

He silenced her with a kiss that made the enchanted baby’s breath release a shower of butterflies. Her magic sparked against his, sweet and familiar, as she melted into him despite her token protest.

“Get a room,” Thane called out. “Some of us single people are trying to teach here.”

“Seriously,” Clover agreed. “No one needs to see their cousin being devoured by an alpha before lunch.”

Xabir broke the kiss but kept Romi close, enjoying how she tucked perfectly against him. “You’re amazing,” he murmured, presenting the bouquet. “I’m so proud of you.”

“They’re beautiful.” She buried her nose in the flowers, then smiled up at him with such genuine joy that his heart clenched. “But you didn’t have to?—”

“I wanted to.” He brushed a kiss to her temple. “Let me show you off a little.”

Her blush deepened, but she didn’t pull away. If anything, she leaned further into him, her free hand finding his.

“Back to work, everyone,” she called to her grinning students. “Unless you want extra homework on controlling magical backlash?”

The pairs quickly returned to their practice, though Xabir caught several appreciative glances thrown their way. Good. Let them see how much he valued their teacher.

He kept close as she circulated among the students, one hand resting possessively at her waist. Her magic hummed contentedly against his palm, and occasional sparkles from Whiskers suggested her familiar approved of the display.

When the last student filed out, full of excitement about their successful class, Xabir pulled Romi back into his arms.

“Have I mentioned how proud I am?” He nuzzled her neck, gratified when she shivered.

“Once or twice.” She wound her arms around his neck, playing with his hair. “Though I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.”

“Proud.” Kiss. “Impressed.” Another kiss. “Completely captivated.”

---