Page 51 of Enchanting the Alpha

“Like I picked a fight with a magical cement mixer.” She managed a weak smile. “But better.”

He moved to perch carefully on the edge of their bed, one warm hand cupping her cheek. The muscle in his jaw jumped as he struggled for words. “You scared me today. When I sensed that dark magic...” His thumb traced her cheekbone with infinite care. “If anything happened to you...”

“I’m okay.” She covered his hand with hers, noting how his fingers still trembled slightly against her skin. “Really.”

“You’re not leaving my sight until we figure out who did this.” He leaned down to press his lips to her forehead, lingering there as if drawing strength from the contact. “I can’t... I won’t risk losing you.”

Before she could respond, a knock sounded at her front door. Xabir straightened and left the room to return a minute later.

“It’s Neve and the others,” he said, helping her sit up against her pillows. His arm stayed wrapped around her shoulders, supporting and protective. “They want to discuss additional protective measures. Are you up for visitors?”

She nodded, grateful for his solid presence at her side. “We need to figure this out. Whoever did this... they won’t stop with one attack.”

His arms tightened around her as he pressed another kiss to her temple. Whiskers zipped to the doorway to escort their visitors.

“Ready?” Xabir’s voice carried a wealth of meaning - love, protection, partnership.

“Absolutely,” she agreed, leaning into his strength as voices approached their bedroom. Whatever darkness targeted her, she wasn’t facing it alone anymore. And judging by the fierce protectiveness radiating from every line of Xabir’s body, anyone who tried to hurt her again would deeply regret it.

Neve swept in first, her silver hair gleaming in the afternoon light. Madame Zephyrine followed, carrying an ornate wooden box that hummed with protective magic. Behind them came Bella, her arms full of ancient texts, and Felix. Whiskers darted between them all, ensuring everyone made it safely inside.

“How are you feeling, dear one?” Neve perched on the edge of the bed, her cool hand testing Romi’s forehead. “The corruption is fading, but not as quickly as I’d like.”

FORTY-NINE

“I’m better.” Romi sat up straighter, though she didn’t pull away from Xabir’s supporting arm. “The potion helped.”

“Good, because we need you alert for this discussion.” Madame Zephyrine set her box on the bedside table. Crystal vials clinked inside, their contents shimmering with various protective enchantments. “We’ve been developing new defensive measures.”

“More like completely revolutionary protective magic!” Felix couldn’t contain his enthusiasm. “Wait until you see what we’ve come up with!”

“Perhaps we should start with the basics,” Bella suggested, adjusting her glasses as she spread out several ancient scrolls. “The attack revealed vulnerabilities we hadn’t considered.”

Xabir’s arm tightened around Romi’s shoulders. “Explain.”

“The dark magic bypassed standard wards,” Neve said, her expression grave. “It was specifically keyed to target Romi, which requires intimate knowledge of her magical signature.”

“Someone’s been studying her?” The muscle in Xabir’s jaw clenched. His thumb traced soothing circles on her arm, though whether to comfort her or himself wasn’t clear.

“Precisely.” Bella pointed to a complex magical diagram. “They would have needed multiple opportunities to analyze her magic. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment attack.”

“But it wasn’t Bastian.” Romi glanced up at Xabir. “You said he’s not even in town.”

“Left three days ago for a pack gathering up north. Multiple witnesses confirm he’s still there.” Xabir’s free hand curled into a fist. “Which means we’re dealing with someone else. Someone who’s been watching, waiting...”

“Someone who opposes what you represent.” Madame Zephyrine’s eyes gleamed with ancient wisdom. “The unity between witches and shifters that you’ve built threatens those who prefer the old divisions.”

“Then we’ll just have to show them how wrong they are!” Felix punched the air, sending Whiskers tumbling. “Starting with these new protective spells!”

He pulled out a crystal that pulsed with rainbow light. “See, we’ve modified standard protection wards to create a linked defense network. Instead of individual shields, the magic flows between multiple anchor points, strengthening each other!”

“Like a web,” Bella added, sketching quick diagrams in the air. “If one section is attacked, the others automatically reinforce it. And because it’s powered by both witch and shifter energy...”

“It’s harder to corrupt,” Neve finished. “We’ll need your help for this part, Xabir. The shields must be anchored by both magical types to work properly.”

Romi felt Xabir nod. “Whatever it takes.” His lips brushed her temple. “No one touches you again.”

“The initial casting will take considerable power,” Madame Zephyrine warned. “Are you recovered enough to participate, Romi?”

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