Page 53 of Enchanting the Alpha

“And serious motivation,” Wesley observed quietly. “Someone really doesn’t want change.”

Xabir’s claws pricked his palms. He forced them back, but couldn’t entirely suppress the wolf’s protective fury. “Let’s visit Otis. Maybe another look into the archives will reveal answers.”

The walk to the archives passed in tense silence. Xabir’s senses remained hyperaware, cataloging every movement, every scent. The attack on Romi had shaken him more deeply than he cared to admit. The memory of her crumpled form, the acrid smell of dark magic tainting her sweet scent... His wolf snarled.

Otis looked up from an ancient book as they entered, his owlish eyes serious behind his glasses. “I expected you. Please, sit.”

“What have you found?” Xabir remained standing.

“The dark magic used comes from forbidden texts.” Otis adjusted his spectacles. “I’ve already contacted the Magic Council. They’re now also sending an investigator - someone who can trace magical signatures back to their true source.”

“How long?”

“Another day or two at most.”

Xabir’s growl filled the room. “Romi could be attacked again before then.”

“The new wards will protect her,” Otis said calmly. “And finding the true culprit is worth a short wait. Using theseparticular texts against others violates ancient magical law. When we catch them, the punishment will be... severe.”

“Keep digging anyway,” Xabir told Arlo and Wesley. “Focus on Bastian’s associates. Someone’s using him as a scapegoat - they must have a connection.”

Outside the archives, spring sunshine had finally burned away the morning mist. Xabir’s steps turned automatically toward the flower shop. He needed to see Romi, needed to breathe in her scent and confirm she was safe. The purple hydrangeas caught his eye - the same shade as the sparks her magic made when she laughed.

The bell above the café door chimed as he entered. His breath caught at the sight of Romi behind the counter looking rested but he still thought she should’ve taken the day off. Her smile when she spotted him lit up her whole face, making his heart stutter.

“Those for me?” She raised an eyebrow at the flowers.

“Who else?” He presented them with a slight bow that made her laugh. The sound soothed his wolf’s restless pacing.

“Flirt.” But her magic sparked happily as she conjured a crystal vase, arranging the blooms with obvious pleasure.

He couldn’t resist leaning across the counter to steal a kiss, drinking in her sweet gasp of surprise.

“Oh, come on!” Thane groaned from nearby. “Some of us are trying to eat.”

“They’re adorable,” a young witch whispered to her shifter friend at a nearby table. “Did you see how his eyes light up when she laughs?”

“Like a puppy with his favorite toy,” the shifter agreed, grinning. “Though don’t let him hear me say that. I still value my morning runs without extra laps.”

“You know,” Maya mused, stirring her enchanted latte, “silver and midnight blue would make gorgeous wedding colors. Very celestial, very them.”

“Oh please,” Clover rolled her eyes, though her smile was fond. “Knowing my cousin, she’ll pick something wild like rainbow sparkles and starlight.”

“That would still be cute,” Maya said with a smile.

“As long as she doesn’t choose awful puke-green bridesmaid dresses,” Clover added.

“I can’t wait to wear a suit,” Thane declared, straightening his already-perfect collar. “Much better than those stuffy robes from the last magical ceremony.”

“And flowers!” Maya sat up straighter. “What about those gorgeous blue roses Romi loves? The ones that sparkle when you walk past?”

“I think she’d probably have the entire place covered in light-up blue and purple hydrangeas,” Thane said.

“With silver moonflowers,” Clover nodded thoughtfully. “And maybe some of those crystal lilies that chime in the breeze.”

“Getting a bit ahead of ourselves, aren’t we?” Thane grinned, though he couldn’t hide his own excitement. “He hasn’t even proposed yet.”

Xabir kept his expression carefully neutral as the conversation swirled around them. His wolf preened at how easily they all assumed a wedding was inevitable, even as his heart squeezed with longing. He’d known Romi was his mate since that first meeting - the way his world had shifted on its axis, everything suddenly aligning around her smile.

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