Page 15 of Enchanting the Alpha

Steam swirled in mesmerizing patterns above the copper brewing station as Romi infused her latest coffee blend with a touch of joy magic. Whiskers dozed on his favorite floating shelf, tiny dragon wings twitching as he chased dream mice.

The bell above the door chimed - not its usual musical trill, but a deeper, richer tone that resonated through her magic. She didn’t need to look up to know who had entered. Her coffee cup tattoo warmed against her wrist, responding to the alpha energy that filled the café.

“You’re early for your usual coffee run,” she said, fighting to keep her voice casual as Xabir approached the counter. The morning sun caught the silver threads in his charcoal suit, making them shimmer.

“I had a different purpose in mind.” His deep voice sent pleasant shivers down her spine.

“Oh?” She glanced up, caught the intensity in his hazel eyes, and quickly focused on adding a sprinkle of enchanted vanilla to his usual drink. “Don’t tell me you’re switching to tea. I’d never forgive such betrayal.”

His lips twitched - almost a smile. She’d been cataloging those almost-smiles, treasuring each one like rare magical artifacts.

“The coffee here is... irreplaceable.” The way he said it made her wonder if he meant more than just the drinks. “Actually, I wanted to ask if you’re free tomorrow.”

The vanilla bottle slipped through her fingers, sending a shower of sparkles into the air.

“I might be.” She caught the bottle with a quick levitation spell, grateful that her voice remained steady despite her racing heart. “Do you have something in mind?”

“I thought we could spend the day together.” He placed his hands on the counter, and she found herself mesmerized by their proximity to her own. “Starting with breakfast.”

“A whole day?” Her magic fizzed beneath her skin like champagne bubbles. “That’s quite a commitment from someone who usually limits social interactions to brief nods and monosyllabic grunts.”

This time she definitely saw a smile, brief but genuine. “I’m willing to make an exception.”

“Well, in that case...” She slid his coffee across the counter, letting her fingers brush against his. A spark of electricity jumped between them. “I accept. Though I should warn you - I’ve been told I can be quite exhausting in large doses.”

“I look forward to finding out.”

SEVENTEEN

“He asked you out?” Clover squealed later that evening, nearly dropping her slice of pizza. They sat cross-legged on cushions in Romi’s living room, surrounded by floating candles and half a dozen outfit options hovering in the air.

“For a whole day,” Romi confirmed, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “Starting with breakfast.”

“That’s so romantic!” Clover sighed, then narrowed her eyes at Romi’s expression. “But you’re worried.”

“Not worried exactly.” Romi absently stroked Whiskers curled up in her lap. “Just... cautious. You know how my last relationship ended.”

“Xabir isn’t Barrett.”

“No, he’s not.” Romi smiled despite herself, remembering the way Xabir’s eyes had softened when he smiled at her. “He’s... different. In a good way. But that’s what scares me. I thought Barrett was different too.”

Clover reached over to squeeze her hand. “Want to know what I think?”

“Always.”

“I think you’re already half in love with him.” She held up a hand to stop Romi’s protest. “And that’s okay. It’s okay to be scared and excited at the same time. It’s okay to want to take things slow. But don’t let fear of what might go wrong stop you from discovering what might go right.”

“When did you get so wise?” Romi threw a piece of crust at her cousin.

“I’ve been reading a lot of self-help books.” Clover grinned. “Plus, watching you two dance around each other has been better than any romance novel. The way he looks at you when he thinks no one’s watching...”

“How does he look at me?” The question slipped out before she could stop it.

“Like you’re magic itself.” Clover’s voice softened. “Like you’re everything he never knew he was looking for.”

Romi’s heart fluttered. “That’s... intense.”

“He’s an alpha. Intense is kind of their thing.” Clover gestured to the floating outfits. “Now, about tomorrow - please tell me you’re not wearing that horrible sweater with the enchanted pom-poms.”

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