Page 20 of Enchanting the Alpha

“Such a romantic,” Romi teased, her magic humming happily as he dropped a quick kiss on her temple. “Wooing me with paperwork.”

“Would you prefer grand gestures? I could have Whiskers sky write poetry over the café.”

Whiskers perked up at this suggestion.

“Don’t encourage him,” Romi told her familiar.

Xabir’s rare laugh sent pleasant shivers down her spine. He leaned closer, ostensibly to look at her laptop screen, but his fingers found hers under the desk. “What if we focused on the task at hand first?” he murmured. “Then maybe we could discuss more interesting activities.”

“Like what?” She turned to face him and found their faces inches apart.

“Like exploring that theory about witch-shifter magical resonance.” His voice dropped to that low rumble that never failed to make her pulse race. “For scientific purposes, of course.”

“Of course,” she agreed solemnly. “We should be thorough in our research.”

Romi found it increasingly difficult to focus on community outreach plans when Xabir kept finding excuses to touch her. His hand brushing hers as they shared papers, his knee pressedagainst hers under the table, the way he leaned close to read her notes, his breath tickling her ear.

Two could play at that game.

“What about collaborative workshops?” she suggested, deliberately tucking a stray curl behind her ear and noticing how his eyes tracked the movement. “Witches and shifters teaching each other their specialties?”

“That could work.” He shifted closer, ostensibly to look at her laptop screen. “What specialties did you have in mind?”

“Well,” she said, “I could teach a class on magical brewing. Though some students might end up as teapots.”

“I’d risk it.” His eyes darkened as they dropped to her lips. “For your coffee.”

Their discussion flowed easily, ideas building on each other as the night deepened, but there was an underlying current of attraction that made every interaction feel charged with possibility. Romi found herself sharing stories of her early potion-making disasters, delighted when they drew rare chuckles from Xabir. Each laugh felt like a victory, a glimpse of the man behind the alpha facade.

“I nearly blew up my first cauldron,” she admitted, grinning at the memory. “The explosion turned my hair green for a week.”

“Better than my first shift,” Xabir said, surprising her with his openness. “I got stuck halfway between forms and had a tail for three days. My sister still has pictures.”

Romi laughed, trying to imagine the dignified alpha with a tail. “Please tell me she’ll share those photos.”

“Never.” But his eyes crinkled at the corners, almost a smile. “Though I might be persuaded to tell you about the time I accidentally shifted during a board meeting.”

TWENTY-TWO

They managed to review exactly three proposals before Romi’s magic decided to show off, creating tiny sparkles that danced around them like fallen stars. Xabir joined in by letting his alpha energy wrap around her in a way that made concentration impossible.

“This is your fault,” she informed him as another shower of magical sparkles rained down. “I used to be very professional before you came along.”

“Lies,” he said, pulling her closer. “I’ve heard stories about the singing teapots incident.”

“That was Thane’s fault and you know it.” She tried to focus on the proposal in front of her, but her magic sparked again, stronger this time. The golden light that usually manifested as gentle sparkles suddenly blazed like a miniature sun.

Their laughter mingled in the warm air, and Romi’s magic hummed contentedly. Until suddenly it did more than hum - it surged through her veins like lightning, making her gasp.

“Romi?” Xabir’s tone shifted from playful to concerned as her magic continued to build.

“Something’s wrong.” She gasped as power surged through her veins, wild and untamed. The café’s lanterns flickeredviolently, and several coffee cups began floating without her intent. “I can’t control it-”

Xabir’s arms wrapped around her as another wave of magic pulsed outward. Books flew off shelves, chairs danced across the floor, and Whiskers had to dodge a rogue sugar shaker.

“Focus on me,” Xabir murmured, his alpha energy trying to stabilize her magic. “Breathe with me.”

She gripped his arms, trying to ground herself in his steady presence. But her power kept building, making the entire café vibrate with magical energy. A nearby table transformed into a flock of origami cranes that took flight around the room.

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