Page 46 of Enchanting the Alpha

“No one’s being forced,” Romi said, stepping forward. Though her voice remained calm, Xabir could sense her magic gathering beneath her skin like storm clouds. “We’re creating opportunities for those who want to build bridges instead of walls.”

“Bridges?” Bastian scoffed. “More like tinder for the fire that’s coming. Your little experiment will get people hurt.”

“The only one making threats here is you,” Xabir growled, his alpha energy rising in response to the challenge. The air grew thick with competing magical energies – Bastian’s darkness, Romi’s crackling power, and his own primal force.

“This isn’t a threat.” Bastian’s eyes gleamed with an unnatural light. “This is a challenge. If you’re so convinced your unity is the answer, prove it. Right here, right now.”

Dark magic exploded from Bastian’s hands, shooting toward Romi like arrows of shadow. She deflected them with a swift shield charm, but the force of the impact sent magical backlash rippling through the café. Coffee cups rattled on tables as patrons scrambled back.

“Stop this,” Xabir commanded, letting his alpha power fill his voice. “There’s no need for violence.”

But Bastian was beyond reason. His next spell shattered against Romi’s defenses with enough force to crack the wooden floor. She countered with her own magic, weaving light andenergy into protective barriers while simultaneously shielding nearby customers.

Pride and concern warred in Xabir’s chest as he watched her hold her ground. Her power had grown tremendously since taking over the café, but Bastian fought with the desperate fury of a man convinced he had nothing left to lose.

“Your methods are flawed,” Bastian snarled, gathering more dark energy around himself. “I won’t stand by and watch you destroy everything we’ve built!”

“The only thing being destroyed is your credibility,” Romi shot back. Her magic flared brighter, meeting his darkness with pure, determined light. “We’re trying to make things better for everyone.”

“Better?” Bastian’s laugh held no humor. “Let’s see how much better things are when faced with real power!”

His form began to blur and shift, bones cracking as he took on his animal aspect. Where a man had stood moments before, a massive black wolf now snarled, dark magic still crackling through his fur.

Xabir’s own wolf surged forward, responding to the direct challenge. He fought the immediate urge to shift, knowing he needed to maintain control of the situation.

“Romi, watch out!” he called as Bastian lunged, jaws snapping.

She spun away, her magic creating a barrier between herself and the attacking wolf. But the force of Bastian’s assault sent her stumbling backward into a table.

That was enough. Xabir let his shift take him, clothes tearing as his wolf form emerged. He intercepted Bastian’s next attack, meeting him halfway with a thunderous crash of bodies and magic.

They rolled across the café floor, a blur of snapping teeth and slashing claws. Bastian fought with uncontrolled fury whileXabir maintained the disciplined precision that marked him an alpha. Around them, the air crackled with competing energies – Bastian’s darkness, Xabir’s primal power, and Romi’s protective light creating a dazzling display.

“Look at them go!” someone in the crowd gasped. “One is fighting for individual power and the other for unity.”

“Bastian’s out of control,” another voice added. “We need to support Romi and Xabir!”

The commentary spurred Bastian into an even more frenzied attack. He launched himself at Xabir with renewed force, dark magic enhancing his natural strength. The impact sent them crashing into a nearby shelf.

The enchanted wood splintered, sending books and magical artifacts tumbling to the ground. Among them, something pulsed with ancient power – a fragment of weathered parchment covered in archaic runes.

FORTY-FIVE

“What is that?” Romi’s voice cut through the chaos. She stared at the fragment, her magical senses clearly picking up its significance.

Xabir recognized it instantly – a piece missing from one of the tomes, the one containing dark spells that had been used in recent sabotage attempts. The same magical signature emanated from both Bastian and the fragment.

Everything clicked into place. The suspicious accidents, the targeted disruptions, the escalating tensions – all of it tied back to Bastian.

“The spells,” Romi breathed, reaching the same conclusion. “They’re linked to the Presley bloodline. It must be Bastian behind the sabotage.”

Bastian’s snarl confirmed their suspicions. He lunged for the fragment, but Xabir intercepted him, using his larger size to pin down the younger wolf.

Around them, the crowd had grown. Witches and shifters alike watched with bated breath as their communities’ future hung in the balance. The tension in the air was nearly tangible.

Romi stepped forward, her magic weaving through the air in intricate patterns. “It’s over, Bastian. There’s no need for this.”

Xabir maintained his hold but added his own power to hers, creating a unified front that represented everything they’d been working toward. Their combined energy filled the café with warmth and light, pushing back Bastian’s darkness. Xabir shifted back to human, his clothes intact with his shift thanks to the magic in his blood.

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