Page 15 of Alien Charming (Alien Wolf Tales #3)

CHAPTER 15

E lli drew back amongst the flowering bushes, her heart fluttering like the delicate fabric of her borrowed gown. The potion Agatha had given her tingled on her skin, and the light veil obscured her features just enough. No one had shown any sign of recognition as she skirted the edge of the crowd. Scarlett had looked directly at her but hadn’t seemed to know her. All around the clearing, villagers and Vultor mingled beneath strings of lanterns that cast the clearing in a soft golden light. She’d never seen anything so beautiful.

For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful too. The dress transformed her—the soft fabric that flowed like water around her ankles, her hair cascading in waves down her back. She even felt as if she were moving differently, standing taller and breathing deeper.

Her gaze drifted back over to Seren, tall and powerful in the ceremonial circle. When she’d first seen him, he was speaking with another Vultor, but his attention seemed scattered, his gaze constantly scanning the crowd.

Looking for her.

The moment he came up to her, everything else faded away. Recognition flashed across his face—immediate and certain. He knew her, despite Agatha’s magic. Their connection transcended disguises.

The music shifted to something deeper, more primal, and a hush fell over the gathering before Tessa appeared. She’d always been the prettiest girl in the village but now she practically glowed as old Wilhelm escorted her down the aisle to Korrin, her eyes locked on his face.

Seren took his position at the head of the circle, towering over everyone. He stood straight-backed and proud, his broad shoulders set with purpose. The torchlight caught the silver in his dark hair, making it gleam. In this moment, he was every inch the alpha—powerful, commanding, untouchable.

She watched, mesmerized, as he began the ceremony with the traditional Vultor vows. His voice carried across the clearing, rich and authoritative, before Tessa and Korrin made their own vows. Then her aunt stepped forward to preside over an exchange of rings, and Elli had to admit that she performed her role well. Seren took over again, speaking in a language she didn’t recognize as Korrin tipped Tessa’s head back and scraped his fangs lightly across her neck. The other Vultor responded in kind, their voices rising and falling in what seemed like an ancient call and response.

How could someone so magnificent want her? It seemed impossible that the man who had kissed her in the shadows was the same commanding figure who now held an entire gathering captivated with his presence. Seren exuded a power and confidence that made her knees weak, even from a distance—but then he looked up and found her, his eyes softening just for her.

That look—that moment of connection amid his duties—made her heart skip a beat. Perhaps it wasn’t so impossible after all.

The ceremony concluded with a joyful cry from the gathered Vultor, echoed moments later by the human villagers who’d begun to follow along with the unfamiliar ritual. She watched as Tessa and Korrin embraced, their faces radiant with happiness, and a pang of longing shot through her —to be chosen, cherished, bound to someone who saw her true self.

Conversations erupted as the formal portion of the evening ended. The music shifted again to something lighter, and couples began to move into the center of the clearing to dance. She’d lost track of Seren in the sudden stir of activity, but she remained where she was, waiting.

“You’re still here.” His deep voice came from behind her, and she spun around, her heart leaping at the sight of him.

“Did you think I would disappear?”

“Like a dream at dawn.” He studied her face through the veil. “Would you walk with me? Away from the noise?”

“Shouldn’t you stay?” she asked breathlessly, glancing towards the celebration. “You’re their leader. Won’t they expect you to remain?”

His gaze never left her face. “They can manage without me for a while. I’ve fulfilled my duties for the ceremony.” He offered his hand. “Now I want to be alone with you.”

How could she refuse? She placed her hand in his, marveling again at how small hers looked against his massive palm.

He led her away from the lanterns, towards a path that wound through the trees at the edge of the clearing. The sounds of celebration gradually faded behind them, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chorus of night insects. Moonlight cast dappled silver patterns on the forest floor, and she released the veil, no longer feeling the need to conceal herself.

Even though these woods were far less tame than the ones nearer to the village, she felt completely safe walking into the darkness with him, safer than she’d ever felt in her aunt’s house with its locked doors and shuttered windows. After a few minutes, they emerged into a small clearing. A stream gurgled nearby, reflecting fragments of moonlight like scattered diamonds. He led her to a flat boulder at the edge of the clearing and shrugged off his formal jacket.

“Please,” he said, carefully spreading the garment over the rock’s surface. “I wouldn’t want your beautiful dress to be ruined.”

She gave him a shy smile as she sat, touched by his thoughtfulness. The jacket was still warm from his body and carried his scent—something wild and earthy that made her feel strangely at ease. He settled beside her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

For a moment they sat in silence, listening to the forest around them.

“I never wanted to be alpha,” he said suddenly, his deep voice quiet in the night. “It wasn’t my ambition.”

She turned to look at him, his expression pensive in the moonlight.

“Our previous alpha was… unstable. His son even more so.” His jaw tightened. “They wanted war—not only with humans, but with others who had settled on land they believed to be theirs. Revenge for past wrongs. Many would have died—on all sides.”

He looked down at his hands, powerful hands that could so easily destroy but had been so gentle with her. “I challenged the son. I had to. There was no other choice.”

“You saved lives,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “But I also took them. The former alpha’s son died by my hand.” His voice grew rough with remembered pain. “Leadership came to me through blood, not desire. Every day I wonder if I’m the right one to lead.”

Her heart ached for him, and she reached out, covering his massive hand with her smaller one.

“You lead because you care about your people. Because you want peace, not war.” She squeezed his fingers. “That makes you exactly the right male for the position.”

His eyes met hers, filled with a vulnerability that took her breath away. Without thinking, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She felt him freeze in surprise, then respond with a tenderness that made her heart soar. His hand came up to cradle her face, careful and reverent, as though she were something precious.

Her heart thundered in her chest as he deepened the kiss. His lips were firm yet gentle against hers, coaxing rather than demanding. She felt herself melting into him, her hands reaching up to grip those broad shoulders.

A low rumble vibrated through his chest—a sound that should have frightened her but instead sent a thrill racing down her spine. Before she could process what was happening, his big hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly and settling her across his lap.

“Is this all right?” he whispered against her lips, his eyes searching hers.

She nodded, unable to find her voice, and his hands slid up her back, one coming to rest at the nape of her neck while the other splayed across her lower back, holding her securely against him. The heat of his palm burned through the thin fabric of her borrowed dress, igniting sensations she’d never experienced. Her fingers twined in the soft hair at the nape of his neck, and he growled softly as he explored her mouth with his.

As their kiss grew more heated, something long and hard throbbed beneath her, and she couldn’t suppress a shiver of excitement when she realized he was aroused. His hips rocked slowly against her, a subtle movement that stoked the flames building inside her.

“Tell me to stop,” he said, his breath hot against her ear. “Tell me to take you home. Before…”

Before what? She wanted to ask, but her body already knew. Heat pooled between her thighs, and she instinctively pressed herself closer, eliciting another growl from deep in his chest.

“I want to stay with you,” she whispered, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw.

His restraint broke. With a growl, he captured her lips again, claiming her mouth with a passionate intensity that left her breathless. His hands roamed her body, caressing, teasing, awakening sensations she’d never dreamed of. She arched against him, her hands exploring his muscled shoulders, his powerful arms. When he pulled back, his eyes were fierce, molten gold in the darkness.

“This is dangerous, little one.” His voice was a low, rumbling growl. “We must stop before…”

“Before what?” Her words emerged as barely a whisper.

His eyes searched hers. “Before my beast takes control. Before I lose myself in you.”

The thought of him losing control, of giving himself over to her completely, sent a bolt of heat through her core. Her body ached for him, yearned for things she only barely understood. She leaned forward, brushing her lips against his ear, emboldened by the magic and mystery of this night.

“Then lose yourself in me,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.

He froze for an endless moment. Then a shudder rippled through him, and he bent her back over his arm, his eyes glowing gold as he looked down at her.

“Seren,” she breathed, barely recognizing her own voice.

He responded with another low growl that reverberated through her entire being. He traced the curve of her collarbone, his touch reverent, and she shivered. Every point of contact between them sent sparks of pleasure racing across her skin, and she arched into his touch, seeking more of the exquisite sensations he evoked. Her body seemed to know what it wanted, even if her mind couldn’t quite comprehend the depth of her desire.

His lips traced a path down her throat, his touch both gentle and insistent. Her head fell back, offering more of herself to him without conscious thought. When his thumb brushed the underside of her breast through the thin fabric of her dress, pleasure shot through her like a lightning bolt. She clutched at his shoulders, overwhelmed by the intensity of her response.

“Seren,” she whispered again, her voice unfamiliar to her own ears—breathless and wanting.

His eyes locked with hers, glowing with an inner fire that should have frightened her but instead made her feel powerful and desired. His expression was one of barely restrained hunger as he cupped her face with one large hand.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through her. “So responsive.”

He stroked the column of her throat with his thumb, sending a cascade of shivers through her. “Do you know how much I want you?”

His other hand settled on her waist, his fingers splayed across her stomach in a way that felt possessive, protective. He leaned down and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to the side of her neck. She gasped at the sensation, her fingers tangling in the front of his shirt. He trailed kisses down the column of her throat, nipping and licking, teasing her with the hint of fangs. Her head spun, desire overwhelming her senses.

“I want to taste you,” he growled against her skin. “To claim you.”

Yes. She wanted that too. She needed him, all of him. Her body ached for him, and she arched into his touch, silently begging for more.

He drew back to study her with those glowing eyes. “I need you to say it, Elli. I need to hear you say the words. Do you want this? Do you want me?”

She took a shaky breath. “I want this,” she whispered, her hands sliding up to grip his shoulders again. “I want you, Seren. More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”

He groaned and captured her lips with his. His kiss was a claiming, a promise of things to come. She met his passion with her own, her hands exploring his broad shoulders, his strong arms. She tugged impatiently at his shirt, but he shook his head.

“Not yet, little one.”

She started to protest but then his hand closed over her breast, and she lost the ability to speak. He teased her through the thin fabric, circling, squeezing, until she was panting with need. When he finally brushed his thumb across her nipple, she cried out, arching against him.

“Shh,” he whispered, his lips finding hers once again. “I’ll take care of you.”

He stroked and teased her breasts until she was writhing in his lap, her nails digging into his shoulders. She rocked her hips instinctively, seeking something she couldn’t name. His growl of approval rumbled through her as he slipped her dress down over her shoulders, baring her to the night air and to his hungry gaze.

“So beautiful,” he murmured, bending down to capture one hard nipple between his lips.

She whimpered at the sensation, her fingers clutching at his hair. He teased her with lips and tongue, suckling first one breast and then the other until she was panting and shaking in his arms. Her body ached, throbbed with a need she didn’t fully understand. She rocked her hips again, seeking friction, and he groaned.

“Patience, my eager little mate,” he said, his voice rough with desire.

His hand drifted down her body, his eyes glowing with a hunger that made her tremble, then slipped beneath the hem of her dress, pushing her skirt up over her thighs. A distant part of her mind thought she should have been embarrassed, but she was too focused on his maddeningly gentle touch as he brushed against the wet heat between her thighs. A jolt of electricity shot through her and she cried out.

“That’s it,” he murmured. “Let me hear you, little one. Let me know how good it feels.”

His fingers explored her with a mix of tenderness and possessiveness that left her breathless. When he slid one thick finger inside her, she arched against him, gasping at the invasion. It hurt, just a little, but the sensation was quickly drowned out by pleasure as he curled his finger and stroked a hidden spot deep inside her. He watched her intently as he touched her, studying every reaction, every gasp and moan.

“You’re so tight,” he said, his voice a deep rumble. “I need to make sure you’re ready for me. I don’t want to hurt you.”

She could barely form words. “You won’t,” she managed to gasp. “I trust you.”

He groaned and kissed her fiercely. His finger continued to move inside her, stretching her, preparing her to take him. When he added a second digit, the burn intensified, but it only fueled her need. She rocked her hips in time with his thrusts, seeking more of the delicious friction.

His thumb brushed against a sensitive spot at the apex of her thighs. She cried out, her body tensing, coiled tight as a spring. He circled the spot with firm, deliberate strokes, and pleasure exploded within her, radiating outwards in waves of heat and light. She clung to him as she came apart, his name on her lips, and he held her close, growling words of praise and encouragement as he guided her through her climax.

When she finally floated back down to earth, her face was wet with tears, and he stroked a gentle finger across her damp cheeks.

“Are you all right, little one?” His voice rumbled through her. “Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head, struggling to find words, and he bent to kiss her again. This kiss was different, slow and languid, as if he wanted to savor the taste of her. She sighed into his mouth, her body relaxed and pliant in his arms. He continued to stroke her gently, easing her back down from the heights of her pleasure.

When he broke the kiss, he drew back to study her again.

“I think that we’d best stop here.”

Stop? She frowned, not understanding, but then she felt that long, thick length throbbing insistently against her thigh.

“But you’re… you’re hard,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

His chuckle was dark and enticing. “Yes. Because of you. Because of your sweet scent and the way you respond to my touch.” He nuzzled her neck. “But I won’t claim you tonight, little one.”

“But… why not?” she asked, confused. “Didn’t you like it? Didn’t I please you?”

“You pleased me very much,” he growled. “Believe me, I want nothing more than to sink myself into your sweet heat. To feel your body tighten around me as I make you mine.”

“But?”

He gently caressed her still damp cheeks. “But this is all new to you, and I suspect, overwhelming.”

He was right, of course. This was all so new and intense and overwhelming. But that didn’t lessen the ache between her thighs or the longing in her heart. She wanted him, all of him. She wanted to belong to him fully, completely, but she nodded, accepting his decision.

He kissed her again, tenderly this time, his lips soft against hers. “I won’t rush this,” he murmured. “You need time.”

She could see the conflict in his eyes—desire warring with restraint—and it suddenly occurred to her that perhaps he did as well. She nodded again, managing a somewhat shaky smile.

“We should return to the ceremony,” he added reluctantly. “I want you to enjoy this night—to dance and celebrate. You deserve these moments of joy.”

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, his touch infinitely tender.

“Tonight is special,” he continued. “Magical. I want you to experience all of it.”

“It’s magical enough just being with you,” she whispered.

He growled, and then he was kissing her again, his mouth hungry and demanding. She returned the kiss eagerly, but he pulled away all too soon.

“The ceremony, little temptress,” he said firmly as he placed her back on her feet and adjusted her gown before fastening the veil back in place. “We should go.”

He stood up and offered his hand. She took it, her skin tingling at the contact. The thought of dancing with him under the lantern lights sent a thrill of excitement through her, and when he smiled, the world seemed brighter, more full of promise.

No matter what happened tomorrow, tonight was a gift. A magical gift that she would treasure forever.