Page 24 of Alien Charming (Alien Wolf Tales #3)

CHAPTER 24

A few days later, Seren slipped out of bed before Elli woke. Outside, he breathed in the cool morning air, letting it cool the anger that still simmered beneath his skin. His beast still demanded vengeance, but he knew better than to give in to its bloodlust. There were smarter ways to handle Margaret Jacobson.

He found Korrin at the training grounds, working through combat forms with brutal efficiency. The younger Vultor acknowledged him with a nod but continued his exercises until he finished the sequence.

“What have you discovered?” he demanded as soon as Korrin sheathed his blade.

“From what I’ve gathered, Mayor Jacobson’s power comes from two sources: her political position and her wealth.” Korrin started to pace. “She’s been skimming from village funds for years. I believe some of the humans suspect it but can’t prove it.”

He frowned at the younger male. “And you know this how?”

A wolfish grin spread across Korrin’s face. “She keeps two sets of books—one for show, one for her actual dealings.”

“If those records were to become public knowledge…”

“Exactly.” Korrin nodded. “The village council would have no choice but to remove her. No blood spilled, but she loses everything she values—power, respect, wealth.”

The plan appealed to his sense of justice. Margaret had tried to use Elli as a pawn for financial gain. It seemed fitting that finances would be her downfall.

“Can you get those records?”

Korrin gave him a smug smile.

“Of course. The mayor’s security is… inadequate.”

“Do it quietly,” he warned. “We need evidence, not accusations of theft.”

“You wound me, Seren.” Korrin placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Stealth is my specialty. No one will know I was there.”

He nodded, feeling some of the tension leave his shoulders. This was a better path than violence—a smarter strategy that would serve justice without bloodshed. “Report to me when it’s done.”

“And after we have the evidence?” Korrin asked.

“We bring it before the human council. Let her own people pass judgment.” His lips curved into a cold smile. “Margaret Jacobson values her reputation above all else. Watching it crumble will be punishment enough.”

They parted ways, Korrin melting into the forest with practiced ease. He watched him go, grateful for the younger Vultor’s skills. Korrin had always been useful, if unpredictable. His distrust of humans made him an unlikely ally in this situation, but his hunger for justice aligned perfectly with Seren’s needs.

When he returned he found Elli awake, wrapped in one of his shirts as she prepared tea. The sight of her—safe, here, his—filled him with profound relief. The claiming mark on her neck was visible above the collar of his shirt, and his beast rumbled with satisfaction.

“You left,” she said softly, not accusingly.

“I had matters to attend to.” He crossed to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, breathing in her scent. “How do you feel?”

“Fine.” She leaned back against his chest. “What matters?”

He hesitated, then decided on honesty. “I’ve set things in motion to deal with your aunt.”

She tensed slightly in his arms. “You’re not going to hurt her?”

“No.” He turned her to face him. “I’m going to let justice take its course. The evidence of her corruption will speak for itself.”

He watched the emotions play across her face—concern, relief, and something else he couldn’t quite name. Her trust in him humbled him. After everything she’d endured, she still believed in justice rather than vengeance.

“Korrin is gathering evidence as we speak,” he explained, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Your aunt has been stealing from the village for years. Once exposed, she’ll lose everything she values—her position, her wealth, her standing.”

“That seems… fitting,” she said quietly. “She always cared more about appearances than people.”

The rest of the day passed quietly and he let himself relax in the pleasure of his mate, finally able to put aside his need for vengeance.

But the next morning Korrin came to find him. He’d not only retrieved the financial records, he’d found something else, something that shook Seren to his core.

“You don’t have to tell her,” the other male said quietly.

“You know I do.”

“I suppose so, but if you decide differently, I will make sure there is no evidence.”

He was tempted, but he shook his head.

“We both know I can’t do that, but thank you, my friend.”

He returned to his den, wondering how best to approach the subject. Elli’s welcoming smile faded as she studied his face.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Walk with me,” he said, leading her towards a quiet path that wound through the trees, keeping her hand tucked in his. She waited patiently as he gathered his thoughts.

“You know that Korrin was retrieving your aunt’s records?” he said finally, and she immediately tensed.

“Has she caused more trouble?”

“No, but what he discovered may change everything.” He took a deep breath. “The house, the lands—they don’t belong to Margaret.”

“What do you mean?”

He stopped walking and turned to face her. “They belong to you, little one. They belonged to your grandmother, not Margaret’s mother, and they passed from your mother to you. Margaret has been living on your property, spending your money.”

Her face turned pale, and he put his arm around her shoulders to steady her.

“That’s not possible. She always said?—”

“She lied.” His voice hardened. “Korrin found the original will hidden amongst her records. Your grandmother was wealthy in her own right, and she left everything to your mother, and then your mother left it to you. Margaret kept it hidden, kept you dependent.”

She swayed, and he swore under his breath as he tightened his grip.

“All those years of servitude, of being told I was a burden, of believing I had nothing… I don’t understand,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Why would she do that?”

“Power. Control. Greed. Jealousy. You are so much more than she could ever be.”

She shuddered, a tear slipping down her cheek, and he gently stroked her hair.

“What do you want to do?” he asked softly.

She looked up at him and frowned. “Do?”

“It’s your inheritance, your property.” He did his best to keep his voice and his expression carefully neutral. “If you wished to return to the village, to claim what’s rightfully yours…”

“You think I want to go back?”

Another deep breath.

“If that is your wish, then I will give up my position as alpha and go with you.”

She stared up at him. “You would abandon your pack? Your responsibilities?”

“For you?” He cupped her face gently, hoping she could see the truth in his words. “Without hesitation.”

Tears filled her eyes, but then she shook her head.

“I don’t want to go back,” she said softly, reaching up to touch his face. “I don’t want that house.”

Relief flooded him, although he did his best to mask it. “Are you certain? It’s your birthright.”

She shrugged. “What would I do with it? It’s filled with memories of servitude and shame. My home is here now. With you. With the pack.”

“You would choose this life?” he asked carefully. “When you could have comfort and wealth?”

“I have everything I need right here,” she said, gesturing around at the forest surrounding them, at the enclave visible through the trees. “For the first time in my life, I’m valued for who I am. I have friends. And you…” She gave him a radiant smile. “You love me for myself.”

He pressed his forehead to hers, a rumble of contentment vibrating through his chest. “Always.”

“The house, the money—they’re just things,” she continued. “They can’t give me what I’ve found here. I was never happy there. The only thing I want from that house are my mother’s belongings—her books, her keepsakes. The rest means nothing to me.”

He pulled her closer, his heart overflowing.

“What’s going to happen to my aunt?” she added anxiously.

“Korrin has already set things in motion,” he said, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “The village elders have been informed of her deception. By now, she’s been summoned to account for her actions.”

“I don’t want revenge,” she said softly. “I just want her to stop hurting people.”

“Your kindness never ceases to amaze me, little one.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But justice isn’t revenge. She stole from you and kept you in servitude. There must be consequences.”

“I suppose so. What will happen to her?”

“That depends partly on you,” he said. “As the wronged party, your wishes carry weight. The village council will want to speak with you.”

He could see the conflict on her face, but she straightened her shoulders and nodded.

“I’ll go,” she said. “I need to face her one last time. Not just for myself, but for my mother.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “We’ll go together. The pack stands with you now.”

A week later, he stood on the steps of the Jacobson manor, his presence commanding silence from the gathered villagers. Behind him, Korrin and two other Vultor males flanked a tight-lipped Margaret Jacobson, her usual imperious demeanor cracked by fury and humiliation.

The regional magistrate had been swift in his judgment once presented with the evidence. The property records were indisputable—the house and surrounding lands legally belonged to Elli through her mother’s inheritance. Margaret’s years of deception had unraveled in a single afternoon.

“This house no longer belongs to Mrs. Jacobson.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. He caught fragments of disbelief, confusion, and—from some corners—a distinct lack of surprise.

“The legal owner, my mate Elli, has decided this property will serve a greater purpose.” He scanned the faces before him, noting which villagers looked away in shame. They’d known how Margaret treated her niece. They’d done nothing. “This house will become the center for our new trade alliance.”

Margaret jerked forward. “You can’t do this! This village is mine?—”

“The village was never yours,” he cut her off, his voice level but carrying an edge that made her step back. “And the house never was either.”

He turned back to the gathered crowd. “The alliance will benefit all who wish to participate—Vultor and human alike. Fair trade, fair prices. No one person will control who has access.”

He watched understanding dawn on their faces. For years Margaret had been the gatekeeper of opportunity in this village, deciding who prospered and who struggled. That power was gone now.

“Mrs. Jacobson will be escorted to her cousin’s house at the coast,” he continued. “She is no longer welcome here.”

His beast purred with satisfaction as Korrin guided Margaret down the steps. Justice, not vengeance. The distinction mattered to him—to the leader he strived to be.

The crowd parted as they passed, Margaret’s head held high despite her fall from grace. Some villagers averted their eyes, while others watched with undisguised relief.

He watched her rigid back as she supervised the loading of her personal belongings onto the waiting cart. Her movements were precise, controlled, but he could smell the acrid scent of her humiliation and rage. The beast inside him wanted to savor her downfall, but the male knew better.

“She doesn’t deserve your kindness,” he murmured to Elli, who stood beside him on the manor’s porch.

“Perhaps not,” she said softly. “But I won’t become what she is.”

His mate’s compassion both frustrated and awed him. After everything Margaret had done—the years of servitude, the lies—Elli had insisted her aunt be allowed to take enough possessions to establish a comfortable life in her new town. Not wealth, but dignity.

“Three trunks of clothing, her personal jewelry, and a reasonable sum for housing,” she had specified. “And her books. She always loved her books.”

Margaret slammed the lid of the final trunk, refusing to look in their direction. The village had turned out to watch her departure, their expressions ranging from satisfaction to uncertainty about the changes to come.

He placed his hand on the small of Elli’s back, drawing strength from her presence. “Your compassion doesn’t mean we can trust her.”

“I know.” She leaned into his touch. “That’s why Korrin will escort her.”

He nodded, grateful for his mate’s practicality. Margaret Jacobson was defeated but not harmless. The escort would ensure she reached her destination—and didn’t double back with schemes of revenge.

As if sensing their attention, Margaret finally turned to face them. Her eyes were cold, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“I took you in,” she snapped. “I gave you a home when no one else wanted you.”

Elli stiffened beside him, but her voice remained steady. “You kept what was rightfully mine and treated me as a servant in my own home. But I wish you well, Aunt Margaret.”

Margaret’s face twisted, but before she could respond, Korrin stepped forward.

“Time to go, Mrs. Jacobson.”

With a final glare, she climbed onto the cart, her back straight as a rod. He felt Elli’s small sigh as the cart began to move, carrying her aunt away from the village she had dominated for so long.

He watched the cart disappear down the winding road, Margaret’s rigid posture visible until the bend took her from sight. A weight lifted from his shoulders—not completely gone, but lighter than before. Justice had been served without bloodshed. The beast within him, so often demanding retribution, seemed satisfied.

He turned to find Elli gazing up at him, her eyes clear and bright in the afternoon sunlight. A smile curved her lips, transforming her face with a radiance that still stunned him. How had he been fortunate enough to find her?

“Time to go home,” she said softly, reaching for his hand.

Home. The word resonated through him with unexpected power. For so long, home had been merely a place—the pack lands, his den, wherever his responsibilities as alpha required him to be. Now it meant something different. Something more.

Her fingers twined with his, small and warm against his larger hand. Her scent wrapped around him, soothing the last restless edges of his beast.

“Yes,” he agreed, pulling her gently against his side. “Time to go home.”

The manor house behind them would serve the alliance well, but it wasn’t theirs. Their home waited in the forest—the small den where they’d begun building a life neither of them had believed possible.

As they walked away from the village, he felt a profound sense of rightness settle in his chest. The path ahead would not always be smooth—there would be challenges in bridging their two worlds, in helping humans and Vultor learn to trust each other. But with her beside him, those challenges seemed like opportunities rather than burdens.

He glanced down at his mate, still marveling at how perfectly she fit against him despite their difference in size. Her steps matched his, unhurried and content.

“Happy?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Her smile deepened, reaching her eyes and making them shine. “More than I ever thought possible.”

He still marveled at how easily she had slipped into life among the Vultor. Where he had expected resistance and prejudice, he’d found grudging acceptance that had gradually warmed into genuine respect. The healer, old Tavrin, had become particularly protective of her, growling at anyone who dared question her place in their community.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, squeezing his hand.

“How things change,” he answered, pulling her closer as they walked. “A few months ago, I was convinced the alliance with the village would fail. That humans and Vultor were too different.”

She laughed softly. “And now you’re mated to a human and leading both communities towards cooperation.”

“The irony isn’t lost on me.” He smiled down at her. “Though I suspect the cooperation has more to do with you than with me.”

It was true. Where his diplomatic efforts had been met with suspicion and resistance, Elli’s genuine kindness had opened doors. Humans who had feared the Vultor began to see them differently after witnessing Elli’s happiness. And Vultor who had despised humans found it harder to maintain that hatred when confronted with her gentle determination.

“Tavrin wants me to help with the summer medicinal preparations tomorrow,” she said as they approached their den. “He says my hands are better suited for delicate work.”

“High praise from the old grouch,” he chuckled. “Should I be jealous that you spend so much time with him?”

Her lips curved into that secret smile that never failed to captivate him. The one that made his beast stir with possessive satisfaction.

“Jealous of Tavrin?” She laughed, the sound like music in the quiet forest. “He’s at least four times my age and calls me ‘irritating human’ as a term of endearment.”

“He respects you,” he said, opening the door for her. “That’s rare enough among our kind.”

He moved to the hearth, stoking the banked fire while she filled the kettle. They moved around each other with the easy rhythm of mates who had found their balance, anticipating each other’s needs without words.

“The alliance meeting is tomorrow,” he said, watching her prepare tea with precise, graceful movements. “The first official gathering since the change in leadership.”

“Are you worried?” she glanced up at him, her eyes searching his face.

“No.” The realization surprised him. For so long, worry had been his constant companion—about his pack, about maintaining control of his beast, about the future of his people. But with her beside him, that gnawing anxiety had eased. “I believe we can make this work.”

She brought him a steaming mug, her fingers brushing his as she passed it to him. Even that slight contact sent warmth through his body that had nothing to do with the hot drink.

“So do I,” she said simply.

He put the mug aside and pulled her into his arms, breathing in her scent. The village and the pack would find their way forward together. There would be challenges, certainly—generations of mistrust couldn’t be erased overnight. But standing here with his mate in their home, the future seemed full of possibilities at last.