Page 8 of Alien Charming (Alien Wolf Tales #3)

CHAPTER 8

A s Seren sat stiffly at the ornate dining room table, doing his best not to glance over at the window where he’d seen Elli, he tried to distract himself by thinking about the human village. It was an exercise in contradictions—some houses were neat and well-kept, while others were neglected, with overgrown gardens and peeling paint. Some were large and ornate while others were little more than shacks.

The streets themselves were clean and orderly, but the people they’d passed watched them with suspicion, their expressions wary and guarded. It only reinforced his belief that their alliance was the right path. If his people were ever to find peace here, there must be trust.

Trust that was sorely lacking at the moment, especially in the woman who had pretended to welcome him into her home.

Mayor Jacobson was a cold, ambitious woman who saw him and his people as tools to advance her own agenda. The dinner party she had arranged was less about fostering goodwill and more about demonstrating her power and status to her peers. Even the dining room, with its heavy furniture and ornate crystal chandelier, felt designed to intimidate rather than invite. Everything, from the delicate china plates to the expensive lace tablecloth, sent a clear message—she was a wealthy, important person who expected respect and deference.

His gaze started to drift towards the window again, but he frowned at the empty chair at the end of the table instead—a chair he suspected had been intended for Elli. Why hadn’t she joined them?

The mayor’s voice snapped him back to the conversation at hand.

“Your people are rumored to possess certain… abilities,” she said, her smile sharpening. “To change into another form?”

He forced himself not to react, though he felt his beast stir. “There are many stories about us.”

“Ah, yes.” Her gaze flicked to his hands, and her smile widened. “But I’m interested in the truth.”

Before he could respond, the door swung open and the maid entered, carrying a tray laden with desserts. He seized the opportunity to redirect the conversation.

“This cake looks delicious,” he said, taking a slice of cake.

The mayor’s lips pressed together in irritation, but she nodded. “Thank you. Please, everyone, help yourselves.”

As the plates were passed around, he allowed himself another glance towards the window. Elli had moved out of sight, but he could still feel her presence. His beast stirred again, aching to go to her, to assure himself she was unharmed. It took all of his self-control to remain in his seat.

“Was your niece unwell this evening?” The question emerged before he could prevent it.

The mayor’s smile tightened. “Elli is indisposed. The girl isn’t suited for formal occasions—too flighty and awkward. I’m sure you understand.”

He didn’t understand. Not at all. His Elli was thoughtful and composed, her quiet demeanor a sign of depth rather than weakness. The woman’s dismissive tone kindled something protective in him that went beyond rational thought, and he forced himself to take a slow breath, reminding himself of the larger purpose this dinner served.

Nyra caught his eye across the table. Her subtle head tilt conveyed her concern, and he bit back a sigh. His pack was noticing his agitation.

“The trade agreement seems straightforward enough,” the mayor continued complacently, oblivious to his darkening mood. “I believe there are only a few more minor details to resolve.”

He nodded mechanically, his ears attuned to any sound of movement from outside the window. What was Elli doing? Was she still out there, listening to this farce of a negotiation? And if so, why?

“Of course,” he managed. “We’re eager to finalize the agreement.”

“Good. Good.” The mayor smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I trust that you won’t disappoint me.”

The warning in her words was unmistakable, and he fought the urge to snarl. This woman was a predator in her own right, using her influence and wealth to exploit those weaker than her. She saw the Vultor not as potential allies, but as a resource to be controlled and used for her benefit. The realization left a sour taste in his mouth as the dessert plates were cleared away.

“I believe we’ve covered the essentials for tonight,” he said abruptly, cutting across Mayor Jacobson’s elaborate description of one of their harvest festivals. His voice emerged as a low growl that silenced the table instantly.

The mayor blinked, clearly unused to being interrupted. “But we haven’t discussed?—”

“Another time.” He rose to his full height, towering over the table. “My pack requires rest before tomorrow’s hunt.”

It was a thin excuse—his people could hunt after days without sleep if necessary—but he couldn’t stomach another minute in this house, wondering if Elli was alone outside.

Nyra and the others followed his lead, though their confused glances weren’t lost on him. They hadn’t expected such an abrupt end to the evening.

Mayor Jacobson’s smile turned brittle. “Of course. How thoughtless of me to keep you from your… natural activities.”

The thinly veiled insult hung in the air. His claws threatened to emerge, but he merely inclined his head, not trusting himself to speak.

The walk back through the village passed in tense silence. Only when they reached the edge of the forest did Varro move to his side.

“Alpha, what happened in there? You’ve never?—”

“Not now,” he growled.

Nyra frowned at him. “If there’s something we should know?—”

“There’s nothing.” He stopped walking and turned to face them. He could see the questions in their eyes, but he couldn’t find his usual patience. “Return to the enclave. I need time alone.”

“But—” Varro began.

“Go.”

The full force of his alpha abilities was in the command and all three immediately dipped their heads. Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the forest. The familiar scents of evergreens and earth enveloped him as he moved deeper into the trees, away from his responsibilities, away from the concerned eyes of his pack.

And towards the house where Elli remained trapped.

He knew he should return to the enclave and soothe his pack’s concerns about his behavior at dinner. There were matters to discuss, plans to make. The responsibilities of an alpha never ended.

And yet his feet continued down the familiar path towards the Jacobson property. He knew it was foolish. What did he expect to accomplish? No doubt Elli would have returned to the house already. But he still kept going, drawn by something beyond reason. The rational part of him—the part that had kept his pack safe through years of difficult leadership—argued against this impulse. But for once, he silenced that voice.

When he reached his usual post, the garden lay before him, bathed in moonlight. At first it appeared empty, but then he found her deep in the shadows. She was sitting beneath an arbor covered in night-blooming star flowers, her scent mingling with the sweet fragrance of the flowers. In the pale light, her hair appeared silver, her eyes luminous pools of mystery. She looked like a forest sprite, ethereal and delicate, and his heart clenched at the sight.

“Elli,” he said softly, unable to resist moving closer.

“Seren.”

Her voice trembled, but there was a note of longing there that sent heat racing through his veins. He stopped just short of touching her, though every fiber of his being yearned to gather her into his arms. “Why didn’t you join us for dinner?”

Her gaze lowered, and she twisted her hands together. “Aunt Margaret said I’d embarrass her.”

Rage flared inside him, sharp and hot. The mayor had implied as much, but to hear the truth from her lips… it was almost more than he could bear. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the beast raging within him.

“I don’t believe that’s possible,” he said quietly. “I doubt anything about you could bring embarrassment to anyone.”

Her eyes lifted, searching his face. “You really think that?”

“I know it.” His hand rose to cup her cheek of its own accord, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “You’re remarkable, Elli. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”

She leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. “Seren…”

He knew he should pull away, should return to the enclave and his pack, but at that moment he couldn’t bring himself to care. All that mattered was the female before him, her soft skin beneath his fingers, the way her breath quickened as he drew nearer.

His lips brushed hers, featherlight, and a shudder rippled through her. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go. Instead, he stepped back, though it nearly killed him to do so.

“We shouldn’t,” he managed, the words like gravel in his throat.

She blinked, her cheeks flushed pink. “You’re right. We can’t… not here.”

A sudden wild impulse swept over him and he gave in to it. “Then walk with me.”

She bit her lip, glancing back over her shoulder at the silent house.

“Please.” He held out his hand, half-expecting her to refuse. “Just for a little while.”

Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his, her fingers trembling. A fierce surge of protectiveness washed over him, and he closed his hand around hers.