Page 21 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
TWENTY-ONE
T he café’s bell chimed, and Romi’s magic sparked in recognition. The elders turned to see Xabir entering, his alpha energy immediately seeking out and harmonizing with Romi’s magic in a way that made Felix practically vibrate with excitement.
“My romantic heart can’t take it,” he declared. “Look at them! Even their magic is flirting!”
“And that’s our cue to leave,” Bella said, rising gracefully while trying to hide her smile. “Before Felix starts composing love poems.”
“Too late!” Felix pulled out a notebook. “I already have three verses about magical destiny and-”
“Time to go,” Neve cut in smoothly, steering Felix toward the door. “We have important elder business to attend to.”
“Like planning the eventual wedding?” Felix stage-whispered, earning simultaneous eye rolls from the other elders.
Madame Zephyrine’s eyes twinkled as she followed them out. “Do try to get some actual work done,” she called over her shoulder. “Between the meaningful glances and magical flirting.”
Xabir approached Romi’s table, one eyebrow raised. “Should I be concerned about four of the most powerful magical beings in town fleeing at my arrival?”
“Only if you’re worried about Felix writing epic poetry about us,” Romi grinned. “He’s already got several verses.”
“Terrifying.” But his eyes crinkled at the corners as he settled into the chair beside her, close enough that their knees touched. “Though not as terrifying as the stack of community outreach proposals we need to review.”
“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 pressed against 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.”