Page 4 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)

FOUR

X abir Lupo parked his sleek black Aston Martin outside Witch’s Brew Café, the engine purring to silence.

It seemed like half the town had turned out for this grand-opening celebration. He was happy to see such welcoming support.

Through the windshield, she saw magical lights dancing across the Victorian facade - floating lanterns in jewel tones bobbed gently in the air while enchanted ivy crawled up the walls, its leaves chiming softly in the breeze.

The air thrummed with magic. Not the raw, primal energy he associated with shifter gatherings, but something more refined. Precise. The kind of magic that spoke of careful cultivation and centuries of tradition.

His wolf stirred beneath his skin, unusually alert. Something’s different tonight . Xabir adjusted his charcoal suit jacket - tailored specifically to accommodate sudden shifts if needed - and stepped out into the cool evening air.

“Xabir!” a cheerful voice called out across the courtyard, “you made it!”

Thane Weir bounded over, his sandy blonde hair characteristically tousled and his deep blue eyes twinkling with their usual enthusiasm. Though they’d only known each other for a few months through various community planning meetings, Xabir had quickly come to appreciate the man’s genuine warmth and quick wit. It was refreshing to interact with a witch who treated him as a person and not an “uncultured” shifter.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Xabir clasped Thane’s hand, noting the wolf paw tattoo on the witch’s wrist - a symbol of his magical bloodline’s connection to the shifter community. “Your sister’s new venture is exactly what Mystic Hollow needs.”

“Just wait until you see what she’s done with the place,” Thane grinned, practically bouncing. His enthusiasm was infectious, reminding Xabir of the improvisational performances he’d seen the man give at community events. “Romi’s been combining traditional witch magic with some really innovative techniques. Even managed to surprise me with a few of them, and I grew up watching her experiment. Let me show you the shop before Romi speaks.”

They made their way through the crowd to inside, some giving the shifter a distrustful look, where Xabir immediately understood Thane’s pride. Self-stirring spoons clinked melodiously against copper pots while enchanted sugar cubes performed acrobatics in crystal bowls. Recipe books floated at eye level, their pages turning gently. Even the air sparkled, infused with tiny motes of magical light that responded to patrons’ movements.

But what caught his attention most were the protective wards. Subtle but strong, they formed an intricate web of magical security that impressed even his shifter senses along with the scent of fresh bread. The craftsmanship spoke of both power and precision.

“The wards are exceptional,” Xabir noted, his alpha instincts automatically analyzing the security measures.

“That’s all Romi,” Thane beamed, absently doodling something in the small notebook he always seemed to carry. “She’s been obsessing over the protective enchantments for weeks. I kept telling her to take a break, but you know how it is when you’re passionate about something. Speaking of Romi...” he continued, a mischievous glint entering his eyes. “She’s single, you know.”

Xabir shot him a warning look. “Thane.”

“What? I’m just saying. The alpha of the local pack and a powerful witch working together? Think of the community unity that could create.” His foot tapped rapidly against the floor as he spoke - a habit Xabir had noticed when Thane was particularly excited about an idea.

“I’m here as alpha and CEO to support a new business venture,” Xabir said firmly, though his wolf stirred with interest at the topic. “Nothing more.”

“Of course, of course.” Thane held up his hands in mock surrender, but the grin didn’t leave his face. He pointed through the front window toward a small stage set up across the street in the park. “Oh look, there she is now.”

The crowd’s murmur quieted as a woman stepped up to the platform. Thane and Xabir stepped outside and his carefully maintained composure slipped for a fraction of a second. His wolf surged forward with such force that he had to grip the edge of the building to maintain control.

Romi Weir radiated magic, but not in the overwhelming way some witches did. Her power rolled off her in gentle waves like summer sunshine. Her light brown hair cascaded in loose waves around her shoulders, and her eyes... there was mischief there, and warmth, and something that made his wolf want to howl with sudden, fierce longing.

Mate , his wolf whispered with absolute certainty. Ours .