Page 5 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
FIVE
X abir forced himself to breathe evenly, grateful for centuries of alpha training in maintaining control. But his enhanced senses couldn’t help cataloging every detail about her – the graceful way she moved, the musical lilt of her laugh as she joked with the crowd, and the subtle floral scent that wrapped around her magical signature.
“Welcome, everyone, to the grand re-opening of Witch’s Brew Café!” Her voice rang clear and confident through the air. “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for Mystic Hollow where magic and community come together.”
As she spoke about her vision for the café, Xabir found himself drawn in by more than just her words. Every gesture was graceful yet practical, every smile genuine. This wasn’t some superficial society witch playing at running a business. This was someone with real passion and skill.
“And now,” Romi’s eyes sparkled with excitement, “I’m thrilled to announce our grand re-opening event - the first-ever Enchanted Archery Contest! We’ll need volunteers for our first demonstration...”
“Xabir Lupo’s an excellent archer!” Thane called out, his natural performer’s voice carrying easily through the crowd. “Best shot in the pack!”
Romi’s gaze found him in the crowd, and the full force of her attention hit him like a Mac truck. His wolf practically preened under her consideration.
“Is that so?” she asked, her eyes twinkling with challenge. “Would you honor me by being my teammate in the demonstration, Mr. Lupo?”
Every instinct he possessed urged him to accept while years of careful control warned him to maintain professional distance. The moment stretched between them, charged with possibility.
“Please?” she added, and somehow that simple word bypassed all his carefully constructed walls.
“I’d be delighted,” he heard himself say, his voice rougher than usual. A murmur rippled through the crowd, reacting to his shifter nature. Several pack members who Xabir had to order to attend looked at him in surprise – their typically reserved alpha volunteering for a public demonstration was unprecedented.
They took their positions in the grass several yards in front of the first target. The bow in his hands hummed with magical energy, responding to both his shifter nature and Romi’s witch magic. Standing this close to her, his senses were overwhelmed by her presence – the subtle floral notes in her scent, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, the way her magic seemed to reach for his own power.
“Ready when you are,” she said, nocking an arrow. Was he imagining the slight tremor in her voice?
Their first arrows flew true, striking the target simultaneously. A spectacular light show erupted, painting the evening sky in swirling colors. To his shock, Xabir found himself grinning – actually grinning – at their success.
“Great shot!” Romi beamed at him. “Your aim is impeccable.”
“Your magic adds a unique edge to our performance.” Their eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the crowd seemed to fade away. His wolf strained toward her, recognizing something his human side was just beginning to understand. There was a pull here, a connection he hadn’t expected but couldn’t – and didn’t want to – ignore.
The next target activated, this one designed to create musical notes when struck correctly. Without discussion, they moved in perfect sync. Their arrows hit home, releasing a haunting melody that drew appreciative gasps from the crowd.
With a smile gracing her lovely face, Romi gave him a quick nod of approval and stepped back onto the stage.
Xabir could only stand back and stare.
“Quite a show you two are putting on,” a familiar drawl cut through Xabir’s focus. Arlo, his beta, had materialized beside them with his characteristic smirk. “Never seen you volunteer for these kinds of things before, Alpha.”
Xabir straightened, forcing his expression back to its usual stoic mask. “Supporting local businesses is part of our responsibility to the community.”
“Mm-hmm,” Arlo’s knowing look said he wasn’t fooled for a second. “And the fact that Ms. Weir is a powerful witch with a smile that could light up the whole town has nothing to do with it?”
“Arlo.” The warning in Xabir’s voice would have sent most pack members scrambling for cover, but his beta just grinned wider.
“Just making an observation, Alpha. Though I have to say, you two do make quite the pair.” He nodded toward where Romi was chatting with some guests. “Been a while since I’ve seen you look at anyone that way.”
Xabir didn’t dignify that with a response, but he couldn’t stop his eyes from tracking Romi’s movements through the crowd. His wolf was restless, wanting to stay close to her, to learn everything about her, to make her smile again.
The intensity of the reaction unsettled him – he’d built his reputation on control and distance, on being the composed, authoritative, single , alpha his pack needed.
But watching Romi laugh at something Thane said, her magic leaving trails of warmth in its wake, Xabir knew his carefully ordered world had just been blown all to hell. His wolf had already made its choice. Now it was up to him to figure out how to bridge the gap between his responsibilities as alpha and this unexpected, overwhelming pull toward a witch who might just be powerful enough to breach all his defenses.