Page 6 of Enchanting the Alpha (Mystic Hollow #1)
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“ S omething needs to change,” Thane said, leaning against the café counter as Romi experimented with a new batch of enchanted coffee beans. “The tension between witches and shifters keeps getting worse.”
Romi paused her grinding, watching golden sparks dance from the beans. “I noticed. Mrs. Henderson refused to shop at the Twilight Markets just because it’s run by shifters now.”
“And the Lupo Pack, except for Xabir, won’t come near any witch-owned businesses.” Thane ran a hand through his sandy hair. “It’s ridiculous. We’re all part of Mystic Hollow.”
“Someone should take initiative,” Romi mused, her coffee cup tattoo tingling as she poured the ground beans into her enchanted filter. “Bring everyone together somehow.”
A mischievous glint appeared in Thane’s blue eyes. “Funny you should mention that. I’ve been talking with Xabir about organizing a picnic. Something casual, you know? Get both sides mingling.”
Romi’s heart skipped at Xabir’s name. Their first meeting at her café’s re-opening still burned brightly in her memory - the way his hazel eyes had locked onto hers, the quiet intensity radiating from him, the surprising gentleness in his smile when she’d made him laugh.
“Earth to Romi.” Thane waved his hand in front of her face, grinning. “Thinking about a certain alpha?”
“Shut up.” She flicked a coffee bean at him, which he caught and popped into his mouth with insufferable smugness. “I just think he could use some fun. He’s so... serious all the time.”
“Can’t imagine why. Running a hotel empire and leading a pack must be super relaxing.”
“You’re not helping.” But she smiled, considering the idea. “A picnic could work though. Something laid-back enough that people feel comfortable, but structured enough to encourage interaction.”
“Great!” Thane straightened, already pulling out his enchanted notepad. “I’ll start planning. We can do games, food stations, maybe even a scavenger hunt...”
“Wait.” Romi narrowed her eyes. “You already had this whole thing planned, didn’t you?”
“Would I do that?” His innocent expression fooled no one. “Besides, you’re the one who gets flustered every time Xabir walks by. Consider this my brotherly duty to help you flirt properly.”
“I do not get-” A puff of cinnamon-scented smoke interrupted her protest as Whiskers snorted from his perch above the espresso machine. “Oh, not you too!”
“I’ll this all set up and ready for tomorrow afternoon,” Thane said walking out.
Romi just shook her head and sighed.
The next morning of the picnic dawned bright and clear. Romi stood in her kitchen, carefully packing enchanted treats into a wicker basket while trying to ignore her reflection in the window.
She’d spent an embarrassing amount of time choosing her outfit - a flowing sundress in deep purple that brought out her eyes, paired with comfortable boots for the scavenger hunt. Her light brown hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and she’d even dabbed on some shimmer dust that made her skin glow subtly.
“This is ridiculous,” she told Whiskers, who watched her fuss. “I’m a grown woman with a successful business. I do not need to get nervous about seeing one admittedly gorgeous shifter at a picnic.”
Whiskers responded by creating a heart shape with his smoke rings.
“You’re fired as my familiar.”
The town park sprawled before her, transformed by magical decorations. Enchanted flower arrangements bloomed in impossible colors, their petals shifting through rainbow hues. Several picnic blankets already dotted the grass, loaded with food and surrounded by chattering groups of witches and shifters.