Page 35 of Alien Charming
CHAPTER 16
Seren came to a halt just outside the ring of lanterns surrounding the ceremonial area. His beast had quieted somewhat, satisfied by Elli’s pleasure—at least for now—but the need to claim her still pressed against his skin.
“I would wait for you,” he said, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. “For however long you need. I would never rush you or force your choice.”
“What if I’ve already chosen?” she whispered.
His beast howled in triumph, but he silenced it. He’d lived too long, seen too much to believe happiness came without cost.
“Then I would ask you to be certain,” he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Because once claimed, a Vultor mate is forever. And you deserve every chance to find your own path.”
He took her hand in his, marveling at how small and delicate it felt against his palm. Her skin was warm, soft—a reminder of how fragile humans were compared to his kind. His beast quieted at her touch, and he smiled down at her.
“Now let us dance.”
He put his arm around her waist and whirled her into the crowd of dancers. She smiled up at him, her face radiant with joy, and his beast howled with satisfaction. His mate, so brave and beautiful, so trusting, so responsive. Even now, his hands ached to touch her again, to feel the heat of her body and the softness of her skin, but he restrained himself, happy that she was in his arms.
The lantern light caught in her hair, transforming it to spun gold. Her disguise might fool others, but to him, she was unmistakably his Elli—brave enough to defy her aunt, kind enough to see past his fearsome reputation, and beautiful enough to steal the breath from his lungs.
As they turned, he caught an approving nod from Agatha across the clearing. The old female knew more than she let on—perhaps had known all along what would happen when she sent Elli to him tonight.
They moved together through dance after dance, her small form fitting perfectly against him. He memorized every detail—the quickening of her pulse when he drew her closer, the subtle changes in her scent as she relaxed into his embrace, the way her eyes dilated when he spun her beneath his arm.
His pack members watched with expressions ranging from curiosity to concern, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. For once, he wasn’t thinking about anything except the female in his arms. The weight of leadership that had burdened him for decades seemed to lift from his shoulders with each step they took together.
When the music slowed again, he drew her closer. Her head rested against his chest, and he wondered if she could hear his thundering heartbeat.
“Everyone is staring,” she whispered.
“Let them,” he murmured into her hair. “I’ve never danced with anyone before tonight.”
She pulled back slightly, surprise evident in her eyes. “Never?”
“I’ve never wanted to,” he admitted.
“You’re quite good at this for someone who hasn’t had any practice,” she teased when he spun her into a gentle turn.
He returned her smile. “I’m a quick study when I have the right encouragement.”
For the first time since taking the mantle of alpha, he felt truly happy—not merely satisfied with a duty well performed or a crisis averted, but genuinely, profoundly happy.
He was still lost in the moment, savoring the feel of her in his arms, when his enhanced hearing caught the first growls. He tensed, his body responding to the threat before his mind fully registered it.
Two young males, barely past their first transformation, squared off at the edge of the clearing. Rakal and Vex—troublemakers with more pride than sense. Rakal’s eyes had already begun to glow, his fangs elongating as he snarled something about territory rights.
“Damn it,” he muttered, reluctantly pulling away from Elli. His beast raged at the separation, but duty called. “I’m sorry, little one, but I need to handle this.”
Disappointment flashed across her face, but she nodded understandingly. “Of course.”
He squeezed her hand once before striding towards the confrontation. The crowd parted before him, both humans and Vultor moving aside with the force of his displeasure. The two young males were so caught in their dominance display they didn’t notice his approach until he was upon them.
“Enough,” he growled, his voice carrying the full weight of his power. Both youngsters flinched, immediately bowing their heads in submission.
Rakal recovered first, defiance still flickering in his eyes. “Alpha, he challenged?—”
“I don’t care who challenged whom,” he cut him off, keeping his voice low but infusing it with unmistakable power. Rakal’s bravado crumbled, and he dropped his gaze, tilting his head slightly to expose his neck in submission.
“Forgive me, Alpha,” the young male muttered, and he nodded.
