Page 14 of Alien Charming

He leaned in, unable to resist any longer. His lips brushed hers tentatively, and her gasp of pleasure sent fire streaking through his veins. He deepened the kiss, claiming her with his mouth, pouring every bit of his longing and desire into the connection.

Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, and he could feel her heartbeat racing to match his own. The scent of her desire surrounded him, intoxicating and perfect, and it took every ounce of his considerable willpower to break the kiss before they crossed a line from which there was no turning back.

They stared at each other, both breathless, but he forced himself to carefully release her and pull back.

“I should go,” he said, reluctantly rising to his full height. The garden suddenly felt too small, too intimate. “There are preparations to make for tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“The dinner at your aunt’s house.” He shifted his weight, suddenly uncomfortable with the reminder. “I’ll be attending with several members of my pack.”

Her scent changed instantly—anxiety spiking through the sweetness. “You’re coming to Aunt Margaret’s dinner?”

He nodded, fighting the urge to reach out and calm her nerves. “I wasn’t sure if she’d told you. She has invited us to meet with several of the other village representatives. She claims it’s purely a social gathering but…”

“Nothing Aunt Margaret does is ever simply one thing. She mentioned guests but she didn’t give me any details.” Her frown deepened as she glanced back towards the house.

“She didn’t tell you that any Vultor were coming?”

She sighed. “She never tells me anything important, but she’ll be furious if I’m not prepared.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you there,” he admitted, the words escaping before he could reconsider them. “Even if we must pretend we haven’t met.”

The smile that bloomed across her face was worth his momentary lapse in judgment. Her scent sweetened with pleasure, and he committed that change to memory as well.

“I’ll be the one serving the food and trying not to spill anything on the important guests,” she said with a small laugh.

“And I’ll be trying not to notice how much more interesting you are than anyone else in the room.” The teasing words surprised him—when had he last attempted humor?

His heightened senses registered her every reaction, and he found himself cataloging them like precious artifacts. The sweetness of her mouth. The way her pulse quickened when he teased her. The delicate flush that crept up her neck when their eyes met.

“I should prepare,” she said finally, dropping her eyes. “Aunt Margaret will expect everything to be perfect.”

He nodded, though the thought of her serving others while her aunt took credit for her work made his jaw clench.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, allowing himself to brush his hand against her cheek one last time. When she leaned into his touch with a soft sigh, it took all of his self-control to pull away again.

But he had to. Whatever was happening between them was more dangerous than any battle he’d fought. The alpha in him—practical, strategic, responsible—warned against his growing attachment to her. His people needed this alliance. Personal feelings had no place in diplomatic negotiations.

Yet another part of him, the part he’d buried beneath duty and discipline for decades, grew stronger with each encounter. That part recognized something in Elli. Not just her scent, though that drew him like nothing before, but her quiet strength. Her resilience. The contrast between her gentle nature and the steel in her spine fascinated him. She endured daily cruelty without becoming cruel herself. That kind of strength was rare among any species.

Mate, his beast snapped, impatient with his restraint.Protect.

The impulse to claim her was nearly overwhelming, but he knew he had to tread carefully. She was human, not Vultor. He had no right to demand her submission. It was madness to evenconsider it, but as he left the garden, the need to return to her side tore at his insides. The thought of her living in the same house as the woman who treated her so poorly made him snarl. His people valued family and pack above all else. To treat one’s kin as a servant, to deny them the love and support they deserved—that was anathema to everything the Vultor held sacred.

She is ours, his beast insisted.Ours to protect. Ours to claim.

He wanted to believe it. Wanted it more than he’d wanted anything in a long time. But as alpha, his first responsibility was to his people, and he couldn’t risk everything they’d worked for on the whisper of a promise.

She deserved someone strong enough to fight for her, to choose her without hesitation. Someone free to love her without reservation.

Someone who wasn’t him.

CHAPTER 7

Elli walked towards the house, gathering flowers as she went, but her mind was swirling with thoughts of Seren. His taste still lingered on her tongue, and she couldn’t stop reaching up to touch her lips. She’d never kissed anyone before, but she couldn’t imagine anything more perfect.

He wants me.

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