Page 18 of Alien Charming

The walk back through the village passed in tense silence. Only when they reached the edge of the forest did Varro move to his side.

“Alpha, what happened in there? You’ve never?—”

“Not now,” he growled.

Nyra frowned at him. “If there’s something we should know?—”

“There’s nothing.” He stopped walking and turned to face them. He could see the questions in their eyes, but he couldn’t find his usual patience. “Return to the enclave. I need time alone.”

“But—” Varro began.

“Go.”

The full force of his alpha abilities was in the command and all three immediately dipped their heads. Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the forest. The familiar scents of evergreens and earth enveloped him as he moved deeper into the trees, away from his responsibilities, away from the concerned eyes of his pack.

And towards the house where Elli remained trapped.

He knew he should return to the enclave and soothe his pack’s concerns about his behavior at dinner. There were matters to discuss, plans to make. The responsibilities of an alpha never ended.

And yet his feet continued down the familiar path towards the Jacobson property. He knew it was foolish. What did he expect to accomplish? No doubt Elli would have returned to the house already. But he still kept going, drawn by something beyond reason. The rational part of him—the part that had kept his pack safe through years of difficult leadership—argued against this impulse. But for once, he silenced that voice.

When he reached his usual post, the garden lay before him, bathed in moonlight. At first it appeared empty, but then he found her deep in the shadows. She was sitting beneath an arborcovered in night-blooming star flowers, her scent mingling with the sweet fragrance of the flowers. In the pale light, her hair appeared silver, her eyes luminous pools of mystery. She looked like a forest sprite, ethereal and delicate, and his heart clenched at the sight.

“Elli,” he said softly, unable to resist moving closer.

“Seren.”

Her voice trembled, but there was a note of longing there that sent heat racing through his veins. He stopped just short of touching her, though every fiber of his being yearned to gather her into his arms. “Why didn’t you join us for dinner?”

Her gaze lowered, and she twisted her hands together. “Aunt Margaret said I’d embarrass her.”

Rage flared inside him, sharp and hot. The mayor had implied as much, but to hear the truth from her lips… it was almost more than he could bear. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the beast raging within him.

“I don’t believe that’s possible,” he said quietly. “I doubt anything about you could bring embarrassment to anyone.”

Her eyes lifted, searching his face. “You really think that?”

“I know it.” His hand rose to cup her cheek of its own accord, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. “You’re remarkable, Elli. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.”

She leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed. “Seren…”

He knew he should pull away, should return to the enclave and his pack, but at that moment he couldn’t bring himself to care. All that mattered was the female before him, her soft skinbeneath his fingers, the way her breath quickened as he drew nearer.

His lips brushed hers, featherlight, and a shudder rippled through her. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and never let go. Instead, he stepped back, though it nearly killed him to do so.

“We shouldn’t,” he managed, the words like gravel in his throat.

She blinked, her cheeks flushed pink. “You’re right. We can’t… not here.”

A sudden wild impulse swept over him and he gave in to it. “Then walk with me.”

She bit her lip, glancing back over her shoulder at the silent house.

“Please.” He held out his hand, half-expecting her to refuse. “Just for a little while.”

Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his, her fingers trembling. A fierce surge of protectiveness washed over him, and he closed his hand around hers.

CHAPTER 9

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