Page 29 of Alien Charming

She laughed, a strange sense of lightness filling her chest. “Of course, Agatha. For educational purposes only.”

“That’s the spirit.” Agatha patted her cheek affectionately, then turned towards the door. “We’ve got a little walk ahead of us. Are you sure those slippers will be comfortable?”

She looked down at her feet, clad in the delicate shoes that had once belonged to Agatha. “They fit perfectly.”

“Good. Let’s get moving then.” Agatha offered her arm in a surprisingly courtly gesture and she slipped her hand through it. Together, they made their way down the stairs and out into the twilight.

The sun hadn’t set but it was already growing dark under the trees and small lanterns hung from low branches, casting a golden glow over the path. Agatha kept her arm linked with hers, but set a slower pace than Elli expected.

“I’m not quite as spry as I was the last time I walked this path, but we’ll get there in the end.”

“The last time?” she echoed. “You mean you’ve been to a bonding ceremony before?”

“Not exactly. But I’m no stranger to Vultor territory. Even though it didn’t work out between us, Arden always made sure I was welcome.” Her eyes took on a distant expression, lost in memories. “My husband knew, of course, but I never mentioned it to anyone else. The relationship between humans and the Vultor was much more strained in those days.”

She couldn’t imagine keeping such a secret. “You never told anyone else?”

“No, and over the years I spent less and less time there.” Agatha shook off the past and smiled at her. “But I was still there often enough to know that Seren is a worthy male.”

She blushed. “I know he is, but he’s the leader of the Vultor. I’m just…”

Unable to think of the right way to describe herself, she waved her hand helplessly.

“Stop that,” Agatha said firmly. “You are a strong, brave young woman. You’ve survived your aunt’s abuse for years, and you haven’t let it poison you. You’re stronger and more resilient than she could ever imagine. Don’t sell yourself short.”

She looked away, unable to face the intensity of Agatha’s gaze.

“If you’re so sure that Seren is a worthy male, then perhaps you should trust his opinion of you,” the old woman added softly.

They fell silent as the sounds of music and laughter reached their ears. The air held the scents of wood smoke and roasting meat, underlaid with the sweetness of wildflowers. Through the trees, she saw flickers of golden light and the movement of people, and suddenly came to an abrupt halt, seized by a fit of panic.

“I can’t do this. Aunt Margaret will send me home in disgrace as soon as she sees me.”

“She won’t recognize you,” Agatha promised, dipping into her bag once more and pulling out a shimmering veil. “This should help with that.”

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed, touching the fabric with wondering fingers.

The material was impossibly light in her hands, like holding woven moonlight. Agatha used the combs to secure it to her hair, then draped one of the folds across the lower part of her face before stepping back to admire the effect.

“There,” Agatha said triumphantly. “That should do the trick.”

“But it doesn’t really conceal anything.” Despite her protest, something about the delicate veil gave her confidence.

“Not if you’re truly looking,” Agatha agreed. “But Margaret rarely looks beyond her own nose.” She took Elli’s hands in her own weathered ones. “Your mother would have wanted you to live, not just exist. Margaret has kept you in that house like a bird in a cage, but cages only work if you believe in their walls.”

Her eyes stung with sudden tears. “What if he doesn’t want me there?”

Agatha’s smile turned knowing. “Trust me. He wants you.” She gently pointed Elli towards the ceremony. “Go. Find out what happens when you choose your own path.”

With a final squeeze of her hands, Agatha stepped back. She took a deep breath and started walking, the shimmering veil catching the last rays of the sun as she walked towards the music, towards Seren, towards her future.

CHAPTER 14

Seren scanned the gathered crowd once again, searching for a glimpse of light brown hair or the slender form he’d come to recognize even at a distance. The bonding ceremony preparations were complete, villagers mingled with his pack members in an uneasy but promising truce, yet something vital was missing.

Elli wasn’t here.

He managed to maintain his stoic expression, nodding at the elders who approached to discuss trade details, but his attention remained divided. With each new arrival, his hopes lifted momentarily before crashing down again.

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