Page 31 of Alien Charming

“You’re not supposed to be able to see my face.” Her words were soft, nearly lost in the sounds of the ceremony.

He lifted one hand, gently tracing the outline of her cheek through the gossamer fabric. “Magic can hide many things, but not everything.”

Her blush deepened at his touch, her skin warm beneath his fingertips. He should remove his hand. He should step back, put a respectful distance between them, but he couldn’t make himself move away.

“I’m glad you came,” he said softly, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms before the entire gathering.

“I’m not supposed to be here.” She cast a nervous look across the clearing. “If my aunt discovers?—”

“She won’t.” The promise emerged as a growl. “How did you…?” He gestured vaguely at her obscured features, her lack of scent.

A small smile curved her lips. “I had help from Agatha.”

Of course. He should have realized that the old female would know how to mask a human from Vultor senses, but he didn’tcare, not as long as Elli was here. His chest swelled with an unfamiliar sensation—happiness, pure and uncomplicated. She had defied her aunt, risked punishment, found a way past Vultor senses—all to be here. With him.

“The ceremony is about to begin,” he said, offering her his arm. “Would you like to watch from a better position?”

Her slender fingers rested lightly on his forearm, sending warmth spiraling through him. “I would like that very much.”

He guided her through the crowd, acutely aware of every brush of her body against his. His beast purred with satisfaction at her proximity, while his rational mind cataloged potential threats—particularly Mayor Jacobson, who thankfully remained occupied with the village elders across the clearing.

“This way,” he murmured, leading her towards a small rise partially concealed by flowering bushes. “You’ll see everything from here, but remain… unnoticed.”

The spot he’d chosen offered a perfect view of the ceremonial circle while keeping her hidden from casual observation. The flowering bushes—a variety his people cultivated specifically for bonding ceremonies—released a heady scent that would further mask her presence from any curious Vultor who might wander near.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, gazing at the ceremonial space where Korrin waited anxiously, surrounded by a circle of burning torches.

Seren watched her face instead, mesmerized by the play of emotions across her features, even through Agatha’s obscuring magic, but then the beat of the ceremonial drums intensified, their rhythm shifting to signal the next phase. Nyra caught hiseye from across the clearing, her expression questioning. His time was running out.

“I must go,” he said reluctantly. “As alpha, I have a role in the ceremony.”

She nodded, but disappointment flickered across her face before she schooled it to calmness. “Of course. You have responsibilities.”

His beast howled in protest at the thought of leaving her. Every instinct demanded he stay, to protect what was his. But duty called—a concept Elli, with her strong sense of obligation, would understand better than most.

But first he couldn’t resist reaching out and taking her hand.

“I will return to you when it’s done.”

The promise emerged as a growl, more possessive than he’d intended, but rather than pulling away, her fingers tightened around his. “I’ll be waiting.”

The simple declaration nearly undid him. How desperately he wanted to pull her into his arms, to claim her lips again. The memory of their kisses burned through him, threatening his control, but he forced himself to step back. He held her gaze for one last moment before he turned and strode towards the ceremonial circle, every step away from her a battle against his instincts.

CHAPTER 15

Elli drew back amongst the flowering bushes, her heart fluttering like the delicate fabric of her borrowed gown. The potion Agatha had given her tingled on her skin, and the light veil obscured her features just enough. No one had shown any sign of recognition as she skirted the edge of the crowd. Scarlett had looked directly at her but hadn’t seemed to know her. All around the clearing, villagers and Vultor mingled beneath strings of lanterns that cast the clearing in a soft golden light. She’d never seen anything so beautiful.

For the first time in her life, she felt beautiful too. The dress transformed her—the soft fabric that flowed like water around her ankles, her hair cascading in waves down her back. She even felt as if she were moving differently, standing taller and breathing deeper.

Her gaze drifted back over to Seren, tall and powerful in the ceremonial circle. When she’d first seen him, he was speaking with another Vultor, but his attention seemed scattered, his gaze constantly scanning the crowd.

Looking for her.

The moment he came up to her, everything else faded away. Recognition flashed across his face—immediate and certain. He knew her, despite Agatha’s magic. Their connection transcended disguises.

The music shifted to something deeper, more primal, and a hush fell over the gathering before Tessa appeared. She’d always been the prettiest girl in the village but now she practically glowed as old Wilhelm escorted her down the aisle to Korrin, her eyes locked on his face.

Seren took his position at the head of the circle, towering over everyone. He stood straight-backed and proud, his broad shoulders set with purpose. The torchlight caught the silver in his dark hair, making it gleam. In this moment, he was every inch the alpha—powerful, commanding, untouchable.

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