Page 32 of Alien Charming

She watched, mesmerized, as he began the ceremony with the traditional Vultor vows. His voice carried across the clearing, rich and authoritative, before Tessa and Korrin made their own vows. Then her aunt stepped forward to preside over an exchange of rings, and Elli had to admit that she performed her role well. Seren took over again, speaking in a language she didn’t recognize as Korrin tipped Tessa’s head back and scraped his fangs lightly across her neck. The other Vultor responded in kind, their voices rising and falling in what seemed like an ancient call and response.

How could someone so magnificent want her? It seemed impossible that the man who had kissed her in the shadows was the same commanding figure who now held an entire gathering captivated with his presence. Seren exuded a power and confidence that made her knees weak, even from a distance—but then he looked up and found her, his eyes softening just for her.

That look—that moment of connection amid his duties—made her heart skip a beat. Perhaps it wasn’t so impossible after all.

The ceremony concluded with a joyful cry from the gathered Vultor, echoed moments later by the human villagers who’d begun to follow along with the unfamiliar ritual. She watched as Tessa and Korrin embraced, their faces radiant with happiness, and a pang of longing shot through her —to be chosen, cherished, bound to someone who saw her true self.

Conversations erupted as the formal portion of the evening ended. The music shifted again to something lighter, and couples began to move into the center of the clearing to dance. She’d lost track of Seren in the sudden stir of activity, but she remained where she was, waiting.

“You’re still here.” His deep voice came from behind her, and she spun around, her heart leaping at the sight of him.

“Did you think I would disappear?”

“Like a dream at dawn.” He studied her face through the veil. “Would you walk with me? Away from the noise?”

“Shouldn’t you stay?” she asked breathlessly, glancing towards the celebration. “You’re their leader. Won’t they expect you to remain?”

His gaze never left her face. “They can manage without me for a while. I’ve fulfilled my duties for the ceremony.” He offered his hand. “Now I want to be alone with you.”

How could she refuse? She placed her hand in his, marveling again at how small hers looked against his massive palm.

He led her away from the lanterns, towards a path that wound through the trees at the edge of the clearing. The sounds ofcelebration gradually faded behind them, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chorus of night insects. Moonlight cast dappled silver patterns on the forest floor, and she released the veil, no longer feeling the need to conceal herself.

Even though these woods were far less tame than the ones nearer to the village, she felt completely safe walking into the darkness with him, safer than she’d ever felt in her aunt’s house with its locked doors and shuttered windows. After a few minutes, they emerged into a small clearing. A stream gurgled nearby, reflecting fragments of moonlight like scattered diamonds. He led her to a flat boulder at the edge of the clearing and shrugged off his formal jacket.

“Please,” he said, carefully spreading the garment over the rock’s surface. “I wouldn’t want your beautiful dress to be ruined.”

She gave him a shy smile as she sat, touched by his thoughtfulness. The jacket was still warm from his body and carried his scent—something wild and earthy that made her feel strangely at ease. He settled beside her, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

For a moment they sat in silence, listening to the forest around them.

“I never wanted to be alpha,” he said suddenly, his deep voice quiet in the night. “It wasn’t my ambition.”

She turned to look at him, his expression pensive in the moonlight.

“Our previous alpha was… unstable. His son even more so.” His jaw tightened. “They wanted war—not only with humans, but with others who had settled on land they believed to be theirs. Revenge for past wrongs. Many would have died—on all sides.”

He looked down at his hands, powerful hands that could so easily destroy but had been so gentle with her. “I challenged the son. I had to. There was no other choice.”

“You saved lives,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “But I also took them. The former alpha’s son died by my hand.” His voice grew rough with remembered pain. “Leadership came to me through blood, not desire. Every day I wonder if I’m the right one to lead.”

Her heart ached for him, and she reached out, covering his massive hand with her smaller one.

“You lead because you care about your people. Because you want peace, not war.” She squeezed his fingers. “That makes you exactly the right male for the position.”

His eyes met hers, filled with a vulnerability that took her breath away. Without thinking, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. She felt him freeze in surprise, then respond with a tenderness that made her heart soar. His hand came up to cradle her face, careful and reverent, as though she were something precious.

Her heart thundered in her chest as he deepened the kiss. His lips were firm yet gentle against hers, coaxing rather than demanding. She felt herself melting into him, her hands reaching up to grip those broad shoulders.

A low rumble vibrated through his chest—a sound that should have frightened her but instead sent a thrill racing down her spine. Before she could process what was happening, his big hands gripped her waist, lifting her effortlessly and settling her across his lap.

“Is this all right?” he whispered against her lips, his eyes searching hers.

She nodded, unable to find her voice, and his hands slid up her back, one coming to rest at the nape of her neck while the other splayed across her lower back, holding her securely against him. The heat of his palm burned through the thin fabric of her borrowed dress, igniting sensations she’d never experienced. Her fingers twined in the soft hair at the nape of his neck, and he growled softly as he explored her mouth with his.

As their kiss grew more heated, something long and hard throbbed beneath her, and she couldn’t suppress a shiver of excitement when she realized he was aroused. His hips rocked slowly against her, a subtle movement that stoked the flames building inside her.

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