Page 49 of Alien Charming

He led her up the stone path to the heavy wooden door, carved with the symbols of his lineage. Inside, the main room was warm and inviting, dominated by a large hearth. Bookshelves lined onewall, filled with volumes collected over the years. Simple but comfortable furniture created intimate spaces throughout the room.

He watched her explore, her delicate fingers tracing the carvings he’d spent countless winter evenings creating. Her presence transformed the space that had always felt like a refuge into something more—a home. The beast inside him purred with satisfaction seeing his mate in his den.

“You must be tired,” he said, noting the slight droop of her shoulders despite her excitement. “Let me prepare a bath for you.”

He led her to the back of the cottage where a large copper tub stood near a window overlooking a small private garden. The bathroom was one of his few indulgences—he’d spent months designing the system of pipes that brought hot water directly from the spring beneath the hill.

“This is wonderful,” she breathed, running her hand along the smooth edge of the tub.

He turned the carved wooden handle, releasing steaming water into the tub. He added mountain herbs that filled the room with a soothing fragrance. When the tub was full, he turned to Elli, who stood watching him with wide, trusting eyes.

“May I?” he asked softly.

At her nod, he gently removed her clothing, his fingers lingering on her bare skin as he guided her into the warm water. She sank down with a sigh of pleasure, closing her eyes. He knelt beside the tub, content to simply watch her, his mate, in their home, but she smiled up at him.

“Will you join me?”

He quickly undressed and climbed into the tub behind her. The water lapped at his chest as he settled in, pulling her against him so her back pressed to his chest. Her sigh of contentment echoed his own feelings as he wrapped his arms around her.

They soaked in comfortable silence, enjoying the soothing warmth and closeness. He watched as she relaxed, her head lolling onto his shoulder, and felt a surge of love for this brave, resilient female who had captured his heart.

“I can’t believe that I spent so many years without this happiness,” he said quietly. “But now that I’ve found it, I’ll never let it go.”

She turned in his embrace, draping her arms around his neck and gazing up at him with those mesmerizing grey eyes. He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to her temple.

“I love you, Elli.”

“And I love you, Seren.”

He kissed her, then picked up a soft cloth and washed her gently. His beast growled possessively at the sight of the marks he’d left on her pale skin in the forest, but there was one place still unmarked. He ran a careful finger down the curve of her neck, fighting an immediate rush of desire.

“When you are ready, I will bite you here.”

She shivered but he didn’t think it was from fear.

“Why?”

“To show the world that you are my mate.”

“All right,” she agreed, tilting her head to expose her neck. His fangs immediately lengthened but he shook his head.

“Not yet. This has been a day of firsts. I intend to take my time.”

She flushed prettily but nodded. He lifted her out of the tub and dried her carefully, then combed her hair until it was smooth and shining.

“No wonder your aunt made you keep your hair restrained,” he said as he ran his fingers through the silky strands. “It’s beautiful.”

Her dress was rather the worse for wear so he slipped one of his shirts over her head before he showed her the rest of his den. She was delighted with his somewhat limited garden, and he made a mental note to expand it and add a greenhouse for her experiments.

When they reached the bedroom, her steps slowed as she took in the massive bed that dominated the space. It was built to accommodate a Vultor and she looked tiny in comparison.

“Don’t worry,” he said, amused. “There are some advantages to this size.”

She gave him a puzzled frown. “Like what?”

“Like this.” He scooped her up, ignoring her squeal of protest, and bent her over the bed before moving between her legs. “You’re at the perfect height.”

She blushed as he pulled the shirt over her hips, exposing her pretty little ass. He inhaled her sweet scent, then ran his fingers across her soft folds, satisfied to find her already wet and ready for him. She squirmed beneath his touch.

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