Page 55 of Alien Charming

“It’s your inheritance, your property.” He did his best to keep his voice and his expression carefully neutral. “If you wished to return to the village, to claim what’s rightfully yours…”

“You think I want to go back?”

Another deep breath.

“If that is your wish, then I will give up my position as alpha and go with you.”

She stared up at him. “You would abandon your pack? Your responsibilities?”

“For you?” He cupped her face gently, hoping she could see the truth in his words. “Without hesitation.”

Tears filled her eyes, but then she shook her head.

“I don’t want to go back,” she said softly, reaching up to touch his face. “I don’t want that house.”

Relief flooded him, although he did his best to mask it. “Are you certain? It’s your birthright.”

She shrugged. “What would I do with it? It’s filled with memories of servitude and shame. My home is here now. With you. With the pack.”

“You would choose this life?” he asked carefully. “When you could have comfort and wealth?”

“I have everything I need right here,” she said, gesturing around at the forest surrounding them, at the enclave visible through the trees. “For the first time in my life, I’m valued for who I am. I have friends. And you…” She gave him a radiant smile. “You love me for myself.”

He pressed his forehead to hers, a rumble of contentment vibrating through his chest. “Always.”

“The house, the money—they’re just things,” she continued. “They can’t give me what I’ve found here. I was never happy there. The only thing I want from that house are my mother’s belongings—her books, her keepsakes. The rest means nothing to me.”

He pulled her closer, his heart overflowing.

“What’s going to happen to my aunt?” she added anxiously.

“Korrin has already set things in motion,” he said, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “The village elders have been informed of her deception. By now, she’s been summoned to account for her actions.”

“I don’t want revenge,” she said softly. “I just want her to stop hurting people.”

“Your kindness never ceases to amaze me, little one.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But justice isn’t revenge. She stole from you and kept you in servitude. There must be consequences.”

“I suppose so. What will happen to her?”

“That depends partly on you,” he said. “As the wronged party, your wishes carry weight. The village council will want to speak with you.”

He could see the conflict on her face, but she straightened her shoulders and nodded.

“I’ll go,” she said. “I need to face her one last time. Not just for myself, but for my mother.”

He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “We’ll go together. The pack stands with you now.”

A week later,he stood on the steps of the Jacobson manor, his presence commanding silence from the gathered villagers. Behind him, Korrin and two other Vultor males flanked a tight-lipped Margaret Jacobson, her usual imperious demeanor cracked by fury and humiliation.

The regional magistrate had been swift in his judgment once presented with the evidence. The property records were indisputable—the house and surrounding lands legally belonged to Elli through her mother’s inheritance. Margaret’s years of deception had unraveled in a single afternoon.

“This house no longer belongs to Mrs. Jacobson.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. He caught fragments of disbelief, confusion, and—from some corners—a distinct lack of surprise.

“The legal owner, my mate Elli, has decided this property will serve a greater purpose.” He scanned the faces before him, noting which villagers looked away in shame. They’d known how Margaret treated her niece. They’d done nothing. “This house will become the center for our new trade alliance.”

Margaret jerked forward. “You can’t do this! This village is mine?—”

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