Page 57 of Alien Charming

“Happy?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

Her smile deepened, reaching her eyes and making them shine. “More than I ever thought possible.”

He still marveled at how easily she had slipped into life among the Vultor. Where he had expected resistance and prejudice, he’d found grudging acceptance that had gradually warmed into genuine respect. The healer, old Tavrin, had become particularly protective of her, growling at anyone who dared question her place in their community.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked, squeezing his hand.

“How things change,” he answered, pulling her closer as they walked. “A few months ago, I was convinced the alliance with the village would fail. That humans and Vultor were too different.”

She laughed softly. “And now you’re mated to a human and leading both communities towards cooperation.”

“The irony isn’t lost on me.” He smiled down at her. “Though I suspect the cooperation has more to do with you than with me.”

It was true. Where his diplomatic efforts had been met with suspicion and resistance, Elli’s genuine kindness had openeddoors. Humans who had feared the Vultor began to see them differently after witnessing Elli’s happiness. And Vultor who had despised humans found it harder to maintain that hatred when confronted with her gentle determination.

“Tavrin wants me to help with the summer medicinal preparations tomorrow,” she said as they approached their den. “He says my hands are better suited for delicate work.”

“High praise from the old grouch,” he chuckled. “Should I be jealous that you spend so much time with him?”

Her lips curved into that secret smile that never failed to captivate him. The one that made his beast stir with possessive satisfaction.

“Jealous of Tavrin?” She laughed, the sound like music in the quiet forest. “He’s at least four times my age and calls me ‘irritating human’ as a term of endearment.”

“He respects you,” he said, opening the door for her. “That’s rare enough among our kind.”

He moved to the hearth, stoking the banked fire while she filled the kettle. They moved around each other with the easy rhythm of mates who had found their balance, anticipating each other’s needs without words.

“The alliance meeting is tomorrow,” he said, watching her prepare tea with precise, graceful movements. “The first official gathering since the change in leadership.”

“Are you worried?” she glanced up at him, her eyes searching his face.

“No.” The realization surprised him. For so long, worry had been his constant companion—about his pack, about maintainingcontrol of his beast, about the future of his people. But with her beside him, that gnawing anxiety had eased. “I believe we can make this work.”

She brought him a steaming mug, her fingers brushing his as she passed it to him. Even that slight contact sent warmth through his body that had nothing to do with the hot drink.

“So do I,” she said simply.

He put the mug aside and pulled her into his arms, breathing in her scent. The village and the pack would find their way forward together. There would be challenges, certainly—generations of mistrust couldn’t be erased overnight. But standing here with his mate in their home, the future seemed full of possibilities at last.

EPILOGUE

Three weeks later…

Seren smiledas he heard the sound of laughter erupting from his den. His mate had wasted no time renewing her friendships with her old schoolmates. He’d been a little more reluctant, originally believing that they’d abandoned her, but she’d gently reminded him that she had played a part as well, letting her aunt destroy her confidence.

She looked up and smiled as he entered. The contrast between her current radiance and her original shyness still sometimes took him by surprise.

“You’re just in time,” she said merrily. “Tessa has been experimenting with some of my hybrid herbs.”

He shook his head, but moved to her side. “Are you trying to kill us all, mate?” he teased.

“That would be foolish,” she returned. “It would make the garden work so much harder.”

“True. What have you brewed this time?”

“It’s an experimental tea,” Tessa explained cheerfully. “With a little something special to increase stamina and enhance performance.”

He choked and Elli grinned up at him, her face alight with laughter.

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