Page 122 of The Alpha's Fallen Spell
I watch her now through the large windows as she moves between tables with easy confidence, laughing at something a customer has said. The fearful, guarded woman I found in that forest is gone, replaced by someone who radiates contentment and joy. The mating mark on her neck—my mark—catches the light as she turns her head, and even from this distance, I feel the bond between us hum with warmth.
Three years of marriage, three years of building this life together, and I’m still amazed that she’s mine.
The past three years have brought changes none of us could have anticipated. What started as a war against the Silver Ring Organization became something much more complex once we discovered Mathew’s true role. He hadn’t just been working with the new organization of artificial shifters—he’d been orchestrating it from the beginning, manipulating desperate people who thought they’d found allies in their struggle for acceptance.
The revelation was devastating for many of the artificial shifters who’d trusted the organization. But it also galvanized them in ways Mathew had never anticipated. Instead of breaking them, his betrayal united them with the royal families against a common enemy. Their unique abilities—enhanced intelligence, perfect recall, heightened intuition—proved invaluable in hunting down the remaining Silver Ring cells.
Maya’s research during this period has been groundbreaking. She has developed treatments that allow artificial shifters to choose their path forward—full integration with their wolves, complete suppression for those who prefer human lives, or something in between. Most surprisingly, she has proven that every artificial shifter has a fated mate among natural-born shifters, which has helped stabilize countless individuals who struggled with their dual nature.
The prejudice that once existed has largely evaporated. When people fight beside you, bleed with you, and sacrifice for the same cause as you, differences in origin become meaningless. Artificial shifters now serve in the royal guards, hold positions of authority, and integrate seamlessly into shifter society.
Alex has chosen to remain human, for the most part. His wolf is accessible to him, but he prefers not to shift, content with his enhanced senses and strength. The arrangement works well for him, especially now that he has found love with Sara, a young artificial shifter who works in Maya’s research division.
“Lost in thought again?” Fiona’s voice pulls me from my contemplation. She has climbed the stairs to the terrace, carrying two cups of coffee and wearing the soft smile that never fails to make my heart skip.
“Just admiring the view,” I say, accepting one of the cups and pulling her close with my free arm.
“The café or me?” she asks with mock seriousness.
“Both. Always both.” I press a kiss to her temple, breathing in her scent—coffee and vanilla and something uniquely hers that my wolf recognizes as home.
She settles against my side, and we stand in comfortable silence watching the afternoon crowd. A group of teenagers from the Northern Kingdom are arguing good-naturedly over which pastries to try. An elderly couple shares a slice of Fiona’s famous honey cake at a table under the apple trees. Alex is showing ayoung family the herb garden, his enthusiasm for the plants as infectious as always.
“Griffin called this morning,” I mention casually. “Maya’s doing well. The healers say the baby should arrive within the month.”
Fiona’s face lights up. “Really? I should start working on those blankets I promised her. And maybe prepare some freezer meals they can reheat after the birth.”
This is what I love about her—the way she immediately thinks of how to help, how to care for the people we love. It’s the same instinct that makes her successful with the café, the same warmth that draws people from across the kingdoms.
“Griffin also mentioned that things have been quiet on all fronts. The last Silver Ring cell was eliminated six months ago. No new threats on the horizon.” I pause, studying her profile. “It means I can step back from active duty. Take on more of an advisory role.”
She looks up at me, surprise clear in her gray eyes. “Are you sure? You love commanding the army.”
“I love you more,” I say simply. “And I love this.” I gesture toward the café, toward the life we’ve built. “I want to be here, Fiona. Fully here. Not always worried about the next mission, the next threat.”
For a moment, she doesn’t speak. She sets down her coffee cup and turns in my arms, her hands coming up to frame my face.
“What brought this on?” she asks softly.
“Honestly? Watching Griffin and Maya prepare for their first child. Seeing how excited they are, how they’re planning their future together.” I cover Fiona’s hands with mine. “It made me realize I want that. All of it. A real partnership where I’m present for the daily joys, not just the crises.”
Her smile starts slow and builds until it’s radiant. “I want that, too. I’ve always wanted that.”
“Good,” I murmur, lowering my head until our lips are almost touching. “Because I have plans for us.”
“What kind of plans?” Her voice has gone breathy, the way it does when desire starts building between us.
Instead of answering with words, I kiss her. It starts gently, a soft meeting of lips, but quickly deepens as the bond between us flares to life. Three years of marriage, and she still affects me like this—like I’m drowning and she’s air, like she’s sunlight after endless darkness.
Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I back her against the terrace railing. The afternoon sun warms us as I trail kisses down her throat, pausing to nip gently at the mating mark that brands her as mine.
“Erik,” she gasps, her head falling back to give me better access. “People can see.”
“Let them,” I growl against her skin. “Let them see exactly how much I adore my mate.”
She laughs, the sound vibrating against my lips. “You’re terrible.”
“I’m in love.” I pull back to look at her, taking in her flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “Completely, ridiculously, permanently in love with my brilliant, beautiful wife.”
