Page 76 of Alpha Charmed

“Again.”

He laughs and rolls me beneath him, and then he’s saying it against my mouth, my throat, my shoulder, my claiming mark—saying it in words and touches and the way he looks at me, like I’m everything he’s ever wanted.

Dawn breaks over the mountains before either of us stops.

TWENTY

CAIUS

Iwake to find Anouk sprawled across my chest.

Her hair is tangled, dark strands escaping what was once an immaculate updo. One of her hands rests over my heart, fingers curled loosely, like she’s holding on even in dreams.

My wolf rumbles satisfaction.

She’s beautiful like this. Not the coven leader, not the untouchable authority figure everyone else sees. Just Anouk. Just my mate.

“You’re staring.” Her voice is rough with sleep, eyes still closed.

“You’re beautiful. I’m allowed to stare.”

“That’s a very wolfly justification.” But she’s smiling, pressing her face against my chest. “What time is it?”

“Early. We have nowhere to be.”

“We have many places to be.” She stretches, and the movement does interesting things to the sheets. “The council needs debriefing. Cordelia needs interrogating. The coven needs reassurance that their leader hasn’t completely abandoned her duties for⁠—”

I kiss her. It’s the most effective way I’ve found to stop her from spiraling into responsibility.

When we part, her cheeks are flushed and her protests have evaporated.

“That’s cheating.”

“That’s efficiency.” I tug her closer, enjoying the way she settles against me without resistance. “The council can wait. Cordelia isn’t going anywhere. And the coven has managed without you for exactly one night. They’ll survive a few more hours.”

“A few more hours sounds dangerously self-indulgent.”

“You’ve been selfless your whole life. Try self-indulgent for a morning. See how it feels.”

She pretends to consider. “It feels strange. Uncomfortable. Like I should be doing paperwork.”

“You are doing important work. You’re letting me hold you. Very productive.”

Her laugh is soft, genuine—a sound I’m still getting used to hearing from her.

“Your ego is impressive before breakfast.”

We lie there in comfortable silence, the morning light warming the room, her magic humming contentedly around us. My wolf is quieter than he’s been in years—no restless pacing, no desperate longing. Just peace.

I could get used to this.

The knock at the door comes forty minutes later.

I know who it is before I even scent the air. Only one person in Mistvale would appear at my cabin unannounced, bearing baked goods and unsolicited wisdom.

“That’s Grandmother Peach,” Anouk observes, sitting up.

“It is.”