Page 79 of Alpha Charmed

“We should go back,” Anouk says eventually. “Face the council. Begin the work.”

“We should.”

Neither of us moves.

“Five more minutes,” she decides.

“Ten.”

“Greedy wolf.”

“Practical wolf. You’ll thank me later.”

We stay for twenty.

The town is different when we return.

Not physically—the cobblestone streets are the same, the shops unchanged, the mist still settling into familiar corners. But the atmosphere has shifted. People stop to stare as we pass. Conversations pause. Eyes track our movements with expressions ranging from delighted to scandalized.

“The gossip network has been busy,” Anouk observes.

“The gossip network lives for moments like this. They’re probably already planning commemorative pastries.”

“That’s horrifying.”

“That’s community.” I take her hand, deliberately visible, and feel her startle before relaxing into the contact. “Let them stare. Let them talk. We have nothing to hide anymore.”

We pass Moonpetal Bakery. Through the glass, I can see Sunny already decorating cookies in shapes that look suspiciously like wolves and witches.

“She’s making themed desserts,” Anouk mutters.

“She made themed desserts for Torin and Sakura too. The bear-shaped ones were surprisingly popular.”

We pass The Crescent Cup, where Marcus and Thalia observe from the shadows with vampiric poise that somehow conveys approval. Marcus raises his coffee cup in a silent toast. Thalia actually smiles—a rare occurrence that probably counts as effusive celebration by vampire standards.

We pass Thornwick Books, where Berry has abandoned all pretense of subtlety and is pressed against the glass like a child watching a parade. She’s taking notes. Frantically.

“She’s definitely writing about this,” Anouk mutters.

“She’s had a chapter on us since long before we claimed. The book probably has multiple volumes by now.”

“I don’t want to know how you know that.”

“Elio told me. He has sources everywhere.”

We reach the apothecary just as a familiar figure emerges from Duskfire Brewery across the street. Zeph spots us immediately, her face splitting into a grin that promises maximum entertainment.

“There they are!” She cups her hands around her mouth like a megaphone. “The alphas and witches of Mistvale! Figured it out at last! Took you long enough!”

“Zeph—” Anouk starts.

“No, no, this requires celebration! I’ve been preparing a special batch for exactly this occasion!” Zeph is already retreating into the brewery. “Come back tonight! Both of you! I’m calling the girls! And the boys! Everyone needs to witness this!”

The door slams behind her before either of us can respond.

“She’s been saving that batch,” Anouk sighs.

“For how long?”