The Witch's Unconventional Alpha

Chapter 3: Head in the Clouds, s*x on the Beach

-ALEC-

“Come on, Alec, no need to freak out, same old routine." I try to pep talk myself, hands shaking uncharacteristically.

It's never like this with a hookup.

Correction, it's never been like this before. Not since my mate all those years ago.

I've traveled the world, sleeping with everyone who consents and desperately searching for my mate in every single one of them. But none have even come close to Leena. She makes me nervous like a pup during their first shift, a baby doe on wobbly legs. It's infuriating in the same way it's relieving. Leena is my mate, the call and draw to her is like breathing air, I just hope she can one day feel the same. But the road to her acceptance starts tonight, and my hands continue to shake through every preparation, even ones I've done hundreds of times.

I check my watch, ten minutes left, and I chance a quick glance at the setup before taking a breath. It's perfect; a round sand towel, massive in size, is set out with tea lights set around it, a basket with some snacks and wine, and more blankets and pillows than two people would ever need. Hopefully, she finds it romantic and not creepy, it has happened in the past and it never ends pretty. But Leena is worth every risk, and I stagger a bit when her scent comes to me on the sea breeze.

Horizon mostly dark and the cool Spring breeze behind me, I make my way from the secluded area of the beach and to the boardwalk to wait on the steps, and while I do, my mind wanders to her. Leena's scent on the air, the tight curls of her hair I want to tangle my fingers in, the soft flush of her pale skin when she's embarrassed; even the awkward, endearing gestures when she's nervous.

It's too much to think about, and I rip myself from the thoughts as I hear footsteps in the near distance. I stand slowly, finding my mental equilibrium before making sure my steps echo on the wood of the boardwalk.

“Leena." I wave, trying not to seem overeager even though my heart is clawing at my ribs.

“Alec!" She comes right into my space, tall and beautiful, and rests her hands on either side of my neck, touching the skin there in a way that tugs a little too hard at the wolf below the surface.

“Well, hello beautiful. What a reception." I smile and hope it's genuine and not wolffish.

“With what we're about to do, I figured there's no need for being coy, right?" f**k, confidence looks good on her.

Leena's nails trail behind my ears and then to the base of my skull, scratching lightly and sending up gooseflesh in their wake. It's a tantalizing touch that almost makes me forget what I had intended to do before this whole foray begins.

“Leena," I pull her hands from me and clasp them between my own, pressing them to my chest, “There are a few things we need to talk about first. But I want to do it where you're comfortable."

“Alec, wherever you take me, I'll be comfortable. Plus, my sister knows where I'm meeting you, so any funny business and the cops will show."

I can't help but chuckle, letting one of her hands drop to her side so I can run the back of my hand along her cheek. Her skin is blood warm, and I close my eyes in hopes of gaining some control back from my wolf who's been clawing to be released since I first touched her.

“I'm glad you're prepared, it makes this all easier and safer. Come, I'll show you our abode for the evening." I release her and put my hand out in a flourished gesture for her to take, she does with a wide smile. It feels like a victory.

“So, Leena," I begin as we walk along the wooden planks in the relative darkness, “there are a few things you should k—"

“Alec, listen. I know what you are. There's no need to hide it."

Leena's words stop me in my tracks.

“Excuse me?" I say because there is literally nothing else I can think of. This has also never happened before.

“You're a wolf, Alec," she says it slowly, like talking to a small child. “I'm a witch, I can sense the shifter magic in you. I confirmed it with my familiar after you left the arcade." She's so sure, so confident in the words I almost laugh in her face with excitement, when she looks offended, I manage to school my expression.

“Not what I was going to tell you, but I'm glad that's in the air…"

“What was that you said earlier? 'Nothing you say could surprise me?'" Leena's grin is sharp and cunning, and I let myself go for the first time since meeting her, my eyes flashing red and the wolf magic in me bristling where we touch. I know she can feel it, because her hand immediately squeezes mine in reassurance.

“Same goes for you, stud. Nothing you say."

I normally wear my charm like armor, a deflection, but Leena seems like the kind of woman who won't be swayed by sweet words, who will respond well to only honesty. It's going to take some practice.

“Alright," I try, stopping her before we reach the second set of stairs that leads us down to the beach, “Yes, I'm a wolf. But that's not all."

Leena looks at me with expectant eyes. “I'm a transman, and yes, I pass well and obviously perform well," I waggle my brows suggestively, falling back on old comfort to relieve the tension of being honest, “But I'm top surgery only. So if that's a dealbreaker for you—"

“How is it that you think being trans is bigger than being a shifter, Alec?"

And just like that, the tension is gone. Leena makes it seem so uncomplicated, so normal and easy, and maybe, with her, it can be. Of course, I have to ruin it.

“Well excuse the f**k outa' me for wanting to be a gentleman and let you know what you're getting into." I scoff, fighting a smile between fits of trying to look aggravated. But it's no use, her smile is big and infectious, and I want to sink my teeth into her at the earliest opportunity.

“Can we get to wherever we're going now? You promised me a performance."

I snort a laugh, trying my best to contain my excitement, and lift her by the waist off the last step, setting her down in front of me. She's soft under my hands, and the constant buzzing present around her grows as my hands touch warm skin, her eyes drooping almost closed at the contact.

“Leena," I pause, unsure if I should ask the burning question tickling the back of my brain since I eavesdropped on Leena's conversation with her sister at the arcade, “Are you actually a virgin? Because that would change everything about tonight."

Leena blinks at me with big eyes, the hazel almost brown under the moonlight, and her smile suddenly turns devious, “You tell me."

She leans in and kisses me, and it feels like the first time I've allowed myself to unclench in years, jaw relaxed and shoulders dropping. Leena tastes like toothpaste and old funnel cake, like tea and medicinal herbs. But under it all there is just her, and the feel of magic that thrums under her skin now that I know to look for it, and my wolf preens at finally being this close to my mate, to finally have her.

I finally kiss her back after what was probably too long of a pause, running my tongue along the seam of her lips until she nips at my bottom lip in an enticing gesture. But we have a small distance to walk, and neither of us will make it if we continue like this. I pull back from her, and Leena's groan of disappointment sends a zing of arousal up my spine.

“Leena," I try, out of breath somehow even though I can run miles and not break a sweat, “Leena, darling, we need to pause."

Leena's eyes flick to mine in a heady blend of curiosity, annoyance, and arousal, a fair brow arched in question, “And why exactly is that?"

“Because I have a perfectly good set of blankets and pillows that will make this much more enjoyable. Come on." I extend my hand to her, but instead of taking it, she gives me a sly glance and runs.

It's like the world blurs for a moment, the wolf clawing to the surface in a prickle of sensation, clothes coming apart in a symphony of satisfying ripping sounds, and then I'm tearing after her. My paws are light on the top of sand peaks, allowing me to move quickly, and before long, I'm beside her.

But she doesn't stop, keeps pace with me as I lead her to the setup, and I can smell the spike of arousal and wonder as we come up on it fully, only a few feet away. Her buzzing is loud, and when I touch her arm after shifting back, it's like a shock of static electricity, setting the hairs on my arm upright.

“What do you think?" I ask, moving to stand directly in front of her as she catches her breath. My nudity must catch her attention, because she flushes and her eyes immediately avert from me, lingering on the scars on my chest, if only for a moment, pink climbing up her chest and neck. I can't help but lean in and kiss her collarbone to feel the blood rush under the surface.

“It's beautiful," Leena says, eyes meeting mine, nonjudgemental but prying and mischievous, “How many women have you taken to bed like this?"

“A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell," I quip, running the backs of my fingers along the side of her cheek and neck.

“I certainly hope you do more than kiss, Alec." With a grin like hers, she should be the wolf of us.

A possessive growl pulls from my chest, and I reach for her, lifting until she's in a bridal carry, and walk the few paces it takes to get to the blankets and pillows.

“I'll show you everything I can do, Leena. That and more."