As Allegra waits for Declan's arrival, she finds herself filled with a sense of anticipation unlike anything she's experienced before, except perhaps for the longing to see her father.
As the sound of footsteps approached, Allegra's heart skipped a beat. She rose from her bed and made her way downstairs, her anticipation growing with each step as she waited to greet Declan upon his return.
As Allegra approached, she noticed a look of conflict etched across Declan's features. Concerned, she inquired, "What's troubling you?"
He hesitated, his gaze shifting momentarily before meeting hers. "I know you prefer to stay within the manor's confines, but Dante has organized one of his annual gatherings. It's an unexpected reunion where he, Donovan, a few cousins, and their mates come together at a secluded house for up to a week. I want to stay here with you but I'm torn between joining them and staying here to spend time with you."
Allegra felt a warmth spread across her cheeks at his candid admission, her heart fluttering at the thought of his desire to stay by her side.
Allegra's face lit up with a radiant smile as she softly replied, "A secluded place sounds quite appealing, especially if I'm with you."
Declan's eyes widened in surprise, a hint of disbelief mingling with his expression. "Are you certain?" he asked, searching her eyes for any sign of hesitation.
She nodded firmly, her determination clear. It had been too long since she had ventured beyond the manor's walls maybe a month or so, and the prospect of exploring the outside world again filled her with excitement.
Declan's grin widened, mirroring her own. "Well then, let's pack up shall we," he declared, his enthusiasm infectious.
With wide smiles, Allegra and Declan headed to their respective rooms to gather their belongings. After ensuring they had everything they needed, they descended the grand staircase together, their bags in tow.
As they stepped outside, a sleek carriage awaited them, with the coachman ready to escort them to their destination. With a nod from Declan, they boarded the carriage, the anticipation of the journey ahead palpable in the air.
The journey was smooth and serene, the scenery passing by in a blur as they traveled toward the secluded house. As they arrived, the soft murmur of voices greeted them, indicating that others had already gathered.
"It seems we're fashionably late," Declan remarked with a chuckle as the coachman retrieved their bags and ushered them inside.
Dante approached Declan with a wide grin, wrapping him in a hearty embrace. "Glad you decided to join us, brother," he exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth. His gaze then shifted to Allegra, his smile widening even further. "And you've brought along a lovely guest, I see. Allegra, isn't it?" he teased playfully, pulling her into a friendly hug.
Allegra returned the hug, her smile brightening at Dante's welcoming gesture. "Yes," she replied with a chuckle, feeling at ease in the presence of Declan's elder brother.
Dante led them out of the foyer and into the main living room. As they entered, heads turned in their direction, and Allegra felt a wave of unease wash over her. She began to reconsider her decision to come here. Sensing her hesitation, Declan gently placed his hand on her waist and pulled her closer to his side, offering her silent reassurance as they navigated through the room filled with unfamiliar faces and curious stares.
Allegra's nerves started to settle as Declan guided her through the room, introducing her to his cousins and their mates. Each encounter brought a smile to her face as she exchanged pleasantries and engaged in light conversation. Despite her initial apprehension, she found herself slowly warming up to the lively atmosphere of the gathering.
Contrary to her expectations, Declan's cousins greeted her with warmth and charm, instantly putting her at ease. Their laughter and easy banter filled the room, creating a welcoming atmosphere. As their mates approached, Allegra couldn't help but be struck by their beauty and grace. One of them, a woman with sun-kissed skin and luscious dark locks, extended her hand with a radiant smile. "Come with us, let's have a drink away from the boys," she suggested, her inviting demeanor drawing Allegra in.
Declan's gaze lingered on Allegra, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes, wary of any signs of distress or discomfort. Memories of her previous episodes, particularly the incident with Olivia, flashed through his mind, momentarily unsettling him. However, he pushed aside his apprehension, trusting that Allegra would be alright. With a reassuring smile, he nodded towards his cousin's mate Calista, silently giving his consent for Allegra to join them.
The mates exchanged knowing glances as they reached the wine cellar, their laughter echoing in the dimly lit room. "Dante truly outdoes himself with these gatherings," remarked Gloria, her red curls bouncing as she poured wine for the girls. "And the best part? No fixed date. He can just mindlink us anytime," added Violet, taking a sip of her wine.
"Mindlink?" Allegra inquired, intrigued by the concept.
"It's a lycan thing," explained Lilac, her dark hair framing her face. "We can communicate telepathically as long as we're in the same city. Pretty nifty, right?"
Allegra nodded, a genuine smile gracing her lips as Gloria mixed blood and wine together, offering her a glass. In that moment, surrounded by newfound friends who accepted her without hesitation, Allegra felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time.
As the conversation flowed, Allegra's mind drifted to her former companions, Willow and Diane. Were they safe? Did they find solace like she had? She silently hoped for their well-being as the girls around her laughed and chattered.
"So, you and Declan," Calista remarked, her tone teasing. A rosy blush dusted Allegra's cheeks as she glanced away shyly. The other girls erupted into giggles at her adorable reaction.
"You guys have already..." Calista continued, prompting Allegra to shake her head vehemently. "No, no! He's nice and funny, but I don't think he sees me that way."
"Ooh..." Lilac chimed in, her short dark locs bouncing with her movements. "So you like him? Are you two mates?"
"I... I don't know," Allegra admitted, her uncertainty palpable in her voice.
"You think he doesn't like you?" Violet interjected. "Girl, he's been stealing glances at you since you got here! If that's not a sign, then I don't know what is," she exclaimed with a grin.
Allegra's heart fluttered at Violet's words, and she turned to steal a glance at Declan. Their eyes met. Declan threw his head back, his tousled hair caught the dim light, accentuating the contours of his strong jawline. His eyes sparkled with warmth and mischief, and his lips curved into a charming dimpled smile that seemed to light up the room. With an effortless grace, he exuded confidence and charm, making Allegra's heart skip a beat as she found herself captivated by his magnetic presence. Caught in his gaze, Allegra was momentarily lost until Calista stepped in front of her, blocking her view of Declan. "Come on, Allegra, let's focus on us girls tonight," Calista said, pulling Allegra's attention back to the group.
Allegra turned back to face the girls, their laughter filling the air with a sense of camaraderie. She couldn't help but join in, the tension from earlier melting away in the warmth of their friendship. Their giggles echoed in the wine cellar, creating an atmosphere of joy and lightheartedness that Allegra hadn't felt in a long time.
As Allegra laughed her gaze trailed across the room, it unexpectedly locked onto the figure of who she had not expected to see. Clad in a crisp white button-up shirt, the top buttons left casually undone, he exuded an air of quiet confidence. His black pants hugged his form, emphasizing the lean strength of his frame, while his dark hair fell effortlessly over his face, adding an enigmatic allure to his appearance. His blue-grey eyes gleamed like polished gems in the dimly lit corner, their expression inscrutable.
Alone in his solitude, Donovan seemed distant yet magnetic, drawing Allegra's attention despite her hesitation. Memories of their last encounter flashed through her mind, the unresolved tension lingering between them. As she considered approaching him, uncertainty gnawed at her, reminding her of the complexities of their past interactions.
"What are you looking at?" Calista's voice interrupted Allegra's reverie, her fingers lightly grazing Allegra's golden locks.
Allegra couldn't tear her gaze away from Donovan, her response barely above a whisper. "Him."
Calista followed Allegra's line of sight to Donovan's solitary figure. "He's always been a challenge to engage with. Frankly, I don't think he should have joined us today."
A subtle shift in Donovan's eye color caught Allegra's attention, a fleeting hint of red amidst the familiar blue-grey. Suddenly, he rose from his seat with swift decisiveness, his tense posture signaling his departure from the room. Allegra watched him leave, the contours of his muscular frame evident beneath the fabric of his shirt.
"He heard you," Allegra murmured under her breath.
Calista offered a nonchalant pat on Allegra's back. "No, he didn't."
Allegra shot her a pointed glare. "You shouldn't have said that."
Calista furrowed her brows. "Why not? It's the truth."
With a determined shove, Allegra pushed past Calista and hurried after Donovan. Amidst the distractions of the room, their exit went unnoticed by the others.