The next morning…
Allegra descended the stairs in the early hours to quench her thirst. To her surprise, she found Donovan placing a jar of blood on the table. Suspicion flickered in her mind as she approached him cautiously. "What are you doing?" she inquired, eyeing the jar with uncertainty.
Donovan turned to face her, and for the first time, Allegra detected a hint of weariness in his usually stoic demeanor. "Female vampires have a peculiar craving for early morning blood," he explained tersely.
Allegra arched an eyebrow, sensing there was more to his actions than met the eye. "And your point is?" she pressed, searching his expression for any hint of motive.
With a dismissive roll of his eyes, Donovan simply shrugged and retreated upstairs. Allegra couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in his wake. Yesterday, he had been the one to place the blood there, but his sudden display of concern left her questioning his true intentions.
She took a sip of the blood, contemplating Donovan's unexpected gesture. What could have prompted him to leave the jar for her? Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought and ventured outside to the back of the manor. Sitting on the grass, she watched the sun rise, its warm rays enveloping her pale skin. She rarely ventured outdoors, which explained the slight pallor of her complexion. Yet, she could feel her strength returning, a reassuring sign of her recovery.
Lost in the tranquility of the moment, Allegra was brought back to reality by Donovan's voice behind her. "Never knew you were a fan of sunrises," he remarked casually as he settled beside her.
"You must be sick," she teased, arching an eyebrow at him.
"Why do you think that?" Donovan inquired, his eyes studying her intently.
"You hardly start conversations with me, and you look tired," she observed, noting the fatigue evident in his features. Despite his usual aloofness, she couldn't help but sense a hint of concern in his demeanor.
He let out a dry chuckle, his dimples appearing like hidden treasures in the early morning light. Allegra couldn't help but notice the resemblance between him and his brother in that moment. Yet, his demeanor remained inscrutable as he lapsed into contemplative silence, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
"Why did you put the blood out for me?" Allegra inquired, breaking the silence. "Don't tell me female vampires have early morning blood cravings."
A hint of amusement danced in Donovan's eyes before swiftly disappearing. "How is Declan treating you?" he asked cryptically, his tone betraying nothing.
Allegra narrowed her eyes, sensing there was more to his gesture than met the eye, but she let the matter drop for now. "Declan's treating me fine," she answered his next question. Before she could continue, Donovan's expression hardened, his features contorting into a snarl.
"If he's treating you well, then why are you eyeing his younger brother?" Donovan's voice was cold, his words cutting through the air like shards of ice. Allegra felt a surge of indignation rise within her, but she steeled herself and stood up to face him.
She retorted, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing inside her. "How dare you accuse me of--"
"Enough!" Donovan's voice boomed, his anger palpable. Allegra fell silent, taken aback by the sudden intensity of his demeanor. She watched as he turned away and walked off, leaving her alone with her thoughts and a lingering sense of unease.
But Allegra didn't yield to him so easily; instead, she rushed forward and pushed him from behind. Donovan stumbled but quickly regained his balance, his fangs elongating as he let out a low, menacing growl. Taking deliberate steps towards her, he exuded an aura of danger that sent shivers down Allegra's spine.
Refusing to back down, Allegra stood her ground, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. As Donovan leaned down towards her, his lips mere inches from her ear, she could feel his warm breath caressing her skin like a sweet caress. She shuddered involuntarily, her senses overwhelmed by his proximity.
"I've seen the way you look at me, Allegra," Donovan whispered, his voice low and seductive. Allegra's breath caught in her throat, her desire for him intensifying with each passing moment. Sparks seemed to ignite on her skin at the mere contact of his lips, his musky coffee scent enveloping her in its intoxicating embrace. Her heart raced in her chest as she struggled to maintain her composure.
As his lips grazed her ear, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her, Donovan's words cut through the haze of desire. "Go back to Declan," he murmured, his tone commanding yet tinged with a hint of longing. Allegra felt torn between her loyalty to Declan and the irresistible pull she felt towards Donovan, her emotions in turmoil as she struggled to make sense of her feelings.
She holds her breath, feeling his lips hovering near her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "I don't look at you," she mutters, her voice betraying her trembling nerves. She could sense his smirk, his presence looming over her. "Is that what you tell yourself?" he challenges, leaning in further to bite her earlobe teasingly. She gasps at the sensation, her inner turmoil evident. As he leans back, she meets his gaze, her face flushed red with embarrassment and desire.
He says, his voice low and commanding, "Go back to Declan." With those words hanging in the air, Donovan turns away, leaving Allegra to grapple with her inner turmoil.
Allegra's mind races, reeling from the recent encounter with Donovan. Every detail of their interaction replays in her thoughts, each memory adding to the chaos within. His name echoes in her mind, his voice reverberating through her thoughts like a haunting melody. The lingering scent of his cologne dances in the air, a tantalizing reminder of his presence. And his touch, though fleeting, leaves an indelible mark on her skin, igniting a firestorm of unfamiliar sensations.
Amidst the turmoil, Allegra grapples with conflicting emotions. While she remains committed to Declan, Donovan's allure is undeniable, drawing her in with an irresistible magnetism. Yet, she refuses to succumb to this newfound temptation, reminding herself that Donovan is but a passing fascination, a fleeting distraction in her journey with Declan. It's his enigmatic aura that entices her, she muses, a mystery waiting to be unravelled.
With a determined resolve, Allegra decides to keep her distance from Donovan, seeking solace in the space to untangle the complexities of her heart.