As the day transitions to night, the manor fills with an atmosphere of tranquility and joyous laughter. Declan engages in lively conversation with his cousins while Dante enters with Theodora on his arm. Her radiant smile brightens the room as she warmly greets everyone present. Allegra finds herself admiring Theodora, captivated by her effortless grace.
Declan embraces his sister-in-law with affection, his arms encircling her gently, noting the subtle swell of her stomach. Theodora, draped in a flowing white silk gown, exudes timeless elegance. Her curls are artfully arranged, framing her face, and her fair complexion glows softly in the warm candlelight.
Dante guides Theodora upstairs, eliciting playful teasing from the rest of the group. Allegra settles beside Declan, engrossed in conversation with Calista, but she can't shake the feeling of Donovan's gaze on her. Refusing to acknowledge him, she focuses on her interaction with Calista.
Their laughter fills the air, momentarily interrupted when Blake, Calista's mate, arrives to escort her to bed. With warm goodnights exchanged, the group disperses, retreating to their respective rooms as the night deepens.
A day passes without a word exchanged between Allegra and Donovan. She abstains from her usual early morning ritual of retrieving the blood he leaves for her, and instead spends the day exploring the manor, feeling a sense of melancholy knowing they will soon depart.
As she wanders through the hallways, she hears the joyful chatter of the cousins and their mates, the liveliness of their interactions echoing through the corridors. Lost in her thoughts, Allegra is startled when someone grabs her arm and pulls her into a darkened room. Panic grips her heart, memories of past trauma flooding back, but to her surprise, she finds herself face to face with Donovan.
The rich aroma of coffee envelops her senses, replacing the ominous scent of death that haunted her memories. As she focuses on his familiar features in the dim light, relief washes over her, mingled with curiosity and apprehension.
"What?" she barked with irritation as he pinned her to the wall. "You've been avoiding me," he said, cutting straight to the point.
Allegra rolled her eyes, her irritation fueled by the darkness of the room and his audacity in bringing her here against her will. "You are one to talk... wasn't it you who said that I should stay away? Now I have, and you are pestering me," she hissed, her voice laced with frustration.
"Pester—" he couldn't help but laugh, the sound filling the room and momentarily disarming her anger. She raised a brow, trying to hide her smile as she watched him, finding his laughter unexpectedly charming.
Mirth danced in his eyes for a fleeting moment before fading into a glare. "Shut up! You're just saying that to cover up the fact that you can't stay away from me," he accused, his tone stern despite the playful banter.
"I'm the one being pinned to the wall by you," she said, stating the obvious. He creased his brows, considering her words. In an instant, he switched their positions, effortlessly maneuvering her against the wall. His hand rested on her petite waist, while the other casually slipped into his pocket. Allegra's arms were above his head, caught off guard by the sudden change.
"Correction, you are pinning me to the wall," he said with a dry smirk, his eyes gleaming with amusement at their playful exchange.
Her eyes locked on his, a mischievous glint dancing within them as she decided to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With a teasing smile, she placed one hand beside his head, feeling the solidness of the wall against her palm. Donovan, towering over her, had to lean down slightly to meet her gaze. She traced the strong line of his jaw with her other hand, her touch light and tantalizing.
"You're right," she said in a low, seductive tone, her voice laced with playful intent. Using her thumb, she grazed his lower lip, her gaze unwavering as she awaited his reaction.
She leaned closer, raising herself onto her toes to meet his gaze, her breath mingling with his as she hovered just inches away. Her fingers left a trail of sparks on his skin, igniting a fire within him. But Donovan remained stoic, his expression unreadable.
Undeterred, she leaned towards his ear, biting his earlobe softly before pulling back to face him. Still, there was no reaction from him. Determined to break through his impassive facade, she leaned forward once more, her hands finding their way to his neck as she pulled him closer, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss.
Donovan's hands tightened around her waist as he responded eagerly, their kiss filled with longing and desire. But as quickly as it began, it ended, leaving them both breathless. Allegra pulled away, a sense of guilt creeping in.
"This isn't right," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, before she turned and hurried out of the room, leaving Donovan alone in the darkness, his lips tingling from the lingering touch of hers.
As Allegra finds her way to her and Declan's room, her heart races and her mind swirls with confusion and guilt. She covers her mouth, trying to stifle the rising panic within her. What has she done?
She shuts her eyes tightly, trying to block out the image of the kiss shared with Donovan, but it remains etched into her mind, vivid and haunting. The memory floods her senses, the sensation of his lips against hers igniting a strange mixture of longing and desire.
The kiss was sensual, a delicate dance of lips and tongues that sent shivers down her spine. Yet, it was also filled with an unspoken tension, a forbidden desire that lingered in the air between them.
As she stands in the dimly lit room, Allegra can't shake the feeling of guilt that washes over her. What will she do now?
Alone in the room, Allegra feels the weight of her actions pressing down on her. She's relieved that Declan is not here, sparing her the immediate confrontation she dreads. However, her relief is short-lived as she realizes that avoiding Donovan has proven to be useless.
Despite her attempts to distance herself from him, she finds herself drawn to Donovan in ways she can't explain. The kiss they shared lingers in her mind, a constant reminder of the forbidden desire that simmers beneath the surface.
With a heavy sigh, Allegra knows that she can't continue to ignore the turmoil within her. She needs to confront her feelings and make a decision about where her heart truly lies. But for now, she's left alone with her thoughts, grappling with the consequences of her actions.