As Allegra approached the Beaumont estate, she took extra care to ensure that Donovan's scent didn't linger on her. She knew how crucial it was to keep their interactions discreet, especially with Declan around.
Declan, Donovan's brother, noticed Allegra's arrival and approached her with a curious expression. "Where did you go?" he inquired, concern flickering in his eyes.
Feigning a hint of anger to mask her unease, Allegra replied, "I don't want to talk about it."
"Okay," Declan said, sensing her reluctance. "I'll be out for a bit. Take care." He kissed her forehead before walking away, leaving Allegra with a mixture of guilt and apprehension.
As Declan's lips touched her head, Allegra's stomach churned, and she instinctively recoiled, a reaction that didn't go unnoticed by Declan, who furrowed his brow in confusion before continuing on his way.
Feeling a rush of emotions, Allegra hurried to her room, needing a moment to compose herself. She wasted no time in washing up, trying to rid herself of the lingering discomfort.
In the following days, Allegra noticed Donovan's absence, and a part of her longed to see him again. However, the excitement of the upcoming Celeste's solstice celebration lifted her spirits, and she eagerly anticipated the festivities, hoping they would bring some joy and distraction from the complexities of her emotions.
The night had draped the city in a soft glow, with the flickering lamps casting a warm hue over the bustling streets. Allegra navigated through the crowd, a mix of fear and excitement dancing in her eyes as she received compliments on her stunning gown. She had grown accustomed to crowded spaces, her confidence blossoming with each social interaction.
Despite the lively atmosphere, a pang of disappointment tugged at her heart as she scanned the celebratory gathering, finding no trace of Donovan. The realization that he was purposely avoiding her sank in, weighing heavily on her mind.
As the winter solstice celebration came to an end and days turned into weeks, Allegra found herself back at Declan's manor, her heart burdened with guilt. Declan, ever kind and attentive, had expressed his desire to court her, but Allegra couldn't ignore the truth any longer.
Weeks stretched into months, and Allegra grappled with her feelings. She cared deeply for Declan, appreciating his kindness and companionship, but her heart belonged to Donovan. The guilt of deceiving Declan gnawed at her, and she knew she had to confront her emotions.
When Declan informed her of an important business trip that would take him away, Allegra saw it as an opportunity. She used his absence as a chance to escape, needing time and space to sort through her feelings and come to terms with the truth of her heart.
With determination and a heavy heart, Allegra packed her belongings, including a small pouch of gold coins she had earned through her work, and swiftly made her escape. The weight of her decision hung in the air, but she knew she needed this time alone to sort through her emotions and find clarity.
As she sped away from Declan's manor, the cool night air brushed against her face, mingling with the whirlwind of thoughts and feelings swirling within her. The road ahead was uncertain, but Allegra was determined to follow her heart, even if it meant venturing into the unknown.
—-
As Allegra prepared to flee, she acknowledged that this part of the forest was unfamiliar to her. Carriage travel was out of the question; Declan would surely track her down. Leaving a heartfelt letter for him, she expressed gratitude for the time spent with his family but admitted to the impossibility of continuing the facade. Her heart belonged elsewhere, a truth left unspoken, uncertain of how he would receive it.
Placing her bag on the ground and securing her pouch of goin coins in her jacket pocket, she scolded herself for her impulsiveness. Retrieving a bottle of blood, she drank deeply, drawing strength from its sustenance. Pausing mid-drink, her senses heightened, detecting a presence nearby. Her eyes glowed red as she sensed the intruder, swiftly assuming a defensive stance.
"Reveal yourselves," she commanded, her voice a blend of defiance and the calm before a storm, carried by the whispering winds. The shadows parted, revealing a figure that left Allegra momentarily stunned.
"Good eye, Lady," the figure cackled, joined by many more that emerged to surround her. Despite the menacing situation, fear did not grip Allegra. She was ready to take on them all.
These were no ordinary foes; they were black witches—annoying and revolting creatures. Their stench resembled that of a decaying corpse, their faces dark and scaly, eyes resembling those of snakes, their elongated features towering over an average man, with knees bent unnaturally backward. Their hideous appearance was as horrifying as their intentions.
"What do you want? Money? Jewelry?" Allegra inquired, struggling to mask her disgust at their gruesome appearance and repugnant odor.
The first witch smiled, her grin stretching unnaturally wide to reveal jagged yellow teeth glinting in the moonlight. "We want you."
"Why?" Allegra probed further.
"Don't you know?" the witch cackled. "You are his weakness."
Allegra furrowed her brow. "Who?"
"Do you think I will be foolish enough to call his name?" the witch snarled.
Allegra snarled back, her features transforming into the beast within her. Her fangs elongated, ears sharpened like that of an elf, and claws grew thick and long. Summoning her fire abilities, tendrils of fire licked her skin, but the witches remained unfazed.
"Kill them," Allegra muttered in the chilling silence, commanding her fire tendrils. They obeyed, wrapping around a witch behind her, who screamed in agony before exploding. The tendrils continued their lethal dance, eliminating the witches one by one, yet the one who stood before Allegra merely smiled.
"Pathetic," she whispered amidst the agonizing screams, blowing a powder in Allegra's face.
Allegra snarled and coughed, feeling her strength wane. The fire tendrils stopped their torment and retreated, her claws and fangs retracting. Her eyes remained red, though, as she fell to her knees.
"Vampire bane. Comes in handy, don't you think?" the witch cackled triumphantly. Allegra had been poisoned; the powder was vampire bane, a deadly poison that weakened vampires.
Allegra coughed weakly, her body struggling against the effects of the vampire bane. The witch cackled triumphantly, reveling in her horrible teeth. The other witches, enraged by the death of their kin, closed in around Allegra, their faces contorted with fury.
With a swift and brutal motion, the lead witch slapped Allegra across the face, the impact causing excruciating pain as her calloused, scaly palm made contact. Allegra's lips split, blood trickling down her chin, but she refused to yield to their torment. The witches, fueled by vengeance, joined in, raining blows upon her for avenging their fallen comrades.
"That's enough," the lead witch commanded, her voice cutting through the frenzy. "We must take her to the underworld swiftly before he arrives."
The witches nodded in unison, wasting no time as they chanted incantations to open a portal wide enough to accommodate them all. Fear gripped Allegra's heart as she questioned if this would be her end. But a flicker of determination ignited within her. She had fought too hard to succumb now.
In a desperate plea, she whispered the one name that held power over her heart and soul. "Donovan," her voice carried faintly in the wind, but it seemed to have an immediate impact on the witches. Their faces twisted with unease.
A deafening roar shattered the forest's silence, resonating with primal fury. Trees quivered, birds scattered in fear, and a wave of terror swept through all who heard it. The lead witch's confidence wavered as she urged her comrades to hasten their spellcasting.
The ground trembled beneath them, the earth itself seemingly trembling in anticipation of his arrival. The winds grew fierce, swirling around them as the portal began to take shape.
"Hurry!" the witch screamed, her voice tinged with fear.
The roar thundered once more, this time closer, accompanied by the thunderous thuds of powerful paws against the forest floor. Allegra weakly turned her head, her gaze locking onto the source of the approaching sound.
There he stood, a formidable figure cloaked in black, his eyes ablaze with fury. With a snarl, he lunged forward, breaking the lead witch's neck in a swift, decisive motion.
Black tendrils, a manifestation of Donovan's dark power, emanated from him as he stood protectively in front of Allegra's weakened form. The witches, sensing the imminent threat, leaped forward to shield their spellcasters, but the tendrils moved with supernatural speed, entwining around their bodies with a deadly grip.
Donovan's form shifted back, his attire now consisting of black shorts and a large black shirt, a stark contrast to the darkness radiating from him. His eyes, a fierce crimson, bore into the witches as he addressed them with a voice that echoed like thunder through the night.
"Warn your kin never to lay a hand on what is mine," his words carried a primal authority that sent shivers down their spines. In one swift motion, he severed their heads, the sound of their demise echoing in the eerie silence of the forest. With a snap of his fingers, their bodies were engulfed in roaring flames, a testament to the wrath they had invoked.
Turning his attention to the remaining witches, his gaze bore into their very essence as he uttered a spell, "Ignito." Instantly, they too were consumed by the inferno, their agonized screams fading into the crackling of the flames.
With a commanding gesture, Donovan conjured a portal, its dark energies swirling with power. "Deliver my message," he commanded the last trembling witch, who nodded fearfully and darted towards the portal. As she disappeared into the abyss, Donovan closed the portal with a flick of his hand, the energies dissipating into the night.
Returning to Allegra's side with urgency, Donovan's expression softened as he cradled her weakened form in his arms, a silent promise of protection in his eyes.
In her weakened state, Allegra clung to Donovan desperately, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Donovan," she pleaded, her voice choked with emotion, "please don't leave me."
Donovan felt a surge of conflicting emotions as he held her fragile form. He knew the dangers of staying close to him, especially after witnessing the extent of his powers. "I'll take you back to Declan," he suggested, hoping to keep her safe.
But Allegra's response was immediate and adamant. "No!" she exclaimed, shaking her head. "I want to go with you."
Surprised by her determination, Donovan questioned her decision. "Even after what you just saw?" he asked, his tone tinged with concern.
"Yes," Allegra replied softly, her gaze troubled. Deep down, she was terrified of Donovan's true nature. How could a Lycan possess such potent magical abilities? What secrets was he hiding? The enigmatic Hybrid puzzled her; he was a blend of contradictions, a mystery waiting to be unraveled.
As she pondered these thoughts, Allegra couldn't help but notice the unusual color of Donovan's Lycan form. It wasn't the traditional white but a striking black. Was it all a part of his magic?
Despite her curiosity and fear, Allegra pushed the questions aside for now, focusing on the immediate safety and comfort Donovan provided. She buried her uncertainties, choosing to trust him in this moment of vulnerability.