Allegra held on to Donovan's arm with a grip that mirrored her reliance on him, each step into the unknown forest heightening her anticipation and curiosity. She trusted him implicitly, even though she didn't know their destination.
"Don't let go of my arm until I say so," Donovan's voice carried a weight of caution and protection as they ventured deeper. Allegra's eyes widened in wonder as they approached a hill, where a magnificent house stood proudly amidst the natural beauty of the surroundings. Donovan's hand intertwined with hers as they ascended towards the grand courtyard.
The sight of the house took Allegra's breath away, its majestic presence commanding reverence. As they passed through what seemed like an invisible barrier, a fleeting shimmer caught Allegra's attention— a ward, a powerful protection spell woven around the house and its premises.
Donovan noticed her fascination and spoke with a calm authority, addressing her unspoken questions. "No one can see the manor unless I allow it or grant them access," he explained, his words carrying a sense of mystery and exclusivity. "Even the most formidable witch would falter against this spell. It's my sanctuary, a place where I find solace and clarity."
Allegra absorbed his words, feeling a mix of awe and gratitude for being allowed into this hidden realm. She couldn't help but marvel at Donovan's abilities and the secrets he held within this enchanting sanctuary.
As they walked into the room, Donovan's question hung in the air, "Why did you leave Declan?" a weighty silence urged Allegra to speak her truth. With each step, she felt a surge of strength returning, emboldening her to confront her feelings.
Turning to face him, Allegra's gaze softened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Declan is wonderful, but my heart belongs to someone else," she confessed, her words tinged with vulnerability.
Donovan's curiosity piqued as he raised an eyebrow, prompting Allegra to continue.
"And who might that be?" Her fingers absentmindedly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit betraying the depth of her emotions.
"… you," Allegra admitted, taking a step closer to him. "It may sound foolish, but I've always felt drawn to you. There's an undeniable connection that defies explanation. With you, I don't have to pretend or put on a mask. I can be myself, raw and unfiltered. Your touch ignites a fire within me that lingers long after you're gone. Whenever you vanish, I'm consumed by fear and uncertainty. I can't bear the thought of being apart from you."
Tears welled up in Allegra's eyes, clouding her vision as she poured out her heart. "I love you, Donovan. I truly do," she confessed, her voice trembling with emotion. "I ran away not to hurt you or Declan, but because I couldn't bear the ache of being without you. I ran away because I was unsure of everything. I want to stay in your presence but I don't want to hurt Declan."
Donovan stood in stunned silence, his composed exterior crumbling as raw emotions surged through him. Bittersweet realization dawned upon him, and in a moment of vulnerability, he muttered, "You are my mate," the weight of those words hanging heavily in the air, binding their fates together in an unbreakable bond.
Allegra stared at Donovan, her eyes reflecting a mix of hurt and confusion as she processed his admission. The weight of his silence lingered in the air, heavy with unspoken words and unanswered questions.
"You've always felt it?" Allegra's voice was a mixture of disbelief and realization, her gaze locked onto Donovan's troubled expression.
Donovan pulled out a chair and sat down heavily, his hands running through his hair in frustration. Allegra watched him closely, waiting for an explanation that seemed to elude her.
"So you have felt this mating bond all this time and you kept me in the dark?" Her voice cracked with emotion, the pain of betrayal evident in her words. "I have been suffering with heartaches for so long and you are telling me this now? Why?"
Donovan remained silent, his eyes downcast, unable to meet Allegra's accusing gaze. The weight of his unspoken reasons hung heavily in the air.
"Is it because you don't love me? Or you hate the fact that your mate is a vampire?" Her questions pierced the silence, each word laced with hurt and frustration.
Donovan's silence spoke volumes, his inner turmoil evident in the way he clenched his fists and avoided her eyes.
"Speak up! I want to hear your reason!" Allegra's voice rose with a mix of anger and desperation. "Do you hate me that much?!"
"No." Donovan finally spoke, his voice strained with emotion. "I've always loved you. More than you can think."
Allegra's brow furrowed, her anger softening into confusion as Donovan's words sank in. "Then why?"
"I've been trying to avoid you for so long because… because… you're my only weakness." Donovan's admission hung in the air, his vulnerability laid bare before her.
Allegra's mind raced, connecting the dots of past encounters and cryptic warnings. 'You are his weakness' she thought to herself, the pieces finally falling into place.
Donovan's fear was palpable as Allegra stood in front of him, her eyes searching his for answers. Without a word, she sat beside him on the bed, taking his hands in hers. Their silent exchange spoke volumes, a silent understanding passing between them as they faced the truth together.
"Talk to me," Allegra's voice was gentle yet firm, a plea for honesty and clarity in the midst of uncertainty.
Donovan's sigh carried the weight of years of internal struggle. His gaze, once distant, now locked onto Allegra's, searching for understanding amidst the tumult of emotions.
"I tried casting a spell on you to hate me. But it didn't work. The mating bond is too strong," Donovan confessed, his voice tinged with resignation. "I'll tell you everything. But I don't think I can do it all at once."
Allegra nodded in silent agreement, her expression a blend of curiosity and compassion. She reached out, her hand gently resting on his, a gesture of reassurance and support.
"Many years ago, my father sent me to your family home to work as a servant. He wanted to punish me," Donovan's words carried a mix of bitterness and understanding. "He always hated me. It wasn't his fault. You were a spoiled brat and you bullied me. I couldn't even blame you. I was an easy target."
Allegra's hand flew to her mouth in shock, her eyes widening in realization of the pain she had unknowingly caused.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine remorse.
Donovan managed a small, wistful smile, though it failed to reach his eyes. "Thank you," he said softly. "But there's more. I ran away from your home, consumed by anger and a desire for revenge. My father eventually found me and beat me up." He paused, the memories of his past pain still etched vividly in his mind.
Allegra listened intently, her heart heavy with the weight of Donovan's revelations. She waited for him to continue, offering him a safe space to share his truth.
"I found out the reason why he hated my guts a year later.."
—
Flashback
Sitting in the rain out in the courtyard. Donovan was punished again by his father. Donovan was eight years old now and his body looked so weak and malnourished. His father took his brothers out on a trip. His mother refused to join them. His brothers tried fighting for him but his father threatened to beat them. Donovan begged him not to beat his brothers and he begged his brothers to follow the father for the trip he planned.
His mother wasn't allowed to step out to bring Donovan out of the rain. His nose had turned pinkish and he already caught a cold. He wanted some warmth and whispered something. All of a sudden he felt warm. The rain fell but it didn't make him feel cold. It was a spell. He snuck back to the manor and into the study.
He searched for a book containing something about spells. And he found it. Only a witch can cast spells but Donovan wasn't a witch right?
He was a Lycan…
He rushed to his mother's room and told her what he found out.
Ophelia started crying and told him everything. "My son, you're not the Alpha's son. Your mine and someone else's." He was shocked. "You're real father is a dark witch. He tricked me. I was unfaithful to your father. Before you were born your dad and I used to fight all the time. I was so furious I left the manor then I met him. I knew it was stupid of me but out of spite I cheated. Months later I found out I was pregnant and I knew it wasn't your father's. I told a friend of mine to cast a spell that with make your eyes appear blue like your the Alpha's. You grew up to look like you brothers because the Alpha's genes mutated your appearance but somehow he knows that you are not his. I'm so sorry." She cried. "Your real father wanted to take you away so I struck a deal with him. He is a witch but he didn't see the loophole coming. I told him that if he makes you do his bidding then he can freely leave the underworld. He has been trapped there ever since. I want you to promise me that no matter what you will not stop fighting. No weaknesses." Donovan cried in his mother's arms that night. His mother's friend that casted the spell on his eyes trained him to use his abilities. He learned how to shift to his Lycan and cast a spell at the same time.
Years passed and Donovan became an enigma. Disappearing off and appearing on over and over again. The father thought it was to sleep with women but it was actually because he was fighting of the witches his father sent to get his mother back.
His took in so much brunt to keep his mother away from his psychotic father. He eventually met Israel who was a stubborn witch and made him his spy in the underworld to know his father's plans. Israel did his job perfectly and Donovan was able to build his house and put wards around it without anyone knowing.
He didn't have a weakness until he met Allegra again.
—-
Flashback ends..
Allegra was in tears. All these time, Donovan has been protecting them. From everything taking in the brunt. Taking in the pain. He kept fighting tirelessly since he was a kid and no one gave him a break. She cried again. No wonder he was an enigma.