Chapter 35: Donovan

Rex found himself in an unfamiliar, dimly lit room, his heart pounding with fear and regret. He had been summoned to this unknown location, and now, facing Donovan's piercing gaze, he realized the gravity of his mistake.

The air was tense as Donovan emerged from the shadows, his expression unreadable. "Start talking, Rex. Who sent you?" His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but there was a sharp edge to it that sent chills down Rex's spine.

With a nervous laugh, Rex replied, "You already know, Donovan. You always know everything. Just end it now." He taunted Donovan, his words laced with defiance and resignation. "You have a weakness now, and he'll exploit it."

Donovan spoke again, "Speak."

Rex let out a bitter laugh, a mixture of defiance and resignation in his tone. "You already know, Donovan. You always know everything. Just end it now," he taunted, fully aware of the consequences awaiting him.

With a steely gaze, Donovan pressed on, "You have a chance to save yourself. What is his plan?"

Rex's smirk faltered for a moment, his bravado waning as he hesitated. "He plans on doing so many things and more. Just surrender and do as he says," he replied, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.

Donovan remained composed, his mind calculating the next move. Without a word, he snapped his fingers, and Rex's defiant laughter turned into agonized screams as flames engulfed him. In moments, Rex's body was reduced to ash, a stark reminder of Donovan's power and resolve.

As the flames subsided, a young man emerged from the darkness, his green eyes filled with determination. It was Israel, Donovan's trusted ally from the underworld.

"Israel, how are things in the underworld?" Donovan asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"So far, no suspicions. He doesn't confide in me much," Israel replied, his gaze focused yet weary.

Donovan nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "Dean is the key. He's talkative but smart. I'll gather more information discreetly."

"Go back and report to me in a week," Donovan instructed, his cough interrupting the conversation.

"Donovan, you need rest," Israel insisted, rushing to Donovan's side.

"Don't," Donovan waved him off, his determination unwavering. "I'll be fine."

"How is she?" Israel inquired, he knew who Israel was referring to .

"The wards are holding up nicely. She's safe," Donovan replied, a distant look in his eyes as thoughts of Allegra weighed heavily on his mind.

Their conversation lingered in the air, a mix of urgency, loyalty, and concern, as they faced the challenges ahead with unwavering resolve.

Donovan swiftly shifted into his Lycan form and sprinted towards the inn, his senses heightened as he focused on Allegra's scent. Israel, with a wave of his hand, summoned a portal back to the underworld, disappearing into the ethereal abyss.

As Donovan reached the inn, he reverted to his human self, his movements fluid and silent as he approached Allegra's room. He could hear her gentle breathing, signaling her peaceful slumber. With a quiet sigh, Donovan removed his shoes and shirt, slipping into bed beside her.

The night passed in tranquility, with Donovan finding solace in Allegra's presence as he drifted into a deep sleep.

---

The next morning dawned with soft rays of sunlight filtering through the window, gently waking Allegra. She blinked, her head throbbing slightly, and her cheeks flushed crimson as she saw Donovan's sleeping form beside her.

Feeling flustered, Allegra hastily rose from the bed, her mind racing with a mix of embarrassment and confusion. She muttered curses under her breath, berating herself for the situation.

In her rush to compose herself, Allegra reached for her furry coat, causing a nearby chair to topple with a loud crash. The sudden noise startled Donovan awake, his instincts kicking in as he half-shifted with a low growl and snarl, his fangs and claws elongating as he scanned the room for potential threats.

Donovan's gaze landed on Allegra, who was attempting to pick up the fallen chair. He arched a brow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice deep and resonant.

Allegra, flustered and still processing the situation, blurted out, "I don't know how I got here or why I'm in bed with you. Let's just pretend nothing happened. Please, stay away from me from now onwards."

"Why?" Donovan inquired, his eyes searching hers for answers.

"I just... I don't want Declan to get the wrong idea. I regret the kisses, and I know it was wrong to keep pursuing you," Allegra confessed, her voice tinged with remorse.

"Pursuing me?" Donovan repeated, surprised by her admission.

Allegra pulled him into an unexpected hug, her embrace filled with sincerity. "I'm really sorry," she whispered before pulling away and hastily leaving the room.

Donovan watched her go, a myriad of emotions swirling within him. He couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion, regret, and a newfound sense of understanding. Their encounter had brought unspoken truths to the surface, leaving both of them grappling with the consequences of their actions.

Donovan watched as Allegra's figure disappeared around the corner, leaving him alone in the room. A sense of emptiness washed over him, and he found himself curling into a corner, his eyes red-rimmed from unshed tears. It felt like everyone he cared about kept leaving, and the weight of it all bore down on his shoulders.

As he closed his eyes, memories from his childhood flooded his mind, transporting him back to a time of pain and darkness.

---

Flashback:

Donovan, a mere four-year-old, was in his childhood home. His mother, Ophelia, lovingly massaged his head, trying to ease the stress that clung to him like a shadow. Suddenly, his father burst into the room, his anger palpable.

"You little brat," his father spat, grabbing Donovan roughly and pulling him up. Ophelia cried out, pleading with her husband to stop, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Donovan's father proceeded to unleash a torrent of violence, the blows raining down on the young boy.

"Don't you dare cry," his father's voice was menacing, promising more pain if tears fell. But Donovan, still a tender pup, could only endure so much. He whimpered and cried, the cause of his father's rage a blur in his young mind. The beating only ceased when Ophelia, driven to desperation, attempted to take her own life.

---

The flashback ended, but the scars remained, both physical and emotional. Donovan was in his most vulnerable state, the memories still haunting him, darkening with the passage of time. His body bore the marks of his past, forming the intricate tattoo that told a story of pain and survival.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, a cascade of emotion and weariness. He felt exhausted, weary from the constant battles he faced, the relentless effort he put into helping others while struggling with his own demons.

Thoughts of Allegra brought a bittersweet ache to his heart. He knew they had discovered his weakness, and he feared they would exploit it without mercy.

For hours, Donovan allowed himself to release the pent-up emotions, letting the tears flow until he felt a numbness settle over him. When the tears finally ran dry, he absentmindedly made his way to the bathroom, his reflection in the mirror revealing a pale complexion, puffy and red eyes, and a pinkish nose from crying. He ran a hand through his tousled hair, a weary sigh escaping his lips as he stared at the reflection of a man burdened by pain and sorrow.

Donovan felt the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, the need to protect Allegra discreetly while also maintaining a distance gnawing at his heart. He slumped to the floor, tears streaming down his face once more as the truth of his feelings and the burdens he carried ate away at him.

---

Flashback:

At a young age, Donovan's father had sent him away to a world of vampires, a cruel and unforgiving place where Donovan, the youngest son of the supreme alpha, was treated as nothing more than a servant by a vampire family. Among them was Allegra, mischievous and brash, who took pleasure in bullying Donovan.

Donovan, always reserved and quiet, became an easy target for Allegra's taunts and cruelty. For two years, he endured her torment until one day, he couldn't bear it any longer. With a heavy heart and a resolve born of pain, Donovan ran away, desperate to escape the relentless torment.

Alone, tired, hungry, and confused, Donovan found himself in the darkness, a vow forming in his heart. He swore never to let anyone close again, to be cold and distant, to seek revenge for the suffering he had endured.

His father, relentless in his pursuit, eventually found Donovan and unleashed his wrath upon him. But Donovan, having been broken once before, refused to flinch or show weakness. He endured the beatings, his resolve hardening with each blow, determined never to let anyone break him again.

Years passed, and Donovan finally unraveled the truth behind his father's deep-seated animosity towards him. The revelation shook him to his core, leaving him reeling from the shock and sense of betrayal that permeated his soul.

Throughout his tumultuous childhood, Ophelia, Donovan's mother, had done her best to shield him from his father's wrath. However, some secrets were too heavy to remain hidden forever. Declan and Dante, Donovan's brothers, were often powerless to intervene, either being absent when Donovan needed them most or being locked out by their father during his fits of rage.

Donovan's childhood was marred by pain, fear, and relentless abuse. Happiness was a fleeting concept, an elusive dream that always seemed just out of reach.

Despite the years that passed, the wounds of his past remained fresh, leaving Donovan with a deep-seated desire for revenge, particularly against Allegra, whose torment had scarred him deeply. However, life had other plans, and events took an unexpected turn, leading Donovan down a path he had never anticipated.

---

Back in the present, Donovan's tears flowed freely as he remembered the pain of his past and the scars it had left on his soul. Despite the passage of time, the memories were still fresh, haunting him with their raw intensity.

He knew that protecting Allegra meant keeping his distance, but the conflict between his duty and his feelings tore at him from within. Donovan's heart was a battleground of emotions, each one vying for dominance as he struggled to navigate the complexities of his past and the challenges of the present.