The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 109: Necessary Gist

"Donovan is my brother," Leonardo told Esme after following her to the parlor. The main room was filled with not only Esme, but Neville, Althea, Lothar, Revana, and the Alpha himself, as he descended from the staircase.

The spacious parlor of the Shadowspire grew tense.

All eyes shifted to Donovan who facepalmed in clear frustration. He hadn’t expected Leonardo to show up, talk more about making such a bold declaration in front of everyone.

The disbelief in their gazes, coupled with Donovan’s reaction, told Leonardo he had dropped that revelation a bit too casually. It’s not something he rarely does, and he had a feeling this odd excitement in his chest came from being able to see his previous home again.

"You haven’t told them?" Leonardo pressed, and if his brother wasn’t putting on his blindfold right now, he would have received the most ferocious glare of his life.

"I can’t just tell them," Donovan admitted, running his fingers through his hair. "It wasn’t the right time. We were in the middle of a scheme."

"I figured as much," Leonardo realized his observation regarding their reaction was correct. "But I had this nagging feeling you might change your mind, so I came here myself to make sure you didn’t. I wouldn’t even be here if you hadn’t given me enough reasons to doubt you. Thanks to your raven always yapping whenever you brought it over, I was able to get the location of the Shadowspire from it."

Kangee rested on Donovan’s shoulder, beady eyes narrowing down at Leonardo. "I don’t recall telling you anything."

"Cause I used my curse," Leonardo admitted, making Kangee let out a shocked squawk. It would have opened its beak to hurl the usual insults if its master wasn’t present with them.

The silence was thick, hanging in the air until Althea shattered it with her excited scream. "On the bright side, this proves everything! I knew Donovan was incapable of committing all those atrocities that the kingdom accused him of! I’m so happy you’re alive and well Vernon! Do you remember me?!"

"No," came Leonardo’s blunt response, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "And I go by the name Leonardo now."

Althea’s eyes widened in pure shock when he said he didn’t remember either of them, plus his tone was so calm whenever he responded to Donovan. He sounded so cold and indifferent it nearly brought tears to her eyes. "You forgot about us? How could you?! We always asked about your whereabouts from Donovan, but he wouldn’t tell us anything at all!!"

"Wow..." Revana murmured, struggling to find the right words. His resemblance to his mother was uncanny — those piercing gray eyes and dark hair. He could have been her mirror image. "You certainly thrived in Illyria."

"Yes," Leonardo replied evenly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "The couple who raised me there treated me well."

It was at that moment that it dawned on Esme, and her eyes widened. "Wait... that means Mr Irwin isn’t your—"

"Yes," he cut in." "He’s not my biological father. I may not share their blood, but I’m still their son."

Esme had to find the nearest chair to sit down on, trying to put the information she’s heard so far into place, but she could hardly believe it.

All that time, there was a demon shifter among them. He was the king’s advisor for goodness sake, but no one knew. He was the son of the man her father killed, and he could have easily taken her life, given that they were always together, but he never did.

"But demon shifters have marks," Esme voiced out her observation, her voice tinged with curiosity. "How come you don’t have any?"

"I have the ability to hide my mark," Leonardo explained. "Donovan and I have abilities, but mine is more stable than his. I could show you, but I’d rather not spend the next few hours drowning myself in all types of throat medicine."

"So you hid your brother for fifteen good years," Revana said, turning to Donovan. "Why didn’t you tell us he was still alive? The very least you could have done was assure us that he was safe, even if you didn’t want to disclose his location."

"I had my reasons," was Donovan’s subtle response, his voice calm and dismissive. "I knew going to the palace that night wasn’t safe. I hadn’t intended on taking him with me, but the annoying brat was too clever for his own good and followed me anyway."

"Then what happened?" Lothar asked, and Donovan sighed, knowing he’d have to be more clear.

"I realized on time that he was following me. I hid him somewhere safe, and trusted a shifter to look after him in my absence. I knew he’d be able to blend in and live comfortably there, but he’s here."

"And I don’t regret it," Leonardo added, knowing his brother was trying to guilt-trip him. "I’m here to help everyone find the true bearer, and you need me. I’m not a child anymore, so I need you to trust me to help you so we can all be free from the curse’s clutches."

"I wonder what it’s like to be free," Althea let out a wistful sigh, already sitting down like Esme. "To go through an entire day without the curse whispering dark thoughts in our ears. To not cry every night, wishing it would all go away so other shifters won’t judge us anymore because of the silly mark. I won’t give up until I know what it feels like!" Althea’s determined optimism radiated through the group, and Neville affectionately patted her head as if she were a child in the group.

Donovan acknowledged her words, "we will. We all will be free from the curse, the pain, and it’s a promise. But first, we have to prepare for the journey ahead. Lothar and Revana have lined up a few assassins we’ll need. It’s left for Acheron to recruit the girls. If he can’t get anyone to be our mole, then we’ll leave two days from now. Let’s regroup in the inner circle tonight and finalize the last phase of the plan."

"Of course, Alpha." Lothar responded politely, and everyone else acknowledged his orders.

"Vernon, where are your bags?" Althea asked, looking around the parlor for where he had set his bags. "You didn’t bring any?"

"No," he answered simply.

"Why not?" Donovan asked.

"I’m going clothes shopping." Leonardo replied, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Shopping?" Althea’s eyes sparkled. "I can help with shopping!"

"I think Neville and I will handle this one, Althea." Lothar stepped in with a gentle smile. Though slightly disappointed, Althea nodded, feeling reassured by Lothar’s kind tone.

Esme’s gaze lingered on Donovan’s retreating figure as he headed upstairs with Kangee. He mentioned attending a meeting with other hierarchical members of the Damned, and she couldn’t help but wonder how he must be feeling about all of this.

"Do you really not remember us?!" Althea asked again, her voice filled with desperation. But before she could get an answer, her sister firmly grabbed her arm, pulling her away.

"Come on, we need to start going through our plans."

"Leave me alone, I was supposed to work with Acher." Althea cried, struggling against her sister’s grip, but unable to break free. Lothar and Neville offered Leonardo one last warm welcome to the Damned, and although they wished to stay longer and hear about his journey in Illyria, duty calls.

Leonardo’s gaze shifted to Esme, who was still seated, and he sauntered towards her, taking the seat next to her with a quiet confidence. "So, future sister-in-law?" he said, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "How have you been faring in my absence?"

Esme looked up at him, stunned by his words. Her cheeks flushed ever so slightly, and Leonardo noticed, tilting his head curiously.

"What? Aren’t you mated to my brother? I got all the necessary gist before coming here."