The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate-Chapter 161: That’s Cheating!

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Gazing out the window after the storm quieted, Esme’s eyes settled on a village that was nestled in the mountains, covered in snow. Warm, amber glow flickered from the windows of the houses, creating a cozy contrast to the dark, towering peaks and narrow snow-covered street.

It looked majestic, like someone just painted it and stamped it at the particular spot.

"It only lasted for the night," Esme murmured, a hint of exasperation in her voice as she turned to Donovan who came to stand beside her, his gaze fixed on the distant village ahead. "You know I was told the blizzard would rage for two days. I went through all that preparation yesterday, yet no storm."

She sighed, "Am I overdoing things?"

Donovan’s lips curled into a faint smile, and he placed a hand on her head with an ease that bellied his shadowy aura. "I don’t see it as a problem," he replied. "If anything, the people have gained. More supplies, more time. If they have any sense, they’ll start setting aside what they can – for the next storm, or whatever calamity this place may face."

Esme’s gaze drifted to the window, and the promise of freedom and adventure stirred something restless in her chest. Without a second thought, she turned to Donovan, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she reached for his wrist, pulling him along with her.

"Wait," he said, a hint of amusement and surprise in his voice. "What are you doing?"

"Let’s go out into town and have breakfast," she suggested, grabbing her coat and his coat from the hanger. "I want to eat outside for today. Now that I think about it, the two of us have never really gone out together. Think of this as the start of a new beginning."

Donovan stood motionless for a heartbeat, stunned by her spontaneity and the rare excitement in her voice. She then reached for his blindfold, the one that neatly rested on the wall. His heart quickened as he lowered his head, surrendering to her warm touch.

She tied his blindfold with her usual care, her fingers brushing against his hair as she fashioned it into a bow, a small act that spoke volumes of their growing closeness. He could feel the warmth from her, and as she withdrew her hand, he couldn’t resist grasping her wrist, dropping a lingering kiss at the pulse point.

Her eyes widened, and his smile broadened before letting go.

"See how easy you tempt me," he said, his voice teasing, and Esme flicked his forehead lightly in response.

Donovan no longer noticed the fleeting hesitation that used to hang between them. Now, it felt as though they had crossed an unseen threshold, where tenderness came as naturally as breathing.

"This is not the right time to tease me," Esme said as she eased his coat over his broad shoulders, the scent of sandalwood, cedar and wildflower surrounding them both. "It’s cold outside, so put on your gloves as well, and socks."

"I’m not a child," Donovan retorted as he took her coat and draped it over her, his fingers lingering at the curve of her waist for a brief, electrifying moment. He then pulled her against him, his arms wrapping around her waist possessively as he buried his face at the curve of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent, whilst her hand traveled up his silky hair.

"I think there’s something else I want more than breakfast right now," he whispered, his voice raw with need, and Esme twisted from his grip, gently pressing her hand against his chest to create some distance.

"We’re going out," she said, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "And that’s already been decided by yours truly."

"What happens after breakfast?"

Esme picked up the books Cora lent her, her eyes sparkling with a teasing glint. "I’m going to continue my reading. Because of you I couldn’t read anything last night. Consider this your punishment."

With a defiant tilt of her chin and a playful huff, she turned on her heels and strode out of the room. Donovan clicked his tongue in mock disapproval after hearing her huff, but the sharpness of her tone only enthralled him even more. Her heart was spiking, yet she turned him down so effortlessly.

"The things I’m willing to do for love," he sighed and trailed after her.

Descending the winding staircase together, the two encountered Orion and Atticus, who were also heading outside. Both men paused, inclining their heads in a respectful bow.

"Are you two heading somewhere special?"

"We’re stepping out for breakfast," Donovan replied smoothly as he adjusted his fingerless gloves. "Have you kept watch on Dahmer, how is he?"

"Well, he’s been more restless at night," Orion replied. "Shouting threats as usual. But nothing we couldn’t manage. Isn’t that right, Atticus?"

Atticus gave a solemn nod. "True, though he’s becoming more insistent. We were wondering if it might be time to consider other measures. His demands for release are growing tiresome by the day."

"As much as getting rid of him sounds tempting, it would be too much of a good reprieve for him," Esme shook her head. "I still haven’t considered what to do with him yet, but in the meantime, you can do as you please with him, as long as he doesn’t die from it." freewebnøvel.coɱ

She fixed her hood, "We’ll be leaving. Inform the others that we’ll be having breakfast at the closest town. Make sure Finnian and his friends don’t get left behind."

"Enjoy your day," Orion waved as Esme and Donovan took their leave. A separate horse had been placed on the ready for the both of them at the edge of the building. Esme caught sight of Kangee circling above, its dark wings cutting through the crisp, morning sky.

"Hey Don, what do you say we race?" Esme proposed. "Last one to the village settles the bill."

"A race?" Donovan looked amused as he swung himself onto his horse. "Isn’t it dangerous—"

"If you keep considering the danger, how are you supposed to have fun?" Esme said, her voice teasing yet light with a subtle hint of challenge. "Come on, live a little. Be reckless, just this once."

Donovan’s expression softened, "I just don’t want you getting hurt. I have to always consider these things. The snow is deep, and the terrain’s uneven. Let’s reach a lower elevation first, then I’ll take you up on the challenge. How does that sound?"

"Perfect!" Esme’s grin widened, warmth spreading through her as he conceded.

"Since when have you learned to ride a horse?" She asked as they moved through the uneven snowy path, "My first time was on a winter day, like this. I had a wonderful teacher who was quite patient with me. She would take me out after her lessons were over, teaching me how to ride her horse. We’d race through trees, and she would always say it felt almost similar to being a wolf. Feeling the wind against your face, charging through the snow. But I’m sure nothing beats the real feeling of charging through snow in a wolf form. How was your first experience?"

"Me?" Donovan let out a chuckle at the lingering curiosity in her voice. "Mine was a total disaster. During that time I didn’t have Kangee to guide me, and I was quite desperate to prove myself to others. So, against my parent’s wishes, I jumped on a horse. I had no idea what I was doing, no control, no real understanding of how to ride. I ended up in an accident, but I didn’t care about the risk back then... I was more terrified of my mother finding out."

"Did she?" Esme asked, almost knowing the answer.

"Yes," Donovan replied, a hint of shame crossing his face. "Gave me a good beating that day. But I only knew I deserved it after growing up. Like I said before, I was extremely stubborn and desperate to fit in. So only my mother could tame me. As for Leo, he was the pampered one amongst the two of us, but it was understandable since he’s always quiet and never went around causing trouble for himself the way I did."

"Were you that much of a menace?" Esme couldn’t help but ask.

"People mostly took my silence for weakness. I mean now I understand the meaning behind patience. Back then, I would throw a stone at you and feign the weakness everyone depicted me as. My eyes could make anyone bend to my will if they stare for too long... I’ve been told it’s not easy to resist, so people tend to fall prey to it without realizing."

"So your eyes are almost similar to Leonardo’s power then?"

"Leonardo can make others do his bidding when his curse is activated. I can do the same with my eyes. The only difference is Leonardo can’t risk his speech getting heard by others, cause they fall prey to it. That’s why he barely uses it except when he’s sure he’s alone with his victim."

"Oooh that makes so much sense now," Esme uttered. "That means if you, me, and Leonardo get stuck in the same environment. If he tries to use his cursed speech on you, I can also get affected because I heard it?"

"Yes, and it destroys his throat for some minutes, so he always has this medicine he takes to heal himself if he knows he’s going to use his speech. Mine doesn’t have those implications."

Both their horses slowed on their steps after they made it to lower grounds. "You know I’ll have to visit the palace in two days. I already promised Lennox I’d be there to settle the issues raised. Maybe if I tell him about the true bearer, he’ll stop focusing on you all the time."

"I don’t even want him near the true bearer," Donovan said, "If the true bearer meets with Lennox, the throne will be at stake. It will be better if he doesn’t show up in the face of the true bearer, cause if he dies, there would be no one left to claim the throne."

While Esme was pondering on his words, her eyes widened when Donovan’s horse suddenly took off, leaving her stranded.

"Hey! I didn’t say start! That’s cheating!" Esme went after him.