The Villain Alpha's Cursed Mate
Chapter 101: Inside And Out

Chapter 101: Inside And Out

"I finally did it!" Esme exclaimed, her voice bursting with joy as she leaped into the air, her body surging with exhilaration after completing the grueling course.

The ache in her muscles began to slowly fade, though she couldn’t tell if it was the rush of victory or the strange, recurring healing her body seemed to possess.

The exhaustion, however, clung stubbornly, weighing her down even as her heart soared. Her gaze drifted to all the obstacles she had to avoid to get here, and she couldn’t believe she succeeded in each one.

"Esme," Donovan’s voice echoed from the shadowed archway of the Shadowspire, drawing her attention. He stood there, his dark silhouette outlined by the dim light, holding out a black towel. His silent gesture beckoned her to come and take it.

As she finally stepped out of the rain, she became aware of the chill that gripped her, her drenched clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin.

She almost shivered from the cold, but her excitement drowned out everything else, leaving her breathless with triumph.

"Donovan, I did it! I completed the entire course, finished everything, and by tomorrow, I’ll finally be able to get a reaction out of Revana." Esme rambled excitedly, her breathless words tumbling out as Donovan enveloped her shivering form in a thick, warm towel. Her wet hair clung to her face, framing her radiant smile.

Donovan’s expression softened from the rare joy in her voice. It’s the first time he’s heard her sound so proud of herself, and she was practically bubbling. However, he was still worried.

"Maybe you should focus on not catching a fever before then," his voice was laced with gentle concern. "I’m starting to regret not stopping you earlier instead of encouraging you. You’re soaked to the bone, shivering like a leaf."

As he tucked the towel securely around her, his fingers brushed against her chilled skin, sending shivers down her spine. "Change into some dry clothes and use the heater before–"

"I’m fine," Esme reassured him, flashing him a small, reassuring smile. "Trust me, I already know how to deal with the cold. I’m just relieved I finished the course on my own. Honestly, I would have given up sooner if you hadn’t shown up. You make a great mentor."

To Donovan’s surprise, Esme’s hand fluttered out, delivering a gentle tap on his arm, a silent thank you. "I know I let my frustration get the better of me out there, but you never once doubted me. For that, I’m truly grateful."

The softness in her voice was a balm to Donovan’s tense shoulders, and the rapid thudding of his heart threatened to rob him of his breath.

Esme clutched the thick towel around her body, her gaze drifting to the rain that still poured down, refusing to relent. She turned to Donovan, who remained silent, and only now did she notice he was equally drenched.

His wet shirt clung to his physique, accentuating the definition of his muscles and abs in a way that whispered ’intimacy’. Yet, he seemed oblivious to his own state, his concern solely focused on her well-being, worrying that she might fall ill.

"You’re drenched," Esme stated, and Donovan finally broke through whatever spell held him in deep thoughts.

His brows furrowed, as if he had only become aware of his own state. "Hm?"

"I said you’re drenched. You could have changed into something dry when you went inside to get this for me. Have you ever heard the saying that ’you can’t correct someone without correcting yourself first."

"I didn’t notice," he felt his clothes, but soon realized it was an awkward gesture and dropped his hands at his side. He then cleared his throat. "It’s something I can handle, but you’ve been in the rain for hours. Attend to yourself so you can impress Revana tomorrow."

Esme pressed her lips into a thin line, and she couldn’t deny the fact that she honestly felt cold. Freezing was an understatement, and she shivered under the thick towel, relying on its warmth.

"I’ll need to make something warm for myself. Come, I’ll make enough for the both of us. Join me in the kitchen." She offered, disappearing into the building, and Donovan couldn’t help but wonder if she was referring to him or another Donovan altogether.

’Of course it’s you, how slow is your brain?!’ his wolf intervened, and Donovan tried not to punch himself in the face. He convinced himself that she was probably being polite as usual, but he would have to change first.

"Where is Kangee?" He murmured as he went back into the house, pushing through the door and letting it close behind him with a soft click.

Esme had taken a quick bath and changed into a fresh dress. After drying her hair to a point, she found herself in the kitchen, a place she rarely ventured. Back in her pack, Vivienne had always prepared her meals and handled everything she needed from the kitchen, so stepping into this space felt completely foreign. The unfamiliar scene around her left her unsure of where to even begin.

Her instincts guided her toward the matchbox sitting in a corner, knowing she’d need to light the hearth if she wanted to boil some water. With hesitant fingers, she pulled out a matchstick, but as she prepared to strike it, she froze.

The air shifted subtly, and that unmistakable presence enveloped her, making her breath hitch.

Before she could turn, Donovan was already there, his warmth pressing against her back. His hands slipped over hers, gently cradling her as she held the matchstick.

His touch was intimate, firm yet tender, the heat of his chest radiating through the thin fabric of her dress.

"You’ve never done this before, have you?" Donovan’s voice was soft, a low murmur close to her ear, and the sound of it sent a different kind of warmth rushing through her.

Esme swallowed hard, her pride rising briefly before faltering under his steady, comforting touch. "No," she confessed, her fingers trembling slightly beneath his. "In my pack, I was never allowed near the kitchen, so I’ve never really learned how the cooks handle things."

Donovan gently released her fingers, his voice dropping to an intimate whisper. "If you want to make tea, you have to boil the water first. Use a kettle, and light the hearth afterwards."

His breath grazed her neck, making her shiver — though the course had nothing to do with the cold. As her hand reached for the kettle, she froze, her body stiffening as his other hand slid around her waist, pulling her closer.

"You’ll have to handle the rest... won’t you?" he murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder, his wet hair cold against her skin. Esme let out a quiet sigh, realizing there was no escaping this compromising moment, her heart racing as she stood enveloped in his embrace.

It wasn’t that she was unsure of what to do, but she needed reassurance that she was doing the right thing. Normally, the thought of getting something so simple as making a tea wrong would have embarrassed her.

But with Donovan, that feeling never came. He had a way of soothing her, of making everything feel so natural, effortless.

Esme eventually lit the fire, their fingers intertwining as they struck the flint. Every little task seemed to take on a new meaning with him so close, his quiet guidance mixing with the rhythmic sound of her heartbeat.

The fire finally sparked to life, Donovan gently stepped back, giving her space, but his warmth still lingered. As she placed the kettle on the open fire, she could feel its heat beginning to warm her skin, but she knew that it was Donovan’s presence that truly chased away the cold that had settled deep within her.

He leaned casually against the counter, muscles flexing as he crossed his arms. He inhaled the soothing aroma of tea that filled the air. "Chamomile, rosehip and honey?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Esme smiled and nodded, carefully pouring the steaming liquid into a cup and whisking it before handing him a cup. "Take this, it’s perfect for the rainy season. Finnian and I used to have it every year around this time. It warms you from the inside out." she rubbed her belly as a gesture.

"And if it doesn’t?" Donovan’s brow arched playfully, receiving the cup from her.

"Then maybe your system’s more complicated than it needs to be," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

He took a sip, the tea’s mildly tart, floral notes blending with a hint of sweetness in his mouth. Yet, something about knowing his mate made it just for him made the drink taste impossibly sweet, turning this simple moment into something he wished to savor. After all, he tasted her first tea.

"Feeling warm yet?" Esme asked, a playful smile on her lips.

He let out a soft hum, finishing the cup in one, long deliberate sip. Before Esme could react, he swept her off the floor and onto the countertop with a swift, effortless motion. His body leaned in close, his lips hovering near hers.

"Not quite," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "Share your warmth with me. Inside and out."