PIPER

A week had passed since I started living in the Howl Manor and even if I missed my home and my shop, I was having a great time. The maids and butlers were all nice to me and I would even sneak to the kitchen and help with the cooking sometimes. But my favorite place in the building was the library, Donovan had a grand collection of books from all categories. I would spend most of my day losing myself in the books I read, learning new things with each of them. I would even sneak some of them into my room for some midnight readings after having dinner with Donovan. 

It was sad to admit but Priya had always been right about him, Donovan was a gentleman, a nice man and I was starting to get open to the idea of mating with him. Yes, his courting was working. It started with flirting and then it got to small gifts such as chocolates, bread, and even flowers. He would eat breakfast with me every day and then return for dinner. We talked for hours and he respected my boundaries all the time. All he did was hold my hand and sometimes caress my cheeks. I was happy when he was around but when he left I felt lonely. Dumb fated mate things.

But today was a good day because it was the weekend, Donovan was free from work and Richard even told me he had no schedule in the next few days. I woke up early, excited to see what we would do together. I fixed my hair in the mirror and ensured I looked good. We were at home, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t dress nicely. After I checked everything was great with my looks I went out of the bedroom and as usual walked to the dining room. 

To my surprise when I arrived, Donovan was nowhere to be seen. I felt disappointed because he would always be there when I woke up. I sighed and walked into the kitchen to find Genevith and Richard talking while being super close and lovey-dovey and I softly smiled. They were a cute couple. They turned to look in my direction and noticed me, making me feel bad for ruining their moment.

“Master Piper, you are awake,” Genevith said and I cringed. I found it uncomfortable being called ‘master’ because I was just a temporary guest and I wasn’t married or mated to Donovan to be called that title.

“No need to call me that way, Genevith. Just call me Piper.” I said with a soft smile and she nodded.

“Sure mas—I mean Piper.” She started saying and then corrected herself. I smiled at her and she smiled back.

“Where’s Donovan?” I asked looking at Richard this time. “I thought his schedule was free today.”

“It was, but he had to go out for a last-minute meeting,” Richard explained and I sighed feeling sad. The alpha noticed that. “But he will be back in a few hours and be completely free for the rest of the weekend.” 

“I see.” I said still disappointed. 

“Would you like to eat breakfast, Piper?” Genevith asked me and I pursed my lips. I couldn’t hide my disappointment and I didn’t want to eat alone in the dining room. 

“Mmmm…Can you bring it to the library?” I asked.

“Yes, of course. I’ll bring it there.” The woman said, turning around to start preparing my meal. 

I waved at Richard and then walked out of the room, going to hide at the library as I did every day. I was sad and disappointed not being able to spend time with Donovan. Even if it was just for a few hours it still hurt and I knew it was mostly the fated mate's bond pulling me to him. 

‘You are still thinking that? You know you already fell for him.’ Priya said, mocking me. 

‘Maybe yes.’ I said to him while looking at the shelves full of books trying to choose which adventure I wanted to go in today. My eyes focused on one, it was a romance story, a theme that I hadn’t read in a while.

‘Yeah, read that one, then you will realize what you feel is not just the bond.’ Priya said and I bit my lip unsure if I should read the book but in the end I took it.

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize Genevith already brought me breakfast so I sat at the table, opened the book I picked, and ate my meal while reading. It was a nice slow-burn romance and I hated to admit that I felt identified with the main character. He was clueless in love just like me—well my only knowledge came from what I’d read before. What was the difference between liking and loving someone? When do you know what you want is more than being friends? The character from the book struggled to realize what he felt was love but in the end, he did and found the courage to confess. But I think it was too soon for me to do something like that.

‘So you admit you like him, right?’ Priya asked and I could tell he probably had a big grin. 

“Yes, I do. But I need to get to know him better.” I said out loud without realizing it.

“Who do you need to know better?” A voice next to me startled me and I jumped from the chair. I must have been so focused on the book that I didn’t realize Donovan came back.

“Uhm…” I tried to think of an answer but was too embarrassed, my cheeks burning. “How long have you been here?”

“Just a while ago, I didn’t want to interrupt.” He answered giving me a soft smile. “Was the book good?”

“Yes, it was a nice story,” I said with a soft smile sitting back down in my chair.

“That’s good. This is for you.” Donovan said handing me a present. It was rectangular and thick wrapped in colorful paper. Curious about what it was, upon taking it I unwrapped it and saw a book with the title ‘Pastries of the World’ “You probably know a lot of the recipes because of your shop but when I saw it at the bookstore I thought of you.” 

“I’m sure there are some recipes I don’t know.” I felt so happy that I unconsciously leaned in and gave Donovan a soft kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Donovan. I really like it.” 

“I’m glad you do.” He said and I noticed a soft blush on his cheek. Making me blush too as I realized what I had done. 

“So…Are you finally free from work?” I asked breaking the silence between us.

“Yes, sorry about missing breakfast.” He said grabbing my hand and caressing the back with his thumb.

“It’s okay. Richard explained you had a meeting.” I smiled softly, feeling warmth in my hand due to his touch.

“But I’m here now. Are you done with your book?” Donovan asked looking into my eyes and I nodded. “Then, would you like to go on a walk with me?”

“Of course,” I said calmly holding back my excitement for spending time with him.

We walked out of the library, Donovan offered me his arm and I wrapped my hand around it, feeling his muscles under my fingers. During these last few days, I noticed how muscular Donovan's body was. Not exaggeratedly like other alphas I've seen but it was fit enough. Priya’s dirty thoughts were starting to get to me because I wanted to see how fit Donovan was without clothes. I brushed away those thoughts and focused on the way ahead. 

We walked out of the house onto the garden. Donovan’s flock territory was big, the manor itself was huge but the surroundings were also a lot with different buildings and places to roam and explore. 

“My parents used to throw big events here so that’s why we have a lot of territory,” Donovan explained as if he read my mind. “My mother was obsessed with throwing parties so there’s a separate building for those and every worker in the house has their own home across the territory as well.”

“Oh, no wonder the main house is so quiet at night,” I said nodding, hearing all his explanations about their territory.

“We also have a training ground for kids when they have to learn how to fly.” He said signaling to the direction where it was. I couldn’t see that far but it was fun to know it was that way. 

“Oh, so you trained there when you were little?” I curiously asked grinning.

“I did. It was difficult but I got the hang of it with practice.” He chuckled, making a shiver go down my spine. 

“That’s awesome. Flying must be so cool.” I said.

“I could take you flying one day.” Donovan suggested and I looked into his eyes.

“Really? But maybe I’m too big for that.” I said excited but also insecure.

“You haven’t seen my animal form, Piper. I’m no small eagle.” He said smiling flirtily. 

“You haven’t seen mine either and I am no small snake,” I responded to him, letting go of his arm and walking ahead of him.

“I would love to see it one day,” Donovan said and I turned to look at him.

“Are you sure? I’m quite scary.” I said joking but not really. People tend to fear serpents.

“I think you are beautiful, and your serpent form must be too,” Donovan said with a soft smile and his compliment made me blush. Priya let out an excited hiss approving our alpha’s statement.

“So…what else is in the territory?” I said trying to change the topic. Turning and starting to walk again.

“Well. There’s a lake that when winter hits turns into a skating rink.” He answered, walking next to me.

“That’s cool, but is it safe?” I asked.

“We pour extra layers of water in it to make it strong enough to hold multiple people,” Donovan explained and I nodded.

“Your childhood must have been fun.” I said with a smile, a little jealous. “There’s a lot of things to do around here.”

“Most of it was fun but some moments were not.” Donovan said and I heard a bit of melancholy in his tone. I looked at his face and his expression was neutral.

“Mine wasn’t entirely fun either. My ‘parents’ were never the loving ones.” I said holding onto Donovan’s arm again. “They even sold me off to a circus…”

‘Piper. Are you sure you want to tell him?’ Priya asked me. ‘Yes, I want him to know.’ Even if Donovan did a background check on me, I was sure he didn’t know about the circus. Marian made sure everything about my disappearance and the circus was erased from the system so I could start a new life.

“What? What did you say?” Donovan looked at me shocked and trying to process what I said. I sighed and saw a bench close to us. I walked there and I made him sit next to me. 

“When I was 17 my parents sold me off to a circus because of my exotic traits. I was part of their freak show. I spent 2 years there but I managed to escape.” I confessed to Donovan.

“H-how?” Donovan managed to say. I could feel the anger in his voice.

“I was locked because I hurt a guy from the crew, he assaulted me and I acted in self defense. I was locked with the animals and then a fire started and I don’t remember much. I guess Priya took over and snuck us out.” I explained everything to him, even mentioning how Marian helped me and how I got to Bramville. He listened and caressed my hand to comfort me until I was done telling him.

“That must have been rough. But I’m glad you are here now, with me.” Donovan said bringing my hand to his mouth to leave a soft kiss. “I won’t let anyone take you away like that ever again.”

“You already helped me a lot, Donovan,” I said with a soft smile looking into his eyes. “And I know you will catch the people from the auction house.”

“I will. I promise.” He said, leaving a kiss on my hand again. “No one will hurt you ever again.”

After a while, we came back to the main house, ate lunch, and spent the rest of the day watching movies in the home theater room. I felt free and comfortable around Donovan,  maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to have him as my mate.