Tangle Love with My Fated Rabbit Mate

"I GOTTA AGREE, Uncle Max," Jefferson Duvas beamed as he lay a heavy load off the van. "This area is divine."

‘Divine, he said,' Max mused.

‘But is it really hard to consider comfort and style, sister?’ Max sighed discreetly. He can’t let his nephew see how troubled was he in this arrangement. Jeffrey will definitely tell his mom, and Janette is going to be delighted in his predicament.

They were both petty this way.

The long and narrow road ahead is clean but dusty. Compared to the city five thousand and forty meters from where he stood, the air doesn't have the abundant car emissions that he hated since he was a youngster. It was the least consolation of moving into the town of Little Maddison. The population was below two hundred houses. In which the most were approaching their retirement years.

That explains why most prefer bikes and brief walks.

Maximilian didn't pay attention to the ride that brought him here. He remembered most of the establishments that the place offers though. He asked his assistant for a brief check first when the order was released. Janette was the one who picked the location, she’s stingy like that.

The town has a small convenient center. Two bake shops and a small cafe. Some tailoring store and a daycare center that's willing to accommodate twenty small kids at best. There’s a high school nearby, but he knew that in the small community, that’s not exciting for the students. Seeing the same faces every single day.

Maximilian thought this Little Maddison is the most peaceful town in the world. He liked the way people smile through the heavily tinted window of Jeffrey's van. They recognize a newcomer and they are willing to befriend him. Even though that’s only because they thought he’s human.

It's a first experience for Max.

The image he projected is too cold and snobbish. He won’t be surprised if many would avoid him in the long run.

His colleagues never said it, but he can read the ambience in the room as well as their minds if he tried hard enough.

"Sir, you should talk more now that you're here." Jeffrey sighed noisily. "See, this is something that should be regulated every year. Your freedom! But oh, yeah, if ever you're going to appoint a regent, please— please, don't advertise my name. That will crush me."

Maximilian eyed his back. He couldn't believe that a vampire can sweat until he saw Jeffrey flinching under his stare. But then, the kid was a half mortal. It's not good to question his defective vampire characteristics.

He clicked his tongue. Straightening the lapel of his suit, he drawled, "So the reason why you chose to accompany me today was for this, huh, nephew? You want to plead for leniency?"

"I'm not saying that being the head of the Adenhart coven is not an honor but sir, I mean, Uncle Max, this is not for me. I'm just twentyfive, okay?" Jeffrey huffed. He still couldn't face Maximilian even when he's trying to disobey. Max thought of this as funny. Jeffrey's mother had always hated his guts for turning the ancient practices into more unconventional and practical habits. Seeing her son trying to reason cowardly to his Uncle Max gives him delight.

"I took over the coven when I got sixteen, kid."

"Yeah?" The guy was amazed but also horrified. Max was confused by his expression. "Well, wow! Max, you're born for the crown, while I am not. And I think you shouldn't have concentrated that much on the coven for— like, 500 years. Look where did it get you now? No wife. No son!"

Max' tiny curve at the tips of his lips vanished in an instant. Jeffrey continues to blabber about his fruitless life before finally noticing that his uncle stood quiet all the time.

He gulped. Max showed him his perfunctory smile. He murmured, "Tell your mother that this is a matter of consequence. I know she sent you to me in private so you can plead for your release from the clan, something I can't afford to give. Let me ask you this, kid, do you really want to live as a mortal?"

Jeffrey is a good child. Maximilian wanted to have a kid like him someday. A funloving, cheerful child who knows when and where to show his fangs. The only fault he could find in Jeffrey is that the man couldn't say no to his mother.

Max didn't shy away from showing his favoritism among his nieces and nephews— thinking that he only had one anyways. He's the only Adenhart left with no children to call his own, next to Laura. Jeffrey was a pitiful child. Even when Janette sent Jeffrey to scurry on his side, Max gladly accepted each gifts with unseeing eyes.

But this last request is unforgivable.

Janette wants to free Jeffrey from her kind while the kid wanted to secure a stable position in the coven. When Max came to realize Jeffrey's internal conflicts, he didn't bat an eye and agreed to be send off by him and him alone.

‘Time to knock some senses in him.’

"I've always thought that you have an upright man as a father, Jeffrey." Maximilian twisted his lips in a wry smile. "What happened? How did Janette manage to make him agree?"

"You know how hardheaded mom can get sometimes, sir." Jeffrey deviated from his overly casual voice and turned to a respectful tone. "I'd… being a regent is a tad too burdensome for a person who scarcely have the experience. You thrive on the status for hundreds of years. There's no way I can copy you for even a day."

Maximilian leaned on the van. He looked to the side and saw his own pale reflection at the side mirror. He can only see his face in the morning. Maximilian doesn't know why and what happens but their reflections fade every night. Half dead and half alive. He blinked slowly. "You're not arrogant to think you're worthy enough. That's good."

"No… I don't plan to. I want to be respected and be trusted by our kind because of my own capability."

Max frowned. "You can start being an apprentice. I don't trust anyone at the coven but Cedric Mallory is a nice lad. Why don't you work under him for a month or two?"

"Make that three, sir." Jeffrey stopped worrying over the boxes and positioned at Max' side. "Wait, is he… is that Cedric specialized in paperwork?"

'Picky…' Max rolled his eyes. He struggled to think of the guy's line of work. "What's there if he's in line with the papers? That's a harmless job."

"Then make it a month only." Jeffrey didn't answer him and said, "Make it less than a week if that's possible."

'Oh,' Maximilian jeered in his mind, 'he thought he can handle Mr. Mallory's strict rules?'

There’s a reason why Max don’t want to associate himself with that hybrid if it’s not necessary. One would think the years that went by would help Cedric be more... civil and open to people. Max is incredibly wrong.

‘I seldom get his mood right. I don’t see what’s the point in trying.’

"Cedric Mallory specified in field work. He gathers intel, do major and minor hunt for the clan. You think you can handle that?"

"Of course! Make it... five months, then!" Jeffrey has quite a boasting expression. Max hid his contempt to himself.

He grinned at his nephew's enthusiasm. He looked back at the house. "Expect your appointment next day, kid."

"Oh, God!" Jeffrey whined belatedly, "Mom will kill me for this."

"Let her come at me. Tell her I forced you or something."

Jeffrey shook his head with a bootlicking grin. "You're the best uncle even if the mortals often says we look like best cousins."

Max only raised a brow. 'Who told you that?'

"Sir, how long do you plan to stay here?" The guy attempted to distract Max from his statement before. He only shrugged then seriously considered his question.

‘A vacation.’ He cannot quite wrap his mind around it. ‘What’s there left to see?’

His father left him the coven in its prosperous condition. Still, he ventured far and wide to widen his territory and connection. He saw everything.

‘But Janette asked me so...’

In the end, Max simply said, "It depends."

‘I don’t want to stay in a lonely, empty town alone.’

She needs an excuse to get away from him. That’s something weird, considering that everyone knew that they were a couple. Dolly doesn’t see them dating, but it’s more easy to admit the wrong thing rather than explaining why are they together.

Fin had a problematic wolf soul. He gets violent on small issues and tends to break in a shift when he's threatened. Dolly asked him not to get out of their shared apartment. She works for the both of them.

The unsuspecting people of Little Maddison only knew that Dolly has a partner at home who can’t walk or talk. They symphathized with her, saying how unfortunate was it to marry young. She could only shrug and lie to their face.

Dolly still doesn't understand why her family joined forces to drive her away in her twentyfifth birthday. She was contented on doing late night shifts and give them all her salary every Sunday just to help the men in the house provide food for everyone.

Dolly was the third among the ten sons and daughters of their family. All of her siblings had married when they turned to eighteen. Only her three lovely siblings, ages fifteen to seventeen, are with her parents as of now.

‘With the time that had passed, they could be married and settled by now.’ Dolly sighed.

She's hardworking, a dutiful daughter and a kind sister. Dolly wants to make them happy despite their dismay on her 'mateless' life since she reached the age of twenty. Dolly thought no one liked her, and it's okay. She's fine living alone. A decision that her family never understood and doesn't accept.

When Fin came to their neighborhood, Dolly's father had given the guy permission to date her. The two never worked it out since Fin was behaving abnormally. He kept on twitching and grimacing. They couldn't talk properly with each other. In all honesty, Dolly is quite afraid of him.

It was a shock for Dolly when her father ordered five rogue wolves to chase her down. Luckily, she met Fin on the way and escaped with him.

After that, she lived in Little Maddison with Fin inside a small apartment with two rooms. It was quiet and serene, yet Dolly hated not being able to see her family.

She missed her younger brothers and sisters. Why does it matter if she’s ‘mateless’?

"Dolly!" A middleaged woman landed a calloused hand on her shoulder. Dolly stretch her lips in a sunny bright smile and greeted, "Good morning, Pam!'

"Oh, you're full of sugar this morning, ain't you, darling?" Pam smacked her lips. The big loop of earrings in her ear moved as she turns her head to the side to whisper, "there's a new man on the curb, baby girl."

Dolly laughed. She squinted her eyes and teased the woman, "Is he handsome? Do you like him?"

"Intense! The man was Poseidon in black, Dolly. He's wearing a custommade suit under this hot weather." She applauded. "Lean, stark and unbelievably pale!"

'Lean and… unbelievably pale?' Dolly kept her mouth but thought to herself, 'Wearing a suit in the middle of May. Was there even a man like that?'

She couldn't help but laugh. ‘It’s nice to have a new face to look at.’

HE SHOULD HAVE guessed that Janette hated him so much. He stared at the junk of an apartment that the woman reserved for his small vacation from work. It was indeed bare and bland from the outside but for Lucifer's cry, the inch thick of dirt covering the living area tickled his innate demand for cleanliness. He wanted to order someone and tear the woman's prided garden now. 'Just so you wait, Janette. You towered over all demons and monsters!'

"Mr. Adenhart, you called me for help?" The landlady smiled. Her gaze went past Max with an appreciative gleam. She stepped inside the threshold and immediately grimaced. "Oh, mama... Jesus Christ, what devil resided in here on the past few months? I thought I had it all cleaned up!"

"Since when?" Max curtly asked. His voice frosty and biting.

"Uh, I had this cleaned... five months ago?" She laugh with unease. "I mean, it's not like we have new residents here every month. At most I can only have… three to four tenants for a year. It's a waste to have everything cleaned up with no people to fill in. I'll only lose money and gain nothing for that."

"I booked two weeks ago."

‘The money should be deposited the day Janette booked in.’ She’s not that tactless.

The woman shook her head. "Yeah, most people book earlier than that but in the end they all decide to back out. That's why I do things at the very last moment so I won't be played at, yeah? I heard you're a businessman too, Mr. Adenhart. I hope you can understand me."

Max heave a breath and nodded with his face blank. "Clean the place for me, then. The money was deposited on the day of reservation. When did you thought I would arrive, next year? As far as I know, that's not how you do business."

The landlady was well versed in the situation. It was though this wasn't the first time that it had happened. "As I've said, in a remote town like Little Maddison, most tenants would choose to back out once they saw the entire place. I'm really sorry for this. How about… you stay on the cafe shop one block from here and I'll have your apartment sparkly clean by dusk. It's good, yeah?"

'Yes. God really do hate us.' Max lowered his eyes to the watch on his wrist and nodded grimly. "It's barely lunch and you want me to stay in a cafe for full six hours. That's feasible. I am ecstatic."

Max will leave a three point zero star rating on their website.

"Ah!" The woman sighed with relief. She choose not to notice his sarcasm. "You're a good man. You can talk to Dolly the whole afternoon. She's a friendly woman, I tell you."

'I went here to escape talking nonstop for work and now you want me to play a rational conversationalist? Not gonna happen.' Maximilian fixed his tie and set afoot to his journey in the new neighbourhood. 'Cafe. Cafe. Cafe.'

"WELCOME TO DELI cafe!" Dolly pleasantly beamed as she welcomed the fourth customer on that morning. It was a teenage girl with a large red beanie. "Rika, how's your swimming class going on?"

"It was awful." Rika threw her rucksack on the nearest chair before strutting to the counter. She complained, "It was so noisy. Stella was being a bitch again and everybody just keeps on saying 'yes' to her whims. I hate it."

'It was the usual stuff, then.' Dolly nodded her head earnestly. "Don't mind her, Rika. I've seen that girl here a few times before. She seems like a good kid."

"Oh, my God, Dolly! Don't be fooled by her large puppy eyes. She barks like a full pledged Siberian husky, I tell you!"

Dolly grinned despite the mean things the girl had said. "She knew how to dress 'properly'."

"Who needs to dress 'properly' if we can have our own fashion statement? I love my loose pants. No one can take them away from me." Rika sulked. "A caramel frappe, please?"

"Hmn. Love that choice!" Dolly turned to make her order. The girl stared at her back.

‘It’s good that she calmed easily this time.’

"There's a weird guy on the street," Rika started, "he's dressed like a freak. But a handsome freak though. I think… I think I like him. His style is different from everyone else's."

'The weird guy?' Dolly halted. 'It's been thrice since this morning that he's mentioned.'

"In this town, wearing a suit under a humid weather is considered wrong," she commented.

The wind chimes rang. Light steps entered the shop. A deep voice hummed before asking, "Why is that?"

"Meep!" Rika shrieked. "Dolly, Dolly! You have to reserve this drink. I— I'll come back, I promise!"

Dolly called after her. She managed to put the straw in a togo cup before looking to the stranger in front.

Now she understood why Rika didn't stop for a moment to snatch the bag on the chair before running away.

On his height of 6 foot and 3 inches, the man appeared strong and respectable in his black mourning suit. Dolly struggled to look away from his steel gray eyes and failed to notice how the man stared at her face with unflinching tenacity in return.

She shuffled on her feet. Dolly tried to smile but her mind shrank the moment she raised her sight to his face.

His swordlike brow suggested youth and vigor. His nose stood proud and mighty without the presence of a bump. His mouth, thin and pale pink, was straight as iron. It was obvious that he didn't like to smile.

"Hi…" Her voice sounded shy and excited. It almost make her flinch in shame. "I'm Dolly. Wel— Welcome to Deli cafe!"

The man sighed deeply. Dolly became weary in just a flash. 'Am I too antsy?'

It’s her first time seeing such a handsome man. ‘Am I being too obvious? I just welcomed him though.’

"You're a rabbit shifter?" he asked. His voice quality mellow and soft. He knew that the question might rattle her. "And a friendly one at that."

"Yes." Dolly took a step back and sniffed discreetly. The guy noticed her movement. His lips twitched but his entire demeanor remain guarded. "Yes, I am indeed friendly. How did you know?"

"How did I know that you're friendly?"

“About me... being a shifter.” Dolly scrunched her nose. The man chuckled. He looked up with an unbelieving face. "God… should I thank you or not?"

Dolly frowned. This man look resigned and even... a bit mollified about something.

She shrugged. "A thank you is fine, although I'm not giving your orders yet. You're welcome!"

He snorted but the mirth was clear on his eyes. "Hmn, I'm a vampire shifter named Maximilian Adenhart. And as for the drink..."

'Maximilian…' He got a nice name. Dolly tiptoed to be closer to him. "Anything. I can make you anything."

It was late when Dolly realized she sounded too boastful when she said that. Her cheeks reddened in shame.

Maximilian's eyes squinted. A small smile appeared on his lips. "Are you flirting with me?"

'He smells unique.' Dolly was momentarily speechless. 'He has that strawberrychocolate scent.'

"I'm not! That's not a good thing to do when you're working!" She hesitated a bit, then divulge, "It was your perfume."

"I'm not using…" Max' faltered but then lean over to ask, "What do I smell like?"

"Strawberries dipped in warm chocolate," she stated truthfully, "really amazing smell."

Max broke in a loud cackle. The sound tickled Dolly's chest. "You're delightfully honest. Then… do you know you smell like aged wine and oak to me?"

Dolly's mouth slack open. She defended herself, "I don't drink so the smell of wine is not from me—" She inhaled deeply and nearly whimpered because of the sickly sweet scent. "You… there's only your scent around."

Max swallowed and said deliberately, "So… what do you think of strawberries and chocolate, dear?"

"Fin would like that," Dolly said as a matter of fact, "he's a guy living with me. If your scent calms me then maybe it has the same reaction to him."

"Fin…" Max murmured. The light in his eyes dimmed. "Can I have a black coffee, Dolly? The blackest possible, please."

Dolly laughed nervously. She fumbled through the stacks of paper towels. "That's bitter!"

"Is this Fin your lover?"

“Oh... no.”

She figured it must be okay for him to know since he’s a shifter. He will understand.

Dolly launched in a precise story while Maximilian took a chair from a set table and place it right in front of the counter. Dolly was pleased by this action. She didn't know why but the need to secure the man and assure that he gets all his trivial needs sends a scratch on the soles of her feet. It warms her insides.

‘Is this the feeling of liking someone for the first time?’

"…anyway, you're a vampire, right? So, uh, you feed on humans, no?"

Max shrug carelessly. His pensive frown didn't ebb after Dolly told him her escape. "I feed on humans but you don't need to worry. I make sure that they are willing."

'Willing?' Dolly stealthily snatched a handful of glances at him for a few times until she understood what he means to say. 'Willing victims? Of course! Who wouldn't be willing to you, Maximilian? Do you even own a mirror?'

Dolly's stomach soured on the idea. She hunched over the spotless counter and wiped it repeatedly. It was an endless cycle. She decided to be quiet as she make his order.

A cough made her jump. Max had moved from the chair to the counter. He leaned with an eager pair of eyes while saying, "I stopped feeding from them eight months ago. I'm a five hundred year old bat. This one can go longer without blood."

'Five hundred years old?' Dolly throw the knowledge at the back of her mind. Vampires were known for their timeless beauty, and this is her first time meeting one. "Then… then that's great! Feeding on humans can be bad. My parents used to tell me that overfeeding can cause obsession."

"Yes." Max agreed with his soothing tone. His eyes went blank for a few seconds before it recovered. "Yes, that's right."

"Especially when it's ladies' blood. It—It tastes bitter."

‘Where did I get that?’ Dolly’s head warmed like an oven.

Max chuckled. "Yes. I agree. No more from now on."

Dolly was not satisfied though she can understand him. They’ve only met. His expression clearly states that he’s only pacifying her mood. ‘What an empty response!’

'HE MUST BE so shocked because of my news.' Maximilian lit his cigarette and look down on his vest. 'It's the most shocking thing of the century. Not even Jeffrey's birth could surpass its importance.'

"What did you say, Max?" Jeffrey's father, Mikael Duvas, asked for the second time. “I think my ears failed me.”

Max enunciated patiently, "I have met my 'fated mate' just a few hours ago, but that's not the issue. I'm calling you to inquire about the coven's progress. How was it?"

"Oh… the coven is still unfriendly towards the mortals who wants to enter the family business. Your inquiry had me blanked out for a second as to why would you ask me that— an outcast’s husband won’t know a thing. Well, congrats about finding your 'fated mate' but since it's not a big deal then let's forget about that—"

Max frowned. "Don't be shit to me right now."

He needs to tell someone. This is not something to be ignored.

Mikael's carefree laugh grated on Max' nerves. "God, you're so fun to tease, Max. So, how was your mate? Is she great?"

"She's amazing. Can you believe it? Kael, she's a rabbit shifter." Max inhaled deeply on the cigar. "She's my rabbit shifter, and now I had to quit all these vices."

"You're smoking right now? I thought you quitted that already!"

Max winced. "Yeah… it's the least I can do when you know you have a mate but she's living with a guy named Fin under one roof. For Pete’s sake, what a nasty name, right?"

Kael choked. "Yes, Maximilian."

"My name is golden." Max walked to the window. He savoured the cold smoke but it didn’t help his already heated lungs. "My mate's name is Dolly. I'm not going to tell you how does she look like."

"Sir, I'm married."

Max can't see his point. "It's the same. Janette didn't bite you. You're not tied to her, and you don't have any ties with her too."

Mikael hissed. Max on the other hand was pleased with himself. "Don't rub more salt on the wound, Max, or I would jinx you and your mate."

"Don't you dare." Max looked at the telephone. "My house smells like public comfort room. Who puts too much bleach on everything? No. I can't sleep here."

"You don't need sleep anyway. Just stand there or hang yourself upside down and be Dracula for the night."

Max stood silent, seriously considering his words before realizing that the man was teasing him. He sighed deeply. "You brat. Send Janette my words, okay? I will do everything to break the two of you apart. I'll curse half of your ancestry line, Duvas. I won't spare one—"

"Jesus F. Christ— Honey! Honey, listen to your brother. He's angry. He wants to—"

"Lucifer's cry, Mikael! I'm listening, okay? Tone down your voice or he will know—"

"Oh, shit. Okay, love."

Max' mood dived in a second. He stared at his window hard. His face full of incredulity. This is what he hates the most when using the telephone. He can't detect who's listening on the other line!

"Janette, are you this bored that you’ll actually eavesdrop in my affairs?"

Her scorn flew past Max' ears but he played deaf to his sister's snarl. "What affairs? I just happen to hear Kael talking to someone— I didn't know it was 'you'. Don't speak as though I wasn't aware about what you told my Jeffrey. Who do you think you are to send him at Cedric Mallory's office? That uncouth bloodsucking albino horse! My son is so much better! You could have done better! Have you ever thought on sending him to a normal school?"

"Cedric is a friend who's very close to me. He's not a horse— he's a vampire too, just like you. Yes, I forced him. Yes, he was unwilling. But that's only because you know I'm lying. Swallow that pill with a bitter lemon juice, Janette. He's my nephew and he chooses to listen to me."

Mikael's voice echoed in the background. The harmless banter resulted into serious nitpicking between siblings. ‘Not my fault!’ Max resolutely shook his head.

"Stop. Stop fighting! Love— Honey, let the lamp down now. That's worth a couple of hundred dollars!"

"Don't stop me, Mikael. Did you hear him? He's so arrogant! He's used to getting what he wants! I knew he was a little devil when Momma gave birth to him. He must be grinning right now. I won't let him. I'm a hundred years older than that asswipe, Mikael. Let me pull rank!"

Max stopped his mouth from smiling widely. He scowled. "Pull rank? I'm head of the coven, Janette. Who can pull rank on me other than my mate?"

"Who's your mate? Don't be delusional, Maximilian. When the woman was already living with a guy named Fin, do you still think you can be with her? She could be bonded to him by now, kiddo. You're still green after years of collecting bitches, Maximilian. A tad too green for someone named the head of a coven!"

"…Max!" Mikael shouted, "Stop it, okay. Janette is a woman. She's your sister. Cut her some slack, won't you?"

He laughed. "We're siblings. We've done so much when you're not around. We're shifters. Be weary for yourself and don't mind my sister. Ready your maintenance pills now, Duvas. Unfortunately, for Janette you're not worthy enough to spend her lifetime with you."

Max lowered his cigar. After dropping the call, he felt a little remorse for his sister. But then, it's been a decade since he asked her to think about Mikael's life. Until now, she still hasn't yet decided on what to do.

She can’t possibly turn human overnight. That’s a delusion born from insecurity.

Mikael was stupid enough to endure and continues to conform to whatever his wife wants. Max couldn't bear to see him wither and die all just because of Janette's selfishness.

Mikael was his only human friend. They met when he was bored and decided to enrol himself and study thermodynamics for fun. Kael was a college professor and he accidentally met Janette when she stormed inside the campus to call Max back in service.

Max only managed to attend two classes led by Kael. Needless to say, he failed it.

What the woman does not understand is that Mikael is her 'fated mate'. And once Mikael dies, she would soon follow through. Janette wants to be human while Mikael is ready to be 'turned' for her sake. Max can't catch up to her thoughts. He doesn't really understand Janette and with what she has been doing all this time, Max wouldn't even try.

Now about what the woman said about his mate is true. Fin's origin and his mate's past is quite suspicious for him. There is something about their meeting when Dolly 'escaped' that baffles him. He must free his mate first from the things that strangles her.

Only then they could meet halfway.

'Dolly, my mate, how would I know what you feel?'

Max eyed the road through the wide glass panel of his apartment and blinked slowly. "Dolly, do you know who am I to you?"

A white figure flashed on the street. Max stilled for a moment before his image stirred and vanished in a flash.

He saw a white rabbit tottering with twitching ears. It could only be someone named Dolly Cesaro. Fleeing away from something that's distressing her.

'HE'S AT IT again!' Dolly took a sharp turn to the left. Reeling on the wet asphalt, she clung for her life. A loud howl made her jump twice. She knew that Fin was just around and he's about to claw her back. 'No! I won't come back! I had enough!'

It took long hours to pass before she finally understood that the man who introduced himself as Maximilian Adenhart is her precious vampire only meant for her and her alone. Her mate. A fated mate.

She has one.

Then there's no way is she going to live with Fin anymore!

The moment the vampire went back to check his home, Dolly was swept with restlessness that she never felt before. Fin had always told her whenever he is sane that no one wants them around, that they better be together because they were the same. Losers.

Dolly always felt that there's so much out there in the world for her. Be it with or without a mate. She can make way for herself if there's no path for her to take.

Knowing that there is someone out there that was destined to be hers was just a proof that life has so much to offer other than that dingy apartment she's residing in with Fin.

‘Leave me alone, Fin!’

This is not the first moment that Dolly attempted to escape one of Fin's panic attacks. When she mentioned that he met a man that could be possibly her 'fated mate', Fin started to be restless for full fifteen minutes before breaking into a half shifted state.

When Fin turned into a wolf, Dolly risked shifting to track her mate.

She wants to leave this place and ask her mate to come with her. She enjoyed working at Little Maddison but with Fin in sight, she would never rest assured.

Fin will only force her to be his mate. Dolly said she will think about it but in all honesty, she couldn't. Even without Max, she couldn't make herself do it.

A hot breath fanned Dolly's back. She sprinted with all her might. The people were all fast asleep during this time of the night. And even if they can see her threatened state, there is no stopping a big black wolf from eating her alive.

'Meep!'

The air stagnated where Dolly stood. She paused in her run and turn to face Fin. He was just five feet apart from her. The mysterious thing was, Fin couldn't seem to advance.

Dolly preened with his complements. She attempted to jump on his black leather shoe but she slide through the process. Another bout of stomping her feet with a demanding expression, Maximilian finally understood her complaints.

"Let's take care of him first then we'll talk, darling," he promised. "I guess you already know who am I to you?"

Dolly run around chasing her tail. She couldn't understand him except when he said 'let's'. Dolly liked it when he said it. He considered her presence in this!

Max snorted. "I thought so. Let me introduce myself in another way, then."

"Dolly Cesaro, I'm your fated mate."

MAXIMILIAN HATES THE taste of bitterness inside his mouth. Seeing his mate fighting through death and finally reaching his side is something he never wanted to happen again. He never felt such agonizing thrill in his entire 500 years in life. Yet when he was ready to strike the vicious rascal down, his mate had shifted back to her human self with all her naked glory only to beg for the man's leniency.

It was out of his logic.

He refused to accept this.

His mate was 'naked'. All the way, he can't really accept this.

Max decided he could let the man go that night. He needs to hear his mate's reason as to why sparing the man was a smart move. With all her clothes on of course. Max didn't need to see the red cinnabar mole on the left side of her waist nor the curve of her back while they talk.

The sight was not for the people of Little Maddison. Not also for his love rival, Fin. He had the brown wolf rendered into an unwanted sleep. Throwing him at the nearest dumpster, he was pleased when he saw his mate back in her white rabbit form.

He stepped on the cement and squatted to her side. "I reckon you don't have a place to stay for the night," he prompted, "Would you stay with me? You know I won't stop worrying 'til I know you're somewhere safe."

Max would like to know her more too. And the wet street was not a good place to strike up a conversation. He needs to know who is Fin for the lovely fairskinned woman.

The rabbit jumped on his hand. Max let her climb up to his shoulder and snuggle there. It felt warm. Max can feel her fragile heart beating. "Only sniffing, mate? Are you sure you don't want a bite?"

A flimsy rabbit swatted his cheek. He squinted. "Now, now. You like to be physical with me too. It's good that you're open and honest to me."

Max fixed his hair with a hand. He nodded solemnly. "Hold tight, sweetheart."

DOLLY COULDN'T MAKE herself shift. When she risked the idea earlier, she was raked with Max' appreciative eyes. Now that they are inside Maximilian's spacious apartment, she could not muster the courage to shift. Under the brightly lighted ceiling, her boldness popped like a balloon. She became insecure and weary.

Maximilian's delight was because he couldn't see clear to her body. The street was dim and she was sure Max' only saw the flash of her skin and not the scars it has. Dolly had opted to hop on his side while the man suggested to make dinner for both of them.

"I don't know what do rabbit shifters eat. I'm really sorry, sweetheart." Max rummage through the kitchen's pantry. Dolly couldn't believe the amount of pasta that the guy kept. "I… I only have these. Do you like to eat pasta, darling?"

'No.' Dolly did her best to nod and pretended she knew the logic of eating those regularly. 'Max, don't you know what fruits are?'

"Okay, then. I'll cook us something special." Max tapped the counter. After a great while, he sighed. "I'd really like to know more about Fin, Dolly. Would you mind telling me?"

'Telling you?' Dolly understood that she needed to shift for them to talk. She looked at him with her pained eyes before starting to shift.

She didn't see how Max stared at her legs before pretending to stack the pastas in front. "Do you want clothes? I only have mine though. You can use a bathrobe if you're not comfortable."

Dolly's eyes fluttered with shame and restlessness. Her flaws are clear and distinct now. There's no way Max will still want her. "Bathrobe, please?"

Max' image vanished with the wind into a quick puff of smoke. With just five seconds, he emerged from the apartment's only bedroom. His smile laced with charm. "Oh, look at this, darling. I have a black robe here."

Dolly laughed at that. "You act so surprised. Your apartments interior design is black and white."

His smile deepened. He offered the robe without glancing at Dolly's body. She was surged with disappointment. 'I knew it.'

"It made you smile though." Max adjusted his vest. "Please don't mind the smell of detergent. My landlady was careless this morning."

"Oh…" Dolly defended Mrs. Shelly with a gentle tone. "This apartment is the biggest here in Little Maddison. No one has rented it for years that's why she never spent anything to refurbish this. Please don't get mad at her."

Max focused on cooking. He nodded. "I won’t be once we have a sincere talk, Dolly. Should we start knowing each other more? I'd really like to know what happened to that scar on your lower back."

Dolly's teeth rattled. "It's hideous! I know, I know. It happened when—"

Dolly's heart squeezed. She stared at his back for a moment before letting the robe fall down her shoulders to her lap. "Then… I don't need these robes."

"What?" Max turned wideeyed and surprised. It was a novelty for Dolly to see a reserved and calm man being fidgety in her presence. "Why? Are you not afraid I'm going to drain you or something?"

"No." Dolly resolutely gathered the robes on her lap. "You cook, I'll talk. Go on."

"You sure?" Max asked for a second time before continuing his task. "I'm known for my talent in multitasking. I can watch you while I cook?"

Dolly chuckled heartily. "No!"

She's only teasing the man. Dolly covered her body with the bathrobe. Now she feel good and comfortable.

"Okay." Max frowned but eventually asked, "so… about that scar?"

She heaved a long breath. "It was when I ran to the fields. My dad kept on shouting that they must get me. The four rogues didn't hesitate and chase after me. One of the rogue's hand landed on my body and it hurt. His claw almost tear me apart, Max. I... I don't hate those men. I hated my dad for asking them to kill me. I wished for a sudden death that night but it didn't happen. I'm afraid of the pain but I want it all to end. It was the most confusing thing that occurred to me."

He remained quiet but Dolly noticed the unnatural stiffness of his shoulder.

"I don't want Fin to die because somehow he helped me, Max. When you raised your hand and you were so intent to kill him, I feel so bad. He carried me despite my bloody state and drive out of our neighborhood. He—"

"The rogues didn't chase after the two of you?"

"Yes," Dolly answered gratefully, "yes, they didn't. Which was lucky for the both of us."

"Darling, how much do you know about rogue wolves?"

Dolly stilled. "They're vile! Monsters!"

Max smacked his lips. "Yes, baby. They're monsters. Monsters with their hearing skill a little bit more enhanced than your regular wolf. They are called monsters because of their drastic temper switch, and stinky fur."

"What do you mean, Max?" Dolly hugged herself. She felt cold just by remembering her past.

"Nothing, love." He finished chopping the spices. "Fin is a peculiar alpha wolf. You don't mind me doing a brief check on his state, yes?"

"Do whatever that you want but please don't kill him."

"Hmn." He brought out a large saucepan from the cabinet. Dolly enjoyed looking at his back. "What's the name of your neighborhood, darling?"

"Sta. Mesa. Why do you ask?" Dolly rubbed the silky fabric on her hand. "Max?"

"Oh, it is nothing." Max' nonchalance ebbed Dolly's worry. "Let me share something about myself now, okay?"

"Sure!" Dolly knew he's interesting. Knowing his five hundred years worth of story, she felt as though she would hate every woman mentioned in it.

MAX WAS A scion of his father's legacy ever since he was born. He didn't have time to ask for 'whens' and 'whys'. He is a kid prided by his parents only because he know how to follow orders. He started studying the moment he was able to speak gibberish. It was the requirement so he could be considered as a unique and worthy kid for the elders' eyes.

Janette had always hated this.

She had hoped Maximilian would live a normal life for a kid. And while her intention was noble, it was too late for him. Max had grown up with a mindset that calls to work and work only. He saw no wrong with dying in the line of serving the coven. To spend all his days caged in the four cornered wall of his office at the highest tower, overlooking the vast city he protected as his territory. Janette clashed with him so he would consider himself too.

Max had given in to her orders last month. The sole reason why he's going for a vacation. Janette hated him but that's only because they grew up on different principles.

Max knew now that working and only working is not the purpose of life. He could die with a lot of money in hand but he couldn't drag anyone with him to willingly lay by his side and pray resurrection with god.

No one.

"You never dated?" Dolly asked with an anxious expression. "I won't believe you even if you'll say no."

"On the note of a 'proper' relationship? No." Max held the delicate wine glass in hand and swirled the red liquor. "My family had always made sure I had enough supply of human blood in my house. They sent women— darling, please don't make that face. They were not abducted. They're being paid and they knew the drill. If not, the shifter council would be at my tails for misconduct."

"Then…" Dolly suddenly felt that the wine taste sour and bitter at the same time. She looked down on her plate. "You must have a wife or a girlfriend already?"

"I said I never had a 'proper' relationship, Dolly." Max wiped his mouth with a napkin. "I needed them to be alive. I needed them so I could feed. As for the rest, I needed them for fun. Five hundred years, sweetheart. Five hundred years of my life and I wasn't even aware when are you going to be born or where I could find you "

"I know, I know." Dolly winced. "I don't get why am I asking this. It's unbecoming of me, right? I mean—"

"You're uncomfortable?"

"Yes."

Max leaned on his chair. "Then don't be anymore. I'll stop feeding from them. I'll order them to be sent away. Is that okay for you?"

"I… I can't live with you for now." Dolly thought she must commit reciprocity and successfully end her ties first with Fin before running away with Max. "I need to talk to him and clear things up before I start anything with you, Max."

Max was woodened on the chair. "You're not going to stay here tonight?"

"I'm going to stay for the night but I have to go out in the morning. Allow me?" Dolly said hopefully.

Max blinked. "Don't ask me for those things. Just let me know your plans and I'll see if I can assist you or help."

"Oh…" Dolly became elated. She hugged the robe closer to her skin. "You're really great, Max!"

Max welcomed the sight with a thoughtful expression. He needs to call the council for some background checking.

IT WAS MIDNIGHT when Jeffrey accepted his call. The kid sounds jubilant and honored despite Max calling him on ungodly hours. But then, Max had appointed him a work that requires no sleep. It should be nothing for Jeffrey.

"Uncle!" the kid greeted, "How was your first day?"

"Now that I had met my fated mate? It's fortuitous at best. Let's get that over. Don't talk loudly because she's sleeping, okay?" Max sideeyed the bedroom before sitting on the couch. "She had a rough day."

"You've met your…" Jeffrey shouted but he caught up in a second. He whispered, "… your fated mate?"

‘’There’s no need to whisper though because we’re talking through the phone?’

"The one and only, kid. The one and only." Max rolled his eyes. His neck warmed with a rare bright pink glow. "Think about it. Am I not blessed? She decided to stay for the night too— she wants to be with me. I can feel it!"

"Wow, uncle, I—" Jeffrey laughed with unease. "You're not like your usual self."

"Not like my usual self?" Max' smile faltered. "And how am I usually? Seems like you know me so well."

"Uh, first… you initiated talking to me. And when you do, you only talk about the work related stuff. You're basically boring!"

"Kid," Max mumbled, "are you willing to bet with me? I could transport at your side for five minutes."

"Nooh!" Jeffrey booed him. "If that's true then why would you agree on riding my van yesterday? Just accept it, uncle. You've changed."

Max raised his brow. "No one can change overnight. That is called pretention. That's not change because it takes a long time to bend a certain habit. However, I am indeed willing to change."

"Tsk!" The guy whistled. "Oh, great esteemed sir, I agree. I agree."

"I'm surprised your mother hasn't told you about this yet, kid."

"Apart when she told me you're a dick? There's no more, sir."

Max guffawed. "Silly Janette. Of course she's bitter. She hates when I'm proven right."

"That's my mother, uncle," Jeffrey reminded him.

He snorted. "And what?"

"And you're right about her."

Max enjoyed his fake obeisance. He approved. "Mikael raised you well, Jeffrey."

"My dad and you were best buddies. Anyways, sir, is there anything I can do?"

'Good kid.' Max eyed his pale hand. His mate's caramel complexion looks so much healthy and just perfect. "I want you to check someone, Jeffrey."

"Who is it?"

"Fin Hardaway." 'The thorn in my throat.' Max unbuttoned his vest. "He's a rascal a few hundred meters away from me. Anything about him, record it and send it to me. Have Cedric Mallory investigate a place called Sta. Mesa. Further details about it, I'm going to send right away after I fill in a document."

"Uh…" Jeffrey coughed. "Uncle, you can just text it, you know?"

Max stared at the telephone with unwelcoming expressions. "It doesn't look formal, you idiot."

"Sir, your mood swings are getting frequent. When was the last time you fed?"

"I hate feeding from humans," Max curt reply came cold. "That's all."

"Sir, what happened with Milani is not a fault on your side—"

Maximilian dropped the call. He hates being reminded over things he wanted to forget.

WAKING UP NEXT to Maximilian is the luxury that Dolly wants to afford in her life from now on. That's why when she woke up from her deep sleep, her initial thought wasn't to brush her teeth or prepare breakfast but to hurry on her own apartment to have a sincere talk with Fin.

Max had keep his word and did not crawl the bed while she slept. The man chose the small chair at the bedside and sat there 'til he was able to nap.

Dolly was happy with his principles though a little part of her wants him to make an initial move to her. She didn't know what to say to him. Imploring her needs to be pampered seems a little immature and insecure. Especially when Maximilian was a man of old age.

His long, wavy hair curled at the back of his ears. His face gleamed with sunlight. A wayward lock of hair brushed his temple. Even in his light sleep, Maximilian still has his unearthly glamour. As though he wouldn't want anyone having a picture of him with his tie askew.

Dolly would like to mess his perfectly ordered appearance.

"Good morning!" She cleared her unruly thoughts and beamed. "Did you sleep well?"

"I did…" Max opened one eye and sigh. "Yes. It was one of those quiet sleep that I rarely had."

"Why is that?" Dolly moved out of the bed. "Are you insomniac?" she asked worriedly.

The man snickered. "Asking a vampire if he's insomniac… only you, Dolly. Only you."

Her cheeks reddened in shame. She was giddy at the same time. "Is there something wrong, Max?"

"Nothing. The truth is, I seldom sleep. I'm half dead, darling. No need sleep for the dead."

Dolly instantly hated his words. "Please don't refer to yourself as 'dead' when I'm still alive. I don't know why but it irks me." She bended to fix the sheets.

Max' lips twitches in curiosity. He stood from the chair to help her. "Then, darling, think of it this way. You sleep while I lay beside you to guard you from harm. Isn't that romantic?"

Dolly scrunched her nose in protest. She said deliberately, "I'd rather have the both of us tangled beneath the sheets."

It was too late to reconsider her words. Max was already wooden on the other side of the bed. Pale pink tongue went past the thin lips to wet the dry skin. He mumbled, "Can you… not go today? We talk then… have that nice rolling under these after?"

She nearly squealed in excitement. It was great to know that she's not the only one hoping for a physical interaction. She had never tried being intimate with anyone before and with her stellar impression of Max, along with the fact that they are true mated, then warming up for something advance for the both of them is no problem for her.

She had expected it nothing less.

"Why don't we eat breakfast?" Max' avoided her gleaming eyes and walked to the door. "I know how to make pancakes!"

Dolly doesn't know why she liked his hopeful face. It was as though he was hoping for a compliment from her. She nodded. "That's great. I'd like to have one."

"Coming right up."

It's a pity that Dolly has to go somewhere else after this.

MAX REFUSED TO say goodbye to Dolly. He hoped to see her soon. Sooner than an hour or two. After watching the woman's back, walking away clad in his white shirt and shorts, with eyes tinged of worry, Max cleaned the plates with heavy shoulders. He made sure that the house was sparkly clean before taking a bath.

There's restlessness buried deep in Max' gut. He cannot ignore it even if he already promised to Dolly that he won't follow suit.

“He's okay now. He should be okay by now. He won't hurt me.”

'How can you be so sure, darling?' Max rubbed his chest with forceful fingers. The area didn't blush but it bloomed in blue and violet colored bruise. 'You forgot what happened last night? He almost claw your heart out.'

Was the bond between the two that strong that a logical reasoning can't explain?

It soured his mouth. He hated this feeling. He felt left out by someone who was supposed to make him happy.

Max disliked the deafening sound of a hair blower. It's one of the things that he can't understand.

He padded the empty living room without a single piece of cloth covering his manly bits. He was dauntless against the wide panel of glass overlooking a narrow, barren road. He pressed the numbers on the telephone while waiting to let his hair dry.

"Hello! This is Jeffrey Duvas of the—"

Max' face filled with wonder when he heard his nephew's strange voice. It was hoarse and tired. "Dumb kid, are you sleeping inside the office?"

"Uncle?" Jeffrey stirred. He coughed. "Uncle, I'm sorting the details now. I'm on my way of sending this to you by a crow with a cartridge tied on its leg—"

"Or my laptop accepts electronic mails. What is your problem, Jeffrey?"

"Certainly, certainly I can tell you the intel now since the available information are too scarce to fill in a page, Sir." The kid grumbled, "Seriously, I can't follow the template you sent last night."

Max became indignant. "You unsalvageable beast—" He sighed with annoyance. "Fine, fine. Tell me."

"Fin is the pack second of the Sarthis pack. The territory was known for its unconventional and eccentric ways. Up to date, they treat women and male omegas with disrespect and unimportance. According to Fin's record, he got a quite temper and the lad was arrogant. The pack was never blessed with 'fated mate' pairings, you can guess why, Sir."

A connection with the odds is something that the vampires took great pains to protect. They have faith that the coven's longevity depends if the Heavens decided that they are obedient enough. That is why oftentimes the vampire shifters are associated with occultists.

Still, inequality perceived through generation of misinformation. The coven can't have a female member in the ruling class. Although women are treated as the queen of a household, they hold no power in the government.

"It revealed that Fin had once a fated mate. The pack saw it as a curse rather than Heaven's blessing because... he got a male mate. Sarthis pack persevered in breaking the mating pull. Fin know that killing his own mate will accumulate great karma in his life. The alpha wouldn't want his own pack plagued because of Fin's misfortune. They ordered a woman for him to bond with."

Max grimaced at the situation. He would not befriend any wolf if it's possible as long as he lived. 'Fine, Cedric Mallory is indeed a hybrid. Whether he's half an alpha wolf, he's still got a vampire blood in him. So I'm not 'entirely' friends with one wolf. Only half.'

"So he's bonded with someone already?"

"No. No one wants to be with him. The elders wouldn't risk their daughter's life in the Sarthis pack. That's why they chose to go to the nearest neighborhood to buy a lowly shifter for Fin."

Max' breath paused. It was a long while before he successfully contain half of his anger. "So my guess was right. Dolly was never saved from the start. She was sold."

"They tried to establish a mutual state for the both of them but Fin's abnormality progressed too fast. That's why the alpha of the Sarthis pack resorted to a direct approach and bought the rabbit shifter from her family."

His chest was full of suffocating bubbles. Max wanted to hit something— or someone.

He was pampered despite all his boring life. Max had never personally experienced shifter trafficking. He always solved the problems about vampires abducting humans for blood with an iron heart. He never spare one criminal once proven guilty. This was the first time that a person close to him was a victim of trafficking.

Max wanted to wipe the Sarthis pack from the council's records.

"You've been acquainted with Cedric by now, right, kid?" His voice went unbelievably soft. "Call him and order a hunt under my name. Tell him this is the only time I'll blackmail him."

"Actually, Sir..." Jeffrey tattled, "He's the—"

"What?" Max huffed. "No more talk, Jeffrey. Get used to the work or go back home and hide under Janette's heavy skirt."

The kid went silent for a great while. Max dropped the call and crossed his arms. Warmth seethed in his bones but he still felt cold.

He never stopped feeling cold for a few months now. He needed to feed.

Max closed his eyes. 'Feeding was never a good idea for me.'

He had a sudden need clawing on his throat. He desired to see Dolly's smiling face right at the moment.

Only his small, white and fluffy bunny can make him feel grounded amidst this ringing in his ears.

'Darling, are you safe?'

THE LATCH wasn't closed when Dolly attempted to open the door. It creaked loudly in the empty hallway. Dolly didn't like the foreboding fear in her guts. Max was still waiting for her, and it was her decision to talk to Fin alone.

His aggressive mode can last the whole night but after it, he miraculously calms for the day. Dolly can only hope that this time is one of those fortunate days she had.

Fin's crouching body greeted Dolly when she took a step inside. The man was silently massaging his own temples while seated on their threadbare two person sofa.

Dolly felt weird. There were days when she considers this place a home. Those times she had utterly accepted her fate as his nanny. Although she doesn't want to sound ungrateful after he saved her, Dolly doesn't really like to be kept in this small space forever.

Dolly gathered her courage and opened her mouth. "Fin, can we talk?"

Fin's shoulders tensed. A large bulging vein pulsed distinctly on his forehead. He smiled, but his face only pulled a nasty expression. "So you remember coming home to me?"

"You're not yet claimed, I see." He laughed. "What? Did you change your mind and you decided to pick me?"

"I'm not choosing anyone!" Dolly shouted, "You were never really an option for me right from the start, Fin."

"… what?"

Her teeth rattled. Rage started to pour from her heart. She unleashed on him the pain of being burdened all these months that they had been together. "You made it hard for me to live! Everyday! It was not the life that I wanted! I don't care if you don't work— I don't care if you have no family left! But Fin, I wanted you to respect me."

"… to not shout at me at every little problems and ask me whenever I feel uncomfortable or not. I'm just like you— I want mutual understanding. Something you won't be able to give."

Dolly was never allowed to voice out her opinions. She was supposed to listen in everything he wanted just because he saved her life once.

She realized it's stupid. He saved her but he continues to abuse her every minute that they were together. It was messing up her brain.

And now it's messing with her possible mated life. 'Why do I allow this?'

Dolly doesn't even like Fin. Not one bit.

Before, she can picture forcing herself to accept him but now with Max... she can't stomach imagining herself with him. It was like depriving herself with something that can change her life for good.

"Dolly, do I look okay to you?" Fin stood and walked to the other side of the room. "I'm sick. I can't control it myself. It's not something I can get ahold of. I... don't want to hurt you but it's tearing me mad."

"I need someone to help me. Only you can do that. Let me claim you. Only a bite, Dolly. I saved you once, why can't you do this for me? After just one bite, I won't bother you and that vampire ever again. I just wanted to be normal."

Dolly stepped back. "I'm not a fool, Fin. A bite from you means I won't be able to see him again! I'll be stuck with you forever! See, I can help you with another way. We'll find your mate! Your fated mate!"

Red light flashed from Fin's eyes. A dark mist covered his silhouette. It was a bright morning but the apartment was dark and cold. "Fated mate?"

His voice became unrecognisable. It's brute and harsh. Dolly wondered what happened with this throat.

"Fated mate? Oh, I don't have one. I will never have one."

Dolly turned her back to run. Fin didn't move but his eyes followed her. "Dolly, if I ever meet that person, I will kill them myself."

'He had gone mad.' Dolly was scared and horrified with Fin. There's no cure for his sickness. She had no idea what plagued him but Dolly wished that it was a terminal disease.

It's not out of her selfishness, but Dolly sincerely wishing to free himself.

A loud howl made Dolly jump. She breathed heavily. 'Max!'

She will need his help. They need to get Fin out of this town soon or their existence will be shown to public.

"WELL, JEFFERSON told me. There's no other people involved but your favourite nephew— which is a wimp, by the way." Laura Miller closed the distance between them and kissed his cheek. "This is the first time I've seen you naked. And I see nothing good."

"Next time, learn to fucking knock, okay?" Max patted his cheeks. He winced at the sticky feeling on his face. "Didn't I tell you not to randomly kiss a man?"

"But you're not 'anyone', yeah? You're my future husband!"

Max snorted. He sat on the counter table and picked a grape out of the fruit stand. "Quit pushing it. We're now both at our prime, searching for the right man shouldn't be that hard for you."

"If you are as elegant and gorgeous like me, it sure is hard to find someone on my level." Laura sniffed the air and raise a mocking brow. "A rabbit, really?"

"What?" Max didn't pay her any attention and thought about Dolly and Fin. He reached for a new set of clothes to change himself into.

"The reason why you're naked this early."

"I've just taken a bath. That's the explanation." Max blinked. "Anyway, I should go now. I have something important to do—"

"Max, I've not even reached five minutes sitting here and you already had somewhere else to go? Being your fiancee sucks."

"Then stop. Cut the engagement off." Max sighed. "I found myself a mate already. A fated mate. So you can now resign."

Laura became silent. Max raised his eyes in her direction. It was like she wasn't even breathing. He grinned. "Surprised, cousin?"

"Should I not be?" Laura nodded. "Still, you're not claimed yet. What's with the stupid 'waiting' all about? Technically, I'm still your fiancee. Your girlfriend. When can I meet your fated mate?"

The door opened. Maximilian readied his smile. He was excited to see Dolly again. "Hi, sweetheart!"

Dolly didn't look at him and stared deeply instead at Laura. The latter raised a brow slightly before smirking. "Ah, so this is your 'Dolly?'"

"Who are—"

"Not in any way interesting nor exceptionally gorgeous."

Laura picked up her bag and squinted. "Should've remove that lip print on your cheeks, hubby. Or do you like it that much?"

Maximilian can hear violent waves clashing with rocks. He can almost vividly hear his first impression on Dolly cracking apart.

"Laura!" Max tried to explain but Laura cut off his words with a smug grin.

"You signed the papers. Our engagement is valid, Max. There's no point in arguing with me."

Max couldn't do anything as she walked herself out. Dolly stood unmoving in front of Max. He fixed himself up and walked to her side. "Dolly, let me explain."

Tears started to pour out of Dolly's eyes. Max didn't want to see pain in her face. She looked distraught and emotionally unstable. Her tears held more pain than Laura's word.

"What happened?"

"Fin has gone mad. You need to throw him out of this place." Dolly wiped her tears and let Max face her back. "I thought you said, you have no girlfriend? Was that a lie? So you can get me to do what you want?"

Max swallowed his irritation for Laura. "She's my cousin. I won't ever consider marrying her. I signed the papers to show my sincerity."

Janette said that someday, that decision will come back and bite him on the ass. It looks like this was the day of his judgement.

JEFFERSON WAS aghast when he saw the piled papers on top of his desk. He was not used to working in an office but he knew that these much is insane! Jeffrey was thoroughly convinced that his boss is doing this on purpose.

Cedric Mallory never treated him right since the first day he stepped inside the office.

Jeffrey’s pretty sure the man even ran to the comfort room just to puke his guts out. Maybe Jeffrey’s scent disgusted him a lot. That initial impression hurt Jeff’s ego a lot. He’s used to people playing friendly with him because he’s Max’s nephew.

This is very... unfamiliar with him. This neglect and poor treatment. Even if Cedric looks down on him, he shouldn’t be that condescending when he’s with his subordinates.

The itch to stomp his feet and roar like a maniac perceived in his bones but his uncle's words echoed in his mind. 'You are my relative. Biologically, you have a quarter of my excellence. Don't waste it— and don't ever humiliate me.'

'Yes,' Jeffrey tried to fool himself, 'I am half a vampire. I am not just a mortal guy, but a hybrid. These papers are just... tissues I needed to sort then everything's going to be fine. Perfect even.'

He started to reach for the first paper and decided to read it. It was good, written well and had no mistake in it.

Except, he doesn't understand Math. He put the file down and clasped his hands together.

‘Am I stupid? Or this paper is not intended here?’

'Why am I assigned to these documents? Shouldn't this be directly sent to the financial team?' He murmured with great malice, 'Is he really testing my patience?'

He’s quite certain that Cedric must be the one behind this. Well, he has a strong negative opinion about the man hence his reasoning is prejudiced at best.

Jeffrey debated between calling his Uncle Max or confront Cedric about this. His uncle could be busy with his mating life— not when he had just given his other aunt, Laura, his new address.

Aunt Laura has been hidden from the public's eye for too long but Jeffrey was not ignorant about her straightforward nature. She can be playful too. Yet oftentimes that naughtiness gets misinterpreted as her, being mean.

His mother is the same. 'I guess it runs in the blood.'

'Better not call Uncle Max then.' He leaned back at the swivel chair and mumbled, 'Yeah, I should not call him for... a month.'

Uncle Max' rage can last up to a year. His mother had experienced it firsthand.

‘Being an Adenhart sucks sometimes.’

'Should I ask mom?' Jeffrey recalled his last conversation with her and decided to go firmly against it. By this time, she could still be brooding about how he chose to side with Uncle Max.

"The royal member of this office should not frown like that, okay?" A cheerful voice greeted Jeffrey, "What got you all problematic, prince?"

'There she goes...' Yeonhee had a bright pink lipstick on that shines whenever she moves. Jeffrey was once captivated with her lovely nature when he first got here. He thought with great optimism that she will be his inspiration in this new journey. Sadly, his boss broke all of his expectations.

"Well, I'm facing math exams here. I... don't know. Did they get lost? Why are these papers with us? They should go with the financial audit department."

Yeonhee bent down to read the front page. Jeffrey was able to caught a whiff of her expensive perfume. Once again, he lamented about how perfect was it if he could ask her on a date.

'She's friendly! And she doesn't treat me like a stranger—she doesn't care that I'm a direct clan member of the Adenhart!'

"That's strange..." she quipped, "I've never had these laid on my table before. Who sent them here? You should ask boss about this. He might have an idea if this papers were really meant for us."

"Ah..." Jeffrey scratched his nape and deliberately asked, "do you know where Ria is?"

Jeffrey thought he's going to be Cedric's lackey for two months. He had been preparing himself. He doesn't want to be picked on because he heard about how vicious this man could go.

In the end, he studied for nothing. Because Cedric hired a personal assistant for himself the very next day that Jeffrey appeared.

He was so thankful about that.

"She's right downstairs with the receptionist. Probably getting the boss' mails for this day. They can get a lot by the way." Yeonhee moved away and shrug. "You can just knock and go inside. The boss wasn't really keen on that. Actually, Ria's appointment as his assistant confuses me a little. This is the first time that Cedric personally contacted one."

'Well, I can partly guess why... not that I would tell you though.' Jeffrey said his thanks and proceeded to Cedric's office.

Jeffrey had initially thought that his workplace would look unconventional and even nondescript. But in all honesty, it's not really different than any other offices of the coven. Although they worked in the field, inside their sacred place, no one forgets about wearing their formal suits.

Actually, when they first got introduced to each other at work, the man was wearing a custom tailored suit and a pair of shiny Italian leather shoes. Jeffrey didn't know how to react about that— he was focused on the man's eyes.

It was rich and captivating.

'Probably the only reason how he got laid.' There's no other good qualities about the man aside from that.

Jeffrey knocked on Cedric's door before pulling it open. He met his defensive eyes upon looking at him. Jeffrey fought the innate feeling to sigh and praise the man's eyes again in his head. 'That is inappropriate!'

"What do you want?" Cedric's voice sounds cold and distant. Jeffrey was accustomed to it by now. He felt nothing in his blatant dislike in him but the next words made him itch for violence. "Don't just barge in next time. Wait for me to say 'come in' or it would be much better if you'll wait for Ria and tell her your complains. This is not how you should communicate with me."

'Oh, god. He's a jerk to me.' Jeffrey's lips pursed as the urge to snarl at his boss reach its peak on his chest. 'God, lend me your strength to deal with this horrible of a boss.'

It was clear that Cedric doesn't like him. He hates that Jeffrey is an 'Adenhart'. He doesn't want to be acquainted with him. Or even be with him in a room.

‘It was like I’m a disease or something.

’

Cedric was one of those people who thought that he's not deserving of his title as the next heir.

‘If they only knew that Uncle Max found his mate already, they would change their face so fast.’

"But your assistant is not here and this matter is urgent. Do I need to distract her from... whatever errands she might be doing now?"

This is not a huge company. This is a team of ten people who works on the field to gather intel for the coven! Why does this man acts like they're selling real estate?

Cedric stopped from writing. His hand clenched tightly on his pen. "Are you defying me? I'm just teaching you how to be professional, Mr. Adenhart."

Jeffrey breathed evenly. He nodded and with a swish of his hand, he turned his back and said, "The papers got messed up this morning. We have some files intended for the financial team. I'm going to send them now. Yeonhee said I got to let you know. And lastly, it's Duvas. Jefferson Duvas."

It was no point trying to argue with Cedric. The man won't see his point. He's trying to act so formal when no one really works in the office everyday except for him.

The others normally gets assigned from places to places while he stays in his cubicle to rot and count papers like a douchebag. He rarely get a chance to see Yeonhee three times a week.

He hates it.

"Why does it seems like you listen more to Yeonhee than me. Who's your boss?"

Jeffrey halted his feet and stiffly replied, "She's my senior, so I have to consider her advices. For my future concerns, I'll let Ms. Ria know about it. Thanks for the two minutes, boss! By the way, his excellency wants the Sarthis pack to be checked by the shifter council within this week."

He closed the door without looking at his face one more time. Jeffrey wasn't sure if he would be able to contain his annoyance towards him.

"Damn it."

Jeffrey grimaced but he didn't bother opening up and ask his boss what's got him cursing. Cedric can deal with it in his own. He doesn't need him for anything.

Clearly, his personal assistant can do everything for him.

Fishing his phone out of his drawer, he hurriedly typed a text for his friend.

'Wanna hang out for tonight?'

The reply came fast. 'Rough day, man?'

Jeffrey didn't hold back and typed, 'My boss was being a prick again. It's been weeks since we last drink.'

'Alright. I'll invite the girls so we can have double the fun.'

Satisfied, Jeffrey thanked him and offered to pay for the night. His mother still ignores him and his uncle is unavailable for the week. His workspace doesn't give him enough time to adjust and he's not in good terms with his boss. Lastly, he just found out that his new crush, Yeonhee, is not single anymore.

This calls for a drink. A lot of it.

'I SHOULDN'T be that worried.' Max played with the orange in his hand. His engagement with Laura was only a farce to fool those who wanted to wipe out the remaining 'Miller' in the city. Laura's father had once lost his glory and all his enemies came back to take a piece out of him. Their revenge included wiping out the whole 'Miller' family. And the only thing that can save them, according to her own father's words, is to form a concrete and public relationship with the Adenhart.

He knew that reason is still not enough for Dolly. She would never understand why it has to happen. That was an urgent matter— something that had happened so suddenly. Max never really cared about anything before and so he agreed to sign the papers so easily.

Vampires doesn't care about 'incest'. They knew that consuming their relationship beyond papers is almost impossible. Even then, it's not illegal for them to do this. When their kind became extinct and they had no other choice but to pass their assets to their closest relatives, or to their chosen family members, they have to form another contract of agreement/relations that will resolve the family feud over properties.

When a dying vampire doesn't want their money to go with the coven, they needed to divide it properly in their family or they can proceed to that contract and choose a person that will inherit their worldly possessions.

Although the practice was no longer used when their numbers recovered and reproduction finally became stable, there were no rules made to limit this.

Laura's father gave her to Max as someone he can have. It sounds heartless, but in reality, it was clearly an escape plan for her. Those who doesn't know about the true nature of their complex relationship will think that Maximilian protected the young maiden of the Millers. His actions will be seen as romantic. While Janette would only roll her eyes and murmur, 'so unnecessary' under her breath.

Dolly is clearly different from him. She never experienced having a formal fluffle and she doesn't understand the basics on performing in a strict community.

"Cedric?" Max asked without a greeting, "Can you reach Jeffrey's phone? Did the damn kid turn it off or was I blocked?"

"Ah... now I'm certain that he turned off his cell. I've been trying to call him for the past ten minutes. Did you put any tracking device on him? Can I know where is he right now?"

Max grumbled. "Hah. He was so scared that I'd shower him with my complains, hmn? He completely shut us both— wait a moment."

Max thought his ears went faulty for a moment and misheard something.

He reiterated. "Did I hear you clearly? 'Tracking device?' Do you expect me to say yes and give you his location?"

Cedric went silent for a second before he answered arrogantly, "Yes. This is about an important matter. It's about work."

"Work..." Max spared the clock a glance before he sighed deeply. He doesn't need to ask in order to know that Cedric is looking at the time as of the moment. "Care to explain yourself?"

"Ah... well, I'm not asking him to turn in some papers. It's eleven in the evening. Of course I won't do that. I was just... trying to get a hold of him. Since we'll be having our first field work tomorrow. I need him to be quick on his feet, that's all."

Max pursed his lips. He felt like he had punched a cotton ball. He expected Cedric to be mad, or even denial about everything. When he dialled his number, he kind of expected the man to hung up. ‘What’s with him?’

"Oh, you're giving him a heads up? That's good. He's a neophyte, so cut him some slack. Did you send the men like I asked Yeonhee to do?"

"Yes. Yeonhee will be there tomorrow."

"You're sending out the newly mated woman frequently this month. Did she make you upset or something?" Max watched the window as the night deepened. "I heard that you rarely move out of your chair and that you often scold Jeffrey every minute of his working hours."

He raised a sardonic brow and continued, "You can never escape your fate, Cedric. If ever you want to accept my offer, I'll welcome you any time of the month."

‘It’s no use pretending as though nothing happened. Something did happen, and it was neither what we both imagined it to be.’ The world indeed works in a mysterious way.

"It's really nothing important." Cedric huffed mightily. "You're on the phone in the middle of the night when you just met your fated mate? Who's the one that's lacking between the two of us? Clearly, it's not me."

Max hung up the phone without looking at it. He stood quiet for a second before he finally could not endure it anymore. "That hybrid dares to joke with me." He slammed the phone on the table before fixing his suit. "Of course I'm awake. What respected vampire would be asleep at this time of the night? Cheap trash."

"What are you murmuring about?" Laura entered the room with ease. Her face crumpled. "Stop trying to guilttrip me. I surrender myself willingly. Let's find your mate before you decide to snap my head off."

Max stopped for a moment. He smiled a little. "Cousin, what made you think I will kill you? We're related. Oh, please. I'm not heartless."

"Liar." Laura deadpanned. "Want me to check on Cedric and ask him if you sent an enforcer behind my back? Have a bet with me."

Max rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. I sent one. Just one. And it's not about killing you. I just want to know the reason why must you run away from the city to find me here. What do you want?"

He walked to the front door. She blinked slowly and click her tongue in apprehension. "There was a case in the office. An employee of mine— oh, scrub that. A close friend of mine was seen dead on the back of an alley behind a certain bar you frequently visit."

"Ah..." Max nodded. "And that requires my attention because?"

Laura frowned. "In her autopsy report, it was evident that she's feeding one certain vampire for at least a month before she died. The nature of her death is simple, a slash on the neck. She bled through the night and just as I expected, no one saw the incident happened."

"It's not me. You know that. I stopped feeding from humans... for a long time now."

"I know." Laura closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "Before her sudden death, I noticed a few changes in her. She lost weight, she became paranoid and easily rattled. It was clear that she didn't sleep enough. There were signs of... obsession. You know how does that works, right? When a human gets involved with a vampire for so long they get—"

"I still don't understand why did you need to go such lengths to find me for that instance. You disturb my vacation. You made my mate second guess my sincerity towards her and now you're saying that you need my opinion." Max purses his lips. "I... don't understand, Laura. Why?"

Laura's pale complexion became tinged with blue. It was an indication of her anxiety. The guilt on her face could not be hidden behind her cough. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that... you still feel burdened by what had happened before. I—I only wanted to mess with you a little. I thought maybe we can reconnect again as cousins. I thought you needed someone to talk to now that you're alone in this sudden trip. I..."

Max recognized her troubled state. He stepped closer to her and wrap an arm around Laura. "Don't speak with me again if it's about what happened to your friend. I'll say this once and for all— I don't have any valuable information that I can give you. All you have to know, from me, is that I didn't do anything wrong."

Only those five hundred year old vampires can make that happen. Max knew that Laura would automatically think of him. There aren't a lot of five hundred year old vampires in the area and even those people in the coven aren't as old as him. They seemed old in appearance, because they hadn't reached the final stage of enlightenment. As the leader of the coven, the first requirement should be this.

"I'm sorry. How do I contact your mate? I want to personally apologize to her, Max. She must be upset."

Max squinted. "It's fine. I'll talk to her. First, you need to help me eliminate her ex."

Laura pushed him a little. "I didn't know you were the jealous type."

"I'm not. Really!" Max smiled. "My Dolly asked this from me herself. Are you in it?"

She bent her knees a little and bowed. "Need not ask. I'm always at your service, your excellency."

'If only you're this obedient all of the time.' Max gritted his teeth. 'Silly child.'