"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.

The place made a mockery of his vampire status. If that's what the man really means to say. Maximilian Adenhart was neither thrilled nor upset about his new home. The large two storey apartment would be considered bare and bland once compared to his house in the city. It is what he needs at the moment nonetheless. He could not complain. Maximilian was never the type of person who loves grandiose. Although this place doesn't spark an intimate feeling with him, he didn't wince. He knew he wouldn't be here for long anyway.

‘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 day-care 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 twenty-five, 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 fun-loving, 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.

Maximilian's older sister, Janette Adenhart, was hellbent on the idea of turning herself into a mortal. So much that when laboratory testing wouldn't work, she decidedly married a mortal man. She wants to have a, according to her words, 'normal' kid. Max couldn't imagine her disappointment when Jeffrey started to turn at the age of sixteen. While the kid's father was happy, Janette became silent. It took a great while before Janette finally learned to love the kid. Especially when she found out that Maximilian had a liking to the boy.

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 hard-headed 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 boot-licking 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.’

DOLLY CESARO's morning wasn't as bad as yesterday's. She woke up with no headache and chest pains. As much as she would like to shift and heal her internal injuries, she wouldn't risk arising Fin's need to hunt again at let herself lose a limb or two. Her rabbit shifter side couldn't appreciate Fin's wolf instincts. She always felt like an animal on the verge of running in a split whenever he is around. That's the reason why she persevered in applying almost every part time job 'til she's sick and bone-tired.

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 twenty-fifth 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 'mate-less' 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 ‘mate-less’?

"Dolly!" A middle-aged 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 custom-made 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 to-go 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 sword-like 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 strawberry-chocolate 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 nit-picking 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!"

His eyes flared red for a second. Max' breath became troubled as he flounder for a reply. "Once we establish a connection and we mutually consents to be marked, I'll bite as much as I can, Janette. I'm not going to wait for my mate to grow a pair of fangs for herself in order to claim her. I'm not you. Consider it well, sister. Jeffrey has grown up and matured. He'll be old soon… so does your mate. When Mikael can't stop death from knocking on his door, do you think you can save him from old age?"

"…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.

"Bold of you to think you could touch my mate, you rascal," a voice so familiar to Dolly echoed in the empty street. Her heart gave a happy lurch. She stomped her feet and waited patiently. Her ears twitched with frantic delight. With another two seconds, Max appeared in front of her with his feet elevated from air. Smoke gathered on both of his hands. The man has dismissed his outer coat. Only his vest and white shirt left. His long, swept-back hair was disheveled. It gave him a dangerous contrast to his pristine clothes. "My, my mate is a strong woman! She escaped successfully from this dog's filthy paws."

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."