'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."

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 fair-skinned 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—"

"Before we launch on that, I just want you to know that it's not hideous. I have lived for hundreds of years and I saw how life and death quickly pass me. Believe me when I say a scar like that is not a tag of shame but a proof that you have gone something bad and you live through it when most often drop dead and perish." Max used too much force on the knife. It had bended to the side. "If we're going to be together somehow I'd like you to know that I have those too. Dolly, Maximilian Adenhart is not perfect. But I'd like to tell you every single details of why I am not. That way, maybe, you'd still like me anyway."

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 wide-eyed 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 multi-tasking. 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.

"O-kay." 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 side-eyed 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."

"No-oh!" Jeffrey boo-ed 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.