C4 Chapter 4

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.