C5 Chapter 5

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.