Chapter 23

MAX WONDERED idly if he had the qualifications to go in heaven. He's quite certain that Dolly will naturally be accepted because in his eyes, she's an angel. Now his self is a different matter to discuss.

He'd be the first one to admit that he's not a decent person. And he never really tried to change and be one before. But now that he had dolly in his side, it should change.

Everything should change.

Because they're successfully mated now.

That's right. He should probably stop smiling. Or else he's afraid it will become a permanent feature on his face.

"If we keep this up, we'll be able to conceive by the third day," he mentioned in passing. He never imagined that would earn him a light slap on the face. "Ouch, my dear."

"What happened to knowing ourselves first before the mating bite?" Dolly couldn't resist herself and laugh merrily. "You're the first who broke it!"

Max made an action of zipping his mouth. "Yeah, well, you're 'you' so how can I possibly contain myself?"


He wrapped an arm around her waist and said lightly, "Dear, you see, it doesn't matter. We're fated mates. We can't stay away from each other. Delaying the inevitable is just like torturing ourselves, me thinks."

"Huh..." Dolly squinted but her lips curved to a wide grin. "You're so full of yourself. I could have hold back for a month, you know."

Her legs are pleasantly sore and her body felt mellow. As if coming down from a high. She felt comfortable.

And that tingling sensation on her neck cannot be mistaken for a hickey.

That's her vampire's mark on her. Deep and unbreakable.

Max stilled, as if he couldn't believe her words. "A month? You must be pulling my leg. You don't find me attractive? Oh..." he mumbled, "You whined, Dolly. Must not forget. You screamed I'm the most handsome man you've met!"

She lost the battle and give in. Dolly rolled on the bed laughing. Max made a brief effort of pulling her back in between his arms and legs. "I see you easily forget about eveything that had happened now that you get what you want from me. I should remind you, fine."

"I didn't forget!" Dolly protested. "I just want to mess with you. Stop pulling now, my waist is still sore!"

"I'm not doing anything." Max smiled warmly but the twinkle in his eye is hard to miss. "I'll help you ease the pain. How about I massage it?"

"Now that's a good—"

"—with my mouth?"

Dolly closed her mouth. She raised an eyebrow at him accusingly. "You said that was the last."

Max nodded graciously and kept both of his hands to himself. The mark on his shoulder is still red and ugly. Dolly clenched her teeth. It must have hurt. She couldn't control herself earlier and bit harder than she intented to.

"I'm just kidding. Come on, let's sleep."

Dolly rolled back to him. Sighing softly as she was enveloped by his wide chest. "I don't want to get pregnant yet, Max."

"I know. Too early?"

She nodded. "We've just known each other for a few weeks. I want to have you for myself first."

"My sentiments exactly." Max kissed her forehead with slight force. "There will be a lot of time for us. Your life is now tied into mine. Don't worry. We'll discuss this in the future."

"Thank you."

Max reached for the bedside lamp and turn it off. The darkness obscured the unreadable expression in his eyes.

He didn't tell Dolly about something.

Like many mated vampires, no matter if fate mated or not, they should have a mind link. This is an access to your mate's thoughts that will help both of you communicate and understand each other's emotions.

Max blocked Dolly's connection with his thoughts.

It's not that he's not loyal. He liked her a lot. Max is certain one day he will fall in love with her. Dolly is not hard to miss. She's a rare gem.

It's just that, Max' mind is a mess. Beneath his happy exterior is a scared man. Hoping that his beloved will never find out about his deeds in the past.

He was lonely. He was young.

It's still not an explanation for his actions.

What he tolerated before will one day come back and slap him on the face.

Dolly and Max' relationship is still on the early stages. He doesn't want her to live in guilt, just like him.

He doesn't want her to know about his past with Milani.

A brief twinkle of his phone made Max grateful for the intervention. The intense hate in his heart is hard to ignore. Dolly might find out about his turbulent emotion when they have just mated. She will misunderstand it.

"Speak."

"Your Grace, the heir has been held hostage."

Max' breath freezed. He gritted his teeth. "I send you to guard him. What caused this negligence, Daniel?"

Dolly flinched. Max lowered his eyes to see her worries gaze. He sighed in exasperation. Right. He was the one who appointed Jeffrey to work in the coven. He should be ready on situations like this. "Fine. Have someone inform Cedric Mallory."

"I beg your pardon—"

"I said, have someone contact Cedric Mallory and inform him about this."

Daniel gulped. The sound clear and crisp on the phone. "Sir, I can handle this—"

"Don't bother. Johansen is there along with his men. That should be fine. Call Cedric, and listen to whatever he says." Max ended the call without goodbye.

Dolly watched him with apt attention on the side. He can feel her stare even in the darkness. "How can you be so sure that he will help Jeffrey?"

Max pursed his lips. "If Jeffrey died, then he would soon follow as well. He hated me for setting him up. He thought I had bad intentions behind it. Great, then I'll have him see what my intentions are. He should be thankful. My men told me he's barely talking in the office now. Seeing Jeffrey will help him concentrate more on work. They both need it, sweetheart."

"Oh..." Dolly buried her face on the crook of his arm. "I hope Jeffrey will be fine, Max."

"He should be." He winced. "Or else Janette will pluck my eyebrows once he's hurt even a little."