Chapter 25

"I HOPE the heir can change his grace' mind over this. What I said to you were all facts. I know abducting you was a severe crime, but with the kids beside me, how am I going to ask for your help?" Owell's eyes on the right remained staring at his face, while the other was busily rolling towards another direction. That was the first thing that Jeffrey noticed. Next was the rotten smell surrounding Owell's body.

He's sick.

He's a man at his wit's end.

Strangely, Jeffrey couldn't feel a threatening aura in his body. He must be honest. Or Jeffrey hoped he is. He had already ran out of options while their car was speeding towards an unknown direction.

Owell introduced himself as a raven. The vampire blood in his body was forcefully injected inside. Along with an unwanted mating bite from a person he detested the most. The kids back there were all his siblings.

And he needed Jeffrey's help.

According to him, he had just finished his service in the marines. He managed to hide his shifter blood. This line of work is the only silver lining that he can grasp to help his mother raise his siblings.

When Owell's shifter side was noticed by his superiors, he was forced to discharge earlier. Owell prepared himself to go home disappointed.

That's when he met a man with the same age as him. He offered Owell a ride in his shiny car. Owell felt comfortable with the man's presence. He never found the chance to commit a relationship while he was young. He didn't get the time to check if he prefer men over women. Still, he was relaxed and even thankful. What can a mere guy like that do to an ex marine like him?

Turns out, the guy was a vampire. And that Owell is his fated mate.

Owell's consciousness blackened out. When he woke up the next day, he sat across a handome man. His face no longer obscured by the darkness of the car.

He looked captivating enough. The question is, why did he kidnap Owell.

“We're mates, says those elders outside. I just found out that you're a raven. Hmn. Your kind is weak and insignificant. How about I give you a pint of my blood for free? That should turn you into half a vampire. That way, you can protect yourself.”

“I should bite you, because you're mine, says the voice in me head. How did that happen? You're a little bigger than me.”

“I just woke up from an endless sleep then I had a fortune of meeting you. Still, I have to let you go. We'll never meet again. You should be alright after that. My brain keeps on insisting I should keep you... tsk, but my plans won't allow another person.”

“My road to hell is a one way journey. It's a waste of a pretty guy, letting you die with me.”

Jeffrey forced himself to listen as Owell reminisced his experience. According to him, that man kept him for a month before letting him go.

"What's his name?"

"I don't know." Owell look down. Jeffrey is certain he's not aware of the tears at the side of his eyes. It looks like the guy had lost his perception of things. He's dying. "In that place... he's never called a name. They said he doesn't deserve it. He's a good guy, although I know that they've been using him for something bad. He insisted my raven is a disgusting shifter kind but he never let me sleep without him by my side. He's full of contradictions, your highness. Before letting me go, he took a large tear on my chest. One more centimeter and he will kill me."

Jeffrey wondered if this is what usually happens if one denies having their fated mate. This guy... won't have long.

"There were series of killing these past few months. You were caught in a footage—"

"That's because of his scent." Owell's brow scrunched up. As if he couldn't understand it himself. "Those dead bodies... reeked of his blood, your highness."

"That's why I need your help. When I went back to my hometown, my mom had already died because of sickness. I need to find a place where I can leave my brothers soon... before I die."

"I'll tell you everything that I know. The address where he left me... his face, I can draw it for the coven. Please, help me."

Jeffrey was in distress. He doesn't know what to do. He can't promise Owell something right away. But this has to contain some truth, no matter how difficult it is to understand. There is no reason to leave Jeffrey alive if Owell intended to hurt him.

In hindsight, he's sympathetic to him. They're facing the same problem. Their mates chose to let them go. Though Owell is the most unfortunate one because his mate left him after giving him a mark. He survive for a few months without his own mate. It was a proof of his determined character.

"Those kids... I'm sure no one will hurt them. The coven has a special procedures when handling children." Jeffrey pursed his lips. "But about your mate... we have to contact my uncle first. Don't worry. I'll tell him everything you said."

Owell turned the car and drove back with a blank expression. "Someone's following us. And he's not being discreet about it. Do you know him?"

Jeffrey look back. It was disgusting how he was sure that it was Cedric after just a glance. "Someone working for my uncle. How about we stop the car?"

"He'll kill me without asking."

"Yeah, that's for sure." Jeffrey grimaced. The guy had no finesse whatsoever. Cedric will be solely focused on getting the work done and be gone with it. "Stop the car then let me get out first. He won't hurt you."

"How are you sure about that?"

"We're fate mated. Though even with that fact alone, that won't stop him from being violent. He doesn't respect me."

Owell smiled grimly. The small glint on his eyes extinguishing. His eyes becoming as dark as the night. "They're quick to reject something that doesn't fit their plan."

'Exactly.' Jeffrey avoided his stare and look outside. Finally sighing as the car slowed down to a stop.