Chapter 29

“IS HE awake?”

'No. I'm not.' The blinding light coming from a flashlight made him hiss through gritted teeth. He can't remember the last time that he had fed. Because he's quite ancient, he can go on without feeding for months or even a year. Although the resulting changes in him is hard to suppress.

His face was gaunt and extremely pale. He can guess without actually seeing that his skin is now morbid blue. It was years since he had last gone out and communicate with humans.

It was like those days were just a fraction of his dream. A scenario his mind had created to keep the little humanity left inside him.

But it was real. The mark on his shoulder is real. His life is entangled to someone.

And this is the first time that he wished that that person will die, so he can follow soon.

Living without being able to see that person is a torture. He experienced days and nights spent on crying his eyes out, asking why did he mark that man.

'He just look so good to me. And he needed reassurance from me. I feel like I can keep him safe and sound. But where am I now... still shackled to the wall with my blood slowly draining out of me.'

That person, his silver lining, is a man who had the same weight and height as him. He used to think he's too big. Rather different than those people that these rascals want to pair him up with. For one, that person doesn't have the tits and the part to be labeled soft.

He's a man. A big man. A strong one.

'I gave him up though.' He knew what he's supposed to do the moment they see each other again.

He can feel that person's thoughts behind his head. He can feel his pain, his struggle and his desire.

It was just a month. How come it felt like they've been together for eternity?

The mark shouldn't foster. But how come it gets stronger everyday?

He can feel that person's hunger. His will and his little laughs. They were far from each other now but he can mightily say that they shared the difficult times together. Because of their bond.

“If he's awake then why is he not moving?”
“Don't mistreat my guest! Did you draw enough from him?”

“S-Sir, he's dried. His blood... I can't get enough from him. He doesn't produce saliva anymore. It was as if he's dead!”

“Well, he can't be dead! Feed him!”

“The old man said that he can't just feed from anyone. He's bonded with someone. They're fate mated. He won't be able to feed from just... any human. His body will reject it!”

“Fuck, Julien. You're still useless after all. What right do you have to inherit the family glory? You're just old but stupid. It should be mine instead.”

Julien.

Right. His name was Julien. Sometimes he feels like his name was not right. In his delirious state, he would often call out 'Owell'. But in his subconscious he knows that it was not his name.

He liked that name though. Who's name was it? He doesn't know. Maybe someone in passing that he had come to interact with inside the house.

The scar on his shoulder burned. A shallow image of a person laying on white sheets made him twitch. He's sleeping. That person. His treasure.

“We should find his mate then. We're too close to the fun part.”

'Find him? My treasure?'

Julien's gut ached for relief. He wanted peace for his and his mate's life. He should cooperate to them. It will be soon.

The slashes on his body didn't heal. The sunken eyes couldn't recover their natural glint. He could no longer recognize hate but he wanted to rest. His mate had gone through a lot. That person can also feel him.

He can't hurt him for life.

Julien opened his mouth. His strained voice echoing in the dark cell. “Owell.”

The man, his brother, stood before him. “What did you say?”

“Mate. Owell.”

He laughed. Patting his boney face with a lecherous grin. “You can't refuse your gut instinct after all. Even if you're incoherent and stupid, you can't forget his name.”

He's the only thing that can be considered truly his. How can Julien forget about him?

His brother always deemed himself as the brightest one between them. Julien can't wait to see his reaction when he realize how stupid can he get.




__________






"MS. DOLLY looks stressed this morning. I wonder what happened."

A lady in the counter responded, "It's been two weeks since she started managing this branch. The hardest parts had gone through. It should be about her baby."

"Her baby?!"

The she wolf nodded with a smile. "Our manager is expecting."

"Oh, my god!"

Dolly can hear the commotion outside. She bit her lower lip, cursing the enhanced hearing of wolves. It was the second week that she found out about it. Until now, she can't think of a way about how to confess it to Max.

She made a huge point about how they should wait for a few years more before they try to conceive. But now...

She move out of the small office and smile to Freya. The only she wolf of the shop. "You're the first to notice."

"The heartbeat isn't too strong, it's hard for the vampires to perceive it yet. But you can't hide it from my shifter nose." She blinked. "Did I make a mistake?"

"No... it's just that, no one knows it yet. I'm struggling about how to actually say it to my fiance. Max is having problems in the coven right now. Worrying about the safety of me and this child will only make him more distressed."

Freya winced. "Oh shoot! I'm sorry. I thought they already know!"

She frowned. "I want to tell them when Max is free. When the problem settled in the end. So this baby won't be seen as ominous. I like it to be a happy occasion."

"Ah... I get it. But Ms. Cesaro, please take my congratulations in advance. Because I messed up this time, maybe I can help you mask your pulse? Vampires can feel it when there's another heartbeat aside from your own inside your body."

"That's true." Dolly worried her lips with a finger. "How do you suggest I do it?"

"Why don't we sync your the child's heartbeat with yours? That way, his highness won't feel anything different."

Dolly was pleasantly surprised. "Now that's a great idea. The baby shouldn't be harmed, right?"

Freya nodded with a definite tone, "It won't harm the baby. You can always ask Mrs. Duvas about it but if you do, your pregnancy might not be a secret anymore the next day. She won't hide anything from his highness."

"Really?" Dolly sighed. She knew that Janette and Max had a very close relationship. They always look out for the other's sake. "Then... we'll keep this matter between us. Where do I need to go and have it done?"

"I know someone," Freya suggested with a little smile.