Chapter 36

DIANNE FOSTER is a beautiful woman. Strong and undeniably dangerous, but the latter needs to be emphasized to the great extent because her momentum required a lot of appreciation.

She hates Jeffrey the moment they first met each other.

Jeffrey stared at the back of Cedric's head. Wondering idly who is the woman beside him. She's an omega wolf, and a sturdy one at that.

He was taught that omega wolves were mostly fragile-looking and had a nice, warm temperament. Although he hates stigma like gender stereotypes like that, he doesn't know anything about wolves.

Not that he cared. Vampires can't even get rid of their opinions about women entering the coven. Who is he to judge why Dianne is a lot tougher than most omegas out there?

Jeffrey knew he didn't actually feel any negative feeling towards Dianne's uniqueness. It's just that... she liked Cedric. That was obvious by the way she touched his arm, smile wide and prettily.

And as Cedric's mate, he can't stay quiet at a moment like this. This woman ignored the scent covering Cedric. That was Jeffrey's trail. He intentionally left it, because the man liked it that way.

That should be enough to ward off evil spirits like Dianne. How come she's playing dense?

It looks like they knew each other for a long time. Dianne talked to Cedric with a sense of familiarity. She knew when to push for more and once Cedric lets her off, she clamped hard and insist.

"My father wants to go here and personally talk to you. Cedric, you can't possibly leave them behind? What about your brothers' kids? You should handle the pack and wait for them to grow up. Why don't you take me in so you can claim the pack now? You shouldn't be selfish. Your brothers paid a lot for your freedom!"

Cedric stiffened. Jeffrey can feel the guilt, shame and hate through their bond. He stepped forward and called out to him, "Idrik, we're going to be late."

Jeffrey managed to practice his power inside the coven during his investigation. If he wanted to know about Cedric's past, he can always call Daniel and let him handle it for him.

But he won't.

That should be enough to show how long is he willing to wait and how he respected his freedom.

But just like a normal person, his patience is straining everyday. Jeffrey doesn't like forcing his way in of Cedric's mind.

"Jeffrey..." Cedric's lashes fluttered slowly. His hands reach for Jeffrey's shoulder. "Get inside the car. Wait for me, okay? I have to talk to her."

"Cedric!" Dianne's face crumpled. "Ofelia... She's in danger."

"What happened?"

Delighted with Cedric's concern, she continued, "She's fate mated with your brother, so she can't stay healthy with an injured bond but her situation worsened last week. It's a miracle how she survived after all these years... but now she can't even walk. You can ease the pain of your brother's passing just by being there. You can trick her muddled mind into thinking her mate is still alive."

"But he isn't anymore, Dianne. He's dead—"

"Who's fault was it?" Her smile was unsightly. "Why did the innocent people had to suffer because of your family's incompetence, Cedric? If you had just stay behind and agreed to your grandfather's guidance, you wouldn't have to be saddled with a man in exchange for a stable work in this city!"

Jeffrey shuffled his feet. His claws itched to make a dent in her face. "You won't insult our bond in front of my face, miss. Since you have all the knowledge in the world, why can't you see that he's tied for me in this life? You actually dared to ask him go back when we are both fully mated, what? Do you want him to die?"

His eyes narrowed. "Or is that your plan all along? Force Cedric to marry you, and kill him in the end. So that you and your family can take a feast of what's left of their pack?"

Dianne laughed. The indignation in her face clear and distinct. "You accused me of the wrong thing! Cedric is the son from the main wife! From the age of ten, we were already engaged! I was his childhood love— if you hadn't show up, Cedric and I would've marked each other once he decided to return!"

"That's the point, Dianne." Cedric broke his silence with a brief statement, "I'm not going back. Tell Ofelia I'm sorry."

He pushed Jeffrey back into the car. Cedric ignored Dianne's pleading and he sped up towards the unknown. "Where do you want to go?"

Jeffrey sighed noisily. He watched as the image of Dianne slowly fade while she wait outside their workplace. "What are you going to do with that Ofelia?"

"She was the one who told my grandfather which direction I ran to. That's why the old man caught up to me and showered me with bullets." Cedric gritted his teeth. "Sorry, I can't... tell you the specifics now. I... I'm a coward back then, and I am still one right now. Sorry."

"Apologizing doesn't suit you, Idrik." He pursed his lips. "Our work for today was cancelled because of a random woman. What are we going to do now?"

Cedric's need to impress Jeffrey soared. He must be angry with Dianne's sudden appearance. He can't continue working now that Dianne might cause problems in the coven. The rumors about his hybrid blood is bad as it is. He doesn't want another cherry on top of his misery.

"We should... date. How about we watch a movie? Eat something good?"

"Movie?" Jeffrey's lips twisted.

'"I want to show you off sometimes. The mall is a good place."

"I will end up having your hands inside my pants by the middle of the story. Why don't we just watch it from home?"

He called it 'home'. Cedric grinned. He recovered from his mood. "You can always say 'no' and I won't put it in."

Jeffrey rolled his eyes but it glinted with desire when he responded, "That's foul. You know I can't resist your charms."

'That's more like it.'



_______


THEY BOTH settled at the back. The darkness hid the need in Cedric's expression but Jeffrey was so into the movie that he forgot his presence.

He shouldn't have suggested a horror one. How is he suppose to cuddle with him without pretending to be scared... Jeffrey won't believe he's afraid.

He use to stare at dead people for a living.

Cedric sighed.

"No."

He glanced at Jeffrey's side profile. His small nose looks pointed and tall. "What 'no'?"

"You're not going to disturb me. I'm enjoying the movie."

"Okay." Cedric nodded. He looked down on the palm of his hand. "Watch it more. If you feel scared, laugh it off."

"You're really not doing anything?" Jeffrey squinted.

"Yes!"

He mumbled, "Really? What a pity then."

Cedric was silent for three seconds before he opened his mouth for a wide smile. He shifted his body to face him, his arms widespread and accomodating. "Come, come. Lay your head here—"

Jeffrey's phone vibrated loudly. The guy swatted his hands before fishing his cell out of his pants. "Mr. Johansen? Uh, yes. Cedric is with me."

His eyes darted off somewhere for a moment before he pushed the phone in Cedric's hand. "Peter, I'm on an absent leave today, what's the matter?"

The man's ragged breathing from the other side made him tense. He remembered that this guy was tasked to do capture Elder Hathaway in his house.

"He escaped, Mallory," he spat, "that old man escaped! He tricked us!"