Chapter 42

DOLLY WATCHED as Jeffrey's eyes focused at the tray of fruits in front of him. She can somewhat feel the dismay in him. Maybe that's because they are practically a family now. "Jeff..."

Jeffrey smiled. It looked painful for Dolly's eyes. "These days... I couldn't help but wish that I'm full human and not this half shit of a vampire."

"And why is that?" Dolly held his hand. The undeniable weight loss scares her a lot. Gone was the cute Jeffrey that she likes the most.

"He... was drawn to me because I'm half a vampire. The need to be with me was not strong enough. I'm not enough. If only I'm not a vampire then he wouldn't... maybe I wouldn't need him the way I do right now."

It was already a month but Jeffrey's situation never eased. Max needed to supply him comfort and power everyday so the pain of being away from his mate elevates. There were times like this moment where he spout things that she can't understand.

Janette and Mikael's disappointment was immeasurable. The tiger woman of the Adenhart family would like to order Cedric's head off. It was a surprise how Max managed to pacify her anger.

Mikael on the other hand focused on searching for a way to help his son. The man was now getting used on how a vampire's body work. His smile getting more boastful every time he and Max meet on work basis.

"Don't worry. Max found a more feasible way to keep you calm and clearheaded. Jeff, it's him who lost a lot and not you, remember that. You did nothing wrong."

Max entered the room with a phone in his hand. "Jeff, get ready. We're going on a therapy session this afternoon. If this one works then it calls for a celebration."

"I... don't want to." Jeffrey shook his head. His chapped lips cracked whenever he spoke. "The result will always be the same. I..."

Max raised a brow. He glanced at Dolly before he continued, "Cedric married a woman named Dianne Foster. After another month, if the woman successfully bear his child, then he will inherit his father's position as an alpha."

Dolly covered her mouth to fight with the need to scream at Max. How can he be so heartless towards his own nephew?

"Your mate goes on like he didn't lose half of his life. When are you going to step up for yourself and continue to live? I know that my power is too harsh and your body can't help but reject it. But try to be more open, Jeff. You may lost that worthless asshole but so what? Your mom is here, and so is your dad. Are you really going to break yourself for a person you barely even knew?"


Jeffrey's lips trembled. "You don't know... what I feel."


Max' eyes glittered with annoyance. "Have you forgotten what happened to my Dolly? Your mate betrayed you while my child almost died in front of me before I can even hold them. Your mate choose to let you go over his ambitions while I almost lost them for eternity. Of course I wouldn't know what you feel, who would want that to happen to themselves?"

"Stop." Dolly meddled before the conversation could escalate to something more personal. "There's no use fighting over spoilt milk. What we needed to do now is to help him."

"Jeff, are you going with Max this afternoon?"

Jeffrey avoided their eyes. His expression went pensive for a moment before he nodded. "Tell me the time."


Max sighed. He went to Jeffrey's chair and patted his hair. "Fight for your clan, if you couldn't do it for yourself."







__________


Five months later...







"YEON-HEE is adopting her second child, no?" Jeffrey opened the folder in his hand and read the information inside with a passing eye. "This is the proposal that Uncle Max always wanted to see. Even the name pings my interest. Finally! An ordinance that will banish the workplace bias opinion towards women and hybrids. Good, good. By the way, what's with pregnant women these days? Since Dolly's pregnancy was announced, a lot of baby shower invitations had come up at my door."

"Well..." Johann smiled at him. "There's a lot of old people saying that it's the year for love and prosperity."

Johann was one of the vampires that Uncle Max hired for him. All three of them makes Jeffrey comfortable. Their power is not aggressive at all and so it helped him recover. Although it took him months before finally getting used to their presence.

"Ah..." Johann reached a hand towards his face. He tucked a loose lock of hair behind his ears. "Don't you think it's interesting?"

Jeffrey leaned to his touch. He will be forever grateful for the help and comfort that he gave him. "Hmn. I can't wait to see Uncle Max' daughter."

"You're not going to cut your hair any time soon?"

He smiled. "No. Are you bothered by it?"

His hair had become longer. It went past his shoulder at the back while at the sides of his face remained at chin's length.

"No." Johann crosses his knees and bent forward slightly. "Now, can I kiss you?"

Jeffrey has long since used to this straightforward approach. At first, he felt disgusted with himself. But then he realized that the physical contact helped him heal.

He no longer question himself if he's someone who's desireable or not.

Cedric's desicions… made him second-guess a lot of things about his body. The result is that he became insecure and guilty most of the time.

Johann always initiates physical intimacy towards him. Wether he trully wanted Jeffrey or that he can sense his need to be secured and feel important again, Jeffrey's not sure but he's thankful for it.

He stood and lowered his face towards Johann. Jeffrey allowed the man to deliver swift and delicate kisses on his lips.

He can feel their skin touching but the moment lacked the current, the excitement, and the sweetness that he had first felt with Cedric.

Jeffrey opened his eyes. He pulled back and smiled wanly. "I ate cake earlier. I'm afraid you won't like the sugar taste."

Johann tapped his lips. "It's a pity then."

'That's right.' Jeffrey huffs a laugh. 'If only I could pick the person I can fall in love with.'




Jeffrey pulled his hair into a loose knot at the back of his head and run to the stairs. The elevators broke this afternoon. His dad texted a moment ago to inform him about a family dinner in their house.

He needs to hurry his ass back to the mansion or else, Uncle Max will threaten to set his car collection on fire.

Jeffrey dialed Johann's number on the way. "Hey, Johann. Did you get home safe?"

"Yeap." There came a sound of something breaking on the other line. "Just a little problem in the house but nothing major."

"Really?" Jeffrey is genuinely worried about him. "You can always contact me if you need anything."

"Ooh, I like that. Do you need me to call the others? When are you going to be free? Wait. Put that down. I don't know what's your deal but put that thing down—"

"—shut up! You're a big fat liar!"

"I'm not fat!"

Jeffrey couldn't help but laugh in their argument. "I'm going to call you when I'll get a hold of my schedule for the week. That was the student that you're tutoring, right?"

"Eh, just a husky that wouldn't quit. Teaching this twack will just… rot my brain. Okay, see ya' next time!"

"Yes. Thank you for the day."

Jeffrey bumped with someone. He stumbled backwards but he managed to keep himself up. "I'm sorry. Please continue on your way."

It was an express delivery guy. He waved at him before walking down the remaining flight of stairs.

"Dad?" He recieved Mikael's call. "Yes, I'm on my way. I just finished my workload. The elevators were cut off— we have to call the maintenance service again this week."

Jeffrey never felt as peaceful as of the moment. He was glad that he had Uncle Max and Aunt Dolly by his side. They never ceased to show him support. His parents spoiled him rotten ever since.

'For a loveless idiot like me, I couldn't wish for anything more than this.'

The dull ache is still there every morning. Jeffrey wasn't sure if he wants it gone. It's the only proof that he had once been marked before. Even if it's all fake.