Chapter 43

CEDRIC counted to ten. He smiled and complimented every person that his eyes laid on but he knew that he had successfully fooled no one. His gaze went past the plate in front of him and to the wine glass beside it.

He had to stop smiling— or that 'trying' to smile. Cedric was shocked to see his facial expression grimace.

'Is this actually my smile now?'

One week. Just one week of not seeing Jeffrey. That sexy—

Cedric pushed the heel of his palm to the tent slowly rising on his lap. Great. Just one thought and it's enough to set him off the edge.

He laughed, asking the fates how a little guy like Jeffrey had this huge power over him.

If the little shit order him to kill, he would probably do it.

Just to see him smile.

Just to make Jeffrey look at him like he's the sun again.

Just to get his approval to lay by his side— well, not that he needed it. Cedric gritted his teeth and glanced at the clock.

The event could not get any more longer than this. Another minute and he'll go regardless of Dianne's refusal.

His body itched to feel Jeffrey again. Even if it's hugging and literally sleeping on the same bed, it doesn't matter.

He missed him.

His little guy.

Cedric breathed harshly. He called another server and grabbed a glass of booze. "Thank you."



When Jeffrey left him with Max, he was already at his wit's end. Trying to find a way to have him back. He had the urge to paralyze Max back then for taking his mate without his permission.

The only thing that held him back is that Jeffrey might hate him. Cedric may be blacklisted in the coven. That's something he can't just let happen.

And so he stared. Wishing that Jeffrey will open his eyes and look at him again. Push Max and run to his side, asking for a hug. But it never happened.

'It's okay. It's all in the past.'

"You're not even paying attention." Dianne frowned. "Cedric, this is our engagement party. I've let you postpone this for four months. What? Do you need more time to think and 'settle' your pack territory?"

"I'm sick." Cedric didn't bother sparing Dianne a glance and directly asked, "Are you done? For fuck's sake, this ain't even the reception after the wedding. Why do we need to stay here for an hour?"

Dianne pursed her lips. "Exactly, Cedric. It has just been an hour. Why are you so fidgety?"

Knowing that he can't lie with her shifter nose, he said as a matter of fact, "You know that my vampire half has claimed its mate. Dianne, I feel sick. I have to recuperate. I shouldn't be surrounded by a lot of people right now."

"It has been five months already, why is that bloody mating bond not yet faded?!"

'We're 'fate' mated, you doofus. Of course it won't fade.' Cedric scrunched up his face and shrug nonchalantly. "So let me go, or I will end up humiliating you."

"Fine." She said reluctantly, "But we have to attend the rehearsal for the wedding tomorrow. Be earnest for once, okay?"

Cedric failed to respond. He was already walking to the door, not muttering a proper goodbye to anyone. He only felt anticipation at the moment.

And a rare feeling of happiness. Like waiting for a present.

'9 pm.' That little guy should be asleep by now.

Cedric hurried to the parking lot. Making sure that no one is following him, he made a u-turn and make an action as though going straight home. In case Dianne is watching from a surveillance camera.

After twenty five minutes of driving mindlessly, Cedric speed up towards the Adenhart mansion.

Skillfully parking his car on a hidden spot, he remove his coat and the accessories on his body before jumping the two person height of a wall.

The first time that Cedric visited this huge place was to submit a file for Max in the middle of the night. He remembered feeling schadenfreude for Max' paranoia. The gate is too tall that it resembled a castle's.

But now that he's nimbly jumping over like it's nothing, he decided he should tell Max not to relax his security and double the height of this wall.

Cedric walked with familiarity. He went inside the house without arousing anyone's attention. He moved to the second floor with hurried pace.

When a hand stopped his shoulder, he twisted and greeted, "Hi, sir."

Mikael Duvas stood before him. Eyes unsatisfied but relieved. "He's asleep. What's with your scent? You didn't cover it?"

Cedric's expression broke. "I forgot, sir."

The guy nodded. "That's fine. I'll have the staff air out right after you go."

"Thank you.' Cedric smiled a little. "Then... can I?"

"Tsk. Go, before Max sees you and shower you with curses—again." He hesitated for a moment. "Then what about Dianne?"

"She wants me to attend the wedding rehearsals. Nothing changed, Howard will show his face on the wedding day. I'm sure of that."

"Good. Go on, then. You look horrible."

'The more reason why I can't let my Jefferson see me in this state.'

Opening the familiar room, Cedric inhaled deeply. His chest heaving without a hint of slowing anytime soon.

The lone figure on the bed is hugging himself to sleep.


Cedric rushed to his side. Checking his pockets for something small and delicate. After fishing it out, he crush it under Jeffrey's nose.


He waited for a few seconds before carefully reaching for the guy's face. "Dear..." his voice trembled slightly, "Fuck, you smell so good."

He laid beside Jeffrey, carefully putting in his mind the difference between their weight.

Cedric caressed every inch of his skin. His nose pausing on the mark he left on Jeffrey's shoulder. It's still there. It didn't fade.

Gently kissing the mark, he raised a hand towards Jeffrey's lips. Feeling the soft and supple skin.

Cedric couldn't help himself and level his lips to Jeffrey's. He suck, bite and lick the sweetness inside. All the way while mumbling gently, "Jeffrey... love, you're the most beautiful. I want you. Want you."

Jeffrey's heartbeat started to speed up, Cedric was relieved to see him respond to his touch. Their mark will never fade. Instead, it will strengthen. Unbreakable. That's because Cedric takes time to nurture it painstakingly every chance that he can get.

He won't let Jeffrey erase it.

That mark is his. Only his.

"I heard you have several little guys following you around. You're not learning from past experience, hmn? You really want me to break their legs?" Cedric threatened. He deluded himself right into the moment.

Jeffrey will remember these things but will perceive them as a dream. He can lose his inhibitions and confess. He can show his weakest side and be gone with it.

"When I was at the engagement party, I wish the one standing by my side on that stage was you. I wanted to rip her throat out but I have to pretend. Jeffrey, it hurts..." Cedric held his hand and put it against his chest. "Here..." Lowering it right above his private lower region. "Then here. It itches for you... only you."

Cedric thought he can never be loyal to someone. But now that his dick could only harden for one person, he found it comforting. 'I'm no longer a mad dog. I have an owner now.'

Cedric guided Jeffrey's hands inside his pants. Smiling slightly at his immoral behavior but he can't stop himself. Taking Jeffrey right there and then is a proof of his self constraint.

"…why did you believe everyone that wants to tear us apart? You must know I can't love anyone else but you." Stroking his member with both his and Jeffrey's hand, Cedric whispered, "I know it's too late but... I love you. I'm doing everything I can just to be with you. So please, wait for me. Patiently wait for me. Then my wolf will finally claim you without worrying."

The wolf in him regretted not claiming Jeffrey before. He was scared of hurting Jeffrey back then. He lost the chance to mark him. It was a surprise he had not bitten anyone's head off 'til now.

"Tighter... ahh." Cedric groaned, spilling in Jeffrey's hand.

His mouth was grinning but he's still unsatisfied.

He thought now that he had a mate, his drive should slow down a little. For a consideration in his male mate. But now that he's seriously thinking about it, his appetite didn't ebb. It only got stronger.

'We have to wait for a while. We'll be free soon.'