Chapter 49

"I SAID I DIDN'T!" Howard gnashed his teeth. "Fine, you're slow. That's reasonable. How about this? I will remove the binds on your feet. That should show my sincerity enough."

'Feet? Not even close.' But since Howard is alone, this can be an opportunity to render the man unconscious.

"It will erase his mark?"

"Even the scent." He reassured with a curve of his lips. "The first few minutes might be painful, but it will soon fade. Along with that promise of forever."

Jeffrey knew what Cedric intends to do. It's just that, this elder is quite eccentric. His behavior can't be read in a single look. He's afraid he will give Cedric the shot without removing his binds.

"Good."

It was just a word. But somehow, Jeffrey's mind flashed with memories he would like to bury when he decided to reconcile with the man.

Cedric didn't let him know about their plan against this elder. Jeffrey was left in the dark when he thought his Idrik had decided to leave him behind. He was hurt. He almost thought about leaving the country and hide somewhere he won't think of how little his self worth had become.

Being together with Cedric was a roller coaster ride that Jeffrey both wanted and hated. Cedric is considerate, when he doesn't think about his actions after displaying his fondness for him.

There were infinite moments where he caught Cedric looking elsewhere with a blank expression.

Those eyes... scared Jeffrey.

'Is he regretting it? But he bit me first. He shouldn't think like that.' Jeffrey thought Cedric is unfair. So unfair because the man dared to look dispirited when he was the one who cornered Jeffrey into this.

No matter if it's just acting, they had to do it right.

Jeffrey's lower lip trembled. The words from his mouth sincere and innocent, "Do you really hate it? I mean, me. Do you really hate me that much?"

Cedric was on duty this day. He would always wear a scent covering solution whenever he do field work. It shouldn't be that hard for him to say yes and be done with it but with the look in his eyes, the way be captured Jeffrey's vulnerable expression, he can't lie.

He lowered his head. Appearing guilty. This is the only thing he can do since his mouth would not cooperate.

He can't, not even when he's willing, to badmouth Jeffrey. How come it was so easy for him to insult him before? Yet now he stutter for the sake of lying.

'You've grown in me, little guy.' Jeffrey's influence over him covered all of his heart. He can't believe he even thought about going on Sunday mass just to have a peaceful date with him.

Spending time with Jeffrey, no matter how small or quiet it is, Cedric loved all of it.

How can he say he hate him? When he never really did in the first place?

Howard exchanged looks with the two. He was satisfied to see Cedric's reaction. He had expected this. Cedric is a fool, but he's one of an emotional fool. He must feel shame since he had lead Jeffrey on for several months.

'Emotions make people weak. Therefore we had no use for it.' And for Howard, when you no longer use something, it's time to discharge it.

"Don't struggle, I'll free your feet."

Howard move over with the syringe in one hand. He pacified Cedric with words. "Shame had no business inside an alpha wolf's body. You should walk outside with pride."

Cedric steeled himself, ready to burst at one strike.

"You know, Cedric, I've been an elder in the coven for four hundred years." The man scoff. "I've seen many skilled liars like you."

His eyes widened in shock. The elder never plan to free him in the first place. He tried to headbutt the guy but the distance hindered his movements. Howard lunged with the syringe in hand. Cedric gritted his teeth.

He wished that the medicine won't work. He hoped that Jeffrey doesn't have to see this.

"Useless!"

Cedric opened his eyes to see Jeffrey's body draped over him. The syringe empty, still buried on his shoulder. "Jeffrey!" he screamed.

Jeffrey's eyes shifted into a different color. It went black.

"You fucking—useless!" Howard twisted as he stood upright. He kicked Jeffrey but the little guy didn't budge. Instead, he turned to the old man and punch him in the face.

Cedric thrashed on the chair. The chains made a jingling sound but it didn't loosen. "Jeffrey! Be careful!"

The man couldn't hear him anymore. The black ink in his irises spread into the whites of his eyes. Even Howard stepped backwards when he realized that something is wrong.

Before he can shout, Jeffrey reach for his neck and strangled the living lights out of him.

His strength, his smell and his skin color changed. The bulging veins under his skin pulsed rapidly. "You dared?" his abnormally hoarse voice asked, and a loud snapping sound echoed in the messy room.

"Jeffrey!" Cedric called. He swallowed his words when he noticed the sense of oppression coming from Jeffrey's body. He... no longer smelled like a half human that he is.

The medicine made him a full blooded vampire. Cedric's trace on his body was gone. Jeffrey's exposed neck lose the scar that Cedric had painstakingly nurtured.

"Who are you?"

The question was harmless.

Cedric should be happy right now. His little guy was not a killing machine that he had been so afraid of. He doesn't give off unrestrained hate towards Cedric.

He should be fine.

'But how am I suppose to be okay when you're no longer mine?' Cedric negotiated. "How... how about you free me from these chains first? I'll tell you who am I."

Jeffrey's eyes didn't return to normal. His tilted his head to the other direction, as if wondering about the honesty in his voice. "Who are you?"

Cedric can feel the warm liquid forming in his eyes. He tried to take deep breaths to calm himself but his tears flowed. He gasped through the unexpected ache in his chest. "Just let me get out of this."

"Fine." Jeffrey moved to his side. With a great pull, he managed to get the chains off of him. "Don't cry. It's gone."

Cedric took a glance on the elder's body. When he was certain that he was dead, he curled his fingers. Directing Jeffrey to move in front of him. "You really can't remember me?"

Jeffrey frowned. The tightness of his lips made him uneasy. "Then... how about you bring yourself closer? I'll whisper my name to you."

He blinked lightly. The unnatural color of his eyes burned Cedric's soul. This guy would rather hurt himself than to let him suffer any grievances. Jeffrey loves him.

The little guy bend his waist and waited for Cedric. He didn't waste another time and held his head before delivering a deep, mating bite on his neck.

'You can't escape from me.'

Cedric gasped when he tasted Jeffrey's diluted blood. It was the same. The scent was the same but it carried a bit of tanginess to it. An unfamiliar taste.

Unexpectedly, Jeffrey chuckled. He petted Cedric's head. "I gave you a choice. You could've refused marking me again, you know. If you wanted to be free."

Relief flooded Cedric's chest. He almost sagged on the chair, breathing raggedly. "You fucking scared me."

He calmed himself first before he tugged Jeffrey's hand for a hug. "Even if the mark fades for the third time, I'll do it again and again. You should've known by now. You can't escape from me."

"I know..." Jeffrey muttered softly before he lost his consciousness. The color on his face alternated between white and green. His body is fighting with the unfamiliar substance injected inside him.

Cedric waited for him to wake up. The little guy's will can defy the fates above. He believed in him. "I should just retire directly once we go back."