Chapter 50

YEON-HEE skillfully landed a kick on a man's neck. The snap was so satisfying that she grinned when she looked back at Daniel. "Yo, what's with the kid behind you? Is he here for the field trip?"

"Pft. Getting used to his future mate's workplace just in case." Daniel teased Kayden, "You can now return Yeon-Hee's necklace, kid. That's her mate's wedding gift to her."

Kayden grumbled. Pushing the glasses up his nose bridge before giving up the exquisite silver necklace with a ruby pendant. "You embarrassed me in front of the crew," he complained with Daniel, "you're a poor choice for a mate. I reject you."

Daniel click his tongue. He pinched the kids nose before sighing. "Stop doing that. You're not lacking anything. And from the moment you met me, you won't be carrying your burden alone. See? I saved a lot. You can go to school now."

Kayden winced. His brow curled with dissatisfaction. "I'm not a charity case, 'father'. I can support myself! My brothers are not a burden to me. You should mind your words."r

Daniel pretended that he couldn't see Yeon-hee left in schadenfreude. He begged, "Can you please stop overthinking everything? And you're not rejecting me. In fact, I will adopt you and your brothers!"

"In your dreams!" Kayden spat, "Let's get this over with and send me to the coven."

Daniel couldn't resist slapping the metal cage where Peter Johansen slept. The whole thing vibrated, and Peter's voice echoed inside. "Who's it? Max? Your grace! It wasn't me! I-I was forced! I didn't mean it! I can tell you everything you want to know!"

He rolled his eyes. Hoping that he can at least get fun out of this man when he tortured him enough.

Daniel stood silent for a moment before he can't take it anymore and dialed his loyal supporter's number.

"Brother..." he greeted.

"What now? I'm not yet done in here. Damn, there's a lot of traitors in this coven. In this case, our vacation request won't be approved easily. That Ginny and Freya is in custody. The rest, we will have to search them."

Daniel had a pinched face after hearing that. "Sod off. I bargained Max, okay? He promised he will give me a three month vacation after this."

"Tsk. You wish. Why do you want such a long time for yourself anyway? Don't tell me you're going to spend it all watching cooking shows and decorating your house?"

"Yeah."

"Shit." He heaved a long breath. "How are you not bored with that?

"This time I'm going to do that with my mate. So... how can it be boring, brother?" The boastful tone made the receiver on the other line choke in his own spit.

"Damn, really? You're being shameless."

Daniel laughed. "Runs in the blood, Hadi." He straightened. "So anyway, how to coax your angry mate, bro?"

"Ah... so this is the reason for this call."

He shrug. "Duh? Of course, I don't miss you. Come on, tell me how."

The other line ended the call. The loud tutting sound almost deafened him. "Shit... why are you so stingy? You could've shared me some tips."




__________




QUINN ISABELLE Adenhart was born prematurely. Despite of her mothers difficulty with the pregnancy, the little girl thrived in the incubator.

She was healthy, even if she's smaller than most babies in the facility. Her skin was the same crimson hue of freshly picked apples. The baby's every coo and burp was recorded by Maximilian's unblinking eyes since the day she was born.

He's grateful that Dolly came into his life. If he hadn't met her, he won't ever find the greatest treasure of this feeling.

The huge... responsibility of raising a person of his own flesh and blood.

The baby in Dolly's hand yawned. Her tiny lips opened to show off her toothless mouth. Max gasped in infinite wonder.

He can smell the vampire blood, milk and her diapers. Max frowned when he realised something. "Milk?" he asked excitedly, "Dolly, is she—"

His tired mate grinned with the same amazement flashed in her face. "She's a part rabbit as well, love."

Surprise, warmth and love. He can feel the steady pulse of their bond radiating from the inside. Max bit his lips in anticipation.

He crowded over his wife and their child. He suggested lightly, "She can enroll in one of the finest school in town. She can learn ballet as well— I personally know the trainer there. It's strictly professional. If... If she wanted to have a garden of her own, we can build her one. We can grow a lot of carrots and fruits in there."

Dolly closed her eyes and let her husband's imagination ran wild. He held Isabelle's tiny hands, gently talking to her in a soft voice.

"She can take over my position once I retire—"

Dolly glanced at Max and said with a reprimanding tone, "She's too young, Max. Isabelle can't even drink her milk without choking and then you're now talking about work stuff."

He raised his hands in a surrendering pose. "Fine, fine. I'm sorry. I'm just saying... it's going to happen. Years come and go just like the blink of an eye. I want you to know, I want her to be aware."

"Though now that she's here, I wish we can slow the time. I want her to grow on my palm. To witness her every expression, her first word..."


Dolly patted his head. Max shifted closer to lay on the same pillow. His position can't be comfortable since he's sitting on a small chair beside the hospital bed. "I'm excited too. We'll figure it out, okay?"

Max closed his eyes, savoring the peaceful silence because he know that a minute from now, Janette will be barging in with a lot of gifts in hand demanding why the kid's name doesn't have hers in it.

He smack his lips and tried to reason with Dolly one more time, "I think Yeon-hee's eldest son is a good partner for our Isabelle, don't you agree?"

Dolly sighed in exasperation. She pinched Max' nose. "Why can't you stop that!"