Second Assault — Bond And Treason — novel Chapter 6

ALEXEI

I don't know at what point I finally managed to fall asleep, but when I open my eyes, there are already several threads of light filtering through the curtains. I never dreamt about Xander again, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I slowly get out of bed, my muscles stiff and aching. It's not because of the fight I had with Derek, those wounds healed the same day. So I imagine it's because of all the stress and worry I've been carrying around since his disappearance.

With a heavy sigh, I stand up and head for the bathroom. Yaakov is not there, I don't know when he left the room, but I rest my case for now and go to wash and brush my teeth. By the time I get out, I feel just a little bit better. I dry my hair and quickly get dressed in one of the suits that I made sure I got from my bedroom before I came.

I take my phone from the little table and I check it. No notification. Shit. I get out and head back to my office. I find several henchmen in my way, but when they notice the black cloud on me as a curse, many avoid me or simply pass me by. I sincerely appreciate it, I'm not in the mood to tolerate anyone's bullshit right now.

When I am finally sitting behind my desk, I sigh of relief, although comfort is brief. Again I am alone and the storm of the situation covers me again under its wing without contemplation. The feeling of defeat is ingrained in me like a fucking parasite, feeding on my misery and all because I don't have even an insignificant clue as to the whereabouts of the love of my life.

Xander. Where are you? I close my eyes and concentrate, with the slightest hope of getting even a hint that he's still alive. I focus, over and over again. My mind is emptied of all uselessness and filled with living images of my Omega. So vivid, they take my breath away and only cause me to yearn even more to hold him in my arms.

«Xander».

His name echoes in the thick fog of my mind, I repeat it again and again, with more strength and determination than before. But everything remains in black and heavy silence. I don't see him, I don't hear him, I don't feel him... What I do feel is my heart breaking a little more as time goes by and I get no response.

«Xander».

I'm trying again. In the dreams I had, I had to make several attempts until he finally answered, so I keep calling him.

«My love...».

A knot in my throat grows up and I can't help it. I don't want to lose hope, I don't want to continue feeling desolate and lost without having the slightest idea of what to do. I want to touch his skin, smell his sweet scent, taste his delicious lips, and feel the love flowing through our bodies every time we are together.

«M-Magnus?».

I open my eyes quickly and the air I didn't know I was holding leaves my lungs abruptly. There... There it is. Although, the sensation of his being is so weak and fragile that I can hardly feel it. Thank God he's still alive.

«Please... Help me».

A shiver runs through my whole body and anger takes hold of me before I can help it. His voice sounds so hurt and needy, I'm sure I'll tear out the eyes of the culprit of his pain with my fingers as weapons only.

«I need you. I can't...».

—Fuck! — my fist hits the wood of my desk and I hear it creak. My hands and feet are chained and I'm witnessing my partner's suffering first hand without being able to do a fucking thing about it.

I close my eyes, take another deep breath and clench my jaw tight. «Calm down, Alexei. He needs you now». I repeat myself over and over again like a mantra, trying to summon up the courage I know I will need to keep facing this.

«Calm down, kitty. Think of me. Go to our place, with our tree. Where it's just you and me».

Quiet. Damn torturous silence.

Though I can sense his presence. The beating of his heart, his shortness of breath, and... Fear. Fear so palpable that it makes my skin crawl and I shudder violently. I place a hand over my heart and under my palm I feel the accelerated rhythm of the beating.

«I can't. He... He is holding me back. He won't let me go».

He? So it's a man. The anticipation of knowing who's taking him captive is so intense it makes me sweat.

«Who, Xander? Tell me. Tell me and I swear I'll come for you».

«Magnus, help me!».

Nothing. I don't feel anything anymore... Nothing at all. The bond is off again. I lost touch with Xander once more.

—Damn it! — I stand up and wander from a place in my office like a caged lion.

I'll find you, Xander. Whatever I do, I will find you.