Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

ALEXEI

—Angelo — I have to fight to be able to pronounce the words through the thick knot that has been created in my throat —. For God's sake, tell me it's not true... — he lowers the gaze and begins to twist his fingers nervously on the lap.

Yaakov rests the elbows on his knees and drops his head between the hands.

—Shit... — I hear him whispering. I jump up and walk in long strides across the room.

I have trouble breathing, my body feels stiff and tense, sweat drops begin to slide down my forehead and my pulse beats rapidly in my neck.

I remove the coat from my suit, my tie and throw it somewhere, too immersed in my turbulent thoughts to care.

I release three buttons from my shirt and try to make the air fill my lungs

—Magnus, stop — My cousin's voice causes just a distant sound echo in my head. I can't see anything, I can't hear anything. I feel only anger. Red, thick, toxic, rotten anger. Images of Xander being hurt, tortured, outraged and humiliated mock my sanity with disturbing constancy.

My claws begin to extend at the ends of my fingers, the hair on the back of my neck gets longer and so do my fangs. My breath is shaking incredibly fast and my lucidity seems to leave me with the same speed.

—That's enough! — Yaakov puts the hands on my shoulders and squeezes hard, shaking me. That's when I notice the smell of blood... I'm bleeding —. Stop it! — My claws have pierced my palms, making red drops fall on the clean wooden floor, and I don't know at what moment I have torn the fabric of my shirt, causing long, thin scratches to pierce the skin of my torso.

—Yaakov, I need... — the words come out practically in grunts, my wolf tearing me apart inside, trying to take over —. I need to... Run — He stares at me and I notice the understanding gaining clarity in his features. He nods slowly and the grip loosens, though he still doesn't release me.

—It's okay. Just make sure you don't spend the night out — he leans closer to whisper —. Remember, Xander still needs you.

Nodding, unable to formulate the words, blinking quickly to chase away the persistent tears that threaten to come out. Yaakov holds me by one arm and guides me to the exit. I don't know if Angelo is following us and honestly, I'm not interested at this moment.

What I need now is to give some relief to the weight that has just settled on my shoulders. By the time we get out, the sun is already setting on the horizon and the sounds of cicadas and birds flying around the property are present.

I take a deep breath, trying to retain the change a little longer.

—On the way here I could see a small creek over there — points out the direction I should take —. You can wander around there peacefully, but don't do anything crazy, Magnus. Do you understand me? — I nod again, biting my lips so hard that the metallic taste invades my taste buds —. Give some relief to your wolf and when you return, I'll make sure I have new clothes and food for you and Xander.

and I start walking, towards a pile of trees on the side of the house,

shoes, and release myself. The change subdues my human side, leaving the domain to my animal one. Suddenly, I no longer have feet or hands, but paws. My ears are now long and pointed, my snout extended with a keen sense of smell

reach the small creek that Yaakov mentioned. The water is crystal clear and surrounded

approach it and allow my legs to get wet with its warmth. Sadness takes hold quickly and without limit in the solitude that surrounds me. I suffer

to Mother Moon. The strength and the intensity make me feel as if my throat is tearing, my claws are dipping into the ground under me and I ask for resistance, which seems to have abandoned me.

to protect his

I return, still in my animal form, Yaakov is waiting for me, sitting on a chair at the entrance to the house, a pair of clothes resting on one thigh, and a cigarette is held between his fingers, leaving a small cloud of smoke dissipating into

moment, gathering the courage I feel lacking, until Yaakov looks up and notices my presence. He extinguishes the cigarette with the sole of the shoe,

stand inches away. I invoke my human side and feel the changes take over my body once again. Until I am finally on

once I can speak, when in reality I want to cry out and learn how to appease the burning pain in my heart

worn-out black jeans and a pair of shoes —. Cover yourself up and join us for dinner — I slide the clothes over my skin until my figure is

wine invades my nostrils. In the dining room, Angelo sits with a laptop on the table, wiggling the fingers skillfully on the keyboard. Yaakov passes by me and sits down next to him. In the kitchen is Rosé with big oven mitts reaching down to her elbows, pulling a tray with a golden cake out of the oven. Xander is beside her, stacking a couple of plates and placing several pieces

that almost hides his little hands, with black pants just like mine, with gaps that expose the skin on his knees. He is

if it's because he's concentrated on the task at hand, or because he hides something more intense behind those beautiful blue eyes. My heart is pounding in my chest as I watch him more and more, the feeling of failure take over. He turns on his feet and

smiles... And it is the most sincere and radiant smile I have seen on his beautiful face since this morning and one of the many I have missed from him since he was taken from me. Quickly runs in my direction and surrounds my neck with the arms, I with mine

again as I bring us both closer to the dining room —. Did you cook? — he moves the head up and down, nodding at my question. I still worry about his

for dinner — Xander steps away from me, pulls out one of the chairs, and points to it, indicating to me to take a

place them in front of each other. Xander sits next to me and gets so close that

further towards me. And so, in this uncomfortable position, we finish our food. Yaakov and Angelo help pick up

she smiles at me and addresses Xander —. Make sure you apply the cream like I told you and take the pills. Okay? — Xander looks down at the hands

—Thanks for everything.

— she discards, her smile widened —.Good night — By the time we close the bedroom door, Xander seems a little anxious or nervous. I

—. Don't you trust me? — He opens wide the eyes and rushes to nod —. Then what is happening? — His lips move and for a moment, I have hope

black notebook, a string with a pencil attached to it. He opens it and begins to write on one of the pages. When he finishes, lifts it, letting me see

chill seizes my body, but I don't let it reflect in my expression

I won't let anyone hurt you — shakes

a faint gasp. I read and reread the message on the worn

never happen. You're my partner. You know I love you — his eyes turn crystalline and as he starts scribbling again on the

the middle of the sentence. As much as I try to understand what it says, I can't, so I hurry to read the rest —. "My body is not the same as it used to be... You