Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Thursday, April 11th. Angelo Dalaras' Country House. 6:15 a.m.

Something felt different that morning. Alexei, his mind still in the haze between sleep and consciousness, frowned in surprise even with the eyes closed. The smell around him was different. It smelled of pine, lavender, and a hint of freshly cut grass. It was not the usual silence that his ears caught, but the singing of happy birds, noisy cicadas, and what seemed to be a playful dog in the distance.

But there was something that felt good. It sensed right, like that's where he belonged, like his organism was demanding him for more contact... There, with his partner in the arms. «Perfect», he thought, feeling the body heat that his little Omega shared, the rich fragrance of cinnamon and chocolate that his body releases, the softness of his skin and the flawless rhythm of his chest, under the palm of his hand, as it climbs up and down in parsimony while his lungs work for air.

His eyes opened, allowing him to get a glimpse of his partner's still-sleeping face. He looks much better than he did the night before. The dark circles under the eyes have disappeared, the skin appears healthier, and even the hair has regained some of its shine and silkiness. Very slowly, wishing not to disturb his sleep, he pulled the sheet aside to assess the rest of his body, relieved to realize that the other wounds have also almost completely disappeared.

The only persistent ones have been those on the wrists and ankles. He imagined it was because they were so deep and had crushed and abused the flesh so badly, but to his relief, it was not something that could not be eradicated as long as he continued to feed the Omega with blood. Even better was to feel like the wall that was preventing the connection of the bond was gradually disappearing. Xander's emotions were growing inside Alexei and he was now able to convey his own.

The thoughts were still a little blurry, but it was only a matter of time before the suppressors lost their effect entirely. Xander stirred and his eyelids fluttered, opening his deep blue eyes and smiling towards his Alpha, who returned the look full of tenderness and love, of the one that only he was able to provide.

—Good morning, kitty — his voice was still deep and raspy from sleep, but that didn't stop him from transmitting the joy in his chest at that moment.

Xander smiled and huddled even closer to him. He wrapped one arm around the Alpha's waist and the other on the neck, letting a tender kiss on the chest, just above Alexei's heartbeat.

—Do you feel better? — he asks, quietly rubbing Xander's back, sinking the face into the shiny strands of black hair. A simple nod was the response, but he was still relieved that his partner was now much better.

That was the only important goal for him now, to be able to repair any broken pieces in Xander's emotions, put things in their place, and do the best to bring him back to happiness.

Xander tilted the head back to look at him. He placed one of his hands on the firm cheek of his Alpha and closed the space that was missing so that their lips could meet.

The kiss was slow, sweet, sincere and yet the passion and desire made its presence felt. Alexei knew very well that it would take a long time for Xander to be able to give himself back to him without suffering physically or being tormented by the memories of those dark moments. But he was willing to wait as long as necessary.

Though that doesn't mean the excitement wasn't there, especially when Xander's sweet taste made him drunk with lust. Before he could do anything out of place, he gently parted, leaving a brief kiss right on the tip of his button nose.

—Come, kitty — he stood up, feeling the cold of the wood under his feet —. Let's go take a bath.

Xander nodded, smiling he got up too and followed his Alpha to the confines of the shower once more. Before opening the tap, Alexei turned to him and looked at the small devices in Xander's ears, who lowered his unsteady gaze to his feet.

—We have to get some that are waterproof, kitty — rubbing his fingertips against the BTE's —. I don't like how vulnerable they leave you every time you have to take them off.

Xander nodded, still with the head down, feeling a little uncomfortable and sad. He knew Alexei didn't like his disability, but there was nothing he could do to change that aspect of his being.

capturing the sadness through the bond, placed a finger under his chin, urging him to raise the head and

and down movement

that the fact that you are deaf is a problem for me, you are wrong — said the Alpha, as if he had read the line of thoughts crossing his mind

on the tip of his toes and smiling, left a sweet kiss on his lips,

love. So stop creating crazy things inside that head with an IQ of one

the same with Alexei's, finally extending the palm to feel his

but he loved that special, intimate way of expressing how much

them on the side shelf filled with shampoo and conditioner bottles, so they could start

they came out twenty-five minutes later and the Omega with the small devices back in his ears, a new change of clothes for each was diligently placed on the bed. He imagined that it must have been Rosé who left them there, or at

put on the shoes, watching Xander do the same thing much more calmly. Once they were both ready, Alexei held his Omega hand between his larger hand and led them both out of the room and

and rolls flooded his lungs, causing his mouth to turn to water. He stopped

any time you start to feel suffocated, need to leave or get sick in any other way, you tell me without hesitation. Okay? — Xander nods in response —. Good. Remember that I'm here for you — promises quietly, as he gently holds him in the arms and puts a gentle kiss on his forehead —. You're what I need to keep going, the love of my life, my support. You're the other

back and his Omega's eyes are wide open

rapidly to chase them away and still refusing to speak, he just smiles sweetly and nods, before placing a small kiss

hand again and leads them both to the dining room —.Good morning — announces, and just like yesterday, Yaakov and Angelo are sitting at the table with Rosé handling the kitchen utensils. Xander lets go of his hand and rushes to help

Angelo greets him, folding the newspaper he

and he... — Yaakov gestures toward Xander —. He looks incredibly better. Did you feed

taking a seat at the table —. Last

— his cousin's voice fading, shaking the head slightly and rushing on —. Lev called me, he says everything's fine over there, so

that? — Alexei pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration while Yaakov moves uncomfortably in the seat. Reluctant to look up, he still does, and finds Xander with a confused

the matter —. What do you plan to do today, Angelo? Will you go

sighs —. I have to go visit my mother, she called me and said she wanted to see me. In fact... — verifies the time on

At that moment Xander approaches, leaving

—Thank you, kitty.

—. We should talk privately as soon as you have time, Magnus. There's something I have to tell you

don't doubt to consult Rosé, I'm sure she'll take care of you as you

him in the calf under the table, receiving a low squeal of pain and a look of

without major inconveniences and in complete silence. When they finish,

Yaakov quietly announces to him before heading

gluing the chest to his back, and leaves a gentle kiss on his neck. Xander tenses for a few seconds, stopping all movement, until he realizes that this