Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Earlier that day.

ALEXEI

When I woke up, Xander wasn't by my side, which puzzled me a little. Last night he had to revive some of the trauma that happened under Dimitri's claws, and he was quite exhausted. I thought he'd sleep soundly today, but it seems I was wrong. I check the time on my phone and it's ten to nine. If he woke up at the same time, as usual, that means he's been up for about two hours.

I stretch out before getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. I brush my teeth, take a fast shower and go outside with a towel around my waist. I choose a suit from my closet and put it on, properly fitting my tie and wearing a pair of black polished shoes. Once I'm ready, it's 9:15, and Xander still hasn't returned, so I grab my phone from the nightstand and leave the bedroom.

The corridors are quite busy with henchmen, moving from here to there, following the strict orders I gave them to keep the base safe. After spinning around a corner, I see Yaakov in the distance talking to Mark, one of the oldest guards in the organization, so I approach them.

—Good morning, Your Majesty — he greets me with an amusing smile, saying goodbye to Mark, who leaves after a brief bow —. Someone's sheets were stuck again.

—Fuck off — I accompany my insult with the pleasant sight of my middle finger —. Have you seen Xander?

—No — checks the hour on the clock on his wrist —. Maybe he's with Fredek. They usually have breakfast together when you oversleep, which is, every day — I nod, without wanting to argue, and we start walking towards the Arsenal.

—I need you to come with me to a place in twenty minutes, so get everything ready — I'll tell him as we turn into one of the corridors.

—Where to? — Taking the phone out of his jacket, then he moves the fingers across the screen.

—You'll see — a smile of satisfaction crosses my face as I remember the great discovery I managed to make last night while Xander was sleeping.

I can see the Arsenal in the distance, so I'm speeding up the pace.

I don't want to leave without saying goodbye to Xander. With only a couple of steps to go, Nikon appears in our field of vision, with his characteristic carefree walk.

—Wow. The bosses honor us with their divine presence? It's not often we see the two of you around here — sticking the hands in his trouser pockets.

—You talk like we've been on this base forever and this is the sewers or some shit — he shrugs, not answering directly —. Have you seen Xander? I need to talk to him.

—Yes, Lev took him to the greenhouse. Supposedly, they needed to pick some herbs for the cook.

—Fuck, what a pain in the ass, Magnus — Yaakov's complaining, making a pitiful face —. The greenhouse is a long way from here.

—Maybe you can use the exercise to get that tummy of yours down — Nikon snorts humorously, pointing at Yaakov's stomach. My cousin, reluctant to take the bait, fights back.

—I could get Adrik to help me. I'm told he's very skillful with a few moves — turning his hips obscenely, while I notice how Nikon's face goes through a thousand colors until it ends in a furious red.

—You piece of...

stand between them and put a hand on each chest —. I don't have all day for this, so let's go, Yaak — I'm turning away from the Arsenal. After a few seconds, I feel Yaakov's footsteps behind me, which is a relief since I

line of sight

Yaakov —.

— he asks me, puzzled —. I thought he'd go to your office.

was not there, when I found you, I was coming

he's gone now — he suggests,

built to provide food

effective and useful, and the meals taste better

Angelo was coming? — Yaakov asks, interrupting the silence after a

But when has he done it, anyway? — I still give my phone a quick scan just in case. Nothing, as I suspected. He just shows

says in a seemingly innocent tone. As if I

create crazy, absurd ideas in my head — I scold and

it may be true — rubbing the area where I hit him —. Have you even begun to analyze the idea a little? Maybe...

me to hit you again? — I threaten him with a low, somber tone, which he promptly denies with the head —. Well, then shut the fuck up. The last time I took your advice, I almost lost my partner. So you better

the hands like

with my life — I cut him off and to

in one of the most remote and

above it, with an extensive network of stainless steel grids crisscrossed to prevent unwanted guests from entering. Right in the middle a long path to be able to move through the place, with small folding showers

the fruity, springtime smell floods my nostrils, but I am immediately able to detect the sweet scent of my Omega. My feet move automatically and I no longer feel Yaakov's presence behind me, he's probably gone to look for Lev for himself. When I finally spot Xander in

with red flowers, dressed all in white, except for his bare feet. The sun's rays filtering through the leaves, branches and petals, bathe his

capturing the image in my mind, absorbing every tiny detail, every subtle movement and gesture he makes, feeling a growing pride in knowing that he is mine to love, care for, and worship until the end of

but I have completely lost track of time and I

hand a wicker basket full of a varied range of herbs —. I'm sorry I didn't wake you up — when he shortens the distance between us, stands on the tip of the toes and kisses me softly —. I wanted to surprise you by taking your breakfast to bed, but Mrs. Ewa was running out of ingredients in the kitchen, so I accompanied Lev to

I didn't panic — he laughs and leans over to my touch like a small kitty hungry for affection, which is just what he is —. Is everything all right? — referring to what happened last night, which although I don't want him to remember everything again, I need to know if it didn't affect him more than I could

I just want to try to get over everything that happened and never talk about it again — he bites his lower

we'd avoid it — he sighs with

you find anything useful in the remaining

precious discovery. Xander gives me a curious look, but I don't want to reveal anything until

just watch the

the poorly disguised fear in his irises is all I need to know that this step has to be postponed further —. Stop provoking me like this, you little pervert — I growl at him and

he submits and

want to see! — crossing the arms on his chest.

but it's so fast that I barely notice it, and I must admit I'm relieved. His recovery is going well and slowly the Xander I knew

the eyes —. Stop being so grumpy for once in your life. There's nothing wrong with seeing as long as