Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Chapter 27 - Recovery in Progress

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...

—That's enough, both of you — I 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 don't have to return to prevent these two from killing

themselves.

—Hey, Alex! — Nikon screams just before we get out of his line of sight —. That Angelo guy came by a

while ago!

—What? — I ask Yaakov —. Where is he?

—Didn't you see him? — he asks me, puzzled —. I thought he'd go to your office.

—I was not there, when I found you, I was coming out of my bedroom.

—Well, maybe he's gone now — he suggests, shrugging.

I disregard the matter and go my way. The greenhouse on this base was built to provide food in case it

was risky to leave the facility for any reason.

Yes, a bit paranoid, but quite effective and useful, and the meals taste better when cooked with natural

ingredients.

—Did you know Angelo was coming? — Yaakov asks, interrupting the silence after a while.

—He didn't bother to warn. 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 up whenever he feels like it.

—He may have wanted to see Xander again — he says in a seemingly innocent tone. As if I didn't

know him well enough.

—That's enough, stop trying to create crazy, absurd ideas in my head — I scold and tap him on the

shoulder.

—Hey, but it may be true — rubbing the area where I hit him —. Have you even begun to analyze the

idea a little? Maybe...

—Do you want 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 keep your insinuations and unfounded assumptions to yourself.

—Okay, damn it — raising the hands like he's giving up —. I'm just saying.

—Well, don't. I trust Xander with my life — I cut him off and to my relief, we walk the rest of the way in

silence.

The greenhouse is located in one of the most remote and extensive areas of the installation.

The roof is covered with reinforced glass, to allow the sun to enter, 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 in charge of

keeping the plants and trees hydrated.

When we enter, 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 the distance, the

beautiful view I receive is breathtaking.

He stands next to a vine 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 white skin in a pattern of shadows and

lights that make him look like an angel. I am mesmerized by the look of him.

But not only that, but 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 my days.

Then he realizes my presence, but I have completely lost track of time and I don't know how long I've

been there, simply appreciating his immaculate beauty.

—Hi, honey — he blesses me with a beautiful and radiant smile that warms my heart, I notice that he

carries in the right 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 get some more.

—I was worried when I didn't find you by my side when I woke up — I put one of my arms around his

waist, drawing him closer to me, then I caressed his cheek —. But from the bond I knew you were fine,

so 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 tell.

—Yes. I'm fine, Magnus — he smiles and kisses me again —. I just want to try to get over everything

that happened and never talk about it again — he bites his lower lip and looks away nervously —. Did

you finish watching the video?

—No, kitty. I told you we'd avoid it — he sighs with relief and looks at me again with those beautiful

blue eyes.

—Did you find anything useful in the remaining video?

—Oh, yes — a mischievous smile is drawn on my lips as I recall my precious discovery. Xander gives

me a curious look, but I don't want to reveal anything until I confirm it —. For now, I'll keep the secret to

myself — my smile widens when he pouts —. I'll tell you everything when I get back.

—I can also just watch the video.

—But if you do, I'll have to punish you for being a bad kitty — he smiles flirtatiously, licking his lips

gently. He almost fooled me, but 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

laughs, at least I'm relieved that I was able to take away his fear with that joke.

He surrounds my neck and without saying anything, he joins our mouths. He tries to take control, but in

the end, he submits and lets me take over. Our tongues dance together in a slow and sensual dance in

perfect synchrony, his body losing tension between my arms.

—It's like watching live porn! — Lev's shrill voice interrupts our magical moment and I growl in

frustration once the kiss comes to an abrupt end —. But don't stop. I want to see! — crossing the arms

on his chest. Xander laughs, backing away to gain distance and the sight of his red, swollen, glossy lips

only makes me want to eat him whole.

—Don't you know the concept of discretion? — I ask in annoyance. He approaches us and puts one

arm around Xander's shoulders. His body tightens momentarily and his face hardens, 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 is coming back to me.

—Come on, Alex — Lev rolls the eyes —. Stop being so grumpy for once in your life. There's nothing

wrong with seeing as long as you don't touch — he says, chin up proudly.

—Does Yaak follow the same logic? Because I could swear that...

—Don't you think it's getting late, Magnus? — My cousin intervenes rapidly, watching his phone with

feigned interest —. We should get going if we want to get back soon.

—Won't you stay for lunch? — Xander asks with disappointment.

—No, kitty. There's something we have to do — He was about to reply, so I hurried on —. Don't worry,

we'll get something to eat on the way — He sighs resignedly and nods reluctantly.

—Okay, let's go then — Yaakov says goodbye with a kiss to Lev and turns in the direction of the exit.

—I'll be back soon, kitty — I bend over and kiss him too, before following Yaakov.

XANDER

I watch him leave, and even though he just left me, I miss him already. I would have liked to have spent

the day with him, but I hope that the discovery he has made is advantageous enough to use against

Dimitri.

—Well, pretty baby — Lev clapped once to get my attention —. Let's take this to old Ewa and have a

delicious breakfast, I'm starving.

I nod and follow his lively pace. Once we arrived at the kitchen, Mrs. Ewa had already prepared most of

the breakfast, she was just waiting for what Lev and I brought. I was a little surprised not to find Fredek

here since we always had breakfast together. I imagine he must be immersed in the Arsenal, designing

a new explosive, so I decide to look for him later. That is until Lev sets out to make new plans for me

once we've finished eating.

—Come, baby boy. Walk with me — holds my hand and despite I am about to refuse, in the end, I

decide to go.

I like spending time with Lev, I enjoy how fun and cheerful he is and the adventurous and witty spirit he

has. He's always willing to try new things, even though I didn't expect at all what he had planned for me

when I got stuck in his room.

—What?! — I shout in surprise, seeing the wide variety of hairdressing tools carefully arranged in his

dresser —. You must be joking, Lev. I won't change the color of my hair.

—Why not? — frustration seeping into his tone —. I'm all set and I'm very talented. Didn't you see how

I left Fredek? — A few days ago, he helped Fred change his reddish hair, to a light brown shade. I have

to admit that he looks really good, it brings out the slightly tanned tone of his skin and his features look

more contoured. But that doesn't mean it works on me, too.

—I don't know — I answer unsure, playing with one of my tufts between my fingers —. I'm very

attached to my black hair. Besides, I don't want to abuse it.

—I promise no harm will come to you — he holds my shoulders and leads me around the room until I'm

sitting in front of the desk —. It's always good to get a makeover to mark a new beginning, Xander —

he's standing behind me, looking at me through the mirror —. Do you trust me? — His face doesn't

reflect it, but I detect a slight hint of insecurity in his voice.

—Of course I do — he smiles as he gently massages my shoulders.

—Then let me do this for you. Yeah? — his gaze seems a little distant, as if he wanted to tell me

something, but he changes it to his usual confident expression quickly and adds —.Besides, I know the

perfect style for you. You'll make Alex drool, you sweet baby — I watch my black hair in the mirror and

run a hand through the strands, pulling back. Well, I guess a change wouldn't hurt after all.

—Okay — I say after a brief pause to say goodbye to my black hair in my best dramatic act.

He squeals and applauds repeatedly in excitement. When he finally manages to calm down, he places

a large black cape on me and ties it around my neck, without exerting much pressure. Then he wears

some gloves and looks at my reflection.

—Ready? — I nod and he smiles —. Good. Relax, and let the talented Lev take care of

everything.