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...

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

get out of his line of sight —. That Angelo guy came by

ask Yaakov —. Where

him? — he asks me, puzzled —. I thought he'd go to

found you, I was coming out

he's gone now —

my way. The greenhouse on this base was built to provide food in case it was risky to leave

quite effective and useful, and the meals taste

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

anyway? — I still give my phone a quick scan just in case. Nothing, as I suspected. He just shows up

he says in a seemingly innocent

ideas in my head

hit him —. Have you even begun to analyze the idea a little?

Well, then shut the fuck up. The last time I took your advice, I almost lost

hands like he's

with my life — I cut him off and to my relief,

most remote and extensive areas

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

no longer feel Yaakov's presence behind me, he's probably gone to

rays filtering through the leaves, branches and petals, bathe his white skin in a pattern of shadows and lights that make him look

gesture he makes, feeling a growing pride in knowing that he is mine to love, care for, and worship until the end of my

time and I don't know how long I've been

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

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

try to get over everything that happened and never talk about it

I told you we'd avoid it — he sighs with relief and looks at me again with those beautiful blue

useful in

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

can also just watch the

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

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

magical moment and I growl in frustration once the kiss comes to an abrupt end —. But don't stop. I want to see!

around Xander's shoulders. His body tightens momentarily and his face hardens, but it's

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