Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Saturday, April 20th. Meeting room, 6:55 p.m.

ALEXEI

—Our man keeps in touch, any changes or developments in Dimitri's plan, he will inform me — Adrik notifies, with the same efficiency as always.

—Perfect — Yaakov nods in agreement —. All the preparations have been made and the men are more than ready — he confirms the time on his wristwatch —. If we want to be on time, we should leave now.

—Good — I stand and adjust my jacket —. Fred and Lev will stay with Xander. The rest of you know what to do.

—But why don't you ever let me go out and have fun now? — Lev squeals in anger, jumping out of the chair, arms crossed over his chest —. I'm perfectly capable of kicking a few asses, even more so if they're human.

—Please, Lev — my cousin pinches the bridge of his nose, and Xander giggles —. Don't start.

—Shut up if you know what's good for you — gives Yaakov a killer stare —. I'm going to rust from all this inactivity, I don't even remember how to aim anymore.

—I don't think that confession will help your cause much, Lev — Xander laughs harder.

—Oh, by the Moon. Alex, let me go. Please — joining hands like praying and with pleading eyes that do not affect me.

—No way, the decision's already been made. We're almost ready to go, Lev. You can't leave Xander unprotected.

—Well, no. But...

—But nothing — I cut him off before continuing —. We don't know how things will turn out. We must be prepared for any situation, and that includes you staying here and protecting my partner. Don't bother opening your mouth again, it won't do any good.

—It's your turn to look after the chicks, Mummy Lev — Nikon's mocking, standing up.

—I'm sorry, Lev — Xander whispers after noticing his annoying face. Lev sighs and his body loses some of its tension.

—It's all right, baby boy — smiles —. Orders are orders, after all. We'll find something to amuse ourselves or go and bother old Ewa again.

—She loves Xander and me — Fred says —. You're the only one who bothers her.

—Me? — Lev whines, outraged, and I'm already getting bored of this pointless discussion —. But if I'm adorable, everyone loves me.

ticking, so everyone get to your posts.

help protect us — his eyes don't meet mine and seems a bit insecure —. Do you have a problem with that? — Xander pinches me in the side, being

have to open the mouth to reveal a request for

them — his gaze rises quickly

me —. Thank you, Alex — mumbles, and leaves. Finally Xander and I

whisper once the door closes —. Come back to me,

— sobs and my heart compresses inside

Tremors dominating his body.

his head tilts back to see me and I take the opportunity to wipe the thin tears from his face with my thumbs —. I

anything, Xander — I put a kiss on his nose —. It'll be all right. We're ready for this. So I need you to be strong and trust me. Okay?

Magnus — replies with

me take care of everything. In a few hours, you'll have me back and you can take advantage of me any way you want

mine is also yours — bends and rubs his nose with mine —.

transmitting through that sweet and explosive kiss our emotions and feelings. Never wanting to part, even though we both knew that in the end,

cousin's voice lowers, seems ashamed to have interrupted. I nod in his direction

waiting for you — promises, then kisses me again, albeit for a shorter duration this time and

on his face, I realize that it took him a great deal of strength to do it, I immediately feel the cold from the loss of his warmth. I want to tell him something, anything that will help ease the burden I know his heart has right now. But I'm afraid if I do, I'll fall apart myself. Unable to get away from

that no matter what it costs me and who I have to go through, I will keep it. When I arrive at the entrance, several cars are parked with the engine running, waiting for my order to leave. Yaakov and I will lead the way, being followed by Nikon and Adrik in the company of Luca and Maxim. In the vehicle behind them, Derek is with

armored vans loaded with heavily armed men ready to face whatever awaits us once inside the

hour to reach the entrance of the

not taking his eyes off the

best he could, considering the circumstances — I sigh as I recall his red eyes and the look of sadness on

wheel —. He told me if I got hurt, he'd put me on abstinence for three months, man — his

imagine — I tease, rolling my eyes and focusing on

still don't watch him —. My balls will end up blue. They could even fall out of disuse!

have a working hand, don't you? — I gesture with my fist up and down at crotch level

— there's not a trace of fun in his flat voice or serious countenance —. I can see your mood is lousy — then, adds in such

over with, Yaak, and put Dimitri's eyes out with my

and continue to watch the panorama. The rest of the journey goes by in a heavy silence and although I am in

the time we reach the edge of the forest, we turn off the lights of the cars and park them near a creek surrounded by huge trees and big bushes, perfect for hiding the vehicles. We all step out, making as little sound as possible, even though we are far enough from the mansion to not be detected. Still, we don't want to take any chances.

for The Gang, the vast majority of my men are wolf shifters, although I never intended it to be that way. I imagine that as the Alpha that I am, they came to me with the idea of being part of a pack. But my team also includes shifters like rhinos, gorillas,

will be completely capable of handling the situation by calling in their animal side,