Chapter 17 The Opposite Poles...
Saratov. Wednesday, February 23rd. Xander's apartment, 3:59 p.m.
-Oh, sweetheart! - Lev exclaims, finally understanding his concern -. Don't worry, The Mansion has a special isolation area for that, you won't need anything. Besides, you'll have my help - patting him on the shoulder, with a smile that strangely had a calming effect on Xander.
-What do you do in the organization? - couldn't help but question him.
-I'm a doctor. Although very nimble with a knife and I'm not being presumptuous - he was, completely -. Okay, enough talk. We'd better hurry or else Alex will be angry and believe me, it doesn't take much effort to make that happen, but it does take a colossal effort to make him happy again - with a little laugh -. Besides, you must be hungry, so come on.
Pulling on his arm, both Omegas leave the apartment. Xander was uncertain as to what the hell he was getting into, but it was something he was forced to do. After all, he was careless, didn't follow his instincts as he usually did, and ended up digging the hole that would bury him with his own hands. He had to find out who the fuck was the puppeteer in this whole play and get him dethroned once and for all, before he caused any more damage.
Besides, since he was in front of Alexei Magnus, all his thoughts have been saturated with the incredible but terrifying Alpha. He couldn't sleep the whole night he was left in the basement, not only because he was alert in case they wanted to surprise him with another nice (not at all) bucket of ice water, but also because he couldn't understand how this man, whom he only knew by his creepy reputation, would have so altered his emotions.
He'd felt the desire from other Alphas before, of course, he had. Many times, even Derek, but nothing could compare to this. His skin tingles when he's near him and his smell, rich, pure, masculine, penetrating so deeply into his lungs that he wanted to settle permanently in his neck, so he could smell it all the time.
Which was fucked up, he was sure of that. Because, what the fuck? They didn't have even 24 hours of having met.
Magnus Mansion. Meeting Room, 5:45 p.m.
Alexei had the members of The Gang together, discussing what their next move would be to unmask the alleged Viktor Vasilyev and his purposes for daring to act so brazenly and recklessly. The bastard did not love his life, for he was willing to put it on the end of a fucking machine gun without stopping to consider it.
Nikon's wound was already healed enough that he could walk without bending over or protesting with every step. However, he complained when he lasted too long without moving or making sudden movements, so for now he tried to be relaxed. Adrik sat next to him, protective and attentive to his every need.
To Alexei's right, as always, was Yaakov and at the other end of the desk, mute as usual, Fredek. For long minutes of talking and chatting, they kept going round and round in the same place.
-Damn it! - exclaimed the dazed Alpha -. Forty minutes in the same meaningless shit and we're still stuck. I refuse to admit that the fucker responsible for my headaches in the last few days goes unpunished - he roars in anger, pounding his right fist hard on the desk -. Even if we have to look under rocks, I will get that motherfucker and squeeze the last drop of life out of him with my own hands.
Everyone in the room remained in deathly silence. They knew that when Alexei Magnus made threats like these, he always followed through, without exception, even if it took him years to carry out his bloody revenge.
Then a cheerful Lev and an already tired Xander, who was allowed to bathe and change clothes before attending the meeting, burst into the office. The little Omega was wearing a simple red long-sleeved sweater, along with some ripped black pants. Alexei swallowed thickly at the sight of him, delineating every curve of the Omega's silhouette with focused detail.
His stylized legs with thick thighs, narrow hips, and curved buttocks stand out prominently through the tight jeans. Everything else was covered by the excess fabric of the coat, but the Alpha already knew his torso by heart, having appreciated it during the interrogation in the basement. He had to make an effort to divert his attention, though it didn't take long for something else to alert him.
-What the hell is that doing here? - he demanded, pointing to the furry creature that followed Xander closely, tinkling the bell that hung around his neck as it bounced -. What the hell is that cat doing here, Lev Serkin?
-He is mine, Mr. Magnus - said Xander, who stopped abruptly a few steps from the door at the rude words.
-And who the fuck permitted you to bring that... - he points again as he gets out of his chair to look at it with a scowl -. To my mansion?
-Come on, Alex - Lev grunts in frustration, putting the hands on his waist -. It's just a little cat, not an atomic bomb!
-So it was you who allowed him to? - he protested irritably -. You could have asked me first, damn it.
-Magnus, calm down - his cousin warns him, standing up slowly -. You are my boss, yes. But Lev is my Omega, and I don't appreciate you treating him like that at all - he said in a low tone of advice, making clear his obvious annoyance at his attitude, justified or not.
-What the...
-Mr. Magnus - Xander suddenly interrupts both Alphas, trying to calm the hostile energy floating in the air -. I promise you it won't cause any trouble, you won't even notice he's here. Cooky is very calm and if he breaks or damages anything, I take full responsibility.
Both men stare at each other for long seconds, neither wanting to give in before the other. «The boy is brave», Alexei admitted to himself. It's not like every day someone dares to answer him, much less if he's upset or they've just met him. He was about to respond when he realized an important fact.
-You can hear me? - he asks with a frown, his eyes narrowed. Xander nods, gesturing toward his ears.
-I had some spare ones in my apartment. They're not as good, but at least they allow me to listen.
Alexei breathed a resigned sigh, before sitting back in his chair. Lev and Yaakov follow him, although Xander stands there not knowing what to do or how to behave. He sighs, deciding to stop standing there like a fucking lamp and takes up one of the free chairs he found.
But instead of sitting next to the others, Alexei watches in amazement as he pulls it away from the desk and settles down on the side. Immediately after sitting down, the furball jumps to his legs and curls up, while Xander gently strokes its head.
-Fine - he reluctantly accepts, then lights a cigarette and lies down on the chair, being decisive and specific in adding: -. But if I find out that it is responsible for some disorder or that it broke or damaged something, it goes away. No protests, no whining, King. That kind of shit doesn't work on me - pointing at him with the same hand that was holding the cigar. Xander simply nodded, lips pressed into a thin line -. Well, now that you're here, do you have any ideas that might be helpful to us in starting the search for the alleged Viktor-Fucking-Vasilyev? - by taking a deep breath into the nicotine straw.
-As I said, the e-mails he used are untraceable...
Using a firm tone and devoid of any emotion, which in a way reminded him of Fredek. He always looked Alexei straight in the eye and that left him at a crossroads. He didn't know if he liked that, as the boy proved to be brave and ready to face whatever shit was thrown at him, or if he disliked it because it could be taken as rebellion or defiance.
But it was so deep that he felt like Xander could see through him. It was the second time in his life that he had met someone with that kind of power, the first being Yurik Ivanov, his mentor. He moved uneasily in the chair as Xander continued to explain:
-But there is a possibility that the person who sent them could have been recorded in the vicinity of the places where I received the signal, through the cameras of some shop or business, or those of the transit system - he suggests, continuing with the caresses on the kitten's head -. The search will be exhaustive, but it can give results if we find the right angle.
-Well, that's better than nothing - the Alpha says as he puts the cigarette off in the ashtray next to him -. When will you get on it?
-As soon as I get my equipment installed. Do you have a place available for me?
-Yes. Lev - calls the Omega, sitting next to Yaakov -. Set up one of the rooms in section "B" for him.
-Wouldn't it be better to put him next to Reiji? - Yaakov questions, confused.
-If you don't mind, sir - Xander intercepts, standing up -. I prefer to work alone, preferably in a place completely cut off from the light.
-Wow, we got a demanding tiger - Adrik scoffs, getting an annoying look from Xander, which was completely ignored.
-I don't intend to be demanding - he protests with an accusation, trying to ignore the mockery and addressing Alexei again -. I'm inclined to work alone and even if I'm in the dark you can still watch me using infrared cameras - He ends by picking up Cooky from the floor, who had slipped off his legs when he got up so quickly from the chair and cradled it in his arms.
-Well, give all the details to Lev, he'll take care of it - Alexei says, sighing deeply -. You know Lev and since you'll be working for me, it's wise for you to meet the rest of my team... - but before he can even say a word, he is again interrupted. He made a mental note to eradicate that annoying habit of his new hacker.
-Adrik Utkin, Nikon Korovin, Fredek Magnus, Lev Serkin and Yaakov Kozlov - all while aiming directly at each of them -. I know who they are.
-Fuck! - Nikon exclaims in surprise -. I feel exposed! - crossing the hands on his chest, as if wanting to cover himself. And not only had he surprised Nikon, but everyone in the room, who, except for Fredek, looked at each other in amazement.
-Well, that's to be expected from someone who makes a living out of finding out about others - Lev concedes, shrugging -. We'd better go and prepare your new workplace, sweetheart. And bring your mini-me with you - he chanted, heading for the exit.
-Wait - Alexei requests, stopping their departure -. I have to talk to him for a moment alone, I'll call you if I need anything else.
Xander stood in the same spot as he watched everyone leave, mumbling things he couldn't catch. Alexei rises to his feet, approaching him slowly, his shoulders firm, issuing a genuine confidence in every stride. His heart began to pump at a rapid pace, his blood rhythm slowly losing control.
He instinctively pressed his arms to the chest, receiving a meow of disgust from Cooky, which made him realize that he was still holding it, so he gently placed it on the chair where he was sitting before.
When Alexei finished shortening the distance between them, they were so close to each other that he could feel his breathing, the light scent of his shaving lotion, and the aroma of him, intense and provocative. Leaning his head upwards to meet his gaze because of the obvious difference in height, nerves burst out of his belly at the calculating, penetrating glance he received.
-Will you behave, kitty? - his deep, raspy, hoarse voice. It ruffled every hair on Xander's skin, preventing him from being bothered by the ridiculous nickname (which everyone seemed to have claimed the right to call him anything but by his name), his pupils dilated and his mouth was suddenly dry.
-What do you mean, Mr. Magnus? - congratulating himself mentally on how steadfast he was, despite the sudden excitement.
Alexei felt a tingle in his calloused palms, wanting to touch, feel, squeeze... taste Xander's skin for hours. He reached into his trouser pockets in an attempt to avoid doing something he might regret. After all, they hardly knew each other and it would be best to keep their relationship strictly professional.
But then Xander pulled out the pink tip of his tongue and slowly ran it over his lower lip, leaving it shiny with saliva. The Alpha, following the seductive gesture with his eyes, felt a burning heat throughout his body, an electric shock that ended up in the top of his dick, gaining thickness and hardness, making it throb.
He provoked him, he incited him. He knew it, Xander wanted to be reclaimed too.
And it took a lot of his self-control not to give him what he wanted. Not to push him into the desk, rip off his clothes, and roughly penetrate him while holding his hips tightly and whipping his ass, making him scream his name. He swallowed thickly trying to control himself, before responding:
-That you'll do exactly your job, without trying to screw me over.
-Of course - Xander says with a slight smile, the ghost of a challenge in his blue irises -. That's what I'm here for, after all, Mr. Magnus - in a voice so low that Alexei could barely hear it.
-Good. And... - he pauses to lean his face over Xander's, just inches from his tentative mouth, pleased at the sight of his shortness of breath -. If you interrupt me again while I'm speaking, I assure you that I will whip your ass so hard that you won't be able to sit up straight for three days- with a cheeky smile, noticing how the Omega opened his eyes wide, his pupils dilated.
Alexei continued to approach Xander. The gap between the two was getting narrower and narrower, the tips of their noses barely touching as their eyes kept diving into each other's eyes, their breaths mixing, the pulse of both of them running wild, bathing in one another's body heat.
Until the sound of an incoming call from Alexei's phone on the desk pulled them completely out of the lustful cloud in which they had been encapsulated. The Alpha quickly moved away to attend to it, clearing his throat before answering.
While Xander grabbed Cooky from the chair and left the room, rushing to his assigned bedroom, trying to stabilize the turbulent intensity of the twisting sensations in his stomach and calm his restless heart.
«What the fuck? Get your shit together, Alexei», thought the Alpha.
«You're here to work, not to get laid, Xander», thought the Omega.