Chapter 37 Be Discreet, Yaakov
Sunday, March 17th. Xander's room, 9:18 p.m.
-What the...? - Yaakov hesitates, eyes open with shock, holding the doorknob wide open -. But what the hell, Magnus?!
-Will you shut the fuck up and close the door already?! - Alexei screams at him in a whisper, jaw clenched and mumbling, all while he's still in bed naked next to Xander.
Slowly, very slowly, his cousin closes the door. He tried to lock it to prevent anyone else from entering, but forgot that the lock was removed when Xander was given the room. He was praying that no one else would think to come in right at this awkward moment.
Alexei separated from Xander, got out of bed, and started to get dressed. The Omega, on the other hand, covered most of his body with the sheets, with the back leaning against the base of the bed. He was very nervous, he had no idea how Yaakov was going to react to this whole situation.
-Very well - he dared to say as he passed his gaze between the two men, Alexei had just closed the last button on his shirt -. Now, can you explain to me what the hell this means? - directing the attention to his cousin.
-There's nothing to explain - Alexei says with his sharp tone and scowl, putting both hands into the trouser pockets -. This is none of your fucking business, so you can forget about what you saw already.
-Fuck, Alexei! - The Alpha was surprised to hear that his cousin called him by name, he had never done so before -. How can you say that? - He was outraged by Alexei's treatment. Besides being his bodyguard, he was his cousin, part of the family, his friend and partner. The lack of trust hurt him deeply -. You forget that I have to keep an eye on the safety of your ass. That means I have to know where, with whom and what the fuck you're doing!
-Keep your damn voice down, Yaakov. There's no need for the whole fucking mansion to know what's going on - he walked slowly over to where he was, looking him straight in the eye. His cousin noticed the pulse beating in his neck, but he forced himself to stay in the same position, not being intimidated -. You will tell absolutely no one about what you have seen. Is that clear? - his low, intimidating voice.
-You can go fuck yourself - Yaakov grunts, pointing a finger right at the center of Alexei's chest -. You may be my boss, but I remind you that I am also your family. You should have told me. Do you think I'm stupid enough to betray you? I'll take any of your secrets to my grave, Alexei, and you know it. Is there some special reason you kept this from me?
Both men were so close that they could feel each other's body heat, speaking so softly that Xander could hardly hear from where he was.
-No - he answered bluntly, Yaakov waited for him to add something else, but when he realized that it was not happening, his discomfort only increased like a tide.
-Are you kidding me?! - Yaakov demands, screaming. He walked away from his cousin as he headed for Xander -. Can you explain to me what the hell this is about, Xander? Cause obviously, I'm not gonna get any answers from this bastard - pointing a thumb over his shoulder at Alexei. Xander shrinks in place, a little hesitant to join the conversation.
It was obvious that the situation required him to intervene, but not only was at stake that Yaakov's interrogation would end up revealing his existing feelings for Alexei (which would be catastrophic since, according to him, it was clear that it was not reciprocated), but the relationship between the two Alphas was in danger as well and, if he said something wrong, everything could go to hell.
Just as he was about to speak, Alexei took Yaakov by the arm and turned him abruptly, both of them standing very close again, their bodies tense and challenging each other with their eyes.
-Keep away from him - he warned, voice low and threatening, squeezing the grip even harder on his cousin's arm -. He's mine. Don't touch him, don't look at him, don't talk to him.
Xander almost choked with surprise when he heard those words coming from Alexei's lips. Even though he was a little scared as everything was quickly getting out of control, he felt a warmth expand in his chest. It felt good to see Alexei defending him. Maybe, just maybe, he could reciprocate his feelings. But he had to be sure before he even thought about confessing.
He had to find a way to discover how the Alpha felt about him.
-You're being ridiculous, Magnus - Yaakov accused him, with every minute that passed he felt more offended by his cousin's attitude -. I would never hurt him. What the fuck do you take me for?
Alexei felt a bit guilty at the sight of the pained expression that crossed his cousin's face, although it was quickly replaced by an angry one. He knew he was being irrational, but when he saw the threatening attitude Yaakov had while approaching Xander, his judgment was clouded and his wolf quickly surfaced in defense of his Omega.
«Wait... What?», he thought, both amazed and confused that he thought of Xander as his Omega.
For God's sake, he didn't even know what to call whatever was going on between them and now his wolf was claiming him without any clue as to Xander's emotions. He had to control himself if he didn't want the situation to get even more out of hand. First things first, settle this matter with Yaakov. Then he'd find a way to get Xander to confess.
-Please stop it - Xander intervened, getting out of bed, squeezing the sheet to cover his naked body, got in the way of both Alphas -. You two need to control yourselves. It's no use fighting each other - he glanced at both men, pleading for them to stop. Finally, Alexei loosened the grip until completely releasing him.
-We need to talk, Yaakov. But not here, wait for me in my office - The cousins watched each other for a few seconds, Yaakov thought of telling him to go to hell again, but curiosity got the best of him and eventually, resigned, he nodded and left the room towards Alexei's office.
The Alpha lets out a sigh as it looks closely at the door. Whenever he was in a stressful situation like this, his headache would come back to haunt him. He could already feel the pulses in his temples.
-Are you all right? - Xander asks with a hint of uncertainty, placing a hand that wasn't holding the sheet over the Alpha's shoulder.
-No - says, the Omega could hear the tiredness and resignation in his voice, then he looked at Xander who was watching him cautiously -. Damn, I didn't expect him to show up here. He's usually in his room with Lev by now.
-I must admit I was surprised too. He had never come here before, whenever he wants to talk to me he goes to my place of work - he put a hand on his cheek, caressing Alexei's cheekbone with the thumb -. I can go with you if you want.
-No, it's okay. I need to talk to him, convince him somehow not to open his mouth - he couldn't help but lean on the caress, it felt good, it calmed him down somehow.
-Well, I don't think you'll have to put much effort into that, honey - Xander snorts, smiling at him -. Yaak is very loyal to you, he may be angry with you, but he would never betray you. Just try not to lose your temper while you're talking to him.
Honey.
Honey.
Honey.
His brain couldn't process the rest of what Xander told him. He had called him by a loving nickname, and it felt... It felt good. The word was bouncing around in his mind now, like he was being mocked. For God's sake, Xander could make him feel like an idiot drooling over cheesiness. He cleared his throat and swallowed the knot of emotions that accumulated in his neck.
-I must go - looking away, not wanting Xander to see how that had affected him -. The sooner I get this sorted out, the better - he picked up the vest from the chair where he had left it and put it on.
-Okay - Alexei could hear a hint of disappointment in his voice, but he ignored it, he had to concentrate on solving the situation with Yaakov first.
-I'll see you later - while going out as fast as he could. He heard Xander say something, but couldn't make out his words because of how quickly he ran away. When he arrived at the office, Yaakov was sitting in his usual chair, smoking a cigarette. He closed the door and sat down in front of him, behind the desk.
-Well? - His cousin said after a few seconds of silence, he was still offended by Alexei's reaction to him -. Will you tell me now what the fuck is going on between you two?
-We have some time together - crossing the legs, leaning against the back of the chair.
-Together? - Frowning, expressing his confusion.
-Sex.
-For how long?
-Some time - Alexei repeats sharply. As much as he wanted to clarify the situation, he wasn't ready to give him all the details either. Yaakov nods slowly with a thoughtful expression. Alexei says nothing, giving him time to process everything.
-I was surprised by your attitude towards me, Magnus - he finally spoke, puffing on the cigarette and slowly blowing off the smoke -. I'm your employee, but above all, I'm your family. I consider you my brother, I would never intentionally do anything to harm you. The fact that you've kept shit like this from me gives me a reason to think that you don't trust me and that's screwing me up like you have no idea.
-I understand... And I'm sorry - Yaakov's eyes open wide, he would never think in a million years to see Alexei Magnus apologize to him for anything -. I don't distrust you and I know you will never betray me, you are my right hand and my best man. It just... - he pauses, trying to find the words to express himself, he was never good at confessing his feelings -. Fuck, I don't know. The situation with Xander just came up. I've never hidden my affairs from you before and you know it. But I didn't want anyone to find out and draw the wrong conclusions.
The silence falls again between the two. Alexei felt a little bad about how everything turned out, the last thing he wanted was for Yaakov to think he didn't trust him, which was completely wrong.
He would put his life in his hands without thinking, he didn't figure that hiding what was between him and Xander would hurt him like this.
-It's all right - Yaakov finally concedes with a resigned tone. He was still a little upset, but he had to admit that he was relieved that the Alpha apologized. He loved him like a brother and was not going to let this situation weaken their relationship -. But don't let it happen again, Magnus. You know perfectly well you can trust me. And if I'm honest, I suspected something was going on between you.
-What are you talking about? - The very thought that others might also be suspicious made him extremely uncomfortable.
-Well, considering how you reacted so possessively when you talked to Derek and how you've treated him since he agreed to work for you, it's a little obvious - Well, he was right. After Xander managed to convince Derek to work for him, he assigned him a guard post at the other end of The Mansion, just to keep him as far away from little Omega as possible.
-Fuck... - resigned, while pinching the bridge of his nose.
-Hey, easy buddy - his cousin consoled him, putting out the cigarette on the desk ashtray -. If you know how to control yourself, no one else will know. Although, I understand your attraction, Xander is fucking adorable - with a wide smile that immediately faded when he saw the Alpha looking at him in anger -. For God's sake, Magnus... You're not in love with him, are you?
He tried to hide how much those words affected him... Because, hell, he was. He was in love with Xander and the revelation felt like a bucket of cold water was thrown at his naked body. But he couldn't admit it, not even to Yaakov. Yes, he was going to hide something from him again, but he wanted to confirm how Xander felt first.
He wasn't going to let himself be exposed without being sure.
-Of course not, man.
-Good - Yaakov sighed in relief -. And you better not, friend.
-What do you mean? - he asked in confusion.
-Come on, Magnus. He's a cat, unlike us, who give ourselves to one partner for the rest of our lives, they go from here and there - making gestures with the hands while talking -. They are never with the same person for long. It's their feline nature, after all. Promiscuous like no other - shrugging as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Alexei felt completely dazed. He didn't want to believe his cousin's words were true, but the uncertainty of not knowing Xander's feelings didn't work in his favor. And then, there was the fact that it was the Omega who seduced him and got him into bed, setting the stage for their nocturnal encounters.
«Fuck. How could I have been such an idiot?», he thought. Of course Xander didn't have any feelings for him, it was just lust. Complete and profound lust, there were no feelings there. Remembering that one of the conditions was not to kiss and that Xander told him that he didn't want to get emotionally involved.
And he, like a stupid fool, allowed him to slip into his heart.
-Magnus? - Yaakov asked him after a few minutes of silence -. Are you okay?
-Yes - he replied quietly, staring at the desk -. I'm fine.
«No, nothing's fine».