Chapter 41 Destined Souls
Sunday, March 24th. Xander's bedroom. 6:25 a.m.
When Xander collapsed, Alexei's heart nearly jumped out of his chest, quickly cradling him in his arms and carrying him to his room. The Alpha made sure that he received the necessary medical attention, even though Lev, after a quick check-up, insisted and assured him that it was nothing serious.
They let him rest comfortably after giving him a couple of painkillers. Alexei refused to leave and stayed up all night watching him, although, to his relief, Xander slept peacefully. Little rays of sunshine filtered through the thick curtains of the window.
Xander groaned and shuffled restlessly between the sheets as he began to regain consciousness. His head was throbbing from the shooting pain in his temples and when he opened the eyes, he had to blink several times to get used to the surroundings.
It took him a while to realize that he was in bed, safe in his room. It was just after dawn and a grumpy Alpha was asleep in the chair at the side of the room, despite being in an uncomfortable position. Slowly, he sat down and began to massage his forehead with the fingertips in an attempt to lessen the twinges of the headache.
Just then, as if he had felt the movements, Alexei wakes up and adjusts himself, trying to wake up. Both of them look at each other carefully, analyzing one another, transmitting with their glance the things they had trouble pronouncing.
Xander's chest felt oppressed, suffocated, he couldn't help but remember all the hurtful words that had come from those lips that had once made him feel like he was floating, loved, and worshipped. Looking back at his hands, he had to blink several times to chase away the tears that threatened to come.
He didn't want to embarrass himself with Alexei even more, so he got up quickly and locked himself in the bathroom. He brushed the teeth and performed his routine normally, forcing his heart to return to its normal rhythm.
He was hoping that Alexei would be gone by the time he got out, but unfortunately for him, he wasn't. The Alpha was now standing, looking out the window at something. Xander felt a chill run through his body while contemplating his perfect profile. As much as he wanted to force himself to hate him or extinguish the feelings he had for him, he couldn't.
It was useless... He was in love with him to the core, even though he was despised in such a cruel way. When Alexei turned in his direction, he refused to look back. Trying to crush the nerves, he set out to give Cooky food.
Taking the small plate, the cat immediately began to rub his legs, knowing that he would soon be fed. Xander filled the bowl with food and, as always, left it by the bathroom door, stroking Cooky's head as he began to eat.
The Omega stood there, watching the cat, when he could no longer think of what else to do to distract himself from the other man's presence. Suddenly, he felt a strong hand surrounding his arm, which made him startle. When he raised the face, he discovered that Alexei was watching him in confusion.
He saw those attractive lips move, but couldn't hear what he was saying, and understanding came quickly: he didn't have the BTE's. A glance at the nightstand on the side of the bed gave him a glimpse of the two devices. Releasing from the grip with all the delicacy he gathered, he went to the furniture and adapted them to his ears.
-You were saying something? - he asked the Alpha, ready to sound indifferent, folding the hands behind the back to hide how nervous he was, although it was a fact that his smell gave him away.
-I was asking how you feel - his voice was low and subtle, looking at him with concern.
-I'm fine. Thank you, Mr. Magnus.
-Are you sure? - receiving a simple nod in response -. We were all concerned when you passed out - He slowly approached him and Xander shrank more and more into place. Every step Alexei took was another step he took backward until his back hit the wall and he had no more room to run.
When Alexei stopped, he was so close that he could feel his breath tickle his skin. Xander did not dare look at him, afraid he would weaken and end up crying again. Though the Alpha had other plans. With a finger under Xander's chin, he slowly raised his face until their gazes met. The Omega felt as if his lungs were suddenly empty, trapped by those beautiful deep brown eyes.
-What happened to you? - Xander shuddered with that low, completely seductive voice, swallowing hard to bring down the thick knot that formed in his throat.
-The... The man Rocco was with... - the Alpha's eyebrows joined in discomfort as he recalled the images reflected on the monitor yesterday.
-Do you know him? - he asked in astonishment. Xander quickly nodded his head -. From where? - he pressed a little harder, curiosity invading him despite all.
-The boarding school - his eyes became crystal clear as the memories of the past filled his mind -. He... He was the one who raped me - Alexei's eyes opened in shock, recalling everything Xander told him about the time he spent at the Suvorov and how it had affected his life.
An instinct of possession and protection quickly overcame his body when thick, salty drops began to slide down the Omega's cheeks.
Unable to avoid it, he pulled him towards his body and wrapped both arms around him, covering Xander in a warm hug.
-Shh. Easy, kitty - running the fingers through his silky hair - Xander's body trembled in his arms as he sobbed, the tears wetting his shirt -. It'll be all right - his body was suddenly pushed apart. He was shocked by Xander's sudden reaction, who now looked at him in anger, fists clenched at his sides, and breathing heavily.
-What the hell is wrong with you? Are you insane? - accusing him, narrowing the eyelids and mumbling -. One day you treat me like a whore and now you pity me. What the fuck are you playing at, Magnus? - Alexei runs a hand through his brown hair. He figured Xander might react that way. He took a deep breath, releasing the air slowly before speaking.
-Listen, Xander - he started to say, making sure to keep his voice quiet -. I know I behaved like an idiot...
-You think so?! - he shouted indignantly -. Idiot comes up short, Magnus, very short. I can't believe how much shit came out of your mouth that day. And not to mention that you didn't even give me a chance to at least know why you were so upset - pointing his chest repeatedly with a finger -. Do you have any idea how helpless and humiliated I've felt since then?! - He rushed over and hit him in the chest, forcing Alexei to take a few steps back -. No, of course, you don't!
-Xander - his jaw tightened and muscles tensed, he knew Xander had reasons to be angry with him, but still, his wolf was outraged by the treatment he was getting -. Calm down a bit, please. And let me explain...
-Fuck off! I don't need you to explain anything to me - shaking the head repeatedly -. I know our agreement in the beginning was just sex, Magnus. But it meant more to me... Much more - tears were shed again, it was useless to try and clean them up when more were appearing -. I... I fell in love with you - Alexei felt like the ground was moving under his feet.
He stood like a statue while he watched Xander in incredulity. Not because he didn't believe him, but because all of his brother's words were repeated like a broken record in his head. «Fuck, Fredek was right», he thought with regret. Before he could respond, Xander kept talking.
-Now I realize how stupid I am. Believe me, I've tried to hate you, especially after our last meeting. But I can't... - sobbing, letting out a broken sigh -. And I curse myself every day for not being able to do it! - started walking quickly around the room -. And I curse you for making me feel this way! What more do you want from me?! - he suddenly stopped as he stared at the Alpha with contempt -. How much more do you need to humiliate me, Magnus?! What the hell do you want?!
-You, goddamn it! - the Alpha screamed so loudly that his throat stung, when he could no longer tolerate the suffering that dominated the Omega. Silence fell and both men stood still in their positions.
Xander's eyes were open, with an expression of amazement and skepticism, chest still rising and falling rapidly, cheeks and the tip of his nose were red from crying.
-You - repeated Alexei now quietly, as he slowly approached -. I want you - as he stood before him, cuddled Xander's face in his hands and wiped away the tears with the thumbs. He was afraid the Omega would push him away, but that never happened -. Xander, I'm... - breathed in a mouthful of air to gain the courage to speak the words -. I'm in love with you, too.
-What? - the Omega hesitated, his voice coming out in a faint whisper.
-I'm in love with you - he replied slowly, feeling his heart thundering inside the chest -. I'm sorry I treated you like that, I had a lot of shit on my mind and instead of coming to you... - he was silent for a few seconds, feeling like an asshole for letting himself be carried away by his cousin's words and his primitive jealousy of his animal side -. I don't know, I just... I'm sorry. Do you think you can forgive me?
-Jesus, Magnus, I don't... I-I don't know - shaking the head, placing the hands on top of Alexei's hands that were still holding his face, but with no intention of removing them -. You hurt me a lot - the feeling of uncertainty grew in the Alpha's chest.
He wanted to be by Xander's side, he wanted to be his partner, and he was willing to do anything to obtain his forgiveness. The Alpha had a hard time admitting his feelings, he felt exposed, but he hoped that Xander would realize that he was giving them all to him.
-Please, Xander - the words felt strange coming out of his mouth, his eyes almost closing, longing to taste the thick, seductive lips of the Omega -. Please, forgive me.
-Magnus, I... - but before he could refuse, Alexei pulled their faces together and melted them both into a hungry, passionate kiss.
Their breaths mixed, their pulses pounded wildly while their lips expressed those powerful feelings. Alexei brought the hands to the lower man's narrow waist and drew him closer to his body, while Xander, with trembling palms, circled his neck and held the hair of the nape, drawing him closer. The Omega felt his lower lip being subtly bitten, asking for permission, which he did not bother to deny.
The Alpha's tongue invaded his mouth, receiving a moaning reply that made his body feel warm and the excitement quickly overtook him. God, it felt so good, he'd missed being with Xander so much. Both tongues massaging each other, tasting one another, absorbing the flavor of the opposite, causing wet obscene sounds. After a few seconds of enjoying such a fiery kiss, they managed to separate but keeping their foreheads together, longing for closeness.
-Does that mean you forgive me? - Xander chuckled a little, and Alexei couldn't help but sigh with relief.
-No. Not at all - he caressed Alexei's neck with subtle strokes of his digits -. But it's a good start - Alexei wanted to put Xander in bed and make love to him all day, at night and in the early morning, but there were matters of utmost importance that had to be dealt with as quickly as possible.
-Xander. I don't want to pressure you, but we have to take care of the matter with Rocco - he separated so that he could look the Omega in the eyes, noticing immediately the concern in his features and how his body became rigid.
-I know - Xander conceded in a nervous whisper, that if Alexei wasn't so close, he wouldn't have been able to hear him.
-Do you think you can handle it? I can tell Reiji to take care of it if you...
-No, it's all right - smiling weakly -. I can do it - Alexei stroked his cheek and Xander couldn't help but close his eyes and lean in for the touch. His heart swelled and he felt alive again. It was amazing, the way that Alpha made him feel.
-Now, let's concentrate on making that bastard of Dimitri Zhukovski pay.