Chapter 54 Heat - Day 3 (Night)
-This is wonderful, Magnus - Xander moaned, taking a big bite -. Mrs. Ewa is very talented.
Alexei had ordered the cook at The Mansion minutes ago to send them food. Now they were both sitting on the bed, with the huge tray full of different dishes and desserts between them.
-Yes, although her talent was formed over the years. When I came to this place, she couldn't prepare even a simple soup - smiling nostalgically -. I have no idea why Yurik never fired her.
-Whoa, she has that much time working here? - His eyes are big with amazement.
-Yes, though I don't know how long she was here before Fredek and I arrived.
-How old were you, Magnus? - A little cautious, he didn't know if Alexei would be willing to share that past with him, but curiosity was part of his feline nature. To his relief, he got an answer.
-Seventeen, and Fred was almost thirteen - he took a morsel to his mouth, chewing slowly, keeping his eyes on the plate.
-You were very young.
-Only in age - his throat working while swallowing, did not hide well the contempt that filtered into those words -. What we had to face before we got here forced us to grow up before our time.
-How did Yurik find you?
-I was robbing a small shop, about to leave with the loot until one of his bodyguards came in and found me - he looked up at Xander -. He almost killed me, until Yurik entered the store and intervened - he smiled as he took a piece of one of the cakes with a spoon and brought it to Xander's mouth, who welcomed it gladly -. I don't know what got into him, but instead of kicking my ass, he asked me to work for him. I thought about telling him to go fuck off, but I had a little brother trapped in a hellhole that depended on me, and after careful consideration, I realized that there was no way I was going to get out of that store alive unless I agreed. So I did. That same night Fredek and I moved into The Mansion.
Xander ran his tongue over his lips to remove the cream from the cake he had on them, Alexei slowly followed the movement.
-And how did Fred react?
-It was hard the first two years - running a hand through his hair -. He was scared all the time and talked only to me. But Yurik had enough patience and willingness to earn his trust and in the end, it worked. We both loved him as if he were our real father... I would have given anything to be like that - Xander put a hand over Alexei's and his fingers intertwined normally.
-And... Your real parents? - bites his lip, he wasn't sure if he had the right to ask such a thing. The silence went on for so long that Xander thought the Alpha wouldn't answer. Alexei kept his eyes fixed on their joined hands, with a scowl. Finally, he took a deep breath and his lips moved.
-I never knew my mother. I don't know anything about her, I have no idea what she looks like, I don't know her name and I have no clue if she ever gave a shit about me. And my dad... - Xander felt the grip on his hand tighten a bit, he noticed the Alpha's body tensing and his chin muscles throbbing from the pressure -. He was forcing me to get into street fights. He used my wolf to get money so that he could keep on getting drunk - his eyes went to a blind spot in the room, seeming absent -. We lived with Fredek's mother, but she never cared and didn't intervene every time he did what he wanted with us.
-Fred has never spoken about her - he whispered.
-And I doubt he will. None of his memories with that woman are pleasant. Honestly, if mine was like that, I'm glad I didn't meet her.
-And what happened to your father?
-I didn't hear from him again for years after we left - he paused, unsure if he should tell him something so personal about his cousin. Determined that Xander would never betray him or say anything inappropriate, he continued -. Did you know that Yaakov had a sister?
-Yes? - Xander asked in amazement, until his expression changed to a somber, scowling frown -. Had?
-She died - the silence extended for a few seconds that seemed eternal to Xander -. It was a few years ago. He, his sister Katya and Fredek were kidnapped by one of our enemies, who shot her in the back - his gaze dropped to their hands again -. She didn't survive.
-I'm sorry, honey - caressing his cheek with his free hand. Alexei leaned over to the touch and had to clear his throat to continue.
-The fact is... At her funeral, my father showed up - rage taking over his body -. He wanted us, after all these years of fucking with our minds and not giving a shit about us, to just forgive him and be a happy fucking family - he snorted in frustration -. Believe me, Xander. I had to work hard and pray to all the saints I know not to lose control and break his neck right there - Xander did not doubt it -. Fredek managed to calm me down enough and convinced me to leave, not without first taking Yaakov with us. He was so depressed that we were afraid he would do something stupid if he remained alone.
-And what happened next?
-Nothing... We left and I haven't heard from him since. And I prefer to keep it that way.
-You never investigated or tried to get information about him?
-No - sharp, already feeling uncomfortable and upset that all the attention was on him. He had never told anyone so much about his past, not even Yaakov knew exactly all the details about it.
But with the beautiful Omega, he had difficulty keeping the brain/mouth filter closed. He felt the need to confess, especially after Xander was so honest with him about his life at the boarding school.
-Enough about me, kitty - he released his hand and placed the tray with the now-empty plates on the table beside the bed -. Now, come here - patted his legs and extended the arms. Xander crawled in his direction and sat astride him, sank the face into his neck, and began to purr, as Alexei wrapped his arms around his waist. Alexei sighed contentedly, tucking both hands under Xander's shirt and leaving soft caresses on his back -. Why do you always wear loose clothing? - he asked after a few minutes.
-Because the vast majority of the clothes I have are borrowed.
-What? - Taking him by surprise -. What do you mean? - Xander pulls away a little to look him in the eye.
-When I escaped from the Suvorov, I lasted a long time without a roof over my head. I had to steal many times to eat or dress. A long while later, I met Derek - he stopped when he felt Alexei tense at the sound of that name -. I was in a coffee shop, hacking into a businessman's bank account, and I didn't realize I was being watched.
He smiled as he remembered how stupid and careless he was back then. He was lucky that it was Derek and not someone who could have hurt or reported him to the police.
-When I was about to leave, he stopped me and offered me to work for him. I said no, but then he offered me a place to live, with three meals a day and earn a good amount of money if I did everything how and when he told me.
-So he was your boss?
-At first, yes. When I started living with him, he got me the jobs and the clients. After a while, I started doing it on my own.
-And that didn't bother him? - Alexei asked, puzzled.
-When he found out, a bit. But then he let me be. I gave him my share of the rent and cooked for him - Alexei didn't think those words would bother him so much.
-And the clothes? - praying that the answer wouldn't make his anger worse.
-Well, I didn't have many belongings. He lent me his, and I got so used to them that they are all I have worn since then.
-Are you telling me that everything I've seen you wear since you got here, belonged to him? - Xander didn't overlook the rude tone used, and how he emphasized it when he referred to Derek.
He knew that the relationship between the two was a sensitive issue for Alexei. Whenever it came to the surface, he reacted badly and became defensive. Just as he knew that once the claim was made, the possessive side of his Alpha would only increase, characteristic of his wolfish nature. Nervous, he only nodded in reply.
-Fuck - Alexei sighed, running a hand across his face, trying to calm down.
-I'm sorry - he said quietly, averting his gaze.
-Hey - his Alpha cooed, lifting his face with a finger under the chin -. I'm not mad at you, kitty. But this has to be fixed as soon as you can get out of here. I don't want my Omega running around in another Alpha's clothes. Got it? - Xander smiled and took Alexei's face in his hands, leaving a sweet kiss on his lips.
-As soon as I get out of here, I promise.