Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

Chapter 22 - A Peculiar Bond

Kitchen of the New Facilities, 3:25 p.m.

FREDEK

I should be happy. Yeah, I should be very happy. Xander's finally back, my brother and I have managed

to work things out after many years apart, and I've finally found my partner... Or is it the other one? Or

is it both? Oh, my God! I don't understand a damn thing that's going on.

Before this morning, I was clear about what I had to do, had a horizon, steps to follow so that I could, at

last, be with the Alpha of my dreams, and perhaps, in the future, have many puppies. To live in a nice

house in the country, to get out of the organization, and have a normal life. But now... Now what? All

those fantasies have vanished into thin air since he showed up. Ever since his gaze connected to mine,

my legs wavered and my world turned upside down. Angelo Dalaras.

What's this supposed to mean? Derek's not my bonded partner after all? But if he isn't, then my body

shouldn't have reacted the way it did when I first met him, or shouldn't be in my thoughts constantly, or I

wouldn't dream about him every time I go to sleep. I don't understand. I'm stuck in a limbo with no hope

of getting an answer to help keep my sanity safe. I don't know what I need to do. Do I keep trying to win

Derek over, or do I let Angelo court me? At least he seems genuinely interested.

Derek gives me a bunch of confusing signals. During the time that Xander was kidnapped, he remained

indispensable at my side, offering me the shelter my soul longed for and the protection I required.

However, whenever there was even the slightest chance of a breakthrough, he would immediately step

aside, totally frustrating my attempts. It hurt every time that happened, and the advice Xander gave me

was the impulse and the initiative to keep trying, but now, I just don't know... I don't know if it's worth it.

When I hurried out of the meeting room to avoid being questioned about something that I did not know

the answer to, I ran straight to the new arsenal. It was a relief that neither Xander nor Alexei followed

me, because honestly, I have no head for dealing with anything or anyone now. And if it weren't for the

fact that after hours without touching food my stomach wouldn't demand it with a roar that even I was

surprised, I would still be there bathing in my unsolved sorrows and riddles.

—What's the matter with you, boy? — Mrs. Ewa, the cook, asks me with concern, patting me on the

shoulder, pulling me out of my reverie —. You've been sitting there for half an hour and you've barely

taken a couple of bites out of that sandwich.

I look down at my plate and realize she's right. I don't even remember taking that couple of bites in the

first place. I let out a heavy sigh, unsure of what to say, or if I want to do it.

—Would you like to tell me about it? Maybe I can help you — the good woman smiles at me, and even

though I try to smile back, I know that it probably came out more like a deformed grimace.

—I don't know — I sigh again —. Even I don't understand the situation I'm in.

—Well, tell me about it then — by taking a seat next to me on the kitchen isle —. Sometimes talking

about our problems is better than keeping them quiet.

—It's just that it might surprise you once I tell you. Seriously, it's not something you'd hear every day.

—Boy, this old lady has managed to see a lot of things in this place over the years — says, pointing a

thumb at herself —. There's nothing you can tell me that will surprise me — her confidence gives me a

little comfort —. Now, what is it?

—Well — I start, although I'm not quite sure how I'm supposed to continue —.It's just that, a few days

ago, I met someone, he and I had this sort of... Connection.

—Continue.

—I felt... You know, all that tingling in my body, his smell drove me crazy and I couldn't stop thinking

about him for a single moment. It was something really special — I smile when I remember the first

time I met Derek —. But today...

—But today...? — she makes a gesture with a hand to encourage me to continue, I run a hand over my

frustrated face and wet my lips as they suddenly become dry.

—I met someone else today and... Something similar happened to me with him. His smell drove me

wild and my Omega was almost desperate too, it's like he was... I mean — I babble uncontrollably, old

Ewa looks at me so intently that I begin to get more nervous than I already am —. I mean... It's

possible that…

—Is it possible for you to have two partners? — ends up for me. I nod, unable to utter any more words

and a little surprised by her calm reaction while I'm about to go into spontaneous combustion.

—. Yes, it is — her serene expression, with a gentle voice, while I almost choked on my tongue —.

These are quite peculiar cases, they don't happen all the time, but yes, they can happen.

—Are you...? — my mouth opens and shuts like a fish, I'm sure if I spread my eyes a little wider, they'll

pop out of my head —. Are you serious?

—Do I look like I'm joking, kid? — Even the corners of her mouth don't move when she sees me with a

firm, severe expression —. I'm completely serious, I'm almost a hundred and thirty years old. My father

used to be the shaman of my village and when I was a child, I saw a case like yours.

—Really? — She nods —. So, what happened? — Genuine curiosity rising within me.

—Well, like in your case, they were two Alphas, but the Omega wasn't a he, was a she. A beautiful,

pretty girl with dimples on her cheeks, one of the most precious in my pack — suddenly her

countenance becomes dark and distant —. The two Alphas fought each other to claim her, which is

understandable, no Alpha would expect to have to share their partner with anyone else.

I try repeatedly to swallow the knot that has been created in my throat, although, I fail miserably.

—In the end, they challenged one another, and as a result of the duel, one of them died — her gaze fell

on the hands and her voice dropped a little —. As a result, the girl suffered a lot, and despite the fact

that she still had one of her partners around, her misfortune was so great that she was unable to

overcome it.

—What happened to her? — I ask, after a few long seconds of silence, though I don't want to hear it, I

need to know.

—Her heart could not bear the sadness and helplessness no matter how much her other partner tried

to encourage her. And one day it just... It stopped beating — the breath stayed halfway down my neck

and a cold shiver ran through my body from head to toe.

—Are you saying that if I don't get to be with my two partners, I'll die of misery?

—I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but... — finally her eyes rise and connect with mine

—.Most likely. The bond created between an Omega and his Alpha, or his Alphas for that matter, is

sacred. There's nothing that can break it, nothing that can undo it. If you reject or refuse to be with

either of them, you will be so sad and miserable that your animal side will not be able to withstand the

misery. It's inevitable, child. Mother Moon has chosen this for you and them.

—My God, what am I going to do now? — my trembling, unsteady voice. I close the eyes and sink the

face into my hands as I feel her patting me again. Soon the tears begin to appear and wet the skin of

my palms.

—Unfortunately, I can't give you an answer, boy. It's not for me to decide, only you can do that —

brings the chair closer to me and puts one arm around my shoulders —. The cards are laid, it's up to

you to choose your fate. Just remember that it's your life and your happiness that's at stake. You

shouldn't think about anyone else but yourself, and those two Alphas, when you're about to give the

last word - damn it... Why did this have to happen to me?

If my life used to be complicated, now it is a complete, extensive, and complex labyrinth from which I

am struggling to find my way out. At that moment, the kitchen door opens and a Lev in all his glory

makes his sudden appearance.

—I'm ready, sweetheart — his voice cheering, I hear his footsteps coming closer and closer —. Let's

start with my... What's going on? — I raise my eyes and see that a marked concern is written on his

face.

—Adelicate situation with the youngest of the Magnus — Mrs. Ewa strokes my hair slightly and gets up

—. Don't you begin to smother the boy, you chattering cockatoo. Let him be — her tone is firm, though I

notice a slight hint of mockery.

—I told you to stop calling me that! — Lev accuses her, crossing the arms over his chest with a slight

pout —. I'm a peacock. Is that so hard to understand? — He looks at me again, and his voice becomes

softer —. What's the matter, baby? Why are you crying?

—Here we go again — the cook mumbles in annoyance, rolling her eyes before turning around to

commence cooking dinner.

—It's nothing, Lev. I'm fine. Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

—Usually one doesn't cry for sport, Fredek — he sits in the chair previously occupied by Mrs. Ewa and

points at me accusingly —. Tell me what's wrong with you, don't make me tie you up and inject you with

my special truth serum recipe. I assure you it won't be pleasant at all.

I sigh and resign myself to telling him everything, but without going into too much detail, just what is

necessary for him to comprehend the complexity of the situation. By the time I finish, I imagine that this

is how my face looked when I heard the whole story told to me by Mrs. Ewa, totally astonished and

unprepared.

—What a lucky little fox you are! — Well... That was the last reply on my list of "unexpected answers"

—. I would never have imagined that was possible, Fred. I'm so jealous!

I hear Mrs. Ewa snorting as she continues to move the ingredients into a pot on the stove and I look at

Lev in disbelief.

—What the hell are you talking about?! — exploding without being able to stop it —. Do you have any

idea of the mess I'm in?

—No, since you obviously haven't told me everything. So, drop it now.

—What do you mean? — dodging, babbling like an idiot.

—You haven't said who they are. So you better spill it all right now. Don't make me prepare the syringe,

Fredek Magnus — Mrs. Ewa stops what she's doing and turns to see me. Well, I guess both of them

are interested to know. Right now I can't decide whether to laugh or cry.

—One is Derek and the other...

—Derek?! — Lev screams in a mixture of astonishment and dread —. Derek Von Kleist?! — I nod

—.Xander's friend?! — I nod again —. The same one Alex brought in and used as a bodyguard?!

—Yes, fuck! — I'm screaming back at him too.

—Oh, no. This is not good — running a hand across his forehead, dramatically pulling back a lock of

hair —.Okay, and the other one?

—Angelo Dalaras.

—What?! — He jumps up and I'm truly afraid he might have a heart attack —. But for God's sake,

Fredek. You certainly know how to choose.

—Stop bothering the boy, you cockatoo — the cook scolds him —. He's got enough on his plate to deal

with.

—And the things you're lacking, baby — Lev snorts, fanning himself with one hand.

—What are you talking about? — I'm not sure his answer will be good for my overloaded heart.

—You still have to tell Alex.

«Goddamn it».