"Max has had Anna snooping around while he's recovering. He's managed to obtain the same documentation that we did from the pack archives a couple weeks ago," the white-haired Alpha informed the detective.
"Be specific," L grit his teeth in frustration as he eyed the younger man on the screen. "After all, there's been quite a bit of information we've discovered there recently."
Max must have had some contacts within the pack that even L was unaware of if he'd been able to gain greater access. The raven-haired male had to remind himself that even though he knew Max Volkov was a ruthless criminal, there were men and women who would overlook his unsavory background in exchange for the benefits of doing business with him. It didn't help that the Alpha could be incredibly charming when so inclined and was surprisingly high-ranked within the pack hierarchy as well, even more so back in Russia where the West Bank Syndicate had close ties with the Bratva there.
"The information regarding methods of bond breaking. To be even more specific, they seem to be particularly interested in how to ensure an Omega's survival in the case of their mate's accidental demise." Near responded.
"Accidental my ass…" L muttered quietly as he ran his thumb across his bottom lip.
Maybe Max really isn't going to let this go. He thought as he mulled over the options available to him to neutralize the other man. The detective knew that there wasn't enough hard evidence at the moment to put the West Bank leader in prison. All things considered, he'd still prefer to dismantle the organization completely rather than simply have the man eliminated.
It was well within his capabilities to have the man executed and it would solve his concerns regarding Max's unwavering pursuit of Light, however, leaving the Syndicate without a boss could lead to larger issues for many more people.
As much as L hated to admit it, Max appeared to keep his people tightly under control and inspired a fierce loyalty amongst them. The chaos that would ensue in the aftermath of the Alpha's death would likely cause a spike in criminal activity throughout the Greater London area, not to mention the impact it would have on West Bank's interests and dealings abroad, both legitimate and illegal.
I need enough evidence to take down the entire organization...
"Is Mello there?" L asked as he glanced back up at the screen. Near nodded and slid his chair to the side to allow the blond successor to pop into view.
"Yes, L?" Mello asked as he pulled up a chair. The detective's eyes narrowed at the uncharacteristically chipper tone, the nervous twitch at the corner of his smile. L was quiet for several long seconds as he let the younger man squirm.
There are only a handful people who could've pulled off helping Light escape to Japan. L thought to himself. You are one of the few who have met him and whom he might've reached out to for assistance.
"You know what you've done Mihael Keehl, and if you ever try something like that again I'll have you relieved of your position as one of my successors. Are we clear?"
"I…" The blond started to speak, a defiant flash in his eyes as if he were planning to argue with the other man. Surprisingly, the young Alpha managed to rein himself in and nodded in understanding as he looked at the screen. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"Good, because I'd hate to lose you, Mello. You have a great deal of potential, but you need to learn to make better choices."
"Yes, L…" The young man quietly responded. The raven-haired male wasn't sure he'd ever seen Mello quite so contrite.
"Now that that's settled, I need you two to work together on something for me…"
xxx
Beyond smiled as he kissed along the curve of Light's shoulder and received an answering squeeze of the Omega's hand where their fingers were entwined. Light let out a pleased hum and sunk deeper into the arms that wrapped around him. The older male nuzzled playfully at the nape of Light's neck as he reached it, eliciting a shiver from him. Beyond's thumb paused briefly as it brushed against the metal encircling his mate's ring finger.
Not yours. His self-doubt whispered poison in his mind. How could he ever hope to hold onto something so wonderful?
"Hey…" Light murmured, gripping his hand tightly and bringing it to his lips. His gaze was filled with concern as he placed a lingering kiss on his knuckles. "It's okay."
Beyond wasn't sure what it was about those two simple words as they spilled from Light's mouth, but he immediately relaxed as a sense of peace and content spread through their bond with one another. If he could stay in that moment for the rest of his life, he would. The Alpha had never felt so calm, so free from the negative thoughts that usually weighed him down.
"How do you do that?" Beyond murmured. "Help me feel…normal."
"Well, you know what they say about the love of a good Omega…" Light teased.
"What about the love of a bad Alph-" Beyond was silenced as Light's lips crashed into his own, stealing his words away as the sweet taste of him hit his tongue. The young brunet twisted fully in his arms to lay on his side facing him and continued to kiss B until they were both panting and breathless. The burgundy-eyed male grinned lazily and ran his fingertips along Light's arm, all worries gone and forgotten as the warmth of his mate's body pressed against him.
*knock knock*
"Light?" Quillish's voice rang out from the other side of the door.
"Y-yes?" the young Omega exclaimed as he sat up in bed, eyes wide as they darted to the door and back to Beyond. "Did you lock it?" Light hissed out nervously. The older male resisted laughing and simply nodded.
"You left your phone in the kitchen and it's been ringing repeatedly for the last ten minutes. It appears to be your family's house number," the older gentleman explained. "I thought it would be best to let you know."
"I'll be right there. Thank you, Quillish." Light rolled his eyes as he rose from the bed, yanking his robe up off the floor.
"Damn it, Sayu…pushy little…" Light continued to mutter under his breath as he shoved his arms through the sleeves and closed the tie around his waist. Beyond watched in amusement as the young Omega stomped and huffed adorably to the door. Light turned as he grabbed the door handle, expression reverting to a smile as he glanced back at the Alpha.
"I'll just be a couple minutes," Light murmured before he finally exited the bedroom. Beyond sighed happily and sunk into the blankets, wrapping his arms around one of the pillows and breathing deeply of the lingering fragrance of his mate. He was more than willing to wait there like that for Light, ensconced in sheets laden with the scent of their recent coupling. The sound of the door creaking open a minute later made him smile.
"That was fast sweetheart, everything alright?" Beyond's gaze narrowed as he rolled over and watched L stroll into the room. His face was blank and expressionless as he surveyed the scene before him.
"Well, you've been...busy," the raven-haired detective muttered, wrinkling his nose at the heavy scent of sex in the air before taking a seat in an armchair in a corner of the room. Beyond forced himself to relax, maintaining an air of nonchalance where he sprawled on the bed.
"Yes, so very, very busy," Beyond replied with a smug smile. He was unwilling to let the other Alpha rattle or intimidate him. He would at least try to make an effort to get along, just as he'd promised Light. However, he had no intention of bowing down to the other man in deference.
"Actually, I'm expecting him back shortly, so unless you'd like an up close and personal demonstration of just what we were so busy doing, I'd suggest you leave." L raised an eyebrow in response and pulled his knees up to his chest.
"We need to talk, B." L murmured, running his thumb across his lower lip as he regarded the other man thoughtfully. "About Max Volkov."
"Are you ready to do what needs to be done now?"
"It's not that simple, Be-"
"The hell it isn't," the other man growled out. "What good is all of your influence if you can't order a hit every once in awhile. If it didn't put Light at risk I'd do it myself."
"But you won't do something like that again, right?" L eyed him suspiciously as he shifted in his chair and stood, stalking toward the other man. A choking wave of angry dominant pheromones stole Beyond's breath away, laced with a clear demand to submit, to bare his neck to the other Alpha.
"Fuck you!" B snarled, pushing back with his own scent as he drew himself up in a crouch on the bed and prepared to both strike at the other man and defend himself as needed. L's posture changed almost imperceptibly into a fighting stance that Beyond recognized all too well from training at Wammy's years ago. The detective's arms hung loosely at his sides, legs slightly bent so he could dodge an attack and strike more efficiently.
This is long overdue, Lawli... Beyond thought as a dark smile spread across his face and he darted forward, propelling himself from the bed to catch the other man by surprise and tackle him to the ground.
"Stop!"
Their fists halted mid-punch as Light's fragrant aroma flooded every corner of the room, washing away the heat of their anger like a cold breeze and froze them in place. L's scent may have demanded submission, but Light's scent…it made no demands, it just chose for you.
Beyond knew he should've been terrified at the power being wielded by the young Omega, but he could only stare dazedly at his mate, willing to do whatever he wanted, give him whatever he needed. It was unlike anything he'd felt before from Light. The only memory he had that came remotely close was of that day of hide-and-seek back in Bude, when he'd felt compelled to chase his mate's tempting scent without a second thought.
"What are you two..." The brunet's angry words trailed off into a mumbled whisper as he swayed on his feet. Light's eyes glazed over, face pale as he took a shuffling step toward them before pitching forward as he fell unconscious.
"Light!" Beyond leaped off the other Alpha and dashed toward the young man, throwing his arms out to catch the Omega as he dropped to the ground. He cradled his mate's upper body, a hand catching Light's head to keep it from striking the floor.
"Stay with him," L ordered as he sprinted from the room. "Quillish! Hurry...Light just…"
Beyond barely paid L any mind as he ran off for help, focusing instead on the man in his arms. All he could think was that Light looked far too lifeless as he lay in his arms. He pulled him into his lap and reached out to yank a blanket off the bed. He wrapped it around both of them and began to croon.
"Light…please be okay."
Endnotes:
If you like the Treaty series, try checking out a story set in an alternate timeline in the 'Treatyverse' titled Treaty: Bound.
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