a/n: Woo hoo...and you guys over here at are all caught up and on the same posting schedule with AO3...which means you get this BONUS chapter this week, nice huh? You can expect postings of new chapters every Thursday by end of day, PST. I'm sending this chapter out a wee bit early, because...well, I'm just that NICE :) Happy Holidays.

Cheers,

AF

Matt muted the conversation before he burst out laughing, as Anna scurried from the room to find Max. "Seriously…could she move any faster? That was great."

L hid a smile behind his hand and noticed that the other two young men had watched the exchange on the screen and were chuckling as well…which L wasn't sure he'd actually ever seen Near do before.

"Yes, it was very satisfying on a very immature level, now let's focus. We just need to buy some time. I'll pretty much agree to anything if it means Max thinks he has the upper hand and will hold tight where he is. Last thing we need to worry about is him being a flight risk and taking off with Light." The West Bank Syndicate had too many ways to get criminals away from capture secretly. If they really wanted to, L knew that they could smuggle both Light and Max out of the country. Their reach was still significant enough to accomplish that much, even with the damage L had managed to do to their infrastructure years ago.

"This may essentially turn into one big pissing contest…so please don't be surprised if it comes to that." L muttered as he began to pace while they waited. He was spoiling for a fight. This man had taken his Omega, his mate, the one he loves. It riled him to no end and it felt like a mark against him as an Alpha that he couldn't protect his mate.

Light was going to hate him once he got the young man back, because there was no way he was ever letting him out of his sight again.

xxx

No pain…mmmh… Light realized happily as the medication caused him to drift in and out of consciousness, half dreaming as he continued to feel the comfort of his Alpha's croon wash over him, a warm presence at his back as L's arm held him. Strong fingers gently stroked his wrist glands, helping to further ease his suffering.

Just like on the plane. He smiled in his half-asleep state. L…taking care of me…like he always has, since the first time we met… He felt L nuzzling his scent gland and tilted his head to the side instinctively, exposing his neck further to his mate. A soft, lingering kiss was placed against it.

Something isn't… He felt a tugging reminder in the back of his mind that he couldn't quite grasp onto and recall. He tried desperately to pull himself out from under the drug's effects, which he could tell were being intensified further by the gentle crooning that reverberated through him. I'm forgetting…something…important…

Cinnamon…why do I smell cinnamon? He considered drowsily. L smells like apples and the rain… Light let out a soft whine, despairing for the scent of his mate.

His eyes fluttered open and he gasped, finally remembering where he was. He took in the sight of the room that was definitely not his home and felt the warm body of an Alpha pressed against him that was definitely not L, whose lingering scent reminded Light of cinnamon. Oh god…Max…

The Alpha ran his hand along the brunette's arm upon hearing the distressed sound. The young man was sure Max thought his actions came across as soothing and would calm the Omega. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect as panicked thoughts flew through his head.

No…you're not…my mate…

…you're not L…

…I'm not yours…

…don't touch me…

Light heard the door suddenly open and was so on edge that he jerked violently in surprise, whimpering as pain shot across his belly. Fortunately it was far less agonizing than before. "Shit…" Max muttered quietly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes sleepily.

Wait, did he stay here and take care of me...that wasn't a dream? Light shuddered and wiped at his neck where he believed the Alpha had kissed him, hoping he could remove some part of the unwanted touch from his body.

"L's on my laptop downstairs." Anna bit out in angry clipped Russian to Max. "He hacked into my fucking computer…god knows what else he's-"

Light hid a smile in the pillow next to him. Nice job L…

"Fantastic, I'll be down in a minute." The Alpha grinned as she left, then turned to Light. The Omega eyed him warily. "How are you feeling? Is the medicine working?" Max began to absentmindedly stroke along his arm again, as if he were a pet, not a human being who needed to provide consent.

"I'm ok if I don't move much, and its…effective, just makes me sleepy and a bit disoriented." Light sighed and turned away, hoping the man would leave him alone soon. Why am I this out of it…it must be because I'm still recovering from my heat as well. That wasn't the case last time I was on these meds.

Max grabbed hold of Light's chin and turned his head back towards him. Taking in the dazed look in the Omega's sleepy eyes, he chuckled. "My, my…you are quite delightfully lost looking right now aren't you? It's adorable actually."

He cupped Light's face in his hands. "I don't think you'd even be able to put up much of a fight right now if I…" He murmured darkly. Fear flickered across the Omega's eyes as the Alpha's gaze raked down his body. "But they'll be time for that later I suppose…" Max said reluctantly, backing slowly away off the bed.

"Do you need to use the bathroom?" Light shook his head and Max smiled, pulling a pair of handcuffs out of his pocket as he walked back around to the brunette's side of the bed. He snapped one end to Light and pulled his arm upward so he could attach the other end to a wooden post above him on the headboard. It forced him to stretch his body uncomfortably and cry out in pain as it aggravated his injury. He saw the flare of worry dance across the emerald hued eyes in front of him and saw a chance to take advantage of the situation.

"Don't leave me like this..." Light gazed at Max with pleading eyes. "It hurts…I promise I'll be good, please take them off." He saw the man hesitate for a moment and went in for the kill. "I thought you were different from other Alphas when you said you wouldn't hurt me. I thought maybe I could trust you…" Light tucked up his legs where he sat on the bed and hid his face in the crook of his arm as he leaned against his knees, seeming for all intents and purposes as if he was really upset.

Light swallowed his laughter as Max rubbed his back soothingly. The Alpha sighed as he removed the handcuff from the post and left it dangling from the young man's wrist.

"Don't make me regret this decision." Max muttered softly, his tone devoid of any real threat as he placed a kiss atop Light's head before heading towards the door. "There's still a guard outside." Light raised his eyes to look at him, giving him an honestly grateful smile at not being uncomfortably handcuffed.

"I understand." He nodded. "You can trust me." The brunette murmured to further solidify the idea in the Alpha's mind that he could give Light more freedom. I'll just have to be careful to wait for the right opportunity to present itself…it might mean the difference in my escape. If I make a move too early, he'll never trust me again.

"Try to get some more rest."Max smiled warmly at him, then stepped outside, leaving the young man alone. Seeing the affection in the man's eyes caused a pang of guilt to hit Light for the first time during his manipulation of the other man. But then he reminded himself that this Alpha wanted to kill L, his mate, and he squashed that feeling entirely.

Keep focused on what you need to accomplish. He told himself firmly. This is no time for emotions.

xxx

L's body thrummed with anticipation, but at the same time, he felt sharp and cold in his focused determination to see this through. To get Light back, no matter the cost. He had already planned for hundreds of possible scenarios in his brilliant mind. When Max sat down to speak with them, he would be ready.

"So, uh, L can you give me a run-down of what we should expect from Max here? What do you think he's going to do?" Matt asked curiously, keeping an eye on the screen before him. L smiled. I must be wearing a hole in the carpet back here, nice job trying to distract me Matt.

"Based on what we saw earlier of Max's 'attention'-" L bit back a growl. "-towards Light during the call with Shu, we can assume he's attracted to my mate." Not that I can blame him…doesn't mean I don't want to tear him to shreds for it though. L thought as he gritted his teeth.

"Yeah, he definitely wants a piece of that." Mello muttered. The detective slapped him upside the head and snarled. "Sorry! Just agreeing…" The young Alpha apologized. Near sighed, shaking his head in disbelief at Mello's words.

L narrowed his eyes and walked away before continuing. "But that wasn't the reason he took Light, he took him because he's my Omega…his appeal was simply an added bonus." L stared up at the screen impatiently.

"We're dealing with two issues here. The first being that Max clearly wants to get at me for the damage I did to the Syndicate years ago, putting his father away, most of the leaders. He wants my blood for that and he's trying to expose my identity, likely so he can kill me."

"The second is that I believe he may try to keep Light. His organization and family culture is a bit…old fashioned, so to speak. They treat Omegas as property or trophies. An Alpha taking an enemy's desirable mate as their own to prove their superiority over the other is not uncommon."

"And you aren't officially bonded yet, so that protection isn't in place either…" Near murmured, curling his hair thoughtfully as he listened to the detective share his thoughts.

L smiled sadly. "No…I was hoping to discuss that with Light soon, but…" If they'd been bonded, there would be no way that Max could take Light as his mate unless L died.

"Of course it's probably better in this case that you weren't bonded yet…" Near replied, eyeing the Alpha cautiously. "Max likely wouldn't treat Light very well if there was no chance of him being his own eventually…"

True, he'd likely abuse, rape and discard him if that was the case. L forced those thoughts out of his mind as quickly as possible.

"He's here…" Matt said, and all of their eyes looked up to the screen to view the emerald eyed Alpha male as he settled in the chair before the laptop, his wavy black hair falling slightly in his face as he gazed into the camera.

"Hello L…please accept my apology for the delay. I was in bed with the most delicious Omega and lost track of time." Max leaned back into the comfortable armchair with a self-satisfied sigh and chuckled.

L's eyes narrowed. Asshole…as if. "Is this my Omega that you speak of Mr. Volkov? I would think that a man of your status and standing would know better than to touch things that do not belong to you."

A flash of anger in the green eyes. "Ah yes, because the great L knows all of these rules better than anyone else…the law…but often you take matters into your own hands, in ways that are highly questionable if not outright illegal in the eyes of the system as a means to an end. How can you presume to preach to others?" Max scoffed.

"It is not considered a breach of the law if I am given approval to act outside of normal legal channels by the very people who set those laws, but I don't think we're here to argue legalities are we Mr. Volkov? We're here to discuss the return of my Omega."

"What's that saying? Ah, yes…possession is nine-tenths of the law? So at the moment I'd say he's my Omega…" Max smiled smugly.

"Just because a thief steals a car, does not mean he owns it." L said calmly. "Aside from that disgusting comparison, I'm disappointed that you see this young man as nothing more than mere property that you can possess. He is a human being and what you have done is kidnap him." I can't let him see that I'm attached emotionally to Light, or he'll use it against me.

"That's fine if you think that…then let's do this the proper way." Max grinned broadly before continuing. "I officially challenge your mating claim to the Omega Light Yagami, you have three days to respond with a time and place to meet for us to settle this…or else forfeit all rights to him. It may seem archaic to you, but the law is still legally recognized in this country."

Perfect, I had expected this might happen and it buys us time. "Agreed." L replied immediately, relishing how Max's confident smile faltered slightly. "I will be in touch soon with the details. Oh and one more thing Mr. Volkov…"

Max looked at the screen suspiciously. "Yes?"

"Per this 'archaic law' as you put it, the Omega in question shall be treated with the utmost respect. They shall not be abused in any way, shape or form while they are in the challenging Alpha's care. Will that be a problem?"

"Not at all…but are you sure that you should be lecturing me about how to avoid abusing him? I saw those bruises on his stomach. He was very upset. Really L…to hurt such a precious creature like that…" Max seemed genuinely angry and protective of Light, it threw L off for a moment.

There must be a reason Light led him to believe it was me and not Shu…maybe to gain Max's trust? I'll play along. "What happens between me and my Omega is none of your business Max."

"He'll be my Omega soon L, and I'll treat him so much better than you ever could." Max smirked and shut the laptop before the detective could reply.

L stared at the screen in a rage before stalking from the room, ignoring the concerned looks from the three young men. He wanted to scream, to break things, to punch a fist through the wall. How dare he? How fucking dare he! L forced himself to sit down, taking slow breaths. An eerie calm eventually settled throughout his being.

I am going to kill him…slowly…and enjoy every minute of it.

xxx

Fuck, that was incredibly satisfying. Max grinned inwardly as he stood from the chair. Soon he'd have everything he wanted. A beautiful Omega mate, L's head on a platter…there was no way he was going to play fair after all. He was simply going to have a sniper take the man out from a distance once he revealed himself.

That was the key…getting L to reveal himself. If he didn't actually show up, at least Max got to keep his mate due to forfeit. It was a win-win for the West Bank leader.

"Make sure you have one of our best shooters on stand-by for when he names a time and place." He reminded Anna, who nodded her assent.

"What should I do with the computer?" She asked.

Max looked at it in annoyance. That really is unacceptable that L got through our security measures.

"Leave it turned off for now." Max replied. "He can find another way to contact us. Don't toss it though…I'd like to dig through it, figure out exactly how he snaked his way in there."

As he left the room, he considered how everything was falling into place perfectly for him right now. The Syndicate was operating successfully in all of its various disreputable ways, along with his other legitimate businesses pulling in more money than he honestly knew what to do with.

Maybe I should buy an island…somewhere Light and I could go together. An image of the sexy Omega sunbathing nude on their own private beach, skin golden from the laying out filled his mind. His mouth went dry and he realized he'd been stopped in the middle of the hall for the last half minute daydreaming. He laughed softly at his own ridiculous behavior.

God, I am pathetic…but a vacation to somewhere warm, with minimal clothing required would be nice. He was smiling broadly as he rounded the corner to head up the main staircase in the entry.

"Hey! Damn, I don't think I've ever seen you smile like that!" Nick grinned as he hung up his coat, having just come in from outside. He was followed through the front door by several other West Bank members.

Shit…I forgot about poker... Max thought in annoyance.

"Did you fuck L's Omega? Is that it?" Nick came closer to whisper slyly. "Shit, must have been good if you're this happy, maybe you'll let me have a go at-"

Max's hand shot out to squeeze his long time friend's throat tightly. The blonde turned his neck slowly to the side submissively, baring his neck to the Alpha. The Beta's icy blue eyes widened as the other man continued to glare daggers at him.

"You will show some fucking respect for my Omega, Nicholas…" The Alpha growled angrily. "If you or anyone else lays so much as a disgusting finger on him…" He raised his voice, looking over Nick's shoulder at the other men, who watched the exchange with fearful eyes. "…I will kill them without hesitation. Are we clear?" They all nodded rapidly.

Max released Nick and smiled darkly at him. "Tch, look at that my friend." He pointed towards the Beta's neck where Max's fingers had left behind a red imprint against his skin. "Probably going to bruise. Why don't you take our friends here to the lounge and get yourself sorted out, yeah? You look a mess." He gave Nick a slight slap on the cheek and strolled away, whistling nonchalantly as he passed all of the men and headed up the stairs to his room.

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