Chapter 6

Revelations

Part 5

a/n - to all my wonderful readers, this is the final part of chapter 6. Thank you for sticking with me.

Enjoy!

Everyone settled back into their seats, waiting for Magnus to continue his story. Once all were settled Magnus started to speak.

"Robert adored Bella. From the moment she was born, she was everything to him. He loved and cherished her and did his best to give her anything and everything she could ever want or need. When she was little, he would spend his free time having tea parties with her and playing dress up." Magnus said, a small smile on his face at the memory. "Did he get a lot of flack from the other hunters, sure, but he didn't care. All that he cared about was his baby girl. He sent me fire messages every few days, telling me about their adventures and how it wasn't fair that she was small enough to hide in some of the nooks and crannies of Lightwood Manor that he just couldn't fit into to catch her. Apparently, she thought it was funny. He called her a cheater. But they both had fun. When she was five, he took her out for her first riding lesson. He took her out into a big field outside of Idris. He chose this spot for a reason. He wanted me to see her, even if it was just for a couple of hours. He didn't want every moment of her childhood to be relayed through fire messages. And I couldn't have been more grateful. I cherished those moment when I got to see her, hear her voice, and hear her laugh. She was the spitting image of her mother at that age. Every time he brought her out of Idris, I was able to be there, even if I was in the shadows. Finally, when she turned sixteen, he brought her out into the field and set her down for a picnic. He had decided, and I agreed, that it was time to tell her everything. Everything about where she came from and how she came to be. Robert called me out of the shadows so she could meet me. At first, she was shell shocked after everything she had heard, trying to take it all it. She looked at me for several minutes before she spoke. 'So you're my grandpapa' she asked. I told I was. Then it was like a dam had burst inside her, dozens of questions came pouring out. She wanted to know everything there was to know about her mother. Details her father wouldn't know. Like, how she was as a child, that sort of thing. We talked for hours, Robert, Bella and I. But then it started to get dark. It was time for them to head back to Idris. And that's when the anger set in. She didn't want to go back to Lightwood Manor, not knowing what she knew. She didn't want to be a Shadowhunter anymore. She didn't want to continue her training. She wanted her and her daddy to come home with me. But I told her it couldn't be that way. Robert and I told her she had to go back. She had to continue her training. She needed to learn everything she could about how to protect herself because she did carry the omega gene. She was already a fierce, fierce Shadowhunter. But she needed to learn everything she could, master everything she could. It was with tears running down her cheeks that she asked 'How am I supposed to face those people knowing that any one of them could turn on their own kind, that they could turn on their friends, their parabati, anyone, with a simple secret order from the Clave? How am I supposed to take any order from the Clave now? Or follow any of their commands?' We told her she had to be strong. That she had to be brave. We told her that she came from Gideon Lightwood, the best of the best in his time. We had to tell her that she was the next Lightwood Shadowhunter to take up that mantel. She wasn't just a nephilim or a Shadowhunter, she was, above all else, a Lightwood. The strongest of the strong. The bravest of the brave. So she returned to Idris with her father, a broken heart for those who had come before her and a belly full of rage."

At this Magnus fell silent, lost in his memories. A minute passed.

"What happened, Magnus?" Izzy asked.

Magnus jolted at her voice, having been lost in thought.

"Magnus, are you okay?" Alec whispered in his Magnus' ear.

"Yes, love. I'm fine. Really, I am. I just remember her so clearly. All of them. Just like it was yesterday." Magnus said, an unshed tear in his eye.

"We can stop if you want to. If you need to." Alec said, rubbing soothing circles into Magnus' back.

"No. I need to get this out. And you need to hear it." Magnus said with a weak smile. "So, where was I? Yes. We had just told Bella about her family history and she was angry. But she was a strong Lightwood. She took her anger and channeled it into her training. Within six months she was the best Shadowhunter in Idris in both hand to hand and physical combat. Within a year she had mastered every weapon. Everyone wanted her on their team. But she didn't want a team. She told me in one of her fire messages that she just wanted to be left alone to train and hunt in peace. But the Idris Institute wouldn't allow that. No Shadowhunter goes out on missions without backup. I told her to bide her time. She only had a year left before her presentation, then she could leave the Institute if she wanted. There is, and never has been a law that says that once a Shadowhunter has reached age, that they must stay and serve."

Everyone gasped at this new revelation.

"What?" Magnus asked. "Let me guess. No one told you about that either?"

"No. We've been raised to believe that were born, trained, we present, and continue on. Our field training starts at fourteen. We're out unsupervised at fifteen. But with Alec being Alec, we were out unsupervised at three months." Jace said.

"Your telling me that the Clave sent out five fourteen year old Shadowhunters, alone, to hunt demons at just over fourteen?!" Magnus asked, outraged.

"Magnus, we were fighting in the Dark War at sixteen. And some a lot younger than us. The Clave tried to keep them in the back, reloading weapons and tending to the wounded…" Alec said.

"But what?" Magnus interrupted. "Some were killed, right? How many children were killed Alexander? How many did the Clave sacrifice? What happened to women and children don't fight in wars? Or is that just a mundane thing?"

"I don't know." Alec said honestly. "But in our world, if you can swing a seraph blade, which at fourteen, you've had five years of training, your expected to be able to do, you can fight. I'm not saying I think it's right. Because I don't. A lot of people didn't. Before the troops were dispatched dozens of petitions were sent to the Clave from Institutes all over the world asking that those under sixteen not be asked to fight. Since there were so many petitions, from so many Institutes, the Clave took in under council. The council members met to discuss the matter. But the end result was still the same. The only thing that changed was that any Institute caught hiding the younger hunters would be charged with treason, and the penalty was death for anyone suspected in being involved, including those they were trying to protect. Shortly after, envoys were dispatched to each Institute to make sure that everyone complied. They did a rollcall every day."

In a fit of rage, Magnus' eyes turned black and his body burst into flame, a blue luminescent shield protecting Alec from harm.

"Magnus? Please, calm down. I know your angry, but please calm down. Calm down and talk to me." Alec begged.

In an instant the flames vanished. Hearing the distress in his omegas voice brought Magnus back to the here and now. He blinked a couple of times before his eyes turned back to their original chocolate brown. Everyone in the loft was too stunned to speak, except Alec.

"Magnus, please. Talk to me." Alec pleaded.

"I grow to hate your Clave more and more each day. Something I didn't think was possible. But the more I hear, the more I hate them. I was distrustful of your family when they came to me looking for you, Alexander." Magnus said softly. "Had I known all of this…" He trailed off.

A heavy silence hung in the air.

"Then I guess it was best that you didn't know." Alec said, squeezing Magnus' hand in his own.

"You said, when we first came to you, that you would help us because we were looking for Alexander Lightwood, after we told you we were searching for a male omega Shadowhunter. It wasn't until we told you who he was that you agreed to help. It was because of who he was. You were going to go after him because of your past and your connection to the Lightwood's. But you were going to go after any omega Shadowhunter, weren't you?" Jace asked.

"Yes. I would have gone after any omega Shadowhunter that was brought to my attention. To keep them safe. But I was dead set on finding Alexander because of who he was and what the Lightwood's mean to me. Since the day Gideon Lightwood gave birth to my Arabella, I've always had a vested interest in the Lightwood's. They've always been like family, something I've never had before. I've known of Alexander since the day he was born, Isabelle too." Magnus said.

"How could you….?" Clary cut off, confused.

"I have known of every birth and death of every Lightwood since the days of Gideon. We'll just say that I'm well informed. What I didn't know was that my Alexander had presented as an omega. That news never reached me. Until you showed up at my door." Magnus said.

"You say your kept informed. By who? Who tells you these things?" Alec asked.

"In due time, love. In due time." Magnus said softly, cupping his mates cheek. Alec couldn't help but lean in to the touch, holding Magnus' hand in place with his own. Their eyes locked, chocolate brown staring into crystal blue. Neither knew how long they gazed into each other's eyes. Finally Jace cleared his throat, pulling them back to the present.

"I think we could all use a break." Jace said.

After watching her brother with his mate, Izzy felt a swell of happiness fill her. Her big brother had love at last. Real love. She realized in that moment that the brother she adored, looked up to, and would die to protect, loved Magnus. Truly, madly and deeply. And that Magnus loved her brother truly, madly and deeply. They were meant.

"I agree. I think I could use a break myself." Izzy said, rising from her seat and faking a stretch. Everyone else followed suit.

"Come with me?" Alec asked Magnus softly.

"Anywhere." Magnus said, voice barely a whisper.

Climbing up from his seat, Alec took Magnus' hand, pulling him along behind him. Crossing the living room, Alec pushed the bedroom door open, pulling Magnus inside.

Alec shut the door behind them.

"What is it, love? Are you alright?" Magnus asked, voice full of concern.

"I'm fine. It's you who's not." Alec said, pushing Magnus backwards to the bed. He was forced to sit when his legs hit the edge.

"I'm fine, love. I told you, it's just old memories." Magnus said as Alec gracefully climbed onto his lap.

"I know. Memories that you've been holding onto for more a hundred years. Memories I bet you've never shared with anyone." Alec said, running his fingers gently through Magnus' hair. "You're not alone now. You don't have to hide things away, sweetheart. You don't always have to be strong or brave. At least not with me. Izzy told me that once. That I didn't have to hold it all in all the time. And she was right." He said, pressing his lips softly to Magnus' forehead.

Magnus sighed at the contact. He knew that his little Shadowhunter had been holding back. Despite the affections he had shown him, he knew that he hadn't yet broken through his mates walls. The wall that had protected his heart for eighteen years. Only his mates team, his family, held his affections. While they did know him, there was always a piece of him that had remained closed off. Now he could see that that wall was crumbling, little by little.

"I thought you were mad at me." Magnus said softly.

"I was. Not so much anymore. Now that I know that you've been watching over and protecting my family. And that you loved them. But fate is fate. We were meant and nothing will ever change that." Alec said, cupping Magnus' cheeks. "I knew I loved you. Now I love you that much more." He said, pressing another tender kiss to Magnus' forehead.

Magnus sighed in contentment, wrapping his Shadowhunter in his arms. As much as he hated Shadowhunters, he could never hate this one. Alec pulled him closer, pressing Magnus' head to his shoulder.

"Just breath, love." Alec said softly. He didn't know if this would work, but he had to try. He could still feel the tension radiating off his alphas body.

Magnus took a deep breath in, comforted by his mates embrace. In that breath he took in his omegas soothing scent, fresh peaches, strawberries, and cream. Within seconds he felt himself relax in his loves arms, his mates scent soothing him, a sense of peace wrapping around him. He had never had this before. Never felt this before. It was beyond words.

"That's right, baby. Just breathe." Alec soothed, now knowing that he could comfort his mate with his scent.

Magnus took in one last breath before he pulled away.

"Feeling better now?" Alec asked softly.

"Much. Thank you, love. How did you know that would work?" Magnus asked.

"I didn't. But I thought it was worth a shot." Alec said, blushing.

"Are you ready to hear the rest? About your family?" Magnus asked, his pupils blow wide from his omegas scent.

"I think so." Alec said, climbing from Magnus' lap.

Magnus missed the contact immediately. The comfort of his mate holding him close was gone. Alec reached out a hand to help him up. 'Another time' Magnus thought to himself.

Magnus and Alec stepped into the living room, hand in hand. Magnus wasn't ready to let go of his little Shadowhunter yet. All heads turned toward them.

"Are we ready to hear the rest?" Magnus asked. Everyone was already settled into their seats. A chorus of yeses filled the room.

"Okay. On with the story of Bella." Magnus said as he and Alec took their seats. "As you know, Bella was listed in the Clave records with her birth year but the month and date unknown. There were only three people who knew when she was born, her father, myself, and Bella. On her presentation date she and her father rode out to meet me in the field where we always met. As we waited for her presentation, we discussed what she wanted to do after her presentation. She had decided that if she didn't present as an omega, she would stay at the Institute. As much as she hated it, she felt it was her duty to smuggle out any other hunters that presented as omegas and get them to safety. We discussed her strategy. That if a Shadowhunter presented as an omega, she would immediately send a fire message to me with a time to meet outside the Institute."

"I'm sorry to interrupt." Simon said. "But how did you get so close to the Institute. I mean, how did you get through the wards around Idris without setting off the alarms?"

"That's a good question. And the answer to it is some only a few people know. When the Clave came to the warlocks requesting that protective wards be placed around their sacred city, we obliged them for a heavy price. What they didn't know was that I made a small tweak in setting up the wards. They believed that once the wards were created, no downworlder or demon or what have you would be able to penetrate them without setting off the alarms. I left a small rift in the wards in which I could enter freely. A door so to speak. When I was 'invited' to elaborate affairs and such I had to go through the motions of being granted entrance when I really could have just walked through the front gates without all the commotion. But I had to maintain my secret. You see, wards have to be strengthened and repaired every so often, sometimes having to be completely redone. I've been called in a few times to do just that. Not even another warlock can detect what I built into the foundation of the wards. They don't have enough power." Magnus said. "But that's a story for another time. And you can not reveal this to anyone. No one knows when that little secret may mean the difference between life or death for any number of people inside that city. Now, back to Bella. As we were discussing her plan, her presentation started. To her father's delight and relief she presented as an alpha. He had been agonizing over this since the day she was born. Finally, he could breathe easy. After her presentation we continued to discuss her plan. She had it very well planned out. During her time there she was able to get seven omegas out safely. Once I got them outside the city, unfortunately, I would have to wipe the last hour or so of their memories to protect all parties involved. Yes, I can do that. As you can probably guess, they were confused as to how they came to be outside the city, but someone was always there to guide them to safety. I was never seen. No one inside the Institute or the Clave ever figured out where the newly presented omegas disappeared to. But there came a time when Bella had to stop. After the eight omega presented, the Institute had strict orders from the Clave to keep guards outside their chambers until a decision was made as to what to do with them. The men were executed immediately after presentation. The Clave ultimately decided that the women were to be confined to the Institute to be used a 'breeders'. They had no say in whom would use their bodies while in heat, they were free game. The Institute would only allow one hunter at a time to mate with the omega while they were in heat so if they fell pregnant, they would know which Shadowhunter the child belonged to. It's horrific, I know. Once a week every three to four months, what were once valuable female Shadowhunters, were raped repeatedly until their heat either passed or they fell pregnant. Once pregnant, they were still confined to their chambers for the duration of their pregnancy until the child was born. And once the Institute physician gave them a clean bill of health after delivery, they went right back to where they started. They never got to see or hold their child. It was taken from them immediately after birth."

"That's why my mother called me a filthy whore and said I was only good for breeding." Alec said, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Of everything you've said, this is the worst thing I've ever heard."

Magnus took Alec in his arms, holding him close.

"I know, sweetheart. I know. But we stopped it." Magnus said, pulling back to wipe the tears away. "We stopped it."

"How?" Alec asked.

"We enchanted The Omega Chronicles. The moment a new omega presents the book always updates itself. There's supposed to be someone watching the book at all times, but it's a tedious job and quite boring. That's my guess as to how your presentation was overlooked. But back then, it was watched with great care and scrutiny. Whenever a new name appeared a warlock would portal directly into the new omegas room and portal them out. Of course, the alarms would go off, but no one ever guessed that the perpetrator was right inside the door of the omegas room. They all went rushing to the front gates and perimeter." Magnus said, pressing a firm kiss to Alec's forehead. "Again, the downworlders stepped in and came to the aid of the omegas, offering them the safety of their homes. Just as they had before."

"What became of Bella?" Izzy asked.

"Finally, it became too much. Her anger and hatred for the Clave and reached its peak. Knowing everything that she did, she just couldn't tolerate it anymore. So she petitioned the Clave to grant her permission for a home outside the city. She told them that she felt too confined in Idris. She was the best Shadowhunter they had, she was a strong alpha, and could bare children, so they had no reason to deny her. The conditions were that she was to come to the Institute every day for training and that she was to be on call at all times should she be needed. Once her home was built, Robert petitioned the Clave to retire and live with his daughter. He was getting older in years and could no longer go on missions or patrols. You must remember that back then, they didn't have the healthcare or medical resources that we have today. So, seeing as that Robert had served dutifully his entire life, dedicating himself to the Clave, they granted his retirement request. About a year later Bella was in her garden, tending her roses, when the most wonderful scent drifted past her on a breeze. There was an envoy coming to the Idris Institute, passing right by her cottage. She dropped what she was doing and ran after it. She ran so fast that she stopped it in the middle of the road. The Shadowhunters driving it were shouting at her to get out of the way. But she refused. She had her mothers stubbornness. She refused to allow them to pass until she had seen all parties on board. What she didn't know was that a Shadowhunter within the envoy had caught her scent and was pushing his way through the other Shadowhunters. Right about the time that Bella was going to forcefully board a man stepped out. According to Robert, their eyes locked. She reached out a hand, he took it, and together they climbed off board. Bella knew that there would be hell to pay but she didn't care. And neither did he. Bella had found her mate. She didn't know him, but from the moment she caught his scent she loved him, truly, madly, deeply. As it turns out, the man she took from the envoy was the whole reason that the envoy came. Well, him and a few others. They were being transferred from an American Institute. Bella received a scolding from the Clave, but no more. The Clave saw it as an opportunity. She was an alpha and so was he. They couldn't wait for them to mate. And sure enough, a year later, Bella found out she was with child. After nine miserable months, and I say miserable because every discomfort a woman could have, she had, Robert, her mate, and I watched as a beautiful baby girl was delivered into this world. They named her Izabella Rose."

"That's where I got my name. Isn't it?" Izzy asked.

"Sort of." Magnus said. "You got the 'Belle' part from your great, great grandmother. My Belle."

Izzy sniffled, trying to hold back tears.

"Was she a badass?" Izzy asked.

"She is." Magnus said with a rueful smile. "She gave the Institute hell from the first day. But, as with those who came before her, she was the best. She mastered everything they threw at her, and they threw hard. Bella and her Michael couldn't have been prouder. Then everything changed. Izabella met her fated mate about three months before she presented. They were madly in love. Then, to everyone's shock, Izabella presented as an omega. There hadn't been an omega Lightwood since Gideon. At least not that they knew about. So we implemented our plan. We formed a plan before Bella presented. In case there was another Lightwood omega. It was get in, get them, and get out. Simple as that. As we expected, the Clave locked her in her chambers and put guards on the door. Jason hated the part he had to play. He had to play the role of the disgusted Shadowhunter. He had to portray hatred and contempt. Just long enough to be believable. Izabella waited patiently for me to come for her, which I did. Ten minutes after I received Jason's fire message I was in and she was gone. It was hours before anyone knew she was missing."

"Back-up." Alec said, voice weak and complexion pale.

"Yes, darling." Magnus said, turning to him. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Are you alright?"

Alec struggled to speak for a moment, trying to form words.

"Alec, what's wrong?" Izzy asked, crossing the room to her brother. He grabbed her hand and held it tight.

"Sweetheart, talk to me." Magnus said, voice full of concern.

Alec took a deep breath in and out before he met Magnus' eyes.

"You said 'is'. When Iz asked if she was a badass you said that she 'is'." Alec whispered softly.

"He's right. You did say 'is'." Izzy said, planting her feet. "What do you mean, 'is'?" She demanded.

"I meant exactly what I said. It wasn't my intention to reveal it this way. But Izabella Lightwood is still alive." Magnus said.

"Don't you think that might have been the part you started with?" Alec demanded, pushing himself up from his seat. "Don't you think we would have rather known about our LIVING grandmother before hearing the story of Gideon Lightwood and our entire FUCKING family tree?" He raged; cheeks flushed with anger. "Don't you think we should have known that we have a living ancestor that we knew nothing about because its all been kept a secret! We were told, our entire lives, that our only living relative was our father. That most Lightwood women either died during childbirth or shortly after and that it was mostly the men that survived. That there were only enough throughout the ages to barely keep the Lightwood line alive. You don't think we should have been told? About our LIVING grandmother, right from the start?!"

Alec paced the room as he screamed at his mate, pulling at his hair.

"Our father has kept this from us, our entire lives. And now, so have you! You told us by accident! Why? Why was it kept from us? Our entire family history since the death of Gideon Lightwood has been kept from us! You knew them well. All of them. You were a part of their lives. Each and every one. We didn't even know their names, or that they ever even existed." He said, voice starting to tremble. "And where was your plan? Your backup plan you claimed you had ready in case another Lightwood presented as an omega? Where was THAT when I FUCKING presented? Hell, you didn't even know that another Lightwood had presented as an omega until MY TEAM, MY FAMILY, came and told you! Do you see how FUCKED UP that is?" Alec raged on. Everyone flinched, even Magnus.

"Sweetheart…" Magnus started.

"Don't you dare try and tell me that I need to calm down." Alec cut him off. "Or that this is just fucking omega hormones, because it most defiantly IS NOT. How could you?" He asked, the anger draining out of him, quickly replaced by heartbreak and tears. "How could you not tell me. How could you not tell me that I wasn't alone? How could anybody not know about me? Like I don't even exist." Alec said as he slid to the floor against the wall, tears of heartache and betrayal running rivers down his cheeks.

Magnus moved to his side. All he wanted to do was comfort his sweet little Shadowhunter. He knew that he had made a huge mistake. He had done it all backwards. And it had hurt the one he loved with his entire heart and soul, simply because he had chosen the wrong place to start.

"There is someone who knew." Izzy declared; voice as hard as a stone. "There is someone. Robert Lightwood will never see another day." She said, starting for the door.

Simon vaulted over the couch in time to block her path.

"I know your angry. About your grandmother and your father, and Alec, and you have every right to be. But let's look at this with a calm head for a minute, okay? We don't know why your father kept these things from you." Simon pleaded.

"Did you not see the way he's been treating Alec since he presented? His mother must be ashamed of him!" Izzy shouted.

"She's not." Magnus said, holding her weeping brother in his arms, whispering sweet nothings to his devastated mate.

"What do you mean, she's not?" Izzy asked, turning on her heels.

"There's more to it than you know. About your father, your uncle, and your grandmother." Magnus said.

"What do you mean, our uncle? Let me guess, he's alive too." She said sardonically.

"He is. Please, sit down. There's not much left to tell, but it will change the entire picture for you and Alexander both." Magnus said, pressing a soft kiss to a now silent Alec's head.

"Magnus, what's wrong with him?" Clary asked, hands clamped tight around her stomach. She was white as a sheet and soaked in sweat, Jace holding her in his arms. "I could feel everything from him, the pain, the anger, the heartbreak, the sense of betrayal, the feeling of abandonment. All of it. And now I don't feel anything. Anything at all."

"He's going to be alright, Biscuit. His emotions, with his heightened omega hormones, were more than he could take. His mind was so overloaded that it shut down. He needs time. A little time while his mind works to process everything. The closer he gets to consciousness, the more you will feel him again. In the meantime, I would suggest that we all take a break before Isabelle sets off to commit murder when not all of the facts are on the table, and while my angel rests. It's well past lunchtime. Feel free to help yourself to whatever there is to eat." Magnus said, softly stroking his Alexander's hair.

"This is so far from not over, Magnus." Izzy declared.

Magnus reached beneath his mate, lifting Alec into his arms.

"I would be disappointed if it was, Isabelle. You forget, I know the Lightwood women very well, and know what they can do." Magnus said as he walked past her, pushing through the bedroom door.

Pain. A throbbing ache was the first thing that Alec felt as he pulled himself up from the depths of unconsciousness. It was as if his entire body throbbed in rhythm to the beat of his heart. The further he surfaced the more he realized that it wasn't his body, but his head. A small groan escaped him.

"Alec?" Izzy asked.

"Iz?" Alec asked, pushing his eyes open. She sat beside him, in Magnus' place.

"Hi. How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Like my heads going to explode. Where's Magnus?" He asked.

"I told him to take a breather on this one. He didn't want to, but he finally agreed. And he left you this. He thought you might wake up with a headache." She said, holding up a vial for him to see. "Do you want it?"

"Depends. Do you have any aspirin?" He asked.

She smiled as she picked up the small aspirin bottle on the bedside table and a glass of water. Popping the lid she handed him a few. With a lightening pain through his skull he sat up, taking both of them.

"Iz, I don't know how much more of this I can take. The last three days have been…" He trailed off.

"More than words can describe?" She asked with a small smile.

"Yeah, that." He said, handing the glass back.

"This is so fucked up, Iz. I don't know where one ends and the other begins." He said, rubbing gently at his temples. "Three months ago I was Alec Lightwood, commander of the best team alive, called a hero, a title that I didn't want, the best archer the Clave has seen in longer than anyone could remember, then I presented. And it all went to shit."

"You, my dear brother, are still Alec Lightwood, the best commander of the best team alive, and you are a hero, a title that you do deserve rather you want it or not. And you are still the best archer that the Clave has ever seen, and I will follow that belief until someone shows me proof positive that there has been someone better. Yes, your presentation was a bit of shock, but at least now we know why. That whole Clave line about how there hasn't been an omega in over two hundred years is total bullshit. And now we know it. From the time of Gideon Lightwood, every omega Lightwood Shadowhunter has been rock star, and so are you. And don't let anyone tell you any different." She said, brushing a lock of hair from his eyes.

"How can you say those things, Iz? Yes, I man be a good archer, but other than that, I'm no better than any other Shadowhunter." He said.

"Alec, how many demons and greater demons have you sent back to hell? Yes, some of it was a team effort, meaning you saved our asses when we tried without you. How many hundreds did you save when you ended Valentine? And don't try and say it was luck because we both know it wasn't. How many other Shadowhunter have you trained that wouldn't be worth their salt otherwise? Good Shadowhunters, thanks to you. You have made a really big difference in our world. You are special, not because you're an omega and the fated mate to The High Warlock of Brooklyn, who seems to be pretty powerful, but because, like I said, you're a rock star. And were just your groupies." She said with a smile that spoke only of love.

"You can say it all you want, Izzy-Diz. But that doesn't mean that I have to believe it." Alec said with a smile.

"Deal." She said, leaning in to press a soft kiss on her big brothers forehead.

There was a soft knock at the door.

"Izzy, Alec?" Clary asked through the wood. "Magnus is back. He has something to show you."

"I guess that's your que." Izzy said with a smirk.

Giving her brother a hand she helped him out of bed.

Izzy and Alec stepped into the living room. Magnus glanced up from what looked like a thick, ancient book.

"Alexander." Magnus said, laying the book aside. He was beside his mate in less than two strides. "How are you? Are you feeling better?"

"Quite a bit, thanks." Alec said, trying to be aloof.

"Hey, look at me, angel. I know your still upset." Magnus said, gently tilting Alec's chin to look at him. Their eyes locked, chocolate brown and crystal blue. In that instant both knew that all was forgiven, and they could move on. Leaning in, Magnus place a gentle kiss to his Shadowhunters forehead. Alec shuddered at the touch; a pleasant tingle having worked its way down his spine. Magnus smiled to himself.

"Clary said you were back?" Alec asked, pulling away from his alpha.

"Yes. While you were resting I took a trip to the Spiral Labyrinth. Let me show you what I found." Magnus said, taking Alec's hand and leading him to the open book.

"What's this?" Alec asked.

"This, this is this years book in The Omega Chronicles. Well, last years actually. You were born on October 24th, right?" Alec nodded, yes. "Look at the entries on October 24th of last year."

Alec scanned the names in the book, his brow furrowed.

"This can't be right. I'm not in here. Why am I not in here?" Alec asked, confused.

"No one in the Spiral Labyrinth knows." Magnus said.

"Maybe an oversight?" Simon asked.

"Not possible. This book is enchanted. Alexander's name should have entered itself the moment he completed his presentation. And before you ask, there is no way it could have been tampered with. Only a select few warlocks have access to these Chronicles, myself included. Only those of us that took part in enchanting it. It's just not possible." Magnus said.

"That's why you didn't know that I had presented. It never appeared in the book." Alec said.

"Yes and no, love." Magnus said, lifting Alec's chin to meet his eyes. "I should have known, regardless of this book. No matter what you presented as. Or Isabelle. I have followed the births and deaths and everything in between of every Lightwood since the time of Gideon. I screwed up. And it will pain me for the rest of my life. I knew you were The Archer. I knew that you were the best Shadowhunter alive. I knew that Isabelle was a badass warrior and about your team. But when it mattered most, when it meant the most, I failed you. I should have been ready on your birthday and upcoming presentation and been prepared to take action, for the both of you, and I failed. I'm so sorry." Magnus said, an unshed tear in his eyes.

"It's okay. I don't know why I'm not in that book. And I don't really care. And people make mistakes. It all worked out in the end." Alec said, cupping Magnus' cheek. "So let's lay this to rest for now, okay?"

Magnus nodded, yes.

"There are still a few things that need to be cleared up." Izzy stated. "Like, why in the hell where we kept in the dark. If Izabella Lightwood isn't ashamed of her son, I want to know why. What? Did she not give a shit about her grandchildren? And why has my father treated Alec the way he has his entire life, and more so after he presented as an omega?"

"I think we should all take a seat for that one." Magnus said.

After everyone settled into their seats, Alec snuggled up to Magnus, Magnus started to speak.

"As I've already told you, within ten minutes of Izabella's confinement to her chambers, I received Jason's fire message. I was in and she was out. One thing that I will tell you is that if the last hundred plus years is any indication, all omega Lightwood's find fated mates. That has just been the pattern. Why, I don't know. Anyway, it was hours before anyone ever realized that she was gone. Once they had, they went straight to Jason. They interrogated him for hours, even subjecting him to the soul sword. We made sure that should Izabella present as an omega, all he knew was that someone would retrieve her, he wouldn't know who, and he would have no idea where she was taken. So he passed the soul swords test with flying colors. All that they knew was that she had somehow vanished. And as much as he hated it, he had to keep up the pretense that he was disgusted by her now that she was an 'omega'. He was watched carefully on every patrol and mission, every move scrutinized, for a while. Once the Clave and Institute were both convinced that he knew nothing, all was back to normal. What they didn't know was that each night he would send me a fire message letting me know he was ready. Once I copied his tracking rune signature, he was able to deactivate his rune and portal out of the Institute. As far as the Institute was concerned, he was asleep in his bed. That was when he spent his time with Izabella. It didn't matter how exhausted he was from training and hunting, or from long patrols, that was their time. And he never missed a moment of it. As with Belle and Robert, they were able to mate, but not claim each other. They made the most of what they had and cherished every moment. One afternoon, several months later, everything changed for Izabella. There was a mass demon attack on the outskirts of Idris, terrorizing the mundanes there. All available Shadowhunters were dispatched to stop the chaos. Jason was killed in the battle. He died a hero. Izabella knew the moment it had happened. Losing a fated mate is a thousand times worse than losing a parabati, the connection is so strong. As you can probably guess, she was unable to attend his rite of passing, which only made it worse. She didn't get out of bed for days. Days then turned into weeks. The only time she stirred was to use the bathroom. After a while she became physically ill. I sent word to Catarina to come and look her over. We thought that maybe Catarina could get through to her while she treated whatever ailment was affecting Izabella. The first thing Catarina asked upon her arrival was when Izabella's next heat was due. Then it hit us like a ton of bricks. Izabella's heat period had come and gone. After Catarina examined her, and confirmed the pregnancy, she told Izabella. 'I'm pregnant?' were the first words to leave her lips since the moment of Jason's death. She was ecstatic. While nothing could replace her Jason, she knew she was carrying a part of him inside of her. A part that she would love and cherish for all the days of her life. Everything changed after that. By the next day she was up and moving, albeit a little weak from her time in bed, but she was slowly becoming her old self again. The illness we had called Catarina in for was simple morning sickness. While she battled it throughout the remainder of her first trimester, she pushed through it. She would only eat the best foods for her child to ensure that the baby would enter this world healthy and strong. When Catarina came for her second trimester visit, she was amazed at the difference between the Izabella she had first seen and Izabella that stood before her. During the exam, Izabella was beyond excited. She wanted to know everything. That was when she learned that she was carrying perfectly healthy twin boys. Gideon Alexander and Robert Jason."

"Our father and uncle." Izzy said, awed. "But what happened? Why was our father so cruel to us? So cold? And why did he treat Alexander the way he has?"

"Well, that's where it get's tricky. Izabella gave birth to her twins and cherished them. But how were they going to report them to the Clave without knowing where they came from? Children of an omega were not going to be accepted, probably killed, and without proof of new life from the Lightwood line, for all the world it would have ended with Izabella. She had no choice but to send her boys to the Institute when the time came. And as much as she hated it, she wanted her boys to learn everything they could to defend themselves against any form of attack. Otherwise her children would have to be raised in the shadows like she was living. So she sat down with her parents and formed a plan. Bella would claim the children as her own. A late in life pregnancy. So Izabella's twins where put down in the Clave's records as the children of Bella Lightwood and Michael Greymark. Izabella knew that she only had a limited amount of time with her boys before she had to send them to the Institute for their training at nine. But they already had several well trained and experienced Shadowhunters to prepare them. They taught them to be strong. To take no shit from anybody. Michael is the one who coined the Lightwood phrase 'we break noses and accept the consequences'. A phrase I hear is still is use." Magnus said, raising an eyebrow at this mate.

Alec gave his most innocent look and Izzy giggled.

"It may have come up once or twice over the years." Jace said, a huge grin on his face.

"Mm-hmm. Anyway." Magnus said. "Both your father and uncle trained to become excellent Shadowhunters. So much so that by seventeen the Clave was already grooming your father to be an Institute head one day. Once their presentation day came, we were ready. But as it turned out, they both presented as strong alphas, much to Isabella's relief. The Lightwood legacy would continue. But the brothers were torn. Neither of them wanted to leave their mother alone. She had already lost her fated mate and for nine years had lost her children. They felt that she had suffered enough. An arranged marriage to Mayrse was already in the works for your father. Your uncle was willing to forgo finding love to be with their mother. After great debate and several arguments they decided that during the next big battle, Gideon would fake his own death and return home to their mother, where he's been ever since. Of course, they came to me for help. They knew that they couldn't pull this off on their own. So moments before they were dispatched into a massive battle, Gideon sent a signal to me. He was to deactivate his tracking rune the moment the first moment that he could, without being seen. As soon as it was deactivated, I was there to retrieve him, using a glamour to hide myself. I couldn't portal him away from an active battle, so for all the world it seemed as if I was carrying a wounded soldier to safety. Once we got clear of the battle, I place a protective ward around him until we found a place that I could create a portal to pass us through. Robert carried on with the fight and the Shadowhunters were victorious. There were several dead and wounded that had to be taken back to the Institute. When they discovered that Gideon was unaccounted for, they checked the fallen Shadowhunters. When they couldn't find him there, they assumed that one of the greater demons had gotten to him. Your father had to play the role of the devastated brother. His twin was gone. Isabella was furious when Gideon arrived home and he had told her of their plan. She didn't speak to him for two days. On the third, she took him into her arms and wept. One of her babies had come back to her. As far as your father, once the Clave had thought enough time had passed for him to have overcome his grief for his brother, the final arrangement where made for his marriage to your mother. In a traditional Shadowhunter marriage your father wed your mother. From what I've been told, hating every minute of it. Both Mayrse and your father were strong alphas and your father was already proving himself to be a strong leader. The Clave was happy with the Lightwood's once again. Two years later your mother found out she was pregnant. Your father was overjoyed, yet terrified at the same time. A few months later it was discovered that she was carrying twins, one boy, one girl. While your father was thrilled, he was even more afraid. As I've said, twins are very rare in non omega families. He knew that one of you could present as an omega. He just didn't know which one."

"That doesn't explain why he's already treated Alec the way he has." Clary stated.

"Actually, I think it does. This is my theory. I think he knew that if one of you presented as an omega, that it would probably be Alec. Call it father's intuition, or gut instinct. He knew there was always a chance it could have been either of you, or none at all. But he had in his mind that it would be Alexander from early on, I think it was the eyes. Every omega Lightwood had Gideon's crystal blue eyes." Magnus said.

"So that's why he started Alec's training so early. The early morning sessions with Hodge. The extra training and studies. He wanted Alec to be prepared, in every way, just in case." Jace said.

"Exactly. What may have seemed overly harsh, maybe even cruel at times, I think that Robert felt he had no choice. He wanted to protect his son at all costs. To give him every advantage. Which he did. Could he have taken a different approach, maybe. Maybe he thought that if his son hated him enough, he would push harder trying to please his father, to gain his love. That I honestly can't say. But that is my theory." Magnus said, squeezing his Alexander's hand. "Only your father can tell you the reasons behind it all. And one day you will have to face him, love."

"He was so hateful." Alec said, barely more than a whisper. "Not just before I presented but after. He said such horrible things. Cruel and vile things. Things that no parent should ever say to a child. And he did nothing to stop my mother. She was so much worse. Berating me constantly, every day, as many times as she could. She would call me into her office just to tell me how worthless and disgusting I was. How I should have died the moment I was born. That I was shit on her shoes. A disgusting faggot. A disgrace. A filthy omega whore." He said, tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

"Come here, love. Shhh, your safe from it all now." Magnus said, pulling his angel into his arms. "It's alright now. She can't hurt you anymore. I swear it. But you will have to face her too at some point. But don't fret. You will be more than ready for it. She will beg for mercy at your feet. I promise you that. Don't cry, my love. It will be alright." Magnus crooned, trying desperately to soothe his distraught mate. "Come here." He said, gently pressing his Shadowhunters nose near his scent glands. "Breathe, baby. Just breathe and calm yourself."

"What happened to 'the plan'? Clary asked, arms firmly wrapped around her stomach, as if to contain her parabati's pain. To prevent it from escaping, taking her with it.

"That, I don't know. But I'll find out. I think were done for today. Alexander needs to rest. He's already been through more than enough for one day." Magnus said.

"I want to meet her. Isabella. And my uncle. I have to. I need too." Alec hiccupped out between sobs.

"You will, my love. I promise. Just as soon as your heat passes. You're in no condition to go anywhere while you're in heat. But I promise you, I will take you to her. Isabelle too. I know she would love to meet you both. But we can talk about that later. Right now you need sleep." Magnus said, snapping his fingers. A vial appeared in his hand. Uncorking it with his thumb he raised it to Alec's lips. "Drink it, sweetheart. Let your mind rest. We'll get it all worked out. I swear by your angel."

Alec eyed the vial, debating. He was so tired of potions, there were just so many of them.

"Your suppression potion is mixed in. You need them both. Trust me." Magnus crooned.

Alec looking his alpha in the eyes. What he saw there made the decision for him. He nodded, yes.

"Thank you, love." Magnus said as Alec swallowed the potion.

Within seconds Alec's vision started to blur. He could hear sister, very, very far away. He blinked once, twice, the delicious scent of his alpha following him into darkness.

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