Chapter 4 - The Young Alexei

Chelyabinsk, Russia. November 18th, 21 years ago.

The freezing temperature in the streets of his hometown embraced Alexei's thin, starved body. Having a tiny life in his hands to maintain, the Alpha was guarding a grocery store, waiting for it to run out of customers so he could execute the crazy plan he had been plotting for the last four hours or so, which is when he discovered it.

A month had already passed since he decided to flee the place that had caused so many bad memories and traumas for him and his little brother. He didn't want to risk making things worse and putting the life of the dear, sweet Omega in his care at risk, so he chose the best option he could think of at the moment: escape.

He wasn't sure if it had been days, weeks, or months since he had carried Fredek off with him, taking advantage of the dark, gloomy early morning. The two wandered the streets without a destination, leaving behind the house that was so neglected and abused that no one would dare think it was occupied.

—Alex, what shall we do now? I'm a little hungry — asks the youngest, then barely twelve years old and with thick tears running down his cheeks.

Alexei insulted himself internally for not taking more than the limited food reserves left in that hell hole, he didn't know how much they would have to be out in the open without a roof over their heads. He should have been more careful.

—It's okay, Fred. Here — checking his bag, takes out a sandwich he had prepared earlier and hands it over to him —. Eat it. You must hold on a little longer, we still have to find a place to sleep. It's getting colder and I don't want you to get sick — stroking the cold-blushed cheekbones with his thumbs to gently remove the tears that were dripping from his eyelashes, then smiles at the child to try to comfort him.

—I thought you said we had to be careful with the food — Fredek whispers, trying to return the sandwich —. I don't want it if it means you won't eat.

Alexei's heart shrinks at the persistent concern in his tone and he curses again the fate of both of them for having to endure the misery of their current situation, feeling his hands tied without a prompt solution to the obvious problem he had gotten into.

—Don't be silly. Go on, eat — he pushes Fredek's hands towards his mouth so he can take a bite of the bread —. I've already eaten and I'm not hungry. You don't need to worry about that.

They begin to walk again, while Alexei continues to wonder what the hell he will do or where they will go to at least close their eyelids without fearing for their brother's safety. Sleeping on the streets was not an option, a little Omega like Fred would be at the complete disposal of any predator and he was terrified that he wouldn't have the strength to protect him.

No, alleyways weren't an option. In the end he would have to ask for help from the one person he did not wish and should not go to, but even having to ask for help would be better than staying another day under the calvary to which they were vulnerable.

—Fred — mumbles after a while of silent walking —. I know you probably won't like what I'm going to say, so I'll just drop it at once — stops to look at him, smiling at the crumbs of the sandwich stuck to the corners of his mouth. He looked adorable.

—What's the matter, Alex? — Fredek asks, raising his head to meet his brother's eyes. Alexei takes a deep breath before speaking. If there's anyone who would like less the idea of going to that place, it would be little Omega.

—Because of how tight we are on money and considering that we have nowhere else to go... I'm afraid we'll have to stay with Aunt Milenka.

Milenka was his father's sister, he and she didn't get along very well. He was a scoundrel, alcoholic, a hardcore gambler and a molester of his two children. She for being a strict religious fanatic, did not hesitate to punish both minors harshly, clinging to the excuse that she was doing it in the name of God.

Fred was very afraid of her, whenever they were forced to go he tried to make as little noise as possible and be as invisible as he could. Alexei was aware of this, so when he noticed that the stubborn woman was turning her attention to the little boy, he looked for a way to get into trouble to divert her anger towards him.

He hated putting the child at that crossroads, but when he saw the last course of action his father was meant to take, he saw no other viable way out. Fredek watched him, opening his eyes wide, before nodding his head slightly.

—I promise you it will only be for a few days, Fred — he vowed with conviction —. Give me a little time to get enough money so I can have a place, where it will be just the two of us, okay? — caressing his brother's chestnut tresses at that time.

—It's okay, Alex — Fred said, after analyzing his condition for a few seconds —. If that's the only option we have now, I understand. I just don't want you to keep putting yourself in danger. I don't want you to fight anymore, I don't want to see you hurt again — he said determinedly, breathing heavily.

The Alpha felt a knot the size of a football blocking his throat. He fully understood what his brother was feeling, and he didn't want to be in that position either. He would die before he could expose him, to revive that hell again.

—I promise you, Fred. Never again.

And there he was, almost midnight, stalking the manager of the place. He was walking slowly through the corridors, pretending to think of what he would like to buy when in fact he was deciding on the best way to raid the place far from civilization. They had been living with their aunt for a miserable month, and he was beginning to become desperate with the woman.

Looking for money in every possible way to get the only one he considered his real family out of that damn house. He was stealing left and right from any innocent person who didn't suspect anything until it was too late. He would arrive at nightfall, when the moon was at its highest, having to endure his aunt's tireless sermons and watching over his brother.

He finally found the right moment when he was about to give up because of an employee's carelessness. Holding his breath to avoid revealing himself, he approached him from behind, put his left arm over the man's shoulders, and with his free hand pressed the sharp knife he had in his shirt pocket to his delicate throat.

—I advise you not to make any sounds, I'm not in the mood for bullshit — he whispers in the scared man's ear —. Now, you will open the cash register and hand over everything you have there. No sudden movements, no resistance. Quickly and safely. If you understand me, nod your head.

The man, not wanting to push his luck, nods furiously, being docile and obedient. The Alpha gives him a slight push to do what he had just ordered, starting to pull out row after row of bills inside the register, all under the sharp eye of Alexei, who does not give in as he keeps pressing the knife on his racing pulse, so that he is sure he is not fooling around.

After a short while, the employee has filed a paper bag with the loot, extending it towards Magnus with trembling hands.

—Good, now leave it on the edge of the counter. If I even smell you trying to act brave, I'll shove my razor deep into your throat and twist it, so you won't stop bleeding — with his deep, adrenaline-fueled voice running through his veins.

The terrified man does what he is told and raises his hands to the sides of his body, signaling that he will not resist. Just at that moment, the lights of a car are seen stopping outside through the windows of the shop.

—Shit! — exclaims the Alpha, getting nervous at the abrupt turn of events. His palms start to sweat, and he feels big drops of sweat running down his back.

«Come on, Alexei, do something quick! », says to himself in his mind, desperately trying to get a solution to the problem miraculously. But he doesn't, and suddenly the doors open, a stout man striding into the artificial light of the bulbs. He wears a polished black suit and has a "don't fuck with me or you'll regret it"face practically tattooed.

He sweeps the perimeter quickly and when he realizes the intricate circumstances in which he is involved unexpectedly, his muscles become rigid. He immediately takes his hand inside his jacket and from there pulls out a gun with which he points it at the young Alpha. Alexei puts the startled employee in front of him, using him as a shield.

—I suggest you think hard about the next move you are going to make, boy — his voice sounded low, with an obvious warning tone —. So you won't regret it later.

By his smell, Alexei was able to effectively determine that he was an Alpha too. He reminded himself that he wouldn't let anyone walk over him anymore and that son of a bitch would be no exception.

—Listen to me, you piece of shit. I've come here for one purpose and that's to take the money out of this damn place — he barks through his teeth, challenging him with his eyes. He could feel the employee's tremors under his strong grip —. This idiot has already given it to me, so I'll take it and go. You won't get in my way.

The man seems unperturbed by his ultimatum, inert, holding the gun in his direction. Then, one of the corners of his mouth leans slightly upwards.

—But look at that, an insolent little shit. And what exactly are you going to use to get me out of your way? The toy knife you have there? — trying to disturb him, Alexei struggled not to fall in his game —. I recommend you reconsider your options, that money doesn't belong to you. It belongs to Yurik Ivanov. This is his territory, so if you think you're going to walk out of here alive with something that's not yours, I'm informing you that you're very much mistaken.

«Yurik Ivanov? Who the fuck is that guy?» That's what Alexei thought when he heard the man's chatter. He had spent a lot of time in the underworld, had picked up gossips about many mobsters and traffickers in his clandestine fights (courtesy of his father), but had never heard that name before.

—And who the fuck is this Yurik Ivanov? — he asks rudely as the bell at the entrance to the establishment tinkles, indicating that someone else has entered the place.

A slightly taller male, with prominent shoulders, perfectly styled hair, in an impeccable gray suit with a bright blue tie, black shoes shined, stopped next to the man holding the gun. He stared at him with a settled confidence, the kind that only the evillest bastards had, before speaking.

—That's me, kid. And if you have any consideration for keeping your heart beating, you better watch what you're going to say next before opening your mouth again.

And it was right there, in that particular moment, that Alexei Magnus's life took an unexpected course. Leading him down the long, winding and sinful path that installed him in the highest position of illegality and unpunished crimes.

It was right there where he and his little brother ended up under the guardianship of what would be the man who most resembled the father figure he once dreamed of having.

It was there, right fucking there, that he climbed, step by step, that categorical mountain of power. Which without him knowing it or foreseeing it, it would lead him to meet, many years later, one of the people he would love most in his life.