Leo's anxiety crept in quietly, curling into his chest like winter frost. He felt Aleksandr's father's eyes on him. They weren't hostile or unkind. They just seemed to be...assessing. Like, he had some uncanny ability to see Leo's insecurities.
The older man's gaze moved over Lev slowly, taking in the pale coat, the smaller frame beside Sasha's towering black wolf, the exhaustion still clinging to Leo's posture. It wasn't judgment exactly but it carried a weight that made Leo suddenly aware of every little thing about himself. Of how small he looked beside Sasha. Of how unfamiliar this place was. Of how everyone here belonged. And he didn't.
Suddenly Sasha was beside him.
Without a word, the massive black wolf pressed his side against Leo's and his warm fur slid against his cold white fur. The movement was casual enough that nobody would think much of it, but Leo felt it immediately, the quiet reassurance in it. His body instantly relaxed, his thoughts stopped spiraling.
It reminded Leo of how something similar had happened the first time he had hugged Aleksandr in his apartment in the city on the day he had first met Aleksandr.
I'm here. Sasha lowered his head, nudging Leo once beneath the jaw.
Leo's shoulders loosened a fraction.
He noticed that Aleksandr's sister had disappeared. Probably went inside. Only then did Sasha's father speak.
"Enough standing outside," he said, voice deep and even. "Shift back." His voice had an authority to it that wasn't harsh, but it carried the effortless command of someone used to being listened to.
"Lev, this is my father. His name is Ivan Konstantinovich Darkov."
"Sir," Leo greeted quietly, dipping his head a little in respect. His father acknowledged the nod and disappeared briefly inside.
Moments later, the air shimmered with shifting forms. Leo pulled his arms closer instinctively the moment he stood in human form, suddenly aware of himself all over again. Aleksandr's father returned carrying folded clothes. He handed the pile to Sasha. "Your old things," he said simply.
Sasha looked down at them and snorted. "These are ancient."
"They still fit." His father said.
"Says the man who still owns shirts older than me."
From somewhere inside the house, a woman's voice called, "I heard that, Aleksandr!"
Aleksandr visibly winced.
Leo blinked and stared at the source of the voice. Then slowly turned toward Sasha.
"You got scolded?"
Sasha looked offended. "I am Alpha."
"You got scolded," Leo repeated.
A small smile threatened at the corner of his mouth. Sasha narrowed his eyes. "You're enjoying this."
"A little."
For a second they simply looked at each other. Then Sasha huffed dramatically and shoved clothes into Leo's arms. "That would be my mother, Natasha Petrovna Darkova. Now, you better come inside before they decide to embarrass me further."
~~~~
As soon as he entered, warmth hit Leo. The scent of bread drifted through the house alongside herbs and cooked meat.
Wooden floors creaked softly beneath their feet, and framed photographs lined the walls from family gatherings, winters, celebrations, to children growing up. Most them were of his sister, Yuliya, some were of his little brother, Anton while the rest were of them together as a family. Only one picture on the wall belonged to a young, toothless yet grinning widely Aleksandr. Leo liked it the best.
A woman emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She paused as her eyes landed on Leo. Then widened slightly. "Oh."
Very smooth, Leo thought. Very subtle.
She recovered almost immediately. "You brought someone home and gave no warning?" she said sharply, turning toward Sasha.
Sasha blinked innocently. "I was busy."
"Busy becoming impossible?"
"Mama, I-"
"Sasha," she corrected instantly.
Leo nearly choked trying to hide his laugh. The woman's eyes softened as she turned toward him. "You must be Leo."
"Hello, Mrs. Darkova," Leo said politely. "I am Leo Sergeyevich Pavlov."
"Lev," she said immediately. Just like Aleksandr had when he'd learnt his name. "Sit, I'll bring you food. You look tired."
"Oh, no, I can help out." Leo tried.
"Nyet." No.
"I'm really fine."
"Nyet."
Leo blinked. Sasha leaned over to help his mate. "Do not argue."
Leo lowered his voice. "Why?"
Sasha looked entirely serious. "You'll lose."
Conversation followed naturally after that. His little sister Yuliya, practically attached herself to Aleksandr's side. Vlad had appeared at some point and received a smack on the shoulder from Sasha's mother for "looking half-dead." He dropped in some things, then left to spend time with his family.
Leo couldn't help however, but notice that there were quiet, subtle glances. Eyes lingering on Leo a second too long before looking away. Nobody said anything though. Nobody needed to. Leo could understand it all. He was male. Omega. And mate.
Aleksandr's mate. Which also made him their Luna. Eventually.
The information sat in the room like another guest at the table. Unspoken. Watching everyone. But he was grateful that nobody treated him strangely. No one stared. No one asked questions. They simply shifted to make room for him. Even Aleksandr's father. As if they'd already decided and accepted that he belonged there.
And somehow, that made Leo more emotional than anything else ever had.
Under the table, Aleksandr's fingers brushed against his. Just once. Quiet. Hidden.
I'm here.
Leo looked over, overwhelmed.
Sasha wasn't even looking at him. He was arguing with his brother, Anton, over who had eaten the last honey cakes.
"...you absolutely did."
"I did not!" Anton retorted.
"You have crumbs on your face."
"...traitor." Laughter spread through the room as Anton tried to wipe his face.
For a moment, for one perfect moment, everything felt normal.
Then Leo noticed it.
The silence that came after. Brief but there. Present. Silently looming in. Aleksandr's father looked toward the window. His mother's smile faded slightly.
And Aleksandr had gone very still.
The town. Whatever had happened.
Whatever had dragged Aleksandr away earlier, it was still waiting.
####
Next chapter will describe the incident.
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