Dark Prisoner ✔

Chapter 23: Golden Dreams

"So, were you planning on dying?" Vadik asked.

"What?" Alec recognized the rage on Vadik's face that was clouding his judgement.

"Why did you sacrifice yourself?" Vadik asked, his tone rising. "I-" he gritted his teeth and turned away- "I almost lost you. I did lose you. If it wasn't for Zero then you wouldn't be here."

"Vadik," Alec approached him but his brother stepped back.

"I know Lucas was hard on you and you carry the legacy as the first born, but I was always here," Vadik affirmed sternly. "I was always by your side ready to fight the war with you."

"I didn't want to burden you," Alec explained.

"Why would fighting for my brother be a burden?" Vadik retorted.

Alec didn't realize that fact. "I didn't know," he said.

"You never did," Vadik snapped raking his hair irately. "You always sacrifice yourself never knowing that I need you. You are my only family, Alec. How could you think I'd survive without you?"

Alec closed the space between them and hugged his brother. "I'm sorry," he held him tightly. "I'm sorry."

"I could kill you," Vadik growled. "How do you think I felt when I found you in the hospital?" he held his stern stance not wrapping his arms around Alec. "Dario told me and I knew I lost you."

"I know, I'm sorry," Alec said as he held his baby brother close, just like when they were kids. "All I ever wanted was to keep you safe."

"Don't protect me, idiot," Vadik grumbled as he wrapped his arm around Alec. "I've always been a better fighter than you."

Alec laughed. "I won't argue with that," he remarked.

Vadik pulled away hiding his eyes. "You pull this dying bullshit on me again, I'll kill you myself," he chided. "Fuck, I hate everyone. And tell your mate I want a bigger bedroom in this house."

Alec smiled at his brother. "Sure," he said. "Anything else, baby brother."

Vadik's blue and green eyes stared at Alec. "It's my duty to protect you," he said.

Alec met his brother's unwavering gaze. "As it is mine to protect you," he said.

Vadik left the room closing the door behind him.

Alec hadn't realized how hard he has been on Vadik by keeping him in the dark about the sacrifices he made. His brother has always been by his side and fought with him. Dying was easy. Living a life that was honourable and built on the foundations of truth were hard to achieve. Yet, Alec knew that his brother was admirable and always told his truth. Facing death wasn't the problem for Vadik or Alec. They needed to face that they weren't a true family and it was time become one.

"You've got a good brother," Kade spoke.

Alec turned facing his mate who was leaning against the bannister. "I do," he said. "But it seems I haven't been."

Kade's green eyes gleamed. "Yeah, perhaps throwing yourself in front of a car wasn't the best idea," he said as he crossed the space that he commanded.

"I was trying to save you," Alec remarked as he faced the one who was made to be his and finally was now.

Kade smirked. "Next time, try not to die in the process," he said as he wrapped his arms around Alec.