a/n: READ THE END NOTES

Well…there we go, something is finally happening. Guess that's my cue. Beyond chuckled as he watched someone walk up and talk to the man in the surveillance car before moving quickly away. B knew what that meant and was ready to move, pulling the hood of his jacket over his face before exiting the car.

The air had grown crisper and even colder in the time he'd sat there waiting, he took a deep breath in and smiled. His fingers slid up and down along the switchblade in his pocket, anticipating the blood he knew would be spilled here tonight.

The dark haired Alpha hummed lowly to himself as he crossed the street and headed around to a less visible side of the considerable property before scaling the wall easily. God, this makes Wammy's look like Fort Knox in comparison. He thought with glee as he landed silently inside on the balls of his feet. He tread with care, avoiding the few security guards and cameras placed around the exterior and made his way to one of the entrances.

Beyond giggled as he pulled a small package out of his pocket and nestled it near the base of the door, positioning it just right for maximum effect. A little something special for later... He thought, making the final adjustments to the settings. He reached up to grab the door handle and grinned when he realized it was unlocked.

Tsk, tsk…oh Max. You really make it too easy. This guy is supposed to be a mobster or something, right? How pathetic… He sneered. I can't believe you let someone like him steal your Omega, L. Maybe you don't deserve him... B considered, as he locked the door behind him and continued through the house. Guess it won't really matter soon. He thought with a shrug.

xxx

"Are they ready?" L asked Mello over the phone. He sat in his car and watched as the team assembled about a block away from Max's house in a dark side alley.

"Yes, they know you're coming and that you'll be acting as a representative from L if you still want to do this…Ryuzaki." Mello carefully used his alias, in the unlikely case that their transmission was hacked.

"Thank you Mello." The Alpha replied before looking at Watari in the rearview mirror. The wise old Beta simply stared back at him with a concerned expression.

"Are you sure you want to, no, need to do this? It puts your whole identity at risk. I'm sure the team going in can handle this-"

"He's my mate." L bit out, his resolve hardening further as he reached for the door handle. "I can't explain it, but yes, I have to do this." He ran a hand over his face in frustration.

"I love him…and I need him to know that being there for him is more important than anything else. Even protecting my identity if necessary." He muttered before exiting the car, leaving the worried Beta behind as he went to join the team preparing their assault on Max's estate.

xxx

Light looked up and down the hall, closing the bedroom door quietly behind him as he exited. He had a moment of relief at the door being thick enough that most of the yelling from Max was muffled. The brunette felt the blood dripping down the side of his face and along his neck. He grimaced and held the sleeve of his cinnamon colored sweater against the wound on his forehead to try and keep it from making such a mess.

Can't leave a trail behind…not a trace… The young man felt a sudden wave of nausea and braced himself against the wall with his other hand, closing his eyes to take a steadying breath. Got to get moving. He told himself determinedly, pushing his exhausted form off the wall and stumbling forward along the hall, heading in the direction of the entry. I think so…yes…this is the way. His eyes darted around at the closed doors, hoping they all stayed that way as he crept along.

So far, so good…just have to-

"What the fuck!" Nick stood in the hall ahead of him, about fifteen feet away, having just rounded the corner. The blonde Beta's icy blue stare took in the young man's bloody appearance, the razor in his hand…

"Where's Max you little whore! What did you do to him?" Nick growled storming toward the Omega, who backed up a couple of steps and lifted the razor defensively, hands shaking from both blood loss and fear.

"I…I…" Light tried to respond in his less than lucid state, but was unable to get the words out before Nick slapped the sharp blade out of his hand, letting it tumble to the ground nearby. The Beta's arm shot out, his strong fingers quickly wrapping themselves around the brunette's neck. The young Omega's eyes were filled with terror as he scratched desperately at the choking grip.

Nick was incensed, driving the smaller man backwards and shoving him roughly against the wall to pin him there as he tightened his hold further, yelling and cursing at Light. "You bitch! I'm going make you fucking pay."

Oh god…I'm going to die like this… Light thought dazedly as everything started to go gray around the edges, unable to breathe. His eyes closed. I'm sorry L…please forgive me.

xxx

The assault team was planning on entering from the side of the building, as it was the least monitored of the options. L stood waiting about thirty feet away. He would follow the team inside once it was deemed safe and they'd subdued any hostiles in the immediate vicinity.

He was silent and almost invisible, except for his face and his breath fogging in the cold night air. They'd given him a black jacket upon arriving to wear over his white shirt to conceal him better, as he'd forgotten one in his haste to get there. L's pale visage looked like it was floating disembodied in the night, causing more than one of the men to do a double take at the unsettling sight.

The six men on the small, but elite assault team communicated with hand gestures as they approached the door and prepared to pick the lock. L watched closely, anxious to get inside. He knew the initial entry was a critical part of the mission and they had to be incredibly careful to avoid detection early on.

This is all about stealth and-

*BOOM*

L only had a moment to register what was happening, see the other men tossed backwards like ragdolls, before he too was thrown to the ground from the shockwave of the bomb going off at the door.

The Alpha lay on the grass for a few moments, looking up at the stars, before sitting up and gazing around. His eyes were filled with horror as he saw the bodies lying strewn about on the grass and walkways, unmoving. He pulled out his phone and immediately called the back-up team, who he was sure already heard the blast from their position a block away.

"This is Ryuzaki. Team one is down. There was an incendiary device rigged at the sidedoor. Please proceed with caution, send medical help immediately. I am going to proceed inside."

"Ryuzaki, wait for-" L hung up. Like hell I'm waiting. He stood and headed around the building towards the front entrance instead of going in through the side. That blast will draw people to it, trying to figure out what happened. My best bet to get in undetected is probably to go in the front.

You're here, aren't you B? This kind of sneak attack and level of violence had the other Alpha written all over it.

Is that what you're hoping happens, that we'll all stay over here? That we'll be so distracted by your little surprise? L growled and moved rapidly around the large building, weaving through the landscape in the dark. Sorry to disappoint, but it's not going to be that easy.

xxx

Nick heard an explosion and felt the building shake. He released his grip on the Omega's throat in alarm, letting the unconscious young man slide down the wall and slump brokenly on the floor.

"What the hell…" The Beta muttered under his breath. He took a few steps back and observed the brunette with loathing in his eyes. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Max but received no response. Dammit.

The blonde kneeled down and examined Light's passed out form. Seeing a large amount of fresh blood, Nick pushed a section of wetly matted hair out of the way on the young man's forehead, he could now see the cut across it, still bleeding considerably.

His eyes widened in surprise, having assumed the blood was Max's at first glance given that the young man was running about by himself, looking as he did. Who did this? Max? No…it couldn't be. He was so hell bent on you not getting hurt…

He sighed and stood once more, dialing Anna this time. Maybe Max isn't hurt? But where is he? There was no answer on his assistant's phone either.

Shit. I can't just leave him here and go look for Max… and what was that sound? The blonde gnawed on his lip anxiously. I don't like any of this it's-

"What the hell did you do to him?" A voice growled lowly from down the hall. Nick looked over, shuddering at the unmistakable weight of an Alpha's timbre in the voice and knowing in an instant he was in deep shit as the man began to stalk towards him.

The young man on the floor whimpered, influenced by the same undeniably strong pull the man exuded as it drew him to the surface of awareness, his eyelids fluttered before they finally opened. Light's gold hued eyes looked confused at first, then a weak smile grew upon his face as he saw the raven haired man in the dark jacket approach them. "I knew you'd come for me…" He slurred before slipping back into unconsciousness.

The Beta instinctively took a couple steps back as the pale, dark haired man approached. There was coldness in his dark eyes that matched Max's, as well as an Alpha's strength that surpassed it. No…don't want to mess with this mother fucker…no way.

The Alpha picked up the razor from where it lay on the floor and glared at the other man. "What exactly were you doing with this? Little Betas really shouldn't play with knives…they could get cut."

Nick bristled at the remark. "Fuck you buddy. I don't know who you think you are, but-"

The Beta was cutoff when he was thrown to the ground, flat on his back in an instant. Not even really seeing the man move, he was so quick. The wind was completely knocked out of Nick as he lay there stunned, while the dark haired man pinned him down effortlessly.

"Who do I think I am?" The Alpha murmured darkly, putting the razor to Nick's throat as his other hand went to his mouth, nibbling on the thumb.

"I'm his mate." The man hissed. "And I'm here to show you what happens when you touch things that don't belong to you."

xxx

The first thing Light smelled as he began to swim towards consciousness were apples and rain. Like being in an orchard in Fall after a storm… He sighed and burrowed his way closer into the arms that carried him, pressing his face against the other man's neck and gently nuzzling. A soft chuckle sounded out and the arms clutched him tight, held him closer.

Did I die? I think I must have. I saw L and now I smell him. I'm just going to stay here as long as possible…

He drifted contentedly in a half-asleep state until he heard the distinct sound of a car door being opened and he was placed inside, laid on the backseat. Light dared to open his eyes and reached out to grab one of the retreating arms, letting out a small whine of discontent at being set down.

L came closer once more, looking at him with loving eyes as he smiled. "It's ok, Light." He murmured softly. "I have to drive now. I'm taking you somewhere safe while you recover…just the two of us, where no one can hurt you." The Alpha ran his thumb across the young man's cheek and Light leaned into the touch. "I'm so happy to have you back." L whispered.

The brunette smiled and kissed L's fingers before laying his head down to rest on the blanket in the back seat. How nice…he brought a soft, fluffy blanket for me…such a good Alpha. Light snuggled in, pulling it around his battered body and sighing contentedly as L slid into the front seat and started the car.

"I love you L…"

"I love you too Light."

xxx

The blue morning sky was streaked with gold and orange when Light opened his eyes again. He glanced out of the car window as they drove along for a while in a daze, unable to fully gather his thoughts. He grew aware of how his head throbbed, his gut ached and then he began to feel sick…

Don't throw up…Don't you dare do it… He told himself, taking a deep breath and lying perfectly still until the nausea passed.

"Ngh…" Light finally groaned out in pain. "Please tell me you brought pain meds with you L?" The brunette looked towards the front seat imploringly.

"Yes and we're just coming up the road to the house now, so I can get them out in a moment for you. Then we'll get you in bed again to rest some more." L stated, not giving any room for argument.

"Ok…I just want to sleep until I don't hurt anymore…" Light mumbled, deciding that having a pity party for once in his life wasn't the worst way he could react to all that had happened. L laughed softly.

"Well, aren't you docile today…makes my job easier I suppose." The raven haired male remarked as he stopped the car and grinned back at Light.

The younger man rolled his eyes and even that kind of hurt. "I'm glad I could accommodate you." He said with a yawn, his eyes trying to slip shut again.

"Let's get you inside and then I'll unload the car while you take it easy." Light nodded, prying his eyes open again as he allowed the Alpha to help him out of the car, leading him into the country home that sat at the end of a long winding road.

Light smiled at the airy open feeling of the cottage which had a mix of bohemian aesthetics and English countryside style which was endearing at first glance. It's peaceful here. He thought with a small sigh, as they wandered through to the main bedroom.

"Here we go…" L said as he helped the brunette sit down before proceeding to pull some pain medication out of a small bag and getting a glass of water.

At least I don't have to worry about being molested in my sleep if I'm out of it now. Light considered. If I am, at least I won't mind the person doing it. The thought made the Omega smile slightly.

"Penny for your thoughts?" L asked as he helped the younger man lie down on the bed. Light blushed. "That good, huh?" The Alpha teased as he pulled the bloody sweater off the brunette, who grimaced as he realized how disgusting he was at the moment. L noticed his reaction and spoke up.

"Just rest while I unload the car and let your meds kick in, then I'll run a bath for you, ok?" Light nodded. "We'll get you all cleaned up." L said reassuringly, giving the Omega's hand a squeeze before pulling the blanket over him and leaving the room.

Light smiled, even though pain filled his body. I'm safe. We're safe. It's going to be ok… He sighed and closed his eyes, happy to rest and wait for L to return.

xxx

The raven haired male stepped out of the country home and quickly headed back to the car to unload everything. The first items he grabbed were a large suitcase and a container, before heading to the small building to the side of the main home, a guest apartment that he could use for work.

Yes…work. That's exactly what he'd tell Light when asked about it, he'd decided, opening the door and heading to the small office space within to set down the luggage. He placed the container on a nearby table and opened it, removing the contents and placing them in the fridge for later.

He locked up the room and headed back to the car, grabbing the remaining large piece of luggage to take up to the house. The chill morning air was warming by the minute and it promised to be a beautiful day.

The Alpha took a deep breath in and smiled. His fingers sliding up and down along the switchblade in his pocket with his free hand as he drew closer to the house, anticipating all the fun he was going to have with the Omega inside.

Yes.

So…

Much…

Fun…

IMPORTANT AUTHOR NOTES!

As I've worked through writing this tale, I can see further down the path than I was able to at the beginning. There is more story to tell than I originally anticipated. A lot more. I'm sure that readers will be happy to hear that this fic won't be ending in the immediate future :)

So…as this story arc ends for Treaty with Chapter 40 (that's THIS chapter kiddos!) I'll split this tale into two fics.

Treaty has been renamed 'Treaty: Claim'. The sequel fic will be named 'Treaty: Bond'.

AND because I love all of you readers so much for sticking with me through all 125K+ words of writing the story so far, I'll be releasing Chapter 1 of Treaty: Bond this coming week as well…if you want me to that is...

...you do want it? Right? ;)

I'm very excited about where this is heading and I look forward to continuing to share this story with you.

Cheers,

AF

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