Chapter 6

"Fuck!" Magnus growled as he stepped out of the portal and into his apartment, Ragnor hot on his heels. He had never been one for the use of profanities, as he had never had a problem expressing himself, however, in that moment as he began pacing his living room, his hands pulling at his hair, he was at a lost for words.

"Magnus!" Ragnor called, grabbing his friend's arm, halting him. "Calm down. You're going to wear a hole in the carpet."

Magnus pulled his hand free of the Ragnor's grasp, turning to look him over. "Are you serious right now?" He asked disbelievingly. "Did you not see what just happened?"

"I did," said Ragnor as he moved to the couch, plopping down then scrubbing a hand down his face as he released a heavy breath. He had never experienced anything like this before, and he had been alive for a very long time, even longer than Magnus.

There was a long pregnant pause, the air thick with tension, both men obviously thinking deeply over the events of the evening as the implications of everything that had happened weighed heavily in the room.

Magnus had never felt so utterly powerless before, so not in control of himself. Just when he thought nothing could surprise him anymore, when he thought he'd seen and done it all, something like this happens and throws him completely off balance. One minute he was in a meeting, doing everything possible to not be bored out of his mind, and the next, he was being set ablaze by what could only be described as the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. And then there was the young shadowhunter's scent. It was like nothing he had ever experinced before. It had left him feeling drained, yet simultaneously engergized. Like he was powerful enough to take on the world, yet wanting nothing more than to just lay down, relax, and be comforted.

The whole situation had been confusing. His actions, or rather lack there of, had been confusing. Magnus was a man of certainty, a man of action, and tonight... he had more or less been some what rescued by his friend. Never in his whole entire long life had he ever been so... torpid. Looking back on the situation now, he obviously was never in any real danger, the whole thing being nothing but one big misunderstanding, but still... He needed to have taken action, taken control, rectify the situation. Instead he had done nothing, nothing but get dragged away like some young inexperienced warlock.

Talk about making a lousy first impression. He could just smack himself for how he had acted, especially with regards to the beautiful blue eye'd shadowhunter. Even if the interaction had lasted but a minute, a lot can happen in minute.

"I need a drink," Magnus sighed, moving towards the bar. He poured himself a shot of whiskey, bringing the glass up to his lips and downing it in one go, then pouring himself another. His head was full; from thoughts of blue eyes, to his bruised ego. Not to mention what the incident could mean for shadowhunter/downworlder relations. He needed to get a grip on his emotions, give voice to his thoughts.

Finally, he made his way to the plush blue sofa, joining Ragnor, two drinks in hand. He handed one to his friend, then leaned his head back against the couch, sighing as he stared up at the beautifully designed brocade ceiling, his thoughts still all over the place. Almost afraid to say the words, "Was he?" He asked, getting the main question out of the way.

"I think so," Ragnor replied immediately, seemingly to have been on the same train of thought. "Had to be."

"But how?" Magnus reasoned.

"I have no idea," said Ragnor. "I mean, they have been rumors... but that's all they were... rumors. Nothing had ever been confirmed."

There was another pause, then Magnus leaned forward and placed his now empty glass next to Ragnor's on the glass coffee table that sat in front of them. "So," he started. "There's an actual omega in existence, after all this time... and, he's a shadowhunter."

"It would seem so," said Ragnor. "An unmated omega at that."

"You know what this means right?" Magnus turned to his friend.

"I do," said Ragnor. "Everything is about to change. Especially once word gets out of his existence. He could be in a lot of danger."

Magnus nodded his response, brows furrowed. He was thinking about too many things at once. The moment he had shared with the young omega, what everything that had happened between them meant, and now the possibility of him being in danger and it being because of him. If he hadn't followed his scent, if the omega hadn't ran into him, then maybe non of this would have happened and the omega would have still been a secret, he would still be safe.

Magnus didn't know what to think... or feel.

"What happened between you two in the halls?" Ragnor asked suddenly, bringing Magnus back from his thoughts. "Everything happened pretty fast, just a few minutes. But it seemed like something went on between you two."

"That's what I'm trying to figure out," said Magnus. "When I do, I can assure you, you'll be the first to know." Ragnor made a sound like a hum in his throat, already forming his own ideas of what might have happened. "And what about you? You seemed fairly unaffected by the omega's scent." Magnus noted. "The other's had seemed about ready to go into a rut"

Embarrassingly, Magnus had almost lost himself as well.

"Well, that's because I am mated, or have you forgotten." Ragnor answered, to which Magnus nodded. "Thus more resistant to his pheromones. If he were a fully matured-unmated omega and in heat, then... oh boy, that would have been another story. As it were, his mild aroused state was only a problem for the unmated and those not yet familiar with his scent to overcome it."

A moment passed as Magnus once again got pulled into his thoughts. Even now he could still smell the omega's intoxicating scent on his person. His body still buzzed with desire as blue eyes stayed fixed at the fore front of his mind. It was all he could do not to giggle like a school girl, a small smile gracing his lips, as he thought of Ragnor's statement about the young omega being a little aroused. Especially knowing that he'd been the cause.

"Alexander," he whispered, releasing a calming breath.

"What?" Ragnor asked looking to Magnus confused, an eye brow raised in question.

"The name he was called," Magnus answered. "Alexander." There was a dreamy, far away look in his eyes. "Isn't it the most beautiful name you've ever heard?"

"Magnus, please don't," Ragnor begged, already knowing what the look in friend's eyes meant. It was clear that Magnus and the boy had had some kind of a connection, but still... he could see danger ahead.

"But I already have, old friend." Magnus smiled as he got up from his place on the couch. He couldn't stop himself even if he were to try, and he didn't want to. "Get in touch with Raphael, Luke and Meliorn's people, find out if they got back safely."

"Okay," Ragnor nodded his answer.

"Also, inform them that the council will be meeting tomorrow morning at nine at the Hotel Dumort. As to not inconvenience Raphael."

Aside from his personal interest, Magnus needed to make sure that everyone in the downworld understood that the omega was to be left alone, and if anyone so much as looked at the Institute too long, they would have him to deal with. The last thing they needed was to start a war with the shadowhunters, and any harm coming to the young omega would no doubt do just that. He shuddered at the thought of someone harming the beautiful Alexander. But, he had no doubt that there were those who would. Whether it be forcing him to mate with them against his will, or any other manner of unspeakable things he didn't even want to think about.

Without another word, Magnus bowed his head in goodbye to his friend, and made his way towards his bedroom. There was a lot he needed to think about. Something had happened in that hall way, something he couldn't ignore. In those few moments he'd felt something pass between him and Alexander, something he had never felt before, not even with Camille. It wasn't just his inner alpha reacting to the scent of an omega, it was something more and he needed to find out what. Also, he needed to brush up on his knowledge concerning omegas, because he was feeling pretty clueless at the moment.

~ooOoo~

Alec woke up the next morning in his bedroom. He could tell by the citrony smell and soft feel of his blankets against his skin. He had a pounding headache and his throat felt dry, as if he hadn't had anything to drink in days. His lashes fluttered as he opened his eyes, only to quickly close them again against the harsh brightness.

"How are you feeling?" He heard Izzy asked a few beats later as he finally managed to open his eyes, her voice soft and laced with concern.

"Okay, I guess," he muttered. She was seated in a chair by his bed and reached a hand out to comb his hair back from his face.

"You had us worried, you know."

Alec turned his head, looking fully at his sister, only to find her watching him intently. "Sorry," he said, moving to sit up a little, leaning back on his elbows. He still felt a little fuzzy and some what confused, having just woken up.

As he looked pass Izzy and around the room, he realized for the first time that she wasn't alone. Jace, Clary and Simon were there as well, looking equally worried. There were blankets and pillows strewn about on the floor. They seemed to have spent the night there. Suddenly the memories of everything that had happened the night before came rushing to the forefront of his mind; from running into Magnus in the halls, to the moment they'd shared that felt like days but infact had only been mere minutes, then the chaos that ensued, and finally, the last memory being Magnus leaving through a portal... and then, nothing.

What happened to him? How did he even end up in his room?

Seeing the sudden look of confusion on Alec's face and sensing his growing panic, Jace asked, "are you okay?" moving from where he had been sitting at Alec's computer desk, in two long strides, to join Izzy at his bedside.

"What happened? How did I end up here?" Alec asked, looking around the room as if searching for the answers.

"You don't remember anything?" Asked Izzy, looking even more worried than before as she leaned forward in her chair.

Alec moved to sit up, his back resting against his pillows. "I remember everything up until Magnus left. What happened after that?"

"Oh, thank the Angel," Izzy breathed, visible relaxing as she leaned back. "You scared me there for a minute." She sighed, running a hand through her hair, shaking the wavy strands loose. "After Magnus left," she explained. "You just... passed out. I've never seen mom loose her shit like that before. She thought Magnus had cast a spell on you or something. It would've been funny had the situation not been so serious."

"Yeah, her eyes looked like they were going to explode," Simon chuckled. "Wished I'd thought to take a picture. It was hilar..." He paused mid sentence. "What?" He asked drolly. Everyone was looking at him incredulously. "Sorry," he said after a moment, frowning as he bowed his head in embarrassment.

"So anyway," Izzy continued, as they turned their attention back to Alec. "Dad said that it was most likely the stress of the situation that cause you to faint. That the closer you get to your mating age the more sensitive you'll become, especially around powerful alphas like Magnus Bane."

"Oh," said Alec lowly, not really sure what else to say.

"What were you even thinking?" Asked Izzy, her voice strained. "Why did you leave your room?"

"Honestly, I don't know... maybe I wasn't." Alec shrugged. "I just..."

"Just what?" Izzy urged.

Alec sighed, running a hand through his hair as he glanced around the room at the expectant faces. "Look," he started, looking back at Izzy. "I just needed to see him, alright."

"Why?" Izzy interrupted.

"Ever since you told me about him, ever since you showed me those pictures of him, he's all I've been able to think about," Alec confessed. "I honestly don't even understand it myself." He had wondered if he was making the right decision trying to see Magnus, if he was making a big mistake, but in the end... he just hadn't been able to stop himself. He had never felt more sure or determined about anything before, and he was the one who over thought everything. But no matter how much of a bad idea he knew trying to see Magnus was, in the end, he just had to see him.

"Well isn't it obvious," Clary chimed in, speaking for the first time. She and Simon were leant against Alec's computer desk. "I can't believe I'm the only one who see's it."

"What? What are you talking about?" Asked Izzy. "Yeah," Jace added. "I don't get."

"Alec's found his alpha," Clary exclaimed with a tentative smile on her face. She then raised both her arms in a questioning gesture. "I mean, it makes sense? Right?"

"Don't be ridiculous," said Alec drolly, even though he knew she was right in her assessment. He could feel it in every fiber of his being. From the very moment he'd looked at Magnus' pictures, the omega in him had been yearning for the warlock. Meeting him lastnight had given him all the confirmation he needed. Still though, he wasn't sure if he was ready to accept this, at least not yet.

"Alec, you kneeled for him," Clary was saying as she pushed off the desk, straightening herself. "I've never seen anything like it before."

"Obviously." Simon rolled his eyes, his arms folded against his chest, drawing annoyed looks from everyone. "We don't exactly know another omega."

"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted." Clary continued, turning her attention back to Alec. "Based on everything I've read about omegas, kneeling is a sign of submitting, accepting, and giving themselves completely to their alpha. And though omegas do sometimes kneel for an alpha that's not their mate, for example their parents or to show respect to an alpha of high importance, it's usully only reserved for their mate. And, I don't know about you guys, but I've never seen Alec kneel for anyone, nor, have I ever seen him display any form of submissiveness to anyone. If not for his scent, I would sometimes forget that he's suppose to be an omega."

Everyone was quiet. No one knew what to say as Clary's words hung heavily in the air.

Alec bowed his head, looking down at his hands folded on his lap, he could feel a war being fought within himself. The logical part of his brain was telling him that this whole thing was madness, that it didn't matter how he felt, that he could never be with someone like Magnus anyway. Not only would his parents never allow it, neither would the clave, so why even bother. On the other hand, the not so logical part of his brain, the part of him controlled by feelings and emotions, was telling him to just go for it. That he had already started a journey and that he should just keep following his instincts, finish what he had already started lastnight... see things through.

"I have to see Magnus again." Alec suddenly blurted out, his head popping up, breaking everyone of their reverie. "It's the only way to know for sure."

"No. Not gonna happen," said Izzy immediately.

"I'm not asking for your permission here," Alec snapped, his posture straightening. "Your help maybe," he said with a softer tone. "But I will see him. Aren't you the one who told me to follow my instincts?"

"This is not what I meant and you know it." Izzy snapped back, standing up from her chair. "Guys, back me up here," she asked, looking to the others in the room for support. "Tell him that this is a bad idea." But before anyone could say anything, she looked back at Alec and spoke again. "What if he doesn't want to see you, then what?"

"He does," Alec said with certainty.

"How could you possibly know that?" Her glare was biting.

"Trust me, I do, alright. I know he feels what I feel, I saw it in his eyes. "

There was a tense silence, and then, "You've been awfully quiet," said Izzy, her eyes narrowing on Jace. "Why aren't you saying anything? Why aren't you telling him how stupid this idea is?"

Jace ran a shaky hand down his face. He knew Izzy was right. Alec trying to see the warlock again was a bad idea and potentially really dangerous. They would obviously have to sneak out of the Institute to do it. And though he had no problems breaking the rules or putting his own life at risk, he wasn't ready to do that with his parabati's. At the same time however, he could feel the longing in Alec's heart. If the small fraction of Alec's emotions he'd felt when Alec was with the warlock was so overwhelmingly powerful, then, he could only imagine what it must have been like for Alec himself.

Sighing, Jace looked into his parabati's eyes. "I agree with Alec," he said.

"What!" Izzy exclaimed, shocked. Alec gave Jace a thank you smile. Clary and Simon were smiling as well, both seeming to be in agreement.

"Look Iz," Jace started, moving closer to Izzy and placing his hand on her shoulder. "I understand what Alec is feeling right now, and I think as his friends and family, we have to do everything we can to help him with this. Who knows, it might even turn out that Magnus isn't even mea to be his mate afterall. You and I both know how stubborn Alec gets when he makes up his mind about something. And he's going to try and see Magnus again whether we help him or not..."

Jace then turned his head to look at Alec for confirmation. "He's right," Alec agreed. "I'm going with or without your help."

"Exactly," Jace continued. "So we might as well tag along, make sure he's safe"

Alec got out of the bed then and made his way to Izzy, Clary and Simon joining him. "I really don't want to do this without you," he said, placing his hand on her other shoulder. "Please."

Simon and Clary joined in the begging as well. Finally, Izzy relented, nodding her head in defeat. She would never not have her brother's back. She would follow him into hell if she had to.

There was an impromptu group hug initiated by Clary, but no one seemed to mind.

"So it's agreed then," said Simon, when they broke apart. He had a huge grin on his face, and as usual, they all looked at him with annoyed expressions, waiting for what silly thing was about to come out of his mouth. "We're off to see the warlock, the High Warlock of Brooklyn," he sing songed, clapping his hands together. "I say we go tonight."

~ooOoo~

Robert sat behind the large brown oak desk in their joint office as Maryse paced the room. Things at the Institute have been tense to say the least. Alec's parents, having had no other choice, had released Luke, Raphael and Meliorn once the situation had some what calmed down. The last thing they needed were to be at odds with the downworlders. After all, what had happened was no fault of their own.

They had spent most of the night in that very office, stuck in some kind of emotional loop; going from anger to fear, and then round again. Their secret was out, one of their worst fears had been realized and they needed to figure out what their next move was going be. They needed to protect their son.