Chapter 22

Alpha & Omega

WARNING – SEXUAL CONTENT

Not Intended for readers under the age of 18

A/N: Just a heads up to make reading easier, some of the more intimate parts of this chapter switch back and forth between Alec and Magnus' perspectives.

ALL INTIMATE ACTS WILL BE IN BOLD FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO READ THEM BUT WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW THE STORY

Alec was tired. Really tired. And he wasn't sure why. Yes, the day before had been long. But he had had long days before. Longer actually. His mind just didn't seem to want to connect, to focus. He felt detached. And something was gnawing at his gut, he just had no idea what.

When he had woken up a half hour earlier he had been groggy. He had wanted to stay in bed, to sleep. But he knew that he couldn't. That he wouldn't. He had things to do. There was so much to get done.

Opening the wooden cabinet that his warlock had built he studied his weapons set neatly in their racks, just the way he liked them. His bow and quiver. Arrows. Dozens of arrows. Runed angelic arrows, wooden practice arrows, his sister's custom arrows with a dozen different types of arrow heads. And his new favorite, her ignition arrow.

Beneath them were his blades. Seraph blades, seraph daggers, short swords and throwing knives of every metals. Some were etched with specific runes for specific demons, some simple angelic symbols that would make them stronger in battle. He ran his hand across each one, studying them. He had dozens of weapons. Some he carried on every patrol, every hunt. Some he carried when he trained. And some he left behind. His hand came to a stop on a case he usually left behind. It held his favorite, most precious thing.

Lifting it from the cabinet he held the small holster in his hand. It had been a gift for his eighteenth birthday. A custom gift from his sister. He smiled at the thought of the ruby princess cut earrings he had given her. She had been drooling over them for months, completely clueless to the fact that he had bought them the same day she had first laid eyes on them and stashed them away. Keeping her from going back to Macy's for them had been a bit of a challenge, but he had managed.

He remembered when he gave them to her. That morning. It had started out as a great day. His family had talked him out of training that morning the night before. 'It was his birthday. He should have fun.' And they did. They cracked jokes and laughed at each other. They pranked each other, playing around all morning, waiting for their 'party'. It's not every day that the children of an Institute Head turns of age and presents. It was a big affair. They had laughed about it. They hadn't had a birthday party in years, and they were about to have one with guests from all over the world. A dozen Institute Head's from other Institutes had come in for the occasion. And some of their friends from those same Institute's. And Jia had been there with Aline. It had started out as a great day.

He remembered when he had opened his sister's gift as he opened it now. He loved how the titanium throwing stars caught the light and shined, each engraved with angel script. His name. 'Alec', and the angelic rune. They were beautiful and he had told her as much. And they were precious to him, so very precious, so he kept them safe. He rarely carried them. They meant too much. Why these were so special he didn't know. She had crafted him other blades before. But they were. He couldn't help but smile as he carefully traced his finger around the shape of a perfectly crafted razor-sharp star.

"Careful, angel. Don't cut yourself." Magnus said, behind him.

"I won't." He said softly, unable to look away from his precious blades.

"Their beautiful." Magnus murmured, wrapping his arms around Alec's waist.

"I know. Iz gave them to me. On our birthday." He said, savoring the feel of his warlock's arms around his waist. "It started out as such a great day. We were having so much fun. Then it all changed."

"When you presented." Magnus said softly, internally kicking himself for the millionth time. He should have been there for his love. He should have been there for his sister. But he hadn't been. He had let them down.

"I remember opening these. I don't know why but these are special. Iz has made me blades before. Custom blades, like these. But these are different. There just...special." He said, holding the lightweight throwing star in his hand, the weight perfectly balanced.

"Maybe because of the occasion?" Magnus asked. "Coming of age is a big thing."

"I don't know." He said, sliding the gleaming star back into its slot in its holster.

In that instant it clicked, and he froze. In that moment he knew. He knew the answer to a question that they had been asking, racking their brains over.

"Sweetheart? What is it? What's wrong?" Magnus asked, alarmed. His Shadowhunter had tensed in his arms.

"I need to talk to Iz." He breathed, a sense of urgency coursing through him. Turning to his warlock he couldn't help but smile. He knew the answer to one of a thousand questions.

____________________

Robert watched as his eldest child lowered the rack of red-hot titanium blades into the vat of water to cool. His children had been forging weapons almost around the clock for two days. They had forged hundreds of weapons; daggers, swords, short swords, throwing knives and stars, arrowheads and arrows.

As usual, his son had solved one of their biggest problems. The idea of titanium blades had been brilliant. Everyone could use them, downworlders and nephilim alike. The blades would hold up, in training and in combat. They were exactly what they needed.

Half of Haven had been busy crafting the thigh holsters and weapons belts his son had designed to hold the blades they were creating. His princess had put together a spring-loaded action for the daggers and knife hilts that his son had designed so that they could be carried safely.

His children had been busy. So very busy. But they were pushing too hard and needed to slow down. If they didn't, they would all end up sick.

His son's mate had expanded his daughters forge to accommodate his children, including the two that didn't know that he considered them his own. Four of them had called it a day. But not his Alexander. And it was time that he did too.

"Alexander." He said after Alec had stepped back from the steaming vat of water. He hadn't wanted to distract him while he was handling the hot blades.

Alec looked up at the sound of his father's voice. He hadn't seen him come in. He had been too focused on what he was doing.

"How long have you been standing there?" He asked, wondering how long his father had been watching him as he wiped sweat from his brow.

"A bit. I didn't want to distract you." He said, crossing the room to him. "You need to stop now. You've been at it all day. It's time you called it."

"I can't." Alec said, looking down at the cooling throwing knives in the vat of water. "We don't have enough."

"We'll get there." Robert said, laying a gentle hand on Alec's shoulder. "You've made a great start, but you need to slow down. You'll burn yourself out if you don't. They don't all have to be made in a day."

Alec knew that his father was right. They had been going at it hard. He had already told his family to call it. How long ago he wasn't sure.

"Come on, son. It's sweltering in here and you've been in this heat for too long. You need to cool off before you make yourself sick. Eighteen hours is enough." Robert said.

Alec was surprised by his father's words. He hadn't realized that he had been in the forge that long. And if he was honest with himself, he knew that he needed to stop. He was tired, and overheated, and a little queasy.

"Okay. Um...I just need to let these blades cool and pull them out." He said, glancing back at the cooling blades.

"I can do that. I've forged myself a time or two. I think I can manage a couple of racks." Robert said. "You need to get out of this heat. Magnus is worried. He wanted to come get you, ask you to come home. I told him I would come down. I figured that you wouldn't want to leave until things were finished up. I can finish up."

Alec could see the worry in his father's eyes. It felt strange seeing it there. In all of his years of training and fighting his father had never asked him to stop or to slow down before. He had been raised to believe that he couldn't. That it wasn't allowed. So seeing that worry there now felt strange.

"Okay." He said, unsure. He also didn't like that his alpha was worried.

"Go on. Go get cleaned up and get some rest." Robert said, handing Alec a bottle of cold water. "And drink." He ordered.

Alec couldn't help but smile. Worry from his father he wasn't used to. But orders, orders he was. Opening the bottle he downed half the contents, watching as his father checked the cooling blades.

____________________

Magnus was relieved when his young warrior walked in the door. He was dirty and obviously exhausted, but he was home. Had his angel been any later we would have gone to the forge himself, despite Robert's assurances that he would send his Alexander back. He had been about to go down and put his angel to sleep and carry him home if he had to. But he hadn't. His Shadowhunter was home and he could tend to him.

"Hi there, hansom." He said as Alec quietly closed the door.

Alec froze. He should have known that his warlock would be waiting for him despite the late hour. He couldn't stop the soft blush that colored his cheeks. He always blushed when his alpha called him that.

"Hi." He said softly.

"You look tired." Magnus said, stating the obvious. "And dirty."

"Forging is dirty work." He said. "You're up late. You should be in bed."

"So should you. But we'll get there. I take it you haven't eaten?" Magnus asked.

Alec blushed again, this time from shame. He knew that his alpha didn't like it when he skipped meals. Being 'busy' wasn't a good enough reason for his warlock.

His Shadowhunters blush confirmed his suspicions. He bit back his anger. He had been trying to get his young warrior to get into a new routine for months, but it seemed as if he was falling back into his old one. He had come to find out that it was a common thing in the past for his sweet omega to just fall into bed after a long day, skipping an evening meal often times after having skipped others that day. He was just going to have to try harder with his love. His angel would start taking better care of himself. He would make sure of it.

Alec could see the anger flash in his alpha's eyes and felt guilty. He hated that he was the one who had put it there. But he had honestly forgotten to stop to eat. But then again, he always did.

"I'm sorry. I should have stopped for lunch. I got caught up." He said softly.

"Well, I guess it's just something that we're going to have to work on." Magnus said, crossing to his precious Alexander. "Sit down. You need to eat." He said, guiding his angel to a chair at the small table. "What would you like?"

Alec couldn't think of a thing that sounded appealing. His stomach wasn't happy with him. He had gone too long without putting anything in it, including water. And the hours in the sweltering heat hadn't helped.

Magnus could tell by the look on Alec's face that he had no idea what he wanted to eat, or maybe what he could eat. After such a long day in the forge it wouldn't surprise him if his love wasn't feeling quite right. Dehydration could do that. He knew that he had to get something into him regardless, but also that it would have to be something light. Snapping his fingers an overloaded caesar salad appeared on the table, a steaming roll on a small plate beside it.

"Eat, angel." He said.

Alec eyed the salad. He didn't want it, but he knew that his warlock wouldn't let him up until he had eaten it. The salad was full of chicken, cherry tomatoes, egg, and the usual caesar salad toppings. This was not a traditional caesar salad.

"It's a bit loaded." He said, picking up the fork beside the plate.

"You need it to be loaded. You need the fuel, and the nutrition. I'm more concerned with what's on it than I am about the lettuce beneath it." Magnus said, pulling out a seat across from his Shadowhunter.

Alec nodded yes, taking a bite of the large salad. It was delicious.

Magnus watched his sweet omega eat for a few moments in silence, thinking about what he wanted to say.

"Alexander, you can't keep doing this." He said. "You just can't. Your next heat is barely a month away. You have to start eating. Am I going to have to start dragging you away from what you're doing for every meal?" He asked.

"No." Alec said, unable to lift his eyes from his plate. His alpha was right and he knew it.

"And you're going to have to start slowing down soon. Your two-week rest period isn't that far away."

Alec's head snapped up, meeting his warlock's gaze. Crystal blue locked on chocolate brown. He saw his alpha's determination there. The concern and the love. But he also knew that there was just so much to do.

"Alpha, I can't. There's too much to be done." He said, swallowing hard.

"And it will get done. But you have to slow your pace. You're going to need those two weeks to prepare for your heat. Have you forgotten what happened last time?" Magnus asked.

He hated throwing the past up in his love's face, but he couldn't let history repeat itself. And this was something that his Shadowhunter would have to get used to, for every heat. And he would have to change his ways if he fell pregnant during this one.

"No. I'll do better." Alec said, forcing down another bite of his salad. It was hard with the guilt churning in his belly.

Magnus knew his sweet omega well enough to know that he had gotten to his love when he wouldn't meet his eyes. He sighed. He had wanted to get through to him yes, but not make him feel bad in the process.

"Look, angel, I know that old habits are hard to break. I just need you to try. And if we need to help you, encourage you, remind you from time to time we can. Things just have to change." He said softly, lifting Alec's chin to meet his gaze. "I'm not trying to make you feel bad, love. I just want you to get it through that thick head of yours. This is important." He said with a soft smile.

Alec relaxed seeing his alpha's warm smile. It eased the knot that had started to form in his gut, stealing the appetite he hadn't realized that he had had.

"Okay. We'll work on it. Together?" He asked.

"Together." Magnus said, relieved. "Finish up your dinner, love. All of it. Then we'll get you cleaned up and into bed."

Alec nodded yes, taking another bite. He couldn't help but think about how much had to be done, and how much of it he was responsible for. Or how he was going to manage the two-week preparation period that his alpha wanted. But he knew that he had to find a way to manage it, if anything for his alpha's peace of mind.

____________________

Magnus opened the marble shower he had duplicated from the loft for his Shadowhunter, turning the water on at a temperature that would be too cool for almost anyone. But his angel needed to wash the rest of the heat from the day away. For him it would feel wonderful against his still overheated skin.

"Come, sweetheart. In you go." Magnus said, guiding Alec in. Alec gasped at the water temperature that rained down on him. "I know that it's a bit cool, but you need it. You're still a bit overheated."

"Will you join me?" Alec asked.

"I'm right behind you." Magnus said, dreading the cold water that he was about to step into. But if his angel needed him, he would be there with him.

It took a moment for Alec to adjust to the cool temperature, but he sighed in relief as the six shower heads rained cold water over his head and down his body when it did. A shower hadn't felt this good in a long time. Magnus stepped in behind him, closing the door.

"How's that feel, love? Is it too cold?" Magnus asked.

"No. It's perfect." Alec breathed.

"Would you like me to help you wash?" Magnus asked, pressing a soft kiss to Alec's shoulder. He was freezing under the cold water, but his angel needed it.

"Yes, please." Alec said, eyes closed as the water cascaded over him. He leaned forward; palms pressed to the wall. The water running down his back was heavenly.

Picking up a bottle of honey and jasmine bodywash Magnus filled his hand. Rubbing his hands together he made a thick lather. Reaching forward he started massaging circles into the top of Alec's shoulders and upper back. As usual, he was mesmerized by the beautiful curves and lines, muscles and ridges of his Shadowhunters body.

Alec sighed as his warlock touched his bare shoulders, gently massaging his favorite body wash into his skin, the usual pleasure coursing through him at alpha's touch. The feel of his warlock's hands as they worked their way down his back and over his muscles had him hard in an instant, a sudden erection starting to throb with a desperate need to be touched.

Magnus worked his way down his loves breathtaking body. 'He truly does have the body of a god.' He thought, not for the first time. Pouring more bodywash into his hands he gently rubbed at the taunt muscles in his loves lower back. Alec's breath hitched in his lungs.

"Breathe, Alexander." Magnus crooned, noticing his young love's erection. He should have known. Showering together always aroused his sweet omega.

Alec took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. As always, his warlock's touch was doing things to him. Everywhere his alpha touched sent shockwaves of pleasure throughout his body. As his alpha's magic hands worked the taunt muscles in his lower back, he bit his lip to stifle a moan. He was aching desperately for his warlock to touch him, in more ways that one.

Magnus rubbed small circles at the base of his love's spine with his thumbs. Spreading his hands wider he massaged the scented soap into Alec's hips, just above his ass. His beautiful, toned, perfect ass. He ached to fill it. But he wouldn't. Not tonight. His love was too worn out.

Crouching down behind his Shadowhunter, ignoring his own throbbing cock, he gently massaged circles into his angel's firm ass. His precious Alexander moaned in pleasure.

Alec couldn't stop the moan that escaped him as his alpha massaged the beautiful smelling soap in circles into his ass. His soft touches had pleasure coursing through him, pushing his need for release even further. He was growing lightheaded with it. It had come on suddenly but was intense.

"Alpha, please. I need you." He said between quick pants of breath.

Magnus stood from his crouch, his cock brushing against Alec's bare ass. Alec whimpered at the soft brush of contact.

"Alexander..." Magnus started.

"Please. Just touch me. I can't do it myself. And I need it. I can't do it and hold myself up." Alec pleaded, cutting him off.

Magnus was torn. His young warrior was exhausted and needed sleep, but he was also worked up. It was his fault and he knew it. He never should have touched him. But he knew his angel well enough to know that he wouldn't be able to sleep until he found the release he now needed. He couldn't let him suffer. He wouldn't.

"Please." Alec begged.

"Alright, angel. Then it's to bed. Okay?" Magnus asked, pouring more bodywash into his hands and quickly lathering them.

"Okay." Alec breathed, relieved.

Circling his Shadowhunters trim waist Magnus rubbed gentle circles into his loves firm, flat belly. Alec's breath hitched.

"Just breathe, love." He murmured softly. 'He hasn't been this sensitive in a while.' He thought.

Alec fought for breath as his alpha's hands circled just above his straining cock. His head was starting to spin.

"Breathe, love." Magnus encouraged.

Alec struggled to control his breathing. But it was hard. He didn't know why, it just was. His alpha was touching him, and it felt amazing. It always did.

Listening as his Alexander began to control his breathing, he slowly worked his hands down. Alec gasped as his hand passed through his pubic hair. Magnus knew then that his angel needed him to do this. There was no denying him, not something so simple. Sliding his hand down the last inch he took his loves thick cock in his hand. Alec whimpered again at the touch.

As his alpha finally took his aching cock in his hand he couldn't help the whimper that escaped his lips. The pleasure of his alphas grip on him was glorious.

"Shh. It's alright my love, I've got you." Magnus soothed; voice melodic as he slowly started to stroke Alec's straining cock. The feel of his angel in his hand, as always, was felt perfect.

Alec struggled to draw in breath as his Magnus pleasured him. His alphas hand stroking his length with the soapy lather was stealing the very air from his lungs. The pleasure was so consuming he felt it throughout every nerve.

"Faster. Please." Alec asked, barely loud enough to be heard.

Magnus new that his Shadowhunter wouldn't be able to hold himself up much longer, he was too tired. He could see his muscles trembling. Quickening his pace he jerked faster on his young loves cock. Within a few quick strokes Alec moaned.

"Magnus, I'm going to cum."

"It's alright. Let go." Magnus soothed. With one last jerk on his loves cock Alec exploded in his hand, painting the marble tiled wall of the shower white with ropes of cum.

The force of his orgasm took his breath away. It was all Alec could do to stand as he exploded in his alphas hand. His knees turned instantly to jelly, barely able to hold him up. Leaning his head against the cold marble walls he held on for dear life.

Watching his Alexander fall apart before his eyes was beautiful. It always was. But now he needed to be tended in other ways.

"Sweetheart, are you alright?" He asked softly.

"Mm-hmm." Alec mumbled sleepily. "Cold."

Magnus flipped the water off and dried them both with a finger snap. 'He's so drained' he thought, worry a ball of lead in his belly. 'This can't happen again.'

"Come on, love. Let's get you to bed." He said, gently guiding Alec out of the shower, wrapping a firm arm around his waist. Leading him back into the bedroom Magnus snapped his fingers, dressing them both. "Come lie down, sweetheart. You need to sleep."

Alec crawled onto the soft bed and collapsed there. He felt his warlock tuck the soft satin duvet around him as he fell into oblivion, the exhaustion of the day finally consuming him.

____________________

A large, thick, read leather book sat on an elegantly crafted mahogany pedestal. The Clave sigil was embossed on the cover. It was an obviously ancient book. Blood dripped from its bottom, running down the pedestal, adding to a large puddle on the floor.

____________________

The shining titanium blade bounced off the wooden target. Nathan sighed.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Alec. I just can't do this." He said.

"It's alright, Nathan. It just takes practice." Alec said, retrieving the blade from the soft green grass. "You'll get the hang of it."

"Everyone else can do this. Why can't I?" He asked, voice laced with despair.

"Like I said, it takes practice. Here, take this." Alec said, holding out the small throwing knife for Nathan to take. Nathan took it from his outstretched out. "Now, grip it like you're going to make the throw."

Nathan did as Alec asked, gripping the blade tightly in his hand.

"Okay. That's part of the problem. Your holding it too tight. You only need that tight a grip when you're carrying it. Here, open your hand." Alec instructed.

Nathan opened his hand, the blade resting in his palm. Alec centered the blade, balancing it in Nathan's outstretched hand. He knew that he was doing something wrong, and Alec was going to show him how to do it right.

"Okay. Turn the blade and grip it lightly." Alec said, watching as Nathan followed his instruction. "Loosen your grip. Hold it between your thumb and your palm."

"Okay." Nathan said, doing as he was told. The blade felt different this way, lighter.

"Now, you've been throwing from your elbow. You need to throw from your shoulder. When you let it go, relax your hand and just let it fly."

"Okay." Nathan breathed.

"Take your aim. Don't worry about trying to hit the center. Just aim for the target. Precision comes later." He said. "Good, good. Just like that. Now when you let it go, flex your wrist a bit. It needs to be a smooth movement. Do you have your aim?" He asked.

"Yes." Nathan said, eyeing the target. He was determined that he was going to hit it this time.

"Good. Before you release it bring it back to your shoulder." Alec said, watching closely. "Okay. On three I want you to let it go. One, two, three."

Nathan threw the blade as hard as he could, pulling strength from his shoulder. It flew smoothly from his hand as he relaxed it. He held his breath as it flew towards the target ten feet away, his breath exploding from his lungs as it hit the outer rim and stuck in the wood.

"Very good. That was great. Much better." Alec praised. 'He might get the hang of this after all.' He thought. 'With enough practice.' "How'd that feel?" He asked, watching as Nathan relaxed, almost sagging with relief.

"Good. I can't believe I actually hit it." Nathan said.

"Like I said, it takes practice. As you practice remember everything that I just told you and it'll get easier. Once you can hit the target ten out of ten, then we can start working on your precision." Alec said encouragingly.

"How am I supposed to remember all of that during a fight, Mr. Alec?" Nathan asked.

"You won't have to. Once you get the hang of it, it will become ingrained. Second nature. You won't have to think about it. You're a nephilim, Nathan. A born warrior of The Angel. Your meant to do this. With enough practice I promise you, you'll be able to hit that target without giving it a second thought." He said.

"Like you and the others? Mr. Jace and Ms. Clary? Ms. Isabelle and Mr. Simon?" Nathan asked.

"You'll get good, Nathan. My family and I have been training since we were kids. We have a lot of years of practice under our belts. But yes, given enough time and training, you'll be just as good." He said, hoping that he wasn't lying.

With enough years of practice, it was possible that Nathan might someday be as good as his family, but that wasn't going to be today. Or anytime soon. It took years to hone the skills they had.

"Just keep at it. Give it a few more goes and call it a day on this. I'd really like you to work with your bow. You're a natural with a bow. I think with enough practice you'll be one of my best archers." He said, unable to hide his pride. He knew that this wasn't going to be a lie. Nathan was excelling with the bow.

"I will. Thank you, sir. I mean...Mr. Alec." Nathan said, correcting himself.

"You don't have to call me 'sir', Nathan. Or 'Mr'." Alec said, unable to hide his smile.

Everyone was calling him Mr. Alec, and his family either Mr. or Ms. They couldn't seem to convince them to do otherwise. He suspected that it was because his grandmother had always been Ms. Izabella, and his uncle Mr. Gideon. It was their way of showing respect.

"Yes, sir. I mean...Mr. Alec." Nathan said, again correcting himself.

Alec could only shake his head and roll his eyes.

"Okay, Nathan. Whatever you're comfortable with. Give this another half hour or so and then switch to your bow. I'll check back with you in a bit. I need to check in with Jace and Simon on the hand to hand."

Nathan nodded yes, retrieving his blade. He loved his new blades. Especially the throwing knives and stars. They all felt perfect in his hand, as if they had been made just for him and not just for everybody. He also loved his new belt and holsters. They made him feel like he really was a nephilim warrior, despite his time as one of Ms. Izabella's warrior's for Haven.

His commander and his family had made weapons and supplies for everybody, and more were being made every day. He didn't know how they did it, making the weapons, doing the training. They were blowing his mind at every turn. And watching them train themselves and show them all 'basic' moves was amazing. He loved everything that he was learning and wanted to make them proud.

"Okay. What do I do if I hit the red?" He asked.

"Be proud." Alec said with a smile. "You haven't been at this long. Your making great progress. All of you are. I'm proud of you. And so are the others." Alec said.

They had all been making the extra effort to shower their army with praise as they learned and improved in something new. They needed encouragement, and they were going to get it at every turn.

"I'll see you in a bit." He said, gathering his own blades, tucking them back into their proper holsters. The stars his sister had given him on their birthday sat securely in the holster on his hip. He hadn't stopped carrying them since they had started working with the titanium blades.

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Alec was crossing the span in front of the various training areas when the alarm on his new watch beeped. He sighed, closing his eyes. It was time for 'lunch'. He had been hoping that he would make it past all the training areas, checking on everyone's progress before 'lunch time'.

They had the large covered training area for various forms of physical combat, hand to hand practice, blade practice, and archery ground with platforms raised at various heights for his archery lessons, along with a dozen other spaces laid out in between for various types of other weapons and combat training. His alpha's warlocks now residing in Haven had built them everything that they would need to train their army. Their very large army.

"Alexander!" Magnus called, coming up behind him.

Alec smiled. He had been expecting this. He had been expecting his warlock to come for him so that they could have lunch together. They had done it every day since his last long day in the forge. His alpha was making sure that he was eating at every mealtime and taking a little time to rest in the afternoons. He was getting closer every day to his 'two-week preparation period' before his heat and his alpha didn't want the sudden change in pace to cause him to 'crash' when it arrived.

"There you are, love." Magnus said, crossing the short distance between them. "How'd it go with Nathan?" He asked, wrapping his arms around Alec's waist.

"Good, I think. He hit the target." Alec said, leaning into his warlock's embrace.

"That's an improvement. I guess that little extra session with the best Shadowhunter to ever live helped." He said, smirking. He knew that being called 'the best Shadowhunter to ever live' had come to irk his young warrior, and he loved teasing him with it.

"I guess. He would have gotten it eventually." Alec said, pressing a soft kiss to his warlock's lips.

"Mm. That was nice." Magnus breathed, savoring the taste of his angel on his lips when the kiss broke. "Are you ready for lunch?"

"I guess. The dining hall?" He asked. The warlocks had also built a large dining hall for everyone to gather for meals. The menu was similar to that of the Institute's, just with a little more variety.

"Actually, we're heading somewhere else today. We're going to have lunch with the family at Izabella's." Magnus said, taking Alec's hand.

"What are we having?" Alec asked, cautious. His alpha had been having him try new foods every day.

"I'm not sure. Izabella has taken the reins on that today. Shall we go find out?" He asked, unable to hide his smile.

"Sure." He asked, squeezing his warlock's hand. 'This might actually be fun.' He thought. He missed sitting down with his family to eat.

"Your father and Gideon are going to be there too." Magnus said, leading his Shadowhunter by the hand.

"Really? Where's everyone going to sit?" He asked.

"I expanded the table in her cottage. Don't worry. There will be plenty of space." Magnus said, raising Alec's hand to his lips for a soft kiss.

"If you say so." Alec said with a smile. His warlock never ceased to amaze him. "I was hoping to talk to you about something. Do we have a few minutes?"

"Of course. What is it, angel?" Magnus asked, stopping to look at his sweet omega. He had known that something had been on his mind.

Alec glanced around, no one seemed to be in sight. He wanted privacy for what he was about to ask.

"I wanted to ask you." He said softly, unsure how to finish.

"Ask me what, love?" Magnus asked, uneasy. His Shadowhunter almost never hesitated to ask him anything anymore.

"About my claiming." Alec said, biting his bottom lip.

"What about it?" Magnus asked, a ball of dread forming in his belly. 'Is he having doubts?' He thought.

"Relax, alpha. It's nothing bad." Alec said. He had seen the worry flash in his warlock's eyes.

"What do you want to know, sweetheart?" He asked, relieved.

Alec cleared his throat, unsure how to ask his question.

"During...is it going to hurt?" He asked.

Magnus smiled, relief coursing through him. 'This is what he's been worrying over?' He thought.

"Not for a second, angel. I promise you that. You might feel a slight sting when I make the bite, but the rest will be all pleasure. I swear on your Angel." He said, pulling Alec into his arms.

"And after?" Alec asked softly.

"I'll ease you into sleep while you transition. Then you'll wake up in my arms."

"How long will it take? To transition?" He asked.

"About an hour. Maybe a little more. Is this what's been worrying you?" Magnus asked, wanting to be sure that there was nothing else troubling his Shadowhunter.

"I don't know that I would say 'bother'. It's just been on my mind I guess." Alec said, sheepish.

"It's okay, you know. To have questions. It's not every day that a mortal becomes immortal." Magnus said softly.

"I know. It's just, with the others..." He trailed off, barely more than a whisper. He didn't want to risk being overheard. Their family's immortality was still a secret. Not even Cat knew. "It was instant." He breathed.

"That was different, sweetheart." Magnus said softly, just loud enough for Alec to hear. "Yours will be a natural claiming." He said, his forehead pressed to Alec's. "Are you sure that's all that's been 'on your mind'?" He asked.

Alec's dream flashed before his eyes. Blood dripping from a thick red book on a pedestal. The same dream he had every night. A dream that he had no idea what it meant.

"I think so." He said, unsure.

"What is it, angel?" Magnus asked, concerned.

"I'm not sure. Just this dream I keep having." Alec said, trying and failing to shake his head clear of the image that had been haunting his sleep.

"A vision?" Magnus asked.

"I don't know. Maybe. Or a memory? I can't tell." He said. "Whatever it is, I don't think it's complete. Or I guess that I haven't seen all of it. So I guess it's nothing to worry about for now."

"Do we need to talk about it?" Magnus asked.

"No. Not yet I don't think. Not until I know more. Or have seen more. Come on. Let's go have lunch." He said, wanting to change the subject. "It will be nice sitting down with everybody. It's been a while since we've gotten to do that." He said, squeezing his alpha's hand.

"Okay." Magnus said, trying and failing to shake off the uncertainty that was starting to churn in his belly. "After you." He said, letting Alec lead the way.

____________________

Alec savored the bite of sandwich in his mouth. It was delicious. He had never had a club sandwich before. The roasted turkey, honey ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, the multitude of cheeses, and the mouthwatering honey mustard dressing was amazing. He couldn't help but savor the flavors as he hummed out his pleasure.

"Good?" Izabella asked, smiling at her grandson.

She had been confused when her Uncle Mags had asked her to make something different, something that her grandson had never tried before until he had told her why. She knew what it was like to have a pregnancy craving and have no idea how to quench it. Her Institute had also had a very strict diet for Shadowhunters.

"Very." Alec mumbled, swallowing the delicious bite.

"Alexander seems to have a liking for honey based condiments. First honey dijon, now honey mustard." Magnus said, smiling.

"What's the difference?" Izzy asked.

"Honey mustard is sweeter that dijon. Both are in the same family, but dijon has a little more spice to it." Robert said, watching his son devour his food.

He was enjoying watching his children expand their horizons when it came to food. As the Head of The New York Institute he travelled more than his Shadowhunters did and had access to various types of foods and flavors. His children hadn't had that luxury.

"Well, it'll defiantly go on the 'enjoys' list." Magnus said, chuckling. 'Along with the sandwich'. He thought.

"Enjoys list?" Clary asked.

"Magnus has started a list of foods that I like for when I'm pregnant. He's been having me try something new every day so when I have food cravings, I'll have some idea what I want." Alec said, blushing.

"Awe, that's sweet." She said, smiling at her parabati. 'The thought of being pregnant still makes him blush.' She thought. 'Maybe in a hundred years I'll tell him how cute it was.'

"I'm surprised that Jace hasn't started keeping a list for you." Magnus said. "You too, Isabelle. You boys need to get on the ball with that."

Robert laughed when both boys paled.

"Robert, stop!" Izabella scolded. "It's not funny. Uncle Mags, you shouldn't embarrass them like that. Their still young." She said, unable to hide her own smirk. She had been pregnant when she was their age.

"Well I'm assuming they plan on having children someday, momma. Otherwise I may have to have a serious talk sit down these two. They are with my girls after all." Robert said.

Clary and Izzy froze. 'My girls.' They both thought. Clary swallowed, hard.

Robert saw the look on Clary's face and mentally kicked himself. He had never told her that he saw her as his second daughter. She didn't know of the promise that he had made to her mother years before, shortly after she had been born. He and Jocelyn had sworn to each other that if something happened to either one of them, they would look after each other's children. Take them as their own.

Clary didn't know that he had been watching over her since her mother had died, or since her father's death, making sure that she had everything that she needed; and the funds to cover anything and everything she could want. He had made countless deposits into her personal account over the years to ensure that she would want for nothing, just as he had for Simon and his own children.

"Um..." Clary started, unsure what to say.

"So pregnancy cravings." Izzy said, coming to her best friend's rescue. "That's a common thing?"

"Very." Izabella said, picking up on her granddaughters' campaign to ease the awkwardness that had descended on the table. "With my boys I had this constant craving for something starchy but nothing I tried seemed to fulfill it. It was driving me crazy.

Then one day I was talking to Uncle Mags, telling him how I wanted something, but I just didn't know what it was. So he snapped his fingers and dozens of different starchy foods appeared before me. Potatoes, pastas, all kinds of rice's. I had never had anything but plain rice before or any kind of pasta. So after taking a bite of each one I finally found what hit the spot. Pork lo mein. That was all I would eat for a month. The next month all I would eat was the chicken alfredo he had had me try. I never would have thought I would have wanted something with such a heavy cream sauce but apparently it was what my boys were wanting." She said, smiling fondly at her children.

"Two of my favorite foods." Robert said, not bothering to hide his smile. He had wonderful memories of his mother making those foods for him and his brother when they were young. She had learned how to make them after they had been born.

"Lo mein is another thing on Alexander's list. We haven't gotten to the alfredo yet. Perhaps for dinner." Magnus said, smiling at his Shadowhunter. "But he needs to finish his lunch first." He said, eyeing Alec's plate.

Alec looked back at his food. He had been just as caught off guard as everyone else. He hadn't known that his father had any sort of fond feelings towards his parabati. Picking up his sandwich he took another bite.

"But seriously, boys. You're going to need to have some idea on what to feed these girls when their pregnant." Robert said, choosing his words carefully. He didn't want to put his foot in his mouth again. He hoped that in time Clary and Simon would come to know just how much he loved them, but today wasn't that day.

"We may need a little help with that." Jace said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We don't know any more about food than Alec does. Maybe Magnus will consider making enough of these new foods for our lovely ladies to try. Right, Si?" He asked. 'And get us out of some cooking duty'. He thought.

"Right. That would be great. You've been all over the world, right Magnus? Tried all kinda of foods?" Simon asked, knowing exactly where Jace was going. They all enjoyed eating in the dining hall, but not every night. And they had gotten used to preparing meals in their little kitchen. But he hated when it was his turn. He burned everything.

"You are right. I've tried more things than I can count. Some I liked, some I didn't. I'm sure that there are even some I don't remember. I do, however, remember that I don't like squid." He said, biting his inner cheek, trying not to laugh.

He knew his two new brothers well enough now to know what they were thinking, 'less cooking'. He enjoyed watching Jace choke on his food at the thought of a plate of squid. But he didn't enjoy watching his perfectly porcelain pale Shadowhunter turn paler and push back his plate.

"That was delicious, grandma. Thank you. But I don't think I can hold another bite." Alec said, not knowing that she had kicked Magnus under the table, hard.

"Your welcome, Alec. Anytime you want to try something new, maybe I can help." Izabella said. She had experimented a lot in the kitchen over her years in Haven and had become quite the chef.

Robert was biting his inner cheek, trying not to laugh. He didn't like that his son had been put off his food, but he knew his mother and would have sworn that he had heard Magnus' bone crack where she had kicked him.

"I think I'm done too." Izzy said, pushing back her own plate. She just couldn't shake the image of a baby squid laying on a plate. She didn't think she would be eating any kind of seafood anytime soon.

"We really should get going." Clary said, climbing from her chair. "It was delicious, Izabella. But our afternoon training sessions will be starting soon."

"No desert?" Izabella asked, crestfallen.

"Maybe later, momma. An afternoon snack?" Robert asked. He too had the image of dead squid burned into his retinas.

"Okay." Izabella said. "I guess the pie can wait."

"Pie? What kind of pie?" Simon asked.

'He's a bottomless pit.' Alec thought, unable to stop the laugh that escaped him. His best friend always found ways to make him laugh, even when he wasn't trying to. It was one of the reasons he loved him so much.

"Apple cobbler." She said.

"That sounds interesting." Jace said, raising his eyebrows at Simon. They had never had anything like it before. But the look on Clary's face was a definite 'no'. "But Clary's right. We do need to head out to our afternoon sessions. Maybe that snack? Like Robert said?" He asked, eyes shining bright with hope.

Izabella couldn't help but smile at her youngest grandchild. It didn't matter to her that he was adopted. He was quite likable and always polite.

"Consider it done." She said.

"Well, to afternoon training it is." Alec said, climbing up from the table.

____________________

One by one the family followed Alec out of Izabella's little blue cottage and off the small porch. Izabella pulled the door firmly shut behind her. She was pitching in too, overseeing the production of Alec's custom weapons holsters and extra waist and thigh holsters.

"Who's that, Magnus?" Izzy asked, watching a small girl holding who must have been her father's hand as they walked. She hadn't seen them around Haven before.

Magnus turned, following Izzy's gaze.

"That's Shay and her father Arthur. Shay was born blind. I'll introduce you but you'll have to bend down. She reads things by touch. She'll want to touch your face."

"Touch my face?" She asked, alarmed.

"Don't worry. It's just how she gets a feel for people. You'll see." He said. "Shay!" He called.

"Magnus!" She squealed. "Where have you been? You've been gone a long time." She said as Magnus crossed the grass to her.

"I know, peanut. I've been really busy." He said, crouching in front of her. She immediately cupped his cheek with her small hand and smiled.

"Your happy. Really happy." She said, giggling.

"Your right, I am."

"You brought friends with you." She stated. "The one's everyone's talking about."

"Your right again. I did. Would you like to meet them?"

"Mm-hmm. Please."

"Walk carefully, Shay. It's a little bumpy here." Arthur said.

"Okay, papa."

Squeezing her father's hand, she reached out for Magnus'.

"Hold my hand, Magnus?" She asked.

"Anytime. Who wouldn't want to hold a pretty girl's hand?" Magnus asked, taking her free hand.

Carefully they picked their way over the bumpy grass. Alec smiled. His alpha was so cute with the little girl. 'He's going to make a great father.' He thought.

"Who would you like to meet first, Shay?"

"Hmm. Let me see. You brought a lot of friends, Magnus. I think I'll start with the one in the middle. I want to meet the tall one last."

Magnus smiled, winking at Alec. He was the tallest on the team.

"She can sense things. That's how she knows your tall." Izabella whispered behind him.

"I can hear you, Ms. Izabella." Shay giggled.

"I know you can, sweetheart. But they don't know that." She called.

"Okay." She replied happily. "So, the one in the middle."

"Biscuit, come meet Shay." Magnus said, releasing her hand.

"She's small, Magnus. But she's strong." Shay said as Clary bent down before her.

Clary was confused. The little girl couldn't see her, but she knew that she was, well, short, and that Alec was tall?

"It's okay. Don't be confused. I can tell a lot about people. They put off a lot of energy." She said, reaching out her hand.

"On your cheek, Biscuit." Magnus said.

Unsure, Clary took the little girl's hand, guiding it to her cheek.

"Your skin is soft. You take good care of it." Shay said, stroking Clary's cheek. Clary's eyes softened at the little girl. "And your pretty." She said, feeling out Clary's features. "Your small, but your stronger than any of the warriors. And the new ones." She said, a concentration line creasing her forehead. "Some of them don't like that."

"I think it confuses them." Clary said, fascinated.

"You can do special things. Draw pretty things. And important ones. Is your name really Biscuit?"

Clary laughed.

"No, Shay. My name is Clary. Only Magnus calls me Biscuit."

"He does do funny things sometimes. It's very nice to meet you, Clary."

"It's nice to meet you too, Shay."

"Who do you want to meet next, Shay?" Magnus asked.

"Hmm....The skinny one with the glasses." She declared.

"Simon?" He asked.

"Yeah. Right. Okay." Simon said, kneeling on the grass before Shay. "How did you know I have glasses, Shay?" He asked.

"I can sense that your eyes aren't so good. There not as bad as mine, but yours need a little help." She giggled, holding out her hand.

Simon took her outstretched hand and guided it to his cheek.

"Hmm." She said, feeling out his features. "Your very smart, Simon. And good with your hands. Can I feel your hands?" She asked.

"Okay." He said, unsure. But he lifted his hands for her.

Arthur guided Shay hands to Simon's. Gently she felt them out.

"You work hard with your hands. Their very strong. They help make you a good fighter. Why...Why do you have hard spots on your fingers?" She asked.

"Because I like to play video games." He said, blushing. He was amazed and intrigued by the little girl.

"What are video games?" She asked.

"Something we don't have here, Shay." Magnus said.

"Oh. I see. Something you need better eyes for." She said softly.

"Shay ..." Magnus started.

"It's okay, Magnus." She said, cutting him off. "There are just some things people like me can't do. Papa says that's not a bad thing because there are a lot of things people like me can do that others can't. That's what makes everybody special. He also says it's okay to be different."

"Well, he's right about that." Magnus said, smiling. "Who would you like to meet next?"

"The boy on the left. The really strong one."

"Jace?" He asked.

A little unnerved Jace stepped forward, taking Simon's place in front of Shay. When she held out her hand, he brought it to his cheek. She giggled.

"You like Clary."

"I do. Very much." He said, smiling at her.

"Is she your mate?"

"Shay! That's rude." Arthur scolded.

"Sorry, papa."

"It's okay." Jace said. "Clary is my mate. I love her very much." He said as Shay felt out his features.

"You really are very strong." She said, frowning. "Your all very strong. Not like anyone I've ever met before. Why is that?"

"Well..." Jace started, unsure what to say.

"This is a very special group of people, Shay." Magnus said, coming to Jace's rescue. "They work and train really hard to help people. And to do that they have to be really strong, so they work every day to be that way."

"Oh, okay." Shay said, smiling again. "Your also very handsome, Jace. You and Clary will make pretty babies." She giggled.

"Shay!" Arthur scolded. "I am so sorry, Jace. She doesn't always understand boundaries."

"It's okay." Jace said, trying not to laugh.

"Alright, Shay. I think that's enough." Magnus said, trying and failing to hide his own smile. "Would you like to meet Isabelle next?"

"Yes, please."

"Isabelle?" He asked.

Izzy crouched down in front of the small girl, guiding her hand to her cheek when she reached out.

"Your pretty, like Clary. And very strong, like the others." Shay said, feeling out Izzy's features. "Hmm. You're a half."

"A half?" Izzy asked.

"A one of two. A twin. And you love Simon very much. But you have another love, a sister's love. You love your twin very much, just like you do Simon, only differently. Their your everything."

"Your right. They are. What else, Shay?"

"You're a strong warrior. All of you are. But you make things. Simon is good with his hands, but you make things with yours. Strong things. Powerful things. You all fight the monsters, don't you?"

Izzy looked at Magnus, unsure what to say.

"That's what Magnus meant when he said that you train and help people. You help people by fighting the monsters. That's why your all so strong. And special." Shay stated.

"That's right, Shay." Izzy said, unnerved. She had never been unnerved like this before.

"Okay, Shay. How about we meet the tall one?" Arthur asked.

"Alexander?" Magnus asked.

Alec took a deep breath before approaching the little girl. She had amazed him with her assessment of his family. He knelt on the ground at her feet, guiding her hand to his cheek when she reached out.

"Your Magnus' mate!" She squealed. "Your why he's so happy. And your handsome too, like Jace and Simon. You just don't believe it." She said, feeling out Alec's features. "Your Isabelle's twin too. I feel your love for her, just like your love for Magnus. It's so big."

Alec couldn't help but smile or stop his blush.

"You're also the strongest. The leader. But...you're not like everybody else. Your different. Special." She said softly.

Magnus and Arthur exchanged looks. Shay brought her other hand smoothly to Alec's other cheek, gasping when she touched him.

"You are him!" She exclaimed. "You're really here." She breathed.

"I'm just Alec, Shay." Alec said, confused by the little girl's reaction to him.

"No. Your him. Papa, my book! Read my book!"

"What page, Shay?" Arthur asked, unsure, but pulling a small notebook from his pocket.

"Page thirty-six."

Arthur flipped through the pages, eyeing his daughter. She had never reacted to anyone this way before.

"Your riddle, Shay?" He asked, confused.

"It's not a riddle, papa. Read it. Please! He's so special. He doesn't know. He has to know."

Robert and Gideon leaned in beside their mother, unsure what they were seeing. They all knew Shay. But this was new. Cat walked up beside Robert. She had overheard the commotion and shot him a questioning look. He merely raised his brows.

"Alright, Shay. But it's just a riddle."

"Please, papa. Read it." Shay pleaded.

"Okay, sweetheart. I'll read it."

                                                                       'Two into One

                                                                       The one of two

                                                                       With the blood of the angel,

                                                                       and the power too

                                                                       An angel for all

                                                                       A saving grace

                                                                       He will not yield, to any race

                                                                       And when he comes

                                                                       His heart is true

                                                                       Alpha and Omega

                                                                      Crystal blue'

"I don't understand, Shay. What does your riddle have to do with Alexander?" Magnus asked, thinking the riddle through.

"It's not a riddle, Magnus. Your mate is special. So very special. He's the one."

"Shay ..." Alec started, confused.

"It makes sense." Robert breathed. "It makes perfect sense."

"Robert?" Izabella asked, everyone turning to him.

"Two into One – Maryse and me.

The one of two – Alexander and Isabelle. Twins.

With the blood of the Angel – a nephilim.

And the power too – Alexander's gifts and his visions.

An angel for all – look at how many he's saved. What he's trying to do.

A saving grace – Magnus' saving grace. That's what he calls him. I've heard others call him the same thing, both now and after The Dark War.

He will not yield, to any race – he's never yielded to anyone. Ever.

And when he comes – which he has.

His heart is true – he's always had the purest heart.

Alpha and Omega, crystal blue. – It all makes perfect sense. It explains so much." He said, awed.

"Robert, I'm confused." Izabella said.

"Alexander is the son of two strong alphas. He's never yielded to another a day in his life. He's been giving commands since he was a child. He's an omega, momma. With crystal blue eyes.

What if...what if he just presented as an omega because he has always been an alpha? What if he's been an alpha since the day he was born? I know it's sounds impossible, but so are a lot of the things that he can do.

Everything about it fits, about him fits. Everyone thought he would present as a strong alpha because of what he can do, because of how he is. But he didn't. How can you present as something if it's what you already are? He's an alpha and an omega." He said, finally realizing why his precious boy had always been...more. So much more.

"That's not possible, Robert." Gideon said.

"I think your right, Robert. Except for one thing." Magnus said, working it through in his head. "Two into One, I don't think that means you and Mayrse. I think that means two races. Two races into one person. Alpha and omega. Everything else does fit, the end just cements what the riddle starts with."

"That's just not possible." Gideon insisted.

"It is." Shay stated. "He's the one. The one we've been waiting for. You just don't believe it yet. You never believe."

"Shay, this is just a riddle." Alec said, squeezing the small girl's hands, unsure what else to say or do.

"Is it?" Magnus asked. "Think about it, Alexander. Think about who you are. Think about all you have done; all you can do; of all of the things you've always been able to do. Think about your gifts. All of them."

"Their right, Alec." Izzy said, placing a hand on his shoulder. As always, she was in awe of her big brother. Her Rockstar.

"You know they are." Clary said. "I can feel it."

"It's not possible." Izabella said. "A person can't be two races."

"Why not? There are plenty of people here who are mixed. Mixed species. If we can have mixed species, why not two races?" Shay asked, smiling while she cupped Alec's cheek.

"We do have 'mixes' here, Alexander. You know that. Does this seem impossible? Yes. But how many things can you do that are impossible? All of you?" Magnus asked.

"Your grandma and uncle may not believe it, but you know it's true. You're the alpha and omega, crystal blue. And we've been waiting for you." Shay said, pressing a soft kiss to Alec's forehead.

"When did this come to you, Shay?" Robert asked.

"I don't know. Some time ago." She said. "Papa had to write it down for me so I wouldn't forget. But I never did."

"Shay, I don't..." Alec started.

"It's hard to accept, I know. But it's true. You're going to change everything. You're going to change our world." She said. "The Angel blessed you. He chose you. You know it in your heart. Now you just have to know it in your head." She said softly.

Alec didn't know what to say. He looked to his family and he saw it there. In their eyes and in their smiles. They believed it. Looking at his alpha, he saw that he believed it too.

"We should go, Shay. You're going to be late for Madzie's tea party." Arthur said, hoping to distract his daughter.

"Would you like to come to a tea party, Mr. Alec?" She asked, bouncing on her toes with excitement.

"I'd love to come to a tea party." Alec said, smiling. He loved his little cousin, and spending time with her. "But I can't right now. I have to go to archery training. A rain check?" He asked.

"A rain check?" She asked, confused.

"It means 'another time', Shay." Robert said, smiling. The thought of his badass warrior son, the best Shadowhunter in the world, sitting down with two little girls for a tea party would be a sight to behold. "Maybe momma can send apple cobbler?" He asked his mother, watching as Izabella just shook her head at him.

"Okay." Shay said, giggling again. She could feel Robert's energy and it told her that he thought it would be funny to watch, and cute. "Soon, Mr. Alec? Promise?"

"Sure, Shay. Soon." Alec said.

"Okay. I'll talk to Madzie. We'll set it up." She said, wrapping her little arms around his neck in a tight hug. "I'm so glad your finally here." She whispered.

"Come on, Shay. We have to go. Madzie's waiting." Arthur said, unsure what to make of his daughter's reaction to Alec.

"Coming, papa." She said, pressing a soft kiss to Alec's cheek.

Alec could only watch the little girl and her father walk away. He had no words for any of what she had just said.

"Are you alright, sweetheart?" Magnus asked softly.

"I'm...I'm not sure. I have to get to archery." He said, climbing quickly to his feet. Before anyone could question him he had walked away.

____________________

Clary flipped smoothly over Alec's head when he tossed her in the air, executing a beautiful double flip before coming down behind him, her seraph blade clashing solidly with Jace's. He was the 'demon' in this exercise. His blade was the 'heart' of the demon. Her blow would have killed it instantly.

They had been training for hours. Their day had been busy, but none of them had wanted Alec training by himself. They knew that he still had Shay's 'riddle' on his mind. While the day had been long, they hadn't wanted him to be alone.

While they were training their army with wooden swords and kendo sticks, they were using the real thing. Seraph blades and daggers, with all of their usual weapons. When they trained, they generally trained as if they were in combat. And trained hard. Clary had just finished her sixth basket launch over Alec's head.

"You ready, Iz?" Alec asked, Simon and Izzy stopping their hand to hand. Simon and Izzy exchanged looks.

"I think we should call it, big brother. It's been a long day." Izzy said.

Alec looked at his team, his family. He could see that they were tired. They had all been busy that day.

"Okay. You guys go ahead and head out. I'm going to go a bit longer." He said.

"You should break too, bro." Jace said, downing half a bottle of water. "We can pick up again tomorrow."

Clary could feel her parabati's turmoil through their bond. He wasn't ready to leave their private training area yet. He had already walked them through several of his new moves, putting them through their paces until he was satisfied that they had them down.

They worked in pairs against each other, until they faced him. Once he deemed that they had met his expectation for that rotation, the line started again and again until they had mastered the moves and could execute them quickly and without thought. Until they had become ingrained. He was always teaching them something new, and they loved it. And his challenges. But Jace was right, he needed to break.

"You guys go on. I want to talk to Alec." She said.

"Okay. See you at dinner, babe." Jace said, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. As usual, despite the hard training none of them were so much as winded. She waited until the others had left before turning to her parabati, her brother.

"What's up, Clare-bear?" Alec asked as he gathered their discarded weapons.

"We both know that you already know the answer to that, Alec." She said, handing him a bottle of cold water after he had set down his collection on a bench.

Word of Shay's 'riddle' had gotten out. It was the hot topic all over Haven. Everyone was calling the little girls riddle a prophecy. It had been written long before Alec had ever set foot in Haven and they all knew it. In their minds, it explained it all. How an omega could resist an alpha's commands. How an omega could give commands stronger than any other alpha any of them had ever known. How he was so strong and skilled in battle.

Omega's had always been considered the weakest race in the Shadow World, and Alec was far from weak. And his gifts. They were all in awe of his gifts. His gifts from The Angel Raziel. No one questioned that Alec was exactly what Shay had said he was, an alpha and an omega, despite the fact that he was the one and only. He was something that 'had never happened before'. They all believed Robert when he had said 'What if he was born an alpha? You can't present as something that you already are.'

She had felt his unease all afternoon. Everywhere he went there were whispers and stares. Yes, he was used to being talked about and had been for years. While the reasons may have changed over those years, it wasn't a new thing for him. But these, these whispers and stares were getting under his skin.

"I don't really want to talk about it." He said.

"Want to and need to are two different things. You know that." She said.

"What is there to talk about? Shay's riddle is just that. A riddle. It just isn't possible." He said, downing the water.

"Why not? You said yourself that 'what seems impossible isn't always impossible'. She said, quoting his words from just days before.

Alec sighed, closing his eyes. She had him there.

"I know you believe it, my parabati. In your heart. You just don't want to accept that you do. Or admit it to yourself." She said softly, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Why me, Clary?" He asked, just as softly. "Of so many things, why me?"

"That I don't know. But I do believe that you've been blessed by The Angel. I always have. Now, now everyone else does too." She said, squeezing his hand.

"I'm not the only one." He said, smirking. Something else had gotten out. Other things that Shay had written with the braille machine Magnus had brought her and taught her how to use. All of Haven was calling her a prophet.

"Yeah, well, that's a bit different." She said, handing him another bottle of water. He hadn't seemed to realize that he'd finished the first.

"How? How is it different?" He asked, surprised when he realized that his first bottle of water was gone.

"Those riddles don't speak of something unheard of or impossible." She said, tilting his chin to meet her eyes. She had them all memorized. They all did. They had heard them enough times that day.

                                                                      'The night is full of fright

                                                                       Heavens Angels take up the fight

                                                                      They flip and fly,

                                                                      Lighting up the sky

                                                                      They beat back what goes bump in the 

                                                                      night

                                                                      Five Angels ready to fight

                                                                      Always there to do what's right'

                                                                     'Angels born

                                                                     Raised to fight

                                                                     Warriors that save the night

                                                                     In the shadows they must hide

                                                                     Heaves five take up the fight'

                                                                    'With their beauty and their grace

                                                                     They fight the fight

                                                                     Every night

                                                                    They give their all

                                                                    They hear his call

                                                                    Heavens warriors

                                                                    For one and all

                                                                   'In the Shadows hide

                                                                    The Angel's five

                                                                    But hide no more

                                                                    It is their time'

Everyone agreed that Shay's words spoke of their time as Shadowhunters for the Clave. And the last for what was to come. But out of them all, there was one. One every downworlder believes speaks of The Dark War.

                                                                   'The battle rages on

                                                                    Dangers all around

                                                                    He must be stopped

                                                                    His evil knows no bounds

                                                                    A beauty from above

                                                                    An Angel tried and true

                                                                    Takes the shot

                                                                    That ends his plot

                                                                    The one that see's it through

                                                                    Heavens Angel

                                                                    Their saving grace

                                                                    Ends it all

                                                                    Brings about a madman's fall

"I hate being in the spotlight, Clary. I always have. You know that. And that's all it's been since we got here. And now this..." He said, trailing off.

"I know. It's hard when people whisper and stare. I know I've only had a taste, being his daughter. But for you it's different. It's always been different, because it's always been there. And since the war, there's just been more.

But you can't fault them, Alec. You have always been amazing. Even when we were kids. Then in our early days on patrols and missions. And in the war." She said, sighing. "I know that got you a lot of attention that you didn't want. We did too. But we had you to shield us, to stand behind. And for that we'll always be grateful.

We just wish that there was some way we could shield you. That we could have shielded you after you presented and some of those whispers and stares were nasty and behind your back. But we couldn't then, and we can't now. But we can be there for you. Just like you were there for me.

Any time anyone gave me shit about who my father was and did, or doubted me or my loyalties, my honor as a Shadowhunter you stood up for me. You were there. You kicked asses and broke noses when you had to. And you always will. That is just one of the many reasons that I love you.

You're not just my leader or my commander or even just my parabati. You're my big brother too. That's another reason that I love you. So I'm hoping that you'll listen to me now. If not as your parabati, then as a little sister.

The people who are whispering and staring at you now are doing it because they are in awe of you. Because they respect and admire you. And as much as you hate being in the spotlight, I think it's something that your going to have to get used to.

Get used to the whispers and stares, because I have a feeling that your going to be in that spotlight and getting those whispers and stares for some reason or the other for eternity because you are always going to do great things, just like you always have.

Does that make this easier? Being different in yet another way? No. But you'll get through it. You always do. And now, now you have more than just us to love and support you and help you get through it. You have your mate now. And your dad and Izabella and Cat. Sometimes Gideon." She said, relieved when he chuckled. "And Madzie. Always Madzie. She loves you. And if I recall correctly, you owe her and Shay a tea party. One that Magnus is planning that I think is going to be big affair with real tea and everything. So don't be surprised if it's public and you get a few stares for sitting down for your very first tea party with a gaggle of little girls."

"A gaggle of little girls?" He asked, eyebrows raised.

"Oh yes. From what I've heard every little girl in Haven is dying for an invitation." She said, laughing at the pained expression on his face. "Your Rockstar, Alec. Iz has always been right about that. And for all those little girls, your going to be their Rockstar too. You'll probably be the center of a few first crushes." She said, laughing again when he blushed crimson.

"If I have to go through this, I'm dragging you with me. All of you. You will all be my guests for the tea party. I'm sure Madzie and Shay won't mind." He said, laughing when she paled. "And if my alpha is planning this, I'm going to insist on eighteenth century costumes for everyone. I'm sure Madzie and Shay and all of their little friends are going to love that. And I'm going to love it when Si and Jace end up being the center of a few crushes too.

And there are several young boys here, Clare-bare. You and Iz are hot stuff. At least, Si tells me my sister is hot. And Jace says you are too. So get ready to be crush worthy yourself." He said, smirking.

"You're a jerk, you know that?" She asked, grinding her teeth.

"Hey? What are big brothers for?" He asked, tossing his second empty water bottle in the trash. "Your going to look really cute in a frilly dress, Clare-bear. And there will be pictures. I'll see to that." He said, grinning as he walked towards the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be another busy day." He called as he walked out into the night, not giving a damn about anyone who whispered or stared on his way home. As usual, his Clare-bear had made him feel better.

____________________

"There you are." Magnus said as Alec closed the cottage door behind him, lighting the candles on a beautifully decorated dinner table. "I was hoping you would be home soon. I thought we could have a nice dinner."

Alec stared at the candlelit table, at the red roses in vases spread out throughout the room, and his wonderful warlock. His Magnus.

"What's all this?" He asked.

"A romantic dinner for two." Magnus said, crossing to him and wrapping his arms around his waist. "I thought after today you deserved a little extra something. How are you holding up?" He asked.

Alec sighed.

"Honestly, alpha, I don't know." He said, pressing his forehead to his warlock's.

"Alpha?" Magnus asked. "Shouldn't I be calling you 'alpha'?"

"Please don't. It might get confusing." He said, savoring the feel of being in his alpha's arms. "Can we just stick with me calling you 'alpha' and you calling me 'angel'?" He asked. "Because I really don't feel like an 'alpha', and I'm defiantly not sure that I want to be called one." He said softly.

"But you are." Magnus said gently. "Rather you believe it or not yet, I do." He said, pressing a soft kiss to Alec's forehead.

"Why?" Alec asked.

"Because I know in my heart that it's true." He said, taking Alec's hand and leading him to the table. "I've known since the night I pulled you off that bridge that you were special. So very special. And you are, in so many ways." He said, pulling out Alec's chair. "And now I know just one more reason why." He said as Alec sat. "You truly are a one of a kind." He said, taking his own seat.

"I don't want to be. I've never wanted to be." He said softly.

"I know, love. But that doesn't change it any." Magnus said, snapping his fingers.

Alec sighed, relieved. One of his favorite high protein, low carb meals appeared on the plate in front of him.

"Comfort food." Magnus said when he saw his Shadowhunter smile. "You're a one of a kind, sweetheart. In more ways than one. At least to me." He said, smiling at his one true love.

"So are you." Alec said, reaching for his alpha's hand across the table. "So you really believe it? Shay's riddle?" He asked.

"Yes, love. I do." Magnus said, squeezing Alec's hand. "I spoke with Arthur. He said that 'riddle' came to Shay a couple of years ago. He carries around her 'journal' so that he can right things down for her. He said that he thought it odd when she had asked him to write it and read it back to her. And when she had said that it was really important, but she didn't know why.

Then she told him after we got here, after you killed the moloch demon that she wanted to meet you. She told me today that she thought then that you were who it was meant for, but she wasn't sure. Not until she touched you. Then she knew in her heart that it was. That's when she showed me the others." He said, watching his young warrior closely.

"Clary said it was in braille. You read braille?" Alec asked.

"Yes, angel. Read and write." Magnus said, eyebrows raised. "You don't?"

"No. Why would I?" He asked.

Magnus shook his head, chuckling.

"What's funny?" He asked.

"You can read and write more than thirty languages, some demonic, and you don't know braille." Magnus said, incredulous. "I take it there are no blind Shadowhunters?" He asked.

"There are. Only those that lost their sight due to an injury." He said, brows furrowed. "After that they just made do."

"They just 'made do'." Magnus repeated. "Wow. With all of the nephilim technology, most of it far more advanced than what is used in the mundane world according to Catarina, and no braille." He said, dumbfounded. "Braille has been around for a very long time. But no worries. We have plenty of time for me to teach it to you. And a few more languages if you'd like. Please eat." He said.

Alec had forgotten about the food in front of him. Picking up the fork beside his plate he took a bite. His alpha was right. It was 'comfort food'.

"So Shay showed you the other things that had 'come to her'?" He asked.

"She did. And I knew the moment I read them who and what they were referring to." Magnus said, taking a bite of his own meal. "Our family is special, angel. Gifted. Biscuit has her runes. Isabelle has her skill forging weapons. Jace has his skill with swords and Simon his skill in combat. From what you say, he's the very best. And then there's you who has more gifts than I think anyone has ever tried to count.

You were all blessed by your Angel, love. I truly believe that. Just as I believe that you were always meant to be together. That Isabelle showing up outside your door that day was meant to happen, along with everything that came after. The forming of your team. The team that became our family.

I believe that you were all destined to be the best. The best Shadowhunters, the best Shadowhunter team to ever live. And I don't mean just because of what you can do, love, but because of who you are. Your morals, your values. Morals and values that Shadowhunters of the past have lacked. The kind of Shadowhunters that my Belle feared and that I have loathed for centuries. You are shining examples of what Shadowhunters should be. And you will be. Forever."

Alec didn't know what to say. His alpha's words had rocked him to his core. He had been told that he and his family were the best. They had heard it too. But they had never wanted to be, tried to be. It had just happened. But hearing his alpha put it this way...

"Alpha, I..." He started.

"It's okay, sweetheart. You don't have to say anything." Magnus said, gently cutting him off. "That's just what I believe, and I thought you should know it. You should all know it. Because you all are going to be around for a very long time. The Shadow World is going to need you. Our world is going to change, and the five of you are going to be the ones who change it."

"The six of us." Alec said, reaching across the table to take his warlock's hand. "It will be the six of us. Seven if we can talk Cat into pitching in." He said, squeezing his alpha's hand.

Magnus couldn't help but smile. His Shadowhunter hadn't even hesitated in including him in their destined journey to rebuild the Shadow World, something that warmed his heart, but also to include his oldest and dearest friend. He knew then that together they could do great things. That they would do great things. There was just one thing that worried him; something he wasn't sure he should tell his young warrior about. At least not yet.

"What's wrong?" Alec asked. He had seen his warlock's smile drop, and his frown.

"Nothing, angel. Just thinking." Magnus said, trying and failing to shake the image of his oldest and dearest friend kissing his sweet omega's father from his mind.

He knew that it was something that he wasn't meant to see, but he had. And he didn't know just yet what to make of it.

"Okay." Alec said, unsure. He could feel in his belly that his alpha was keeping something from him, but he wouldn't push him.

He had to believe that he would tell him when he was ready, in his own time. They had promised each other months ago that there would be no more secrets, so he couldn't think of whatever was troubling his warlock as one. It would have to be just something he wasn't ready to talk about yet.

"You should finish eating, sweetheart. It's been a long day and I'm sure you'll want a hot shower before bed." Magnus said, squeezing Alec's hand.

Alec shook his head, yes.

"Will you join me?" He asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Of course." Magnus said with a rueful smile. He knew what his Shadowhunter was after, and he was more than willing to give it to him.

____________________

Heals clicked on stone as someone took the twists and turns of a spiral staircase, the path lit by flickering torches. Directly across from the bottom step stood a large golden ornate door, a door engraved with the Clave sigil. The heals clicked across the marble floor to the door. Imogen Herondale reached out, expertly turning the dials on the intricate locks until each tumbler clicked into place.

The door opened. Inside were rows and rows of books on stacks three stories high. Some were ancient, some old, some newer. Her heals clicked across the marble floor as she approached an elegantly crafted mahogany pedestal. On it sat a large, thick, red leather bound book with the sigil of the Clave embossed on the cover. An obviously ancient book. Blood dripped from its bottom, running down the pedestal, adding to a large puddle on the floor.

Oblivious of the blood she carefully opened the book, gently turning the brittle pages, and pages that grew newer and newer as she gingerly made her way through them. At a fresh page she stopped. Two things were written on the page.

'Alexander Gideon Lightwood'

'Lydia Denise Branwell'

Picking up and elegant quill she dipped it in the ink, expertly tapping off the excess. Carefully putting the quill to the paper she wrote in an elegant script:

'Aline Patrice Penhallow'

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