Carlos was born to a woman who worked at a glitzy hostess bar working as a cleaner. She was pumped and dumped by patriarch of Romanov who already was married and had children. So that lady decides to quit working at that bar and worked other jobs and gave birth to Carlos who unfortunately had a mental problem affecting his emotions. Debt and medical expenses pushed Carlos's mom into early grave. Soon Carlos was roaming around the streets and end up at casino and lucky for Carlos, he's a natural genius and was soon noticed by Romanov patriarch and took him under his wing and taught him and made him part of his organization cleaning up the mess and all. He was never meant to be kept for long and soon the patriach set Carlos in a trap meant to eliminate him but he managed to beat up the people sent to kill him and was revealed that it's the patriarch who wanted hi dead and when Carlos confronted him, Patriarch revealed that he's a stain that's meant to be cleaned up after he raped his mom (exact words spoken in black black heart, scenario felt more like pump and dump to me rather than feeling like SA, but then again, par for the course, desnt matter that lady faced something horrible) and Carlos is enraged and offed the entire family and took over the role as the head of Romanov.
Later on he met Misha (who's the birth mom of Alexi, btw Misha is a man and omega, curse the omegaverse) who obviously WAS NOT into Carlos and he's already into Feliks but Carlos met with Misha's parents and they forced Misha to break off with Feliks and marry Carlos and he's NOT happy about it and so is Feliks who thought Carlos stole Misha from him and vowed revenge. Anyway marriage comes and for a while things are going pretty great (except for Misha who'll act up, but credit where due, Carlos did his part as loving husband and treated him with care) and soon Alexi was born and Carlos was bonding rather well with his son and this causes Misha to get upset (Post-partum stress and depression, dont make fun of preggy stuff) thinking that Carlos abandoned him and only used him for baby and rift started to form and by this time, Feliks reentered into Misha's life and they bonded as friends and Feliks started feeding him poison words about Carlos in hope that Misha would break off with him and come to Feliks.
By this time, Feliks already married and had a child, who was Lean, but got mixed up with Terano family and that family's baby (named Illary) ended up with Feliks. Lean now grew up in the Terano household and yeah Feliks's spouse passed away early on. Anyway soon Misha is now starting to rekindle his feelings for Feliks and Carlos got wind of it but looked the other way as the believed Misha wont do any harm and is content so long as Misha was beside him. That trust broke when Misha and Feliks planned to run away and Misha took Alexei with him to cafe and abandoned him in the store while he ran away with Feliks. Alexei almost got run over trying to chase after Misha (who was 5 at the time). Seeing that Misha not only abandoned Alexei but even willing to let him in the path of danger just for his past love broke Carlos's heart and became twisted and hard-hearted and he despised the bonding and all and raised Alexei as cold-hearted bastard.
During the purge, Carlos also killed Former Romanov's lawyer and his wife, that couple had a son, Maxim. now orphaned, Maxin vowed revenge against Carlos. During this time, Carlos and his son's relationship started to deteriorate and Alexei moved away when he was 15. Carlos hired Maxim as Alexei's aide. He knows that Maxim had a grudge but still decided to let him be as he felt sorry for orphaning him as his parents were involved in shady things (It was not specified in both Black Black heart nor here). However, Maxim started to interfere with Alexei's love life and sabotaging wherever possible but Carlos left as is as he believed Alexei would catch on and fire him and he didnt pose much risk, but still decided to threaten him to leave Alexei. Maxim not only served as Alexei's aide but also is dating him. So due to Carlos's pressure, Maxim broke up and left Alexei however soon after, Alexei got shot and went into coma. One of the perpetrators was suprise, suprise, Maxim! So Carlos offed him
however that attack was actually ordered by Feliks who launched this attacks towards Alexei as a "warning shot" (dumb idea, Carlos doesnt particularly care about Feliks and Misha but Feliks in is stupid paranoia decided to do attack Alexei as a warning) Carlos now baying for blood took the path of revenge and decided to destroy Feliks the same way he did to them by looking into Feliks and found the truth about him
Misha felt pretty bad about abandoning Alexei and is now aware that he burned the bridge of any reconciliation and asked Feliks not to target them for his sake and Feliks agree but that doesnt mean he tried to meddle. He colluded with Maxim as Alexei trying to infiltrate and series of events unfolded which got Alexei into life-threatening situation. When Misha got to learn what Feliks did, he slapped him and fight broke between them. However this is soon overshadowed by the fact that the son Feliks thought he sired turned out to be someone else (ie) The children were mixed at birth. This info was sent in secret to Feliks (Possibly by Romanov as a revenge for attacking Alexei).
The truth is Feliks and his deceased spouse had a hard time having child and after much difficulty they bore the child. During the same time, Terrano family also had a child at the same hospital. However Feliks's son was given a diagnosis that the child is weak. Feliks's aide, Visco switched Feliks's child with Terano family's child (Both child look similar) as a way to protect Feliks. Feliks's child, named Lean grew up in Terano household while Terno family's child named Ilary, grew up in Feliks household. Getting to know about the truth, Feliks killed Visco who tried to flee the country. Ilary got to know about it and is now hurt since Feliks now started to avoid Ilary and is now caring about Lean (Blood ties ig.., It seems that Feliks still loved his deceased spouse and cherished her and Lean apparently resembled her too much). Carlos got to know about it and took advantage of it to destroy Feliks the same way and he got to know that Feliks child is now living with Terano family
Meanwhile, Lean's family apparently got into debt is now facing bankruptcy due to Terano's new chariman, Callant due to mismanagement and the only lifeline is Romanov. Carlos took advantage of it and promised him to provide lifeline in exchange for dna sample for Lean and got to know that Lean is actually omega (Lean actually didnt know that he was going to be omega, but eventually got to learn about it)
Carlos planned that holding Lean as hostage would ensure that Feliks wont act up as he knows Feliks already knows about baby switch and is looking for Lean and decided to use Lean as part of his revenge to get back at Feliks and also to get a heir (his grandchild)
So Carlos took advantage of it and pressured Terano to pay back the debt or face eviction. Terano's patriarch decided to pay a visit. Carlos proposed that he'll clear the debt and provide lifeline in exchange for one of his grandson as his son-in-law, Patriarch dismissed as theres no omega. But Carlos revealed that Lean is actually Omega (Basically asking them to hand over Lean) (another thing, Lean did checkup and learned that he is indeed Omega, but didnt tell the family and next day they went to Carlos who broke the news). patriarch immediately declined the offer and went home. But Carlos is after Lean and he sent a message to Lean about paternity test and told him to meet at Hospital where Alexei was admitted and revealed the test (but didnt tell him who his father is) and threatened that he will go after Terano unless he agreed to marry Alexei. Carlos proposed a deal with Lean to marry Alexei who was sick and sire him a baby and he'll clear the debt and wont reveal the secret to Terano. and so facing no choice as he wanted to help his family, he agreed and he married Alexei on paper
Lean eventually told about the deal and the teranos were pissed as they thought Lean is needlessly doing something that he shouldn't do. But Lean blathered about responsibility and wanting to help family left and moved in with Alexei
Carlos basically assigned Lean as Alexei's live in caretaker of sort who was recovering from that attack orchestrated by Feliks. Due to influence of pheromones and such, Lean fell for Alexei and did the deed with unconscious Alexei but immediately ran away as he felt bad about doing something such thing. All of this was recorded secretly which would come to haunt Lean (btw, during this encounter, Lean got marked as fated pair, which pissed Carlos who come to learn about it). Anyway Alexei woke up and learned that his father hitched him to Lean and is pissed (cuz he recently broke up with Maxim and string of his partners were either forced away by his father or killed themselves, like Lilac) and is not willing to cooperate.
He treated Lean like he's a leech but Lean fell in love with Alexei (he loved his angelic face, but beneath that lies a demon which destriyed Lean) and is deluded by the fact that Alexei would eventually come around. During this time, Lean met Sasha, Lean's bodyguard and assumed him as a good person due to his friendly demeanor. But soon things took turn for worse when Alexei warned that Lean wont survive and plans to make him suffer and chocked Lean. Lean thought Sasha would help but Sasha stood there watching Lean getting chocked. Alexei told no one not even Sasha would help and he will suffer a lot. Lean immediately contacted Carlos demanding an explanation as he though all he had to do is to produce an heir and assumed Carlos would protect him. Carlos told that actually no, so long as Lean can bear child, anything is on the table (ie, Told Sasha to turn a blind eye as Lean getting tortured and beat up) Lean begged Carlos do help him as he's already being treated badly and wanted to survive. But Carlos pulled contract card and shut Lean up.
Meanwhile the recorded incident was discovered by Alexei who installed CCTV cameras in his house to record and monitor whats going on (Sasha aint no saint, sure he treated Lean good, but he looked the other way when Alexei and Carlos abused Lean, an enabler and is basically acted as an agent for Carlos who abused Alexei as he wanted to raise someone who cant be manipulated and took advantage of) and this caused Alexei to get mad at Lean and he felt betrayed and things took a dark turn as Lean got beat up everyday by Alexei. During one particular episode. Alexei dragged Lean into room and raped him so badly that red haired guy shocked (bitch, you know Alexei would do this to Lean but instead of helping Lean or calming down Alexei, you just stood guard while Lean cried sounds of help) and another instance Alexei threw a house party and Lean came down and asked what's he doing and Alecei basically asked his friends to strip him and assault him and they did that. Lean pleaded to Alexei that he only wanted Alexei and he knotted and Lean got pregnant
Lean's pregnancy was hid from Alexei under the orders of Carlos. Alexei resented his dad's excessive control and wanted to break away from his control. Lean despite facing abuse, fell in love with Alexei calling him "my alpha" (I SWEAR ABUSIVE OMEGAVERSE RELATION TROPES WOULD BE THE CAUSE FOR MY EARLY GRAVE!!!!!) and yeah Alexei was still abusive to Lean but somehow they managed to hide preganancy. During this time, Alexei arranged to meet with a guy who went against Carlos to gain some info and what he learned shocked him. Alexei learned that Lean married him only because Carlos threatened him and he suffered a lot, plus he doesnt even know who's his father is, but Carlos figured out he's Feliks's son and used him as pawn for revenge, but soon that guy was sniped down by Carlos men and Alexei went into psychotic shock and pleaded with Carlos to let him go and all.
Soon Lean gave birth to baby boy and Carlos kicked Lean out, but Lean pleaded with Carlos for one last time with Alexei. They met and hooked up and Lean bonded him and Alexei allowed it but then Lean left morning and Alexei learned of it and started crying
Meanwhile, before Lean got kicked out from Romanov's, Fight ensued in Lean's family as they learned off the deal as told by Callant. Soon Lean came back to his home and tearful reunion ensued and he immediately left for Edinburgh. Alexei revealed to Carlos that Lean bonded with him one sided. Carlos grew furious and is planning to bring down Lean to fix this but Alexei pleaded with his dad not to as he did too much harm for Lean and this is his repentance and threatened with his own existence if Carlos went against Alexei's wishes. Suprisingly Alexei is a good and attentive dad and really regrets treating Lean poorly and blamed himself for making his child motherless, forcing him to face the same life as he did when Misha abandoned him. but this time, it was him who abandoned Lean and feeling bad for treating Lean so poorly that he ran away. however, one sided bonding seems to cause some sort of health complication but Alexei braved it as something Lean gave him as a punishment of sort but fearing that Carlos would make a move and decided to track Lean
Seven years later, Lean finally settled in Edinburgh and started to lead a normal life and fell in love with a Doctor and opened about his relationship and starting to heal but someone is sending gifts and letters as his "friend" of sort. Lean didnt know who it was (Hint: Its Alexei) but felt happy but wanted to end it as he felt burdened. Anyway, Lean happened to meet Alexei with their child and he immediately grew cold and soon Alexei contacted Lean who didnt know it was him who sent him gifts and asked him to meet. Alexei took the gifts and went to meet with him along with that Doctor and is shocked and petrified to know the mystery person was Alexei all along.
Lean was disgusted and scared of him and wanted to stay away from him. Alexei begged Lean to stay for a while and gave his apologies. Lean for the part begrudgingly accepted so that he could move on and soon Alexei brought their child to meet Lean. Lean met with their child, Czar and bonded and told that he wanted to take custody of Czar. Alexei agreed but Czar cried as he grew up with Alexei. Soon Alexei collapsed and was brought to hospital and that red haired guy filled in the details and Lean started to waver and Carlos went to Lean and told him to stay away and told him if not for Alexei's wishes, he would have captured Lean for his treatment long ago. Soon Alexei recovered and beleived that Lean would give him a chance and they might start afresh and went to seek Lean only to see him and that doctor sharing lovely moment hit that Lean never would smile with him and left. He got caught in rain and got severely sick along with his condition, his health worsened. The only way to cure is that the bonder has to share their pheremone.
Meanwhile the relationship between Lean and that doctor started to change. Lean started to waver and chose to help Alexei. That Doctor though heartbroken, accepted gracefully and even came forward to do the procedure. The procedure went well and soon Alexei cried and begged Lean to stay and apologized for all his wrongdoings and Carlos eventually came around and accepted Lean as his son-in-law and he too apologized for his actions and soon Lean and Alexei reconciled. Despite suffering at the hands of Carlos and Alexei, he treated both of them with kindness and all. This is the main story. Feliks did sought out Lean but Lean rejected him as he told "why now of all time, if you truly cared for me or even though about me, you would have looked for me earlier" and Misha and Carlos had some heart to heart convo regarding Alexei and the things where gone wrong. This has somewhat influenced Carlos to soften and accept Lean and realize what he did is wrong.
Phew, that's it for the main story combining Black black heart and Mated to Ruthless alpha. Start with former to get clearer picture. Lean is truly sorrowful character who got into crossfire between people who wants revenge. Personally I think he should have never got back together with Alexei. In fact he should have immediately left after giving forgiveness that Alexei is fishing for and told him that he does not want to involve with their affairs anymore.
Reading this series kinda gave me a vibe of AO3 and micro drama series crossover. Overall story has some promise but the story is riddled with excessive drama and is basically acted like vehicle for angst (I love angst story but the angst here feels plonked on due to rushed nature of plot development)
Carlos was born to a woman who worked at a glitzy hostess bar working as a cleaner. She was pumped and dumped by patriarch of Romanov who already was married and had children. So that lady decides to quit working at that bar and worked other jobs and gave birth to Carlos who unfortunately had a mental problem affecting his emotions. Debt and medical expenses pushed Carlos's mom into early grave. Soon Carlos was roaming around the streets and end up at casino and lucky for Carlos, he's a natural genius and was soon noticed by Romanov patriarch and took him under his wing and taught him and made him part of his organization cleaning up the mess and all. He was never meant to be kept for long and soon the patriach set Carlos in a trap meant to eliminate him but he managed to beat up the people sent to kill him and was revealed that it's the patriarch who wanted hi dead and when Carlos confronted him, Patriarch revealed that he's a stain that's meant to be cleaned up after he raped his mom (exact words spoken in black black heart, scenario felt more like pump and dump to me rather than feeling like SA, but then again, par for the course, desnt matter that lady faced something horrible) and Carlos is enraged and offed the entire family and took over the role as the head of Romanov.
Later on he met Misha (who's the birth mom of Alexi, btw Misha is a man and omega, curse the omegaverse) who obviously WAS NOT into Carlos and he's already into Feliks but Carlos met with Misha's parents and they forced Misha to break off with Feliks and marry Carlos and he's NOT happy about it and so is Feliks who thought Carlos stole Misha from him and vowed revenge. Anyway marriage comes and for a while things are going pretty great (except for Misha who'll act up, but credit where due, Carlos did his part as loving husband and treated him with care) and soon Alexi was born and Carlos was bonding rather well with his son and this causes Misha to get upset (Post-partum stress and depression, dont make fun of preggy stuff) thinking that Carlos abandoned him and only used him for baby and rift started to form and by this time, Feliks reentered into Misha's life and they bonded as friends and Feliks started feeding him poison words about Carlos in hope that Misha would break off with him and come to Feliks.
By this time, Feliks already married and had a child, who was Lean, but got mixed up with Terano family and that family's baby (named Illary) ended up with Feliks. Lean now grew up in the Terano household and yeah Feliks's spouse passed away early on. Anyway soon Misha is now starting to rekindle his feelings for Feliks and Carlos got wind of it but looked the other way as the believed Misha wont do any harm and is content so long as Misha was beside him. That trust broke when Misha and Feliks planned to run away and Misha took Alexei with him to cafe and abandoned him in the store while he ran away with Feliks. Alexei almost got run over trying to chase after Misha (who was 5 at the time). Seeing that Misha not only abandoned Alexei but even willing to let him in the path of danger just for his past love broke Carlos's heart and became twisted and hard-hearted and he despised the bonding and all and raised Alexei as cold-hearted bastard.
During the purge, Carlos also killed Former Romanov's lawyer and his wife, that couple had a son, Maxim. now orphaned, Maxin vowed revenge against Carlos. During this time, Carlos and his son's relationship started to deteriorate and Alexei moved away when he was 15. Carlos hired Maxim as Alexei's aide. He knows that Maxim had a grudge but still decided to let him be as he felt sorry for orphaning him as his parents were involved in shady things (It was not specified in both Black Black heart nor here). However, Maxim started to interfere with Alexei's love life and sabotaging wherever possible but Carlos left as is as he believed Alexei would catch on and fire him and he didnt pose much risk, but still decided to threaten him to leave Alexei. Maxim not only served as Alexei's aide but also is dating him. So due to Carlos's pressure, Maxim broke up and left Alexei however soon after, Alexei got shot and went into coma. One of the perpetrators was suprise, suprise, Maxim! So Carlos offed him
however that attack was actually ordered by Feliks who launched this attacks towards Alexei as a "warning shot" (dumb idea, Carlos doesnt particularly care about Feliks and Misha but Feliks in is stupid paranoia decided to do attack Alexei as a warning) Carlos now baying for blood took the path of revenge and decided to destroy Feliks the same way he did to them by looking into Feliks and found the truth about him
Misha felt pretty bad about abandoning Alexei and is now aware that he burned the bridge of any reconciliation and asked Feliks not to target them for his sake and Feliks agree but that doesnt mean he tried to meddle. He colluded with Maxim as Alexei trying to infiltrate and series of events unfolded which got Alexei into life-threatening situation. When Misha got to learn what Feliks did, he slapped him and fight broke between them. However this is soon overshadowed by the fact that the son Feliks thought he sired turned out to be someone else (ie) The children were mixed at birth. This info was sent in secret to Feliks (Possibly by Romanov as a revenge for attacking Alexei).
The truth is Feliks and his deceased spouse had a hard time having child and after much difficulty they bore the child. During the same time, Terrano family also had a child at the same hospital. However Feliks's son was given a diagnosis that the child is weak. Feliks's aide, Visco switched Feliks's child with Terano family's child (Both child look similar) as a way to protect Feliks. Feliks's child, named Lean grew up in Terano household while Terno family's child named Ilary, grew up in Feliks household. Getting to know about the truth, Feliks killed Visco who tried to flee the country. Ilary got to know about it and is now hurt since Feliks now started to avoid Ilary and is now caring about Lean (Blood ties ig.., It seems that Feliks still loved his deceased spouse and cherished her and Lean apparently resembled her too much). Carlos got to know about it and took advantage of it to destroy Feliks the same way and he got to know that Feliks child is now living with Terano family
Meanwhile, Lean's family apparently got into debt is now facing bankruptcy due to Terano's new chariman, Callant due to mismanagement and the only lifeline is Romanov. Carlos took advantage of it and promised him to provide lifeline in exchange for dna sample for Lean and got to know that Lean is actually omega (Lean actually didnt know that he was going to be omega, but eventually got to learn about it)
Carlos planned that holding Lean as hostage would ensure that Feliks wont act up as he knows Feliks already knows about baby switch and is looking for Lean and decided to use Lean as part of his revenge to get back at Feliks and also to get a heir (his grandchild)
So Carlos took advantage of it and pressured Terano to pay back the debt or face eviction. Terano's patriarch decided to pay a visit. Carlos proposed that he'll clear the debt and provide lifeline in exchange for one of his grandson as his son-in-law, Patriarch dismissed as theres no omega. But Carlos revealed that Lean is actually Omega (Basically asking them to hand over Lean) (another thing, Lean did checkup and learned that he is indeed Omega, but didnt tell the family and next day they went to Carlos who broke the news). patriarch immediately declined the offer and went home. But Carlos is after Lean and he sent a message to Lean about paternity test and told him to meet at Hospital where Alexei was admitted and revealed the test (but didnt tell him who his father is) and threatened that he will go after Terano unless he agreed to marry Alexei. Carlos proposed a deal with Lean to marry Alexei who was sick and sire him a baby and he'll clear the debt and wont reveal the secret to Terano. and so facing no choice as he wanted to help his family, he agreed and he married Alexei on paper
Lean eventually told about the deal and the teranos were pissed as they thought Lean is needlessly doing something that he shouldn't do. But Lean blathered about responsibility and wanting to help family left and moved in with Alexei
Carlos basically assigned Lean as Alexei's live in caretaker of sort who was recovering from that attack orchestrated by Feliks. Due to influence of pheromones and such, Lean fell for Alexei and did the deed with unconscious Alexei but immediately ran away as he felt bad about doing something such thing. All of this was recorded secretly which would come to haunt Lean (btw, during this encounter, Lean got marked as fated pair, which pissed Carlos who come to learn about it). Anyway Alexei woke up and learned that his father hitched him to Lean and is pissed (cuz he recently broke up with Maxim and string of his partners were either forced away by his father or killed themselves, like Lilac) and is not willing to cooperate.
He treated Lean like he's a leech but Lean fell in love with Alexei (he loved his angelic face, but beneath that lies a demon which destriyed Lean) and is deluded by the fact that Alexei would eventually come around. During this time, Lean met Sasha, Lean's bodyguard and assumed him as a good person due to his friendly demeanor. But soon things took turn for worse when Alexei warned that Lean wont survive and plans to make him suffer and chocked Lean. Lean thought Sasha would help but Sasha stood there watching Lean getting chocked. Alexei told no one not even Sasha would help and he will suffer a lot. Lean immediately contacted Carlos demanding an explanation as he though all he had to do is to produce an heir and assumed Carlos would protect him. Carlos told that actually no, so long as Lean can bear child, anything is on the table (ie, Told Sasha to turn a blind eye as Lean getting tortured and beat up) Lean begged Carlos do help him as he's already being treated badly and wanted to survive. But Carlos pulled contract card and shut Lean up.
Meanwhile the recorded incident was discovered by Alexei who installed CCTV cameras in his house to record and monitor whats going on (Sasha aint no saint, sure he treated Lean good, but he looked the other way when Alexei and Carlos abused Lean, an enabler and is basically acted as an agent for Carlos who abused Alexei as he wanted to raise someone who cant be manipulated and took advantage of) and this caused Alexei to get mad at Lean and he felt betrayed and things took a dark turn as Lean got beat up everyday by Alexei. During one particular episode. Alexei dragged Lean into room and raped him so badly that red haired guy shocked (bitch, you know Alexei would do this to Lean but instead of helping Lean or calming down Alexei, you just stood guard while Lean cried sounds of help) and another instance Alexei threw a house party and Lean came down and asked what's he doing and Alecei basically asked his friends to strip him and assault him and they did that. Lean pleaded to Alexei that he only wanted Alexei and he knotted and Lean got pregnant
Lean's pregnancy was hid from Alexei under the orders of Carlos. Alexei resented his dad's excessive control and wanted to break away from his control. Lean despite facing abuse, fell in love with Alexei calling him "my alpha" (I SWEAR ABUSIVE OMEGAVERSE RELATION TROPES WOULD BE THE CAUSE FOR MY EARLY GRAVE!!!!!) and yeah Alexei was still abusive to Lean but somehow they managed to hide preganancy. During this time, Alexei arranged to meet with a guy who went against Carlos to gain some info and what he learned shocked him. Alexei learned that Lean married him only because Carlos threatened him and he suffered a lot, plus he doesnt even know who's his father is, but Carlos figured out he's Feliks's son and used him as pawn for revenge, but soon that guy was sniped down by Carlos men and Alexei went into psychotic shock and pleaded with Carlos to let him go and all.
Soon Lean gave birth to baby boy and Carlos kicked Lean out, but Lean pleaded with Carlos for one last time with Alexei. They met and hooked up and Lean bonded him and Alexei allowed it but then Lean left morning and Alexei learned of it and started crying
Meanwhile, before Lean got kicked out from Romanov's, Fight ensued in Lean's family as they learned off the deal as told by Callant. Soon Lean came back to his home and tearful reunion ensued and he immediately left for Edinburgh. Alexei revealed to Carlos that Lean bonded with him one sided. Carlos grew furious and is planning to bring down Lean to fix this but Alexei pleaded with his dad not to as he did too much harm for Lean and this is his repentance and threatened with his own existence if Carlos went against Alexei's wishes. Suprisingly Alexei is a good and attentive dad and really regrets treating Lean poorly and blamed himself for making his child motherless, forcing him to face the same life as he did when Misha abandoned him. but this time, it was him who abandoned Lean and feeling bad for treating Lean so poorly that he ran away. however, one sided bonding seems to cause some sort of health complication but Alexei braved it as something Lean gave him as a punishment of sort but fearing that Carlos would make a move and decided to track Lean
Seven years later, Lean finally settled in Edinburgh and started to lead a normal life and fell in love with a Doctor and opened about his relationship and starting to heal but someone is sending gifts and letters as his "friend" of sort. Lean didnt know who it was (Hint: Its Alexei) but felt happy but wanted to end it as he felt burdened. Anyway, Lean happened to meet Alexei with their child and he immediately grew cold and soon Alexei contacted Lean who didnt know it was him who sent him gifts and asked him to meet. Alexei took the gifts and went to meet with him along with that Doctor and is shocked and petrified to know the mystery person was Alexei all along.
Lean was disgusted and scared of him and wanted to stay away from him. Alexei begged Lean to stay for a while and gave his apologies. Lean for the part begrudgingly accepted so that he could move on and soon Alexei brought their child to meet Lean. Lean met with their child, Czar and bonded and told that he wanted to take custody of Czar. Alexei agreed but Czar cried as he grew up with Alexei. Soon Alexei collapsed and was brought to hospital and that red haired guy filled in the details and Lean started to waver and Carlos went to Lean and told him to stay away and told him if not for Alexei's wishes, he would have captured Lean for his treatment long ago. Soon Alexei recovered and beleived that Lean would give him a chance and they might start afresh and went to seek Lean only to see him and that doctor sharing lovely moment hit that Lean never would smile with him and left. He got caught in rain and got severely sick along with his condition, his health worsened. The only way to cure is that the bonder has to share their pheremone.
Meanwhile the relationship between Lean and that doctor started to change. Lean started to waver and chose to help Alexei. That Doctor though heartbroken, accepted gracefully and even came forward to do the procedure. The procedure went well and soon Alexei cried and begged Lean to stay and apologized for all his wrongdoings and Carlos eventually came around and accepted Lean as his son-in-law and he too apologized for his actions and soon Lean and Alexei reconciled. Despite suffering at the hands of Carlos and Alexei, he treated both of them with kindness and all. This is the main story. Feliks did sought out Lean but Lean rejected him as he told "why now of all time, if you truly cared for me or even though about me, you would have looked for me earlier" and Misha and Carlos had some heart to heart convo regarding Alexei and the things where gone wrong. This has somewhat influenced Carlos to soften and accept Lean and realize what he did is wrong.
Phew, that's it for the main story combining Black black heart and Mated to Ruthless alpha. Start with former to get clearer picture. Lean is truly sorrowful character who got into crossfire between people who wants revenge. Personally I think he should have never got back together with Alexei. In fact he should have immediately left after giving forgiveness that Alexei is fishing for and told him that he does not want to involve with their affairs anymore.
Reading this series kinda gave me a vibe of AO3 and micro drama series crossover. Overall story has some promise but the story is riddled with excessive drama and is basically acted like vehicle for angst (I love angst story but the angst here feels plonked on due to rushed nature of plot development)