Behind The Alpha Book 8 ADAM

(Chapter song ‘In The End’ by Tommee Profitt, ‘Break' by Zero 9:36)

ADAM

As emergency crews rush onto the ship, I jump off the back with a pack of clothes on my back, a long, black coat and a plan.

My thick boots land on the shipping dock and I walk slowly past the ship. Looking like a crew member, no one knows that it was me that took the lives of 25 crew members and their captain.

I couldn’t help it. The humans blood is more satisfying and two weeks out at sea started to seem like an eternity.

I was trying to keep to myself, but the questions of why I didn’t eat. Why I didn’t sleep kept coming. Everyday, I fought the urge until one day I couldn’t anymore. I was starving and needed the blood.

I watch the stretchers come off the ship, each with white sheets over the bodies. I look away as my shifter fills me with shame. I’ve killed people, yes, but not like this.

People cry out in shock and horror and the human police run on the ship. They’re sure to see the blood bath and determine some sort of monster was onboard.

The ships guiding system help me dock it. I didn’t need to be hurting anyone else by crashing it into the pier. So, I landed it safely and now, I disappear. I’m sure word of this will get back to Jake, but I can’t care about that. What I did, I did out of self preservation. If I die, the world will have no chance in hell.

I slip through the crowd and out to the main building. Once at the front entrance, I blur out of there as fast as I can.

I push my shifter away and throw his feelings back at him. I won’t feel guilty for feeding. I will feel guilty for not recognizing that being human, they couldn’t heal from my bite. Each one bled to death at my feet when I was done.

The dark monster in me only fulfilled what it was built to do. Feed and kill.

I just have to learn that, from now on, I can’t allow myself to get to that level of starvation.

I will, but not yet. There was one stop I had to make before I headed to Falcon Ridge.

The witch never saw me coming. I broke through her door and before she could release her magic, ripped her throat out and drank her dry.

I left her gasping her last breath on the floor beside her overturned wheelchair. I’ll be the last one she drugs.

I found my bike in her garage and hit the highway back to the homes I’m familiar with.

Thoughts of The Foundation ran through my mind as I stared out to the empty two lane highway. The sun set ahead of me and the moon rose behind. As the orange glow of the sun turned to starry night, my eyes were hit with a deep blue as moons light filled the area around me.

I glance over my shoulder to see what I’ve seen a million times. Each one is always prettier than the last. You’d think, as a vampire, I can’t appreciate such beauty. You’d have to feel something to do that. Yet, I do. I see it as a rising dawn. A new beginning. Others have certain celebrations to mark that, for us in this world, it’s this particular moon. The way it blankets everything in its color, it feeds its power through it and you can feel it. You can feel how special it is.

It’s funny. I have thousands of memories, but one that sticks with me is this night. This time.

I heard him.

I heard him beg my mother to live. I heard him cry. I felt his love for her.

I felt…his love for me.

When she showed him my existence, I could have acknowledged myself to him, but chose not to. I didn’t want the connection. A man is nothing without his father and I chose to be nothing.

They weren’t though. I felt the bond connect. I felt the venom making my mother his forever. My parents are something. They’re love is so strong. I saw it everyday. My mother is my father’s crown jewel. His everything. He worships her. I have to admire him for it, but I won’t ever relate. My time here doesn’t include love. My hunger for blood and revenge are what fills my cup each night. The death of the demon is my only purpose.

Even still, my heart stings when I remember what he did that no father had ever done.

He fought for me. Defended me. I heard every word he yelled to Ash on this night.

‘Don’t think my family is evil, Ash. Please. Don’t think my boy is evil…because he’s not.’

I blink several times, shake my head and break the thoughts.

I may not be the level of evil the demon is at, but it’s clear, I am evil. I’m a monster of a new kind and no one will understand that.

****

I arrived in Falcon Ridge two days after the blue moon.

My first stop was the Alpha council. I had to find out if they knew this Artemis and where he was.

As I walk through the halls of the council building, I get inquiring looks from people who walk by me.

My vamp scent isn’t as strong as a pure vamp, but it’s there. I know they can smell what I am.

Most of these Alphas, I don’t know. I’ve heard of them, but this will be my first interaction with them. I’m not even sure they know about me.

The assistant to the council takes my name and tells me to sit.

I check my phone as I wait. No one has this number so, obviously, I won’t have messages, but I'm still scouring the internet for the skull.

“You can go in now.” The assistant opens the door and I stuff my phone in my pocket.

I slowly stride into the room and look around. My stone face scans the couches, two rooms on either side of a large rectangular council table. Seated at it is ten very confused Alphas.

I licks my lips and walk to the table. I place my hands behind my back as they sit silently.

“I can tell from your facial expressions, you have no idea who I am.” I raise my chin to the large, blonde Alpha behind the podium directly across from me.

“Adam Spencer. You’ll have to refresh my memory.” He says.

“My mother is Lainey Spencer. Vampire ambassador to the Phoenix Mountain Alpha Council.” I eye them all as the table grumbles.

“Hey. You’re the triple threat!” A short, brown haired Alpha says as his brows shoot up. He leans on the table and arches a brow. “How’s your head?”

I raise a brow. “My head?”

“Yeah. With all those creatures bouncing around up there, that’s gotta be hard on the grey matter." He circles his temple and smirks.

The light brown haired Alpha beside him, backhand his leather jacket. “Stop it!”

“OW! What? I’m just asking!” He shoves him back.

“I assure you, my head is fine.” I say in a low, emotionless tone.

Most times it’s true, but sometimes I wish I could rip at least two of them out.

“Adam. It’s nice to meet a representative of Phoenix’s new hive. I’ve heard a lot of progress has been made between the species. Introductions. I’m Bastian Cole. To my left, William Apollo, River Blake, Luke Jackson, Jayson Duke and Mica Whitney. On my right, Grey Andrews, Lucius Drake, Wren Miller and Gideon Preston.” He motions to each Alpha and I nod.

“Gideon. Quinn's father.” I acknowledge.

“That’s right. Ya know my boy?” He grins as he leans on the table.

“I do. He…helped me a lot. You should be proud. He’s very good at what he does.” Again I nod to him.

“I am. I’m very proud. I’m glad he could help ya." He smiles.

“How can we help you, Adam?” Bastian asks.

“I’m looking for a dagger. It’s unique. 8 inches. Jet black from tip to hilt. I’ve been told that it’s in the hands of one named Artemis. He’s been seen in this area. I am inquiring about his whereabouts.” I state.

“Why do you want the Reaper?”

My eyes turn to a small room off to the side. I see a man who looks like Grey leaning on the doorway. Twins.

“Wes.” Grey holds a hand up to his twin. He turns to me. “Why do you want the Reaper?”

“Really, Grey?” Wes scowls and flops his hand to the side.

“Alpha!” Grey leans on the table and arches a brow at his brother.

Wes groans and goes back into the room.

“My reasons are my own. Where’s Artemis?” I eye the table.

“We locked that side show freak up.” Luke says as he leans back and crosses his arms.

“He’s in prison. Here?” I lean my hands on the table. “Where’s the blade?”

“I’m afraid we can’t tell you that, Adam.” Bastian says.

“Why not?” I grit.

“Because it’s a secret. If we tell you, it won’t be a secret.” Luke snorts.

“You don’t know either, idiot.” Jayson chuckles.

“Shut up. He doesn’t know that!” Luke scowls.

I sigh with frustration. “I need that blade.”

“Unless you have good reason…” Bastian starts.

“Ok.” I roll my eye to him. “If you don’t give it to me, the demon will kill us all. Is that a good enough reason?”

“Wait. It can kill Lefu?” Jayson asks.

“No, but it can weaken him enough to fight him back into his prison. Enough. Where’s the blade? My patience is wearing thin.” My eyes glow green then gold as my lycan rises and my heart starts.

“Uh…shit…dude, calm it down, ok.” Luke holds a hand up to me.

“I will after I tear this council apart!” I push off the table and cross my arms.

Bastian’s eyes glow blue. “There’s no need for threats.” He growls.

“You have no idea what you have. Give it to me. Now!” I demand.

“We can’t.” He replies.

“Why?”

“The High council of Sorcerers has it.” Bastian admits.

“Wait.” Luke leans on the table and raises a brow to Bastian. “You gave a knife called the Reaper to a guy in a clown suit?”

“Azriel is a respectable sorcerer.” Bastian scowls back.

“You gave the most powerful dagger on the planet to Azriel!” I growl.

“Yes. Why is that wrong?” Bastian shoots me a concerned look.

“Holy fuck!” I throw my arms up and break into a vamp run out of there. I land on my bike, start it and peel out of the lot.

Of all the fucking idiots! I’m surprised the wizard can even tie his shoes, much less protect the Reaper!

This better not be a bigger search because if it is, I’m ripping fucking throats!

Two days later and many fits pitched, I pull up to a skyscraper in Phoenix City.

I blur up the stairs after someone opens the front lobby door. I find Azriels condo and force the door open. I stop in the middle floor and hear a scream.

My shoulders heave as I look at a naked Azriel and Faith on the couch. Faith is desperately trying to cover herself.

“Adam! What in the bloody hell?!” He growls as he shoves a blanket over Faith’s head.

I arch a brow. “Jake’s mother? Really?”

“OUT IN THE HALL! NOW!” He aggressively points to the door.

“Fine.” I grumble as I shake my head and walk out the door.

A moment later, the door opens and a very agitated Azriel walks out in purple and blue striped, silk pajama pants.

I back off and he closes the door and crosses his arms. “What in God’s name could you possibly want that would compel you to ruin my night?” He glares.

I look to the floor and back up as I try to understand his emotions. “I apologize for the intrusion. I need something you have.”

“What?” He grits.

“The Reaper.” I say bluntly.

His brows stitch together and he looks me over. “My boy. What makes you think I’d give you the Reaper. How do you know I even have it?”

“Falcon. They told me.” I confess.

“Bloody hell. Never trust a playboy with secrets.” He growls. “Listen. The blade is under protection. It cannot get out.”

“I need it, Azriel. The fate of the world depends on me getting it first.” I plead.

“Why?” He asks.

“I can’t tell you. You wouldn’t understand. Just…I know what I’m talking about. Give me the blade.” I eye him strongly.

“The council hid it. I don’t know where. I suspect it’s in the library.” He answers.

“The library?” I search my mind. “The shamans vault?” I lock with his eyes as they widen.

“How do you know about that?” He questions.

“I just do. Is it true?” I scowl.

“Yes, but…” He starts.

“Azriel! I have no time!” I yell.

He holds a hand up. “I understand. I can feel this is very important, even if you won’t tell me. Clearly, this is beyond my scope of reasoning. Let me talk with the council. The library is enchanted and I have no knowledge of its location. Give me time.”

I calm myself and nod. “But you will give it to me?”

He sighs. “I sense the urgency in your cold words.” His mouth ticks to a smile. “This tells me the blade is very useful to you and I suspect it has something to do with Lefu. My intuition tells me you are true to your word, but, my boy, there’s no shame in the truth. If you need help, there’s no weakness in allowing others in to provide that for you.”

“I’ve never needed it before and I don’t need it now.” I mumble.

He nods. “I understand. Just remember…time changes. It’s fluid. The choices we made an hour before, doesn’t have to be the same ones we make in the next hour. Remember that.” He arches a brow at me and I look at him with curiosity. I try to make sense of what he just said.

“Two days.” I mutter and blur out.

I can’t stay in the city if I wish to hold to my word of staying away, but I can’t leave when the blade is so close.

So instead, I drove to the crumpled mountain. It’s violent storms still rage overhead. The black, ominous clouds still linger around the fallen peaks. Ice and snow still assault it with unforgiving fury. The mountain still is a terrain that would weaken common man, but I’m not common. It’s frozen, monstrous temperament cannot falter my cold, dead heart.

I didn’t witness the explosion that took it, but the devastation after was horrific. Swallowing that which many had died to protect and tearing the earth like fabric. It does give me pause to think of the power of the forces we can’t see.

I climb the crumbled rocks to a spot I’ve been in before when I was young and exploring.

The icy snow storms always go around this spot. It’s amazing that there’s still structures here.

My boots crunch in the snow as I walk around the ghostly village. The cloud rumble above my head and the wind whips my jackets

I walk past houses, rocked and destroyed by rocks and quakes. An entire society frozen in time. Some still held signs of life even though the life itself left long ago. One house in particular remained half standing.

A pack house in the corner of the mountain bowl.

I’ve been through almost every house here. The people were simple from what I could tell. Lived like Viking nomads outside the cruel world I grew up in. I had learned they were once the Nordic Pack. Living in isolation from the rest of the world. The leader was more like a religion than an Alpha.

The snow wolves adapted to the harsh environment. Of all the times I’ve spent nights here, I’ve often wondered where they went.

I enter the pack house through the broken wall and find a spot in the common room. Placing my pack down, I sit on the snow covered couch. I try to imagine what the Alpha was like. I have no real reference for him as they took all personal belongings with them. I imagine he would have some honor to be able to rule over a hard living pack like this. He must have some strength in that religion for them to follow him into a place that’s unknown to them.

I lay down and fold my arms across my chest. I feel my eyes get heavy. When sleep does find me, all it brings me is pain. The pain of the past and the fear of the future. My dreams are riddled with the sadness of failure and success.

I’m so conflicted inside, I’m surprised I sleep at all.

I wish there was some way to end this beside the only way I know how.

I drift off to the sound of the raging snowstorm burying the village that I will call home for now.