Behind The Alpha Book 8 ADAM
Chapter 2

(Chapter song ‘Anthem For The Year 2000’ by Silverchair)

ADAM

The years went on.

The insufferable doting from my patents went on as well.

I tried to tell them how little I needed them, but they refuse to listen. Over time, I distanced myself more and more. I started to gain knowledge and focus on why I was here.

I heard of his rising and there was very little time to spare. Before I can face him, there’s some things I need to replace first.

I scoured the internet looking at maps of this country. I searched my mind for the last place I held it.

Comparing my memories to landmarks that still exist, I can only conclude the place I need to go to is Delaware.

I lean back in my desk chair and think. Delaware is a day and a half away. I can do it in one if I was sustained well enough. I won’t be doing that on cows blood.

I lick my fangs as I search for busses. It’s primitive, but unless I want to take a human, I have to rely on mediocre modes of transportation.

As I use my savings account to buy a ticket for today, my mother knocks on my door.

“Adam?”

I turn in my chair and although I don’t need her for survival, I have a place for her in my heart, when I allow it. I don’t need her asking questions so I close the window on my monitor.

She gave me this life. I’ve always held my mother to the highest regard. I won’t ever tell her that, but I will in my mind. I do love her. I know she’ll worry when I leave, I see no reason to do that now.

“Yes." I say. My emotions are turn off so, the harsh sounding vampire gives me my tone.

“Have you eaten?” She walks up to my chair and her hand gently rests on the back of head.

I sigh and turn back to my computer. “Some.”

“You should eat more. The doctor said you’re growing faster. You need to keep yourself fed. Maybe if you tried some solid food?” She leans on my desk. Her long black hair hangs over her shoulder as her green eyes look me over with concern.

I give a rather quick smile. “I assure, mother. I’m fine. I eat enough.”

“I just worry.” She says quietly.

I glance at her. “There’s no need.” I mumble and turn to my screen.

“What are you working on?” She turns to my computer.

“School…geography.” I side eye her.

She plants a kiss on my hair. “Ok. The sun’s coming up. Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t.” I shrug.

“Ok. I’m going to wake your father. Are you coming to say goodnight?” She asks as she walks to the door.

“Yes.” I stop what I was doing. “Mother?”

“Yes.”

I turn my chair, blink at the floor then raise them to hers. “Thank you.”

“For what?” She tilts her head and questions.

“For…existing.” I grumble and turn my chair.

She stares at me for a moment. “You’re welcome.” She steps out. “20 minutes and your fathers leaving.”

“Ok.”

I hit send on the payment and my bus is booked for the moment my mother goes to bed. It won’t be the first time I’ve snuck out. Since his rising, I’ve been gathering as much information as I can. I need to replace out what form I will be fighting first of all. If he has followers and how many.

With this, I can plan my attack.

I type in one more thing in the keyword search.

‘The Reaper.’

As the pages formulate, my mind slips to when I first saw the blade. I rub the place where he drove it into my chest. I remember the feeling of the shifter die within me, but he only got one. He’ll get none if I can replace the blade first.

After saying goodbye to Hunter, with him promising a guys weekend as he left, I went back to my search.

Nothing but stories of grim reapers and devils. No hint of an 8 inch black hunting knife with supernatural powers.

I give up the search when I hear my mother’s door close. Packing a bag, I think about holding the thing I need in my hands again. The weight and feel of it is so fresh in my mind because it’s the only thing I ever remember clearly really. It’s what sends this whole thing in motion. The repetition is based on its existence. I’ve often wondered what would happen if it didn’t exist, but then put it out of my mind. It has to exist because he lives again. There’s no way around it.

I slip out of my room and blur out the door.

On the streets of Phoenix, people walk about their day. I run my fingers through my medium length, white hair and look up the busy street. The bus terminal is down by the newly formed crack. It’s a tourist attraction now. People come by the bus loads just to see it. I’m sure the council Alphas love all the new money. Not me, I want to leave.

I pull up my strap and blur down to the terminal. I stop and a wave of wind blows papers in the air like a wind gust. People’s hair and coats blow back and some let out a yelp of surprise as I fix my hair. They stare as I walk by like they’ve never seen a vamp before.

I wait in line with a scowl on my face. I watch people with their kids laughing and playing around while they wait for the busses. I think about how much time is wasted playing. I never understood it. This relationship with adults is so pointless. You always end up leaving them in the end then they leave you. It’s crushing. No. It’s better to separate yourself as soon as possible to spare the heartache.

A big man in front is arguing with the teller about the price as I sigh and cross my arms.

“That’s outrageous! It’s a bus, not a plane!” He yells.

“Sir, I just sell the tickets, I don’t make the prices.” The ticket guys says from behind the plexiglass wall.

“Get me the manager!” He demands.

“He’s not here.” The teller mumbles.

I stare at the man’s back. “Why don’t you walk it? You could use the exercise.” I growl.

He turns to me and fire burns in his eyes. “What did you say, you little snot?!” He snarls.

“You heard me, tubby. Buy your ticket or get out of the line.” I stand my ground even though he has at least a foot and a half on me.

Sounds of yeah's and demands to get out of the way come from behind me as I tilt my head and smirk. My lycan attitude is peeking out as my heart starts to beat. My eyes change to black then gold. His face changes to disbelief and his eyes flick from me to the people behind me.

His gruff, thick face twists into embarrassment and anger.

“Anytime now.” I arch a brow as my hand turns to black fur and claws. I thump my clawed fingers on my arm as I wait.

He stares at my hand then turns to the teller. “Gimme the damn ticket.” He growls.

He buys it, shoots me a look of death and walks off.

I close my eyes, stop my heart and allow my vampire to fill me again. If I hadn’t already eaten, I would probably be having a snack about now, but it’s probably best not to attract any more attention than I already have.

“Nice going, kid!”

“Yeah!”

“You tell him!”

People slap my back as I get to the teller. “Adam Spencer.”

“Ticket to Delaware?”

I nod.

He prints the ticket and slips it under the glass.

“Why are you going there, kid?” He asks.

“I lost something.” I mumble.

He eyes me. “Oh. I hope you replace it.”

“I hope so too.” I say in a stoic voice.

I walk out of line and read my ticket. As I search for my platform, I look up to monitors that show 16 year old me on screen. Damn.

I stare at my image and concentrate. My vamp rises and my image melts away like a dream fading into reality.

I tilt my head as I confirm I’ll be invisible on all cameras. I deleted my transaction history on my computer, so my father won’t be able to replace me anywhere there is video.

He could still replace me if he interviewed the people here, but hopefully I’ll be back before any of that happens.

One day and 11 hours later, I arrived in Delaware city.

I blink in disbelief as I wrap an arm around myself and rub my lips.

I watch the traffic run by in all four directions as I stare at the center of the intersection. The spot where I last had it.

“Fuck.” I mutter. I could check just in case they may have missed it during the construction of the city, but I highly doubt anyone could miss a dark, jet black human skull.

I walk to a wall and sit. I rest my forearms on my knees as I think of something else.

Humans are curious creatures. Something like that would definitely raise a question or two. It’s not a normal skull.

I stand and give the intersection another look. People bustle by, some give me a once over. I’m sure I stick out here. I better get back. It looks like the search for the skull won’t be as easy as I thought.

When I got back on the third day, it was just before my father usually got home. I should have known he’d be worried sick about me.

As I walked into the penthouse, they both stood up from the couch.

“Adam.” My mother breathes. She glides across the floor and wraps her arms around me in a motherly hug.

My father stood tall, glares at me and scowls. “How was Delaware?” He gives me that classic disappointed father look and I can only roll my eyes.

She pushes me back. “Why? Why do this?” She questions harshly.

“I had something I needed to do.” I grumble and push past her.

“No. No way. You don’t get to run off like that without explanation. What the hell would you have to do in Delaware?!” He throws his hands up and shakes his head.

“It doesn’t matter. It was a wasted trip.” I growl and walk to the stairs.

My father grabs my arm. “Don’t walk away from me!”

I rip my arm off him. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“Excuse me? You’re a goddamn child!” He crosses his arms and leans to me.

I turn to him and tilt my head. “You sure about that, Hunt?”

He narrows his eyes. “It’s dad to you.”

I lean to him. “Never.” I sneer.

“Adam!” My mother barks.

I side eye her then lock eyes with Hunter. “I’ll be in my room. The trip made me tired.”

I turn and leave them both there.

I thought that would have been the end of it, but unfortunately for me…

It was just the beginning.