Behind The Alpha Book 8 ADAM

ASTRID

The dawn rose, but it was hard to see in the swirling clouds above the valley.

I stood in the snow as the wind blew my coat and I wrap a black mask around my nose to protect me from the icy temperatures.

Snow and ice rip through the valley. The storms have gotten worse since the walls crumbled and their protection was gone.

I adjust my pack and stare longingly out to the quiet village that was once my home. I press my lips together and walk towards the empty houses.

My hair blows around my shoulders as I enter the streets we built by our own hands. I pass a log with frozen axe in it. My gloved hand runs up the handle.

My footsteps crunch in the snow as I walk between the rows of houses.

2000 people lost their homes. 500 of those people lost their lives. Christian tried to save as many as he could.

I turn my head to the side and close my eyes as I remember the mountain shake. The air filled with lightning. Christian and his men ran with through our homes telling everyone to grab what they can and run.

****

I remember holding my mothers hand and crying as we ran. The stone under our feet cracked and the walls exploded around us.

‘SHIFT, my angel! It’s the only way.’ My mother stops and rips my coat off. ‘Go. Run! Do not stop.’

‘I love you, mama.’ My eyes well as I quickly undress.

The boulders from the falling walls echo through the valley. I yelp and whip my head.

She hugs me tight. ‘I love you, too. Go! Follow the Alpha. I have to help the others. I’m right behind you.’

The peaks to the west exploded and we all screamed as we hit the ground.

I raise my head to see stone and dust rocket into the air.

The crowd of people scream and shift. Their wolves carry pups that can’t shift, pull sleds and grab packs as we head for the mountain pass.

‘GO, ASTRID! RUN!!’

The mountains rumbling made it difficult to stand and more explosions happen around us.

I had just got my wolf and she was not ready for this, but I pushed her through.

Her paws hit the snow as rocks slam around us and slides threaten to bury us.

Fear fills her as she runs with the pack to the forest trees.

Trees fall and explode out of the ground as our wolves run for their lives.

I looked back for my mother and couldn’t see her.

I stop and another explosion rocks the earth. My wolf flinched as stone sprays into the air like a volcanic eruption.

I close my heart broken eyes, turn and re join the pack.

****

My mother was one of those 500.

I step to the west side of the village that held the homes of many now swallowed by the mountain and buried under boulders.

I kneel at the edge of gigantic hole that spanned across the whole mountain range. The devastating collapse could be seen for miles as I look down to where it stopped.

The sun played behind the grey clouds as the snow fell over the once great mountain.

I wrap my arms around my knee and search the hole. I search for them, but all that’s here are ghosts.

I heave a heavy breath and stand.

I walk back through the village and stop at a tiny house two roads over from the pack house. I can’t believe it still stands. The two room, tiny home was the only one I’ve ever known.

I hesitate as my hand hovers over the handle to the front door. I swallow past the lump and pull it open.

My boots hit the wood floor as I slowly enter and I look around. A hole in the roof of a small sitting area has allowed snow to pile where my mother would cook dinner. In the back, two rooms. One, my mothers and the other…

I slowly step into it. My makeshift bed still sits frozen in time. The window and roof are broken and everything is covered in a thick layer of snow.

I didn’t have much. I didn’t need much. Just my mother.

I walk across the floor and my boot hits something. I squat down and brush the snow off it. The doll, made from trade fabric, lay at my feet. Her two black, wooden eyes stare at me like some dream. I grab my knife from my pack and pry her frozen fabric body off the floor.

She’s wrapped in a fur dress. I feel her white, wool hair. It’s solid and unmoving, but she still brought tears to my eyes.

‘This is for you, Beautiful snow crystal. Happy birthday.’

I hug it tightly and close my eyes. She was so proud to make it for me and I loved her so much.

I stand and walk to my bed. I lay on it, facing the wall and lay my doll on the hard pillow. A tear runs down my temple as I pick and preen over her, wishing I could go back in time and save her.

“What are you doing?”

With I yelp, I sit up and turn around. My eyes meet Adam’s and I blow out a breath of relief.

“Nothing.” I sniff, wipe my eyes and stand. I brush the snow off my clothes and pick up my pack.

“What’s that?” He motions to the doll on the bed.

I turn to it and my chin quivers. “Another life.”

I stare at her a little longer and lower my head. “Farvel, Mor. Gud være med deg.” I whisper and walk past him to the front door.

He turns around. “Goodbye, Mother.”

I stop and turn to him.

He studies the room. “God be with you.” His eyes meet mine. The look on his face was compassionate, but confused. “This was your house.”

I slowly pull my mask down. “You speak the language of the Vikings?”

He nods. “Loosely, but yes.”

I lick my lips and close the gap between us. “She died saving our people.”

He lowers his head. “I’m sorry.” He says quietly.

I smile a bit. “Thank you. It was so long ago…I barely remember.” My heart stutters at my lie. I remember it all.

He lifts an eye to me. “She meant a lot to you.”

“I loved her with all my heart.” My breath is shaky as I try to contain my pain.

“Your father?” He asks. “Is he alive?”

His question turned my heart break into something else. I glance at him then look out the door. “It’s past dawn. You should have been awake hours ago. We should go.”

I completely avoid the question because my father caused me another type of pain by ignoring my very existence. In a small, close knit village like this, it was a torture that I continue to suffer every time I see Christians eyes.

To not be recognized by your blood is a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone. It crushes you in ways that are unimaginable.

I’m glad I had my mother to fill the tear in my heart for the little time I had with her.

We step into the snow and proceed to the path that will lead us off the mountain.

“If we can make it to the foothills before midday, we should miss the bulk of the storms.” I say as I raise my mask and my boots tread through the deep snow.

“I can carry you.” Adam offers.

I glance over my shoulder. “I can walk.”

“But it’s slow.” He says as he steps behind me.

I pull on my pack. “I can walk.” I insist.

I don’t want to seem weak around him. I know he questions my strength and resolve. I don’t want him to use his power of speed and continue his thoughts that I’m weak.

Usually, this mountain is best navigated by wolf, but us Nordics have mastered its icy trails and know how to walk through its hell unscathed.

“So, what happened after?” He asks as we trek down the winding paths.

I stop, throw my pack over a pile of logs and boulders. I climb them and swing a leg over the top. I move over the top, but before I climb down, I see Adam’s eyes glow green. He squats a bit and leaps.

My eyes watch him sore over the blockage and land on his feet on the other side.

I climb down, then fall to my feet beside him. I turn to him. “You’re quite skilled.”

He looks up at the top. “Natural ability isn’t skill.”

I puzzle over him a bit. “What are you? I've seen something similar to you. I’ve heard of Vampires, but have never had a chance to meet one.”

“You don’t want to.” He starts to walk down the path.

I jog to catch up. It’s a good thing I’m almost his height or I wouldn’t be able to keep up with his long strides. “Are they like you? Aggressive?”

He side eyes me. “They wouldn’t have given you the choice.”

I understood what he meant.

“Then…what are you?” I ask again.

He glances at me as we come to a steep hill. “I'm something else.” He grumbles and starts down the hill.

It’s slopes down then drops off to a lower level.

“This can be treacherous. Watch your step.” He warns.

“You don’t need to instruct me on the ways of this mountain.” I say as I find my footing. “I’m sure I know more than YOOOUUU…”

My foot slips and I land on my stomach. The hill becomes a slick slide and I scream as I try to stop myself from falling off the edge.

My gloves grip at the ice and then it was gone.

“AHHHHH!!...”

My scream echoes as I slide right off the edge and the ravines bottom over a hundred feet down comes into view.

My eyes widen, panic slams me and my arms flail.

A sudden jolt throws my arms and legs in front of me and I swing back, hitting the wall.

“Oh…oh God…” I pant with shock as I look at my dangling feet.

I look up and Adam’s eyes are glowing yellow with a snarl on his lips. He’s laying on the edge, his claws of one hand are dug into the rock and his other is holding my pack. My life hangs by its straps.

I look down and whip my head back up to him. My brows cinch up and he growls. He pulls me back up and I hit the ledge, leaning on my pack.

He stands over me. “Be careful.” He grinds through clenched teeth.

“I will.” I mumble. “Thank you.”

He turns away and starts for the path that will take us to the bottom.

Once at the bottom, we navigate the giant ravine.

I can’t help but ask this. “Last night, you threatened to kill me. Now, you save my life. You could’ve been done with me. Why?”

He turns and looks over his shoulder. “You know where you’re going. It would be foolish to let you die since I don’t.”

“No other reason?” I ask his back.

“No.” He grumbles.

I walk in silence behind him.

My ear twitches and I stop.

Holding my pack strap, I lower my head and train my ear.

Footsteps. In the snow. Light, but not too light. 3…No…5 different sounds.

I look up and scan the wall as I hear claws on stone.

“Astrid?”

My eyes fixate on a dark cave entrance as I lift a finger to my lips. “Shhh.”

I feel him just behind me. “There.” I whisper as I point to the cave.

He pushes past me, stops in front. He closes his eyes and trains his ear. His eyes open and anger fills his face. “Even in this cloud cover, they won’t come out.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Vamps.” He growls and looks at me with a raised brow.

I step to his side. “We should leave.” I caution.

He steps closer. “No. Stay here.”

“Wha…”

Before I could finish, he ran faster than anything I’ve ever seen, jumped and jammed his claws into the rock wall just below the cave entrance.

I stare in amazement as he climbs the rest of the way, pulls himself up and disappears into the darkness.

My heart pounds as I feel helpless. I sensed the danger in his tone.

“Gud være med deg.” I whisper as I wait, watching the entrance carefully.