Primal Bonds 2 (Tales of Beastkin)

10. Adam

10

Adam

T he training hall was a sprawling underground arena beneath the Sullivan Mansion, carved from the bedrock of the city itself. Dimly lit, it stretched out into the shadows, the walls lined with high-tech equipment and the latest in beastkin training gear. The floor was a vast expanse of springy mats that softened the impact of any falls, designed to protect the trainees from injury. Cages and obstacle courses dotted the space, providing an array of combat scenarios and environments for training. It was here, in this subterranean lair, that the true strength of the Sullivan Clan was forged and honed.

In the center stood Adam, who wore only a pair of loose-fitting training pants, his torso bare, revealing the full extent of his chiseled physique. His hair was tousled and slightly damp with sweat, an indication of the warm-up exercises he had been engaged in prior to the commencement of the session.

The air was thick with anticipation as Nolan, Chase, Vanessa, and Lyria looked on from the sidelines. Chase clutched a tablet, ready to record the incoming data. The Sullivan beastkin men, along with Magnus, surrounded Adam in a loose semicircle. They, too, were dressed for combat, their bodies humming with readiness for the grueling session ahead. Their eyes, fixed on their leader, flickered with a mix of respect and trepidation. Adam was a formidable opponent in his human form, but what he was about to become was a force to be reckoned with.

Chase called out, his voice echoing in the cavernous space, “Start when you’re ready, Adam.”

Adam gave a curt nod, and with a deep breath, he released his life force. The air around him shimmered as his form began to shift. His human features melded seamlessly with those of his inner beast, his eyes blazing with the indomitable spirit of the wolf, a luminescent glow enveloped him. In moments, the transformation was complete, and Adam stood in his alpha form, a being of pure power and control, a primal force of nature. His aura was a brilliant blue flame that danced around him, casting an ethereal light upon the walls of the training hall.

A man approached Adam, holding a sleek, handheld device designed to measure the energy output of an alpha in full combat mode. Data streamed onto Chase’s tablet, the lines and numbers painting a picture of Adam’s supernatural might providing a real-time analysis of Adam’s power level.

Nolan chuckled in astonishment, his eyes wide as he took in the spectacle of Adam’s transformation. Vanessa and Lyria, too, were visibly taken aback by the display of power before them, their expressions a mixture of awe and intrigue. Chase, ever the professional, let out a low whistle before breaking into a chuckle.

“Where the hell is all this power coming from, Adam?” he asked, his eyes scanning the data. “You’ve practically doubled your supernatural output since the last time we did this, and that was months ago.”

Adam knew exactly where this surge of power originated—it was the result of his deep, intimate bond with Shiro. The realization that their mating had such a profound impact on his abilities was both exhilarating and somewhat daunting, stirring a deep-seated fear of the unknown potential that lay within him.

Magnus, along with the other beastkin soldiers, looked on with a mixture of awe and concern. “If you’ve doubled in power, how in the fucking hell are we supposed to take you down when I could barely scratch you before?” Magnus grumbled, a look of trepidation crossing his features.

Nolan’s laughter rang out, breaking the tension. “That just means we need to step up our game, boys,” he said, addressing the soldiers. “We’re not here to coast along. We’re here to push ourselves beyond our limits.”

Chase turned to Lyria. “Make a note of the scent and its potency as we go along,” he instructed. Lyria nodded, her fingers flying over the surface of her own tablet as she documented the sensory details of Adam’s alpha form.

Adam was eager to test his limits. “Alright, Magnus, men,” he said, his voice resonating with an alpha’s authority. “Come at me.”

Magnus chuckled nervously, his massive form tensing as he prepared to shift. With a deep breath, he unleashed his own alpha form, transforming into a hulking humanoid figure with thick bull horns that curled from his forehead, and his aura was a churning mass of dark energy that seemed to suck the light from the room.

The air in the training lab was electric with anticipation. Adam watched, his pulse thrumming with the primal beat of his heart, as the soldiers formed a ring around him. Their bodies tensed, muscles quivering with the adrenaline of impending combat. Despite their nervousness, a spark of determination glinted in their eyes. They were ready to face him, ready to test their mettle against the clan’s alpha.

Magnus, with his broad shoulders and formidable horns, charged like a juggernaut. The ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet, his bullish form an embodiment of brute strength.

Adam stood his ground, a wry smirk curling the corner of his mouth. He braced himself, his instincts razor-sharp. The collision was imminent, and he was ready.

The first exchange was a blur of motion. Magnus’ massive form barreled toward Adam, his horns aimed to gore. Adam sidestepped with a fluid grace that belied his muscular build, his movements a dance of deadly precision. He countered with a swift palm strike to Magnus’ side, sending the bullkin staggering. It was like watching a mountain quake.

Chase, on the sidelines, tapped at his tablet furiously, the power chart spiking higher with each of Adam’s maneuvers. “Jesus, Adam,” he muttered, “you’re breaking records here.”

Nolan shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. “I’d hate to be on the receiving end of that,” he quipped, half-amused, half-astonished by the display of sheer dominance.

Lyria’s fingers danced across her tablet, her expression one of focused intensity as she cataloged every detail of Adam’s performance. Vanessa stood, her eyes wide and dazed, as if she were witnessing the rise of a new deity among them.

The soldiers lunged, their attacks coordinated but futile, each attempting to land a hit, to find a chink in his armor. Adam’s form blurred into motion, his movements a mix of lethal grace as he deflected blows with ease, his counters a blend of force and finesse. One by one, they fell to his swift counterattacks, their bodies hitting the mats with the thuds of defeated ambition. Chase’s voice carried over the commotion, tinged with disbelief.

“Look at these readings! Adam’s power is off the charts!”

Nolan shook his head, a mixture of astonishment and brotherly pride etching his features. “And here I thought we were supposed to be sparring,” he said, though the edge of his voice betrayed his concern.

Now, only Magnus remained, panting heavily, sweat beading on his brow. His bullish form heaved with exertion, his aura a fading storm cloud against Adam’s relentless radiance. They circled each other, two alphas locked in a dance of dominance.

Despite being considered one of the best, the gap between him and Adam had grown chasmic. Magnus roared, a guttural challenge that echoed through the chamber. He charged again, his every move telegraphed by the sheer bulk of his muscles. Adam sidestepped, his body responding with supernatural speed. He delivered a series of blows that would have felled any lesser opponent.

Magnus, stubborn and indomitable, fought on. His every strike was parried, every grapple turned against him. The distance between their prowess stretched with each passing second, the gap yawning wider as Adam’s life force pulsed brighter.

The training hall echoed with the sounds of combat—grunts, the slaps of flesh, the whoosh of powerful limbs cutting through the air. Adam felt a surge of exhilaration. He was untouchable, his life force a tempest that refused to be contained.

Magnus, ever the warrior, attacked with a desperation that was almost admirable. His assaults were relentless, a reflection of his title as Shield of the Clan. But for all his might, Magnus was no match for Adam’s heightened abilities. The gap between them was a gulf that widened with every passing second. With herculean effort, Magnus launched a series of strikes that would have felled any lesser opponent. Adam absorbed the barrage, his body swaying with an innate understanding of force and trajectory. Then, with a burst of speed that left afterimages in his wake, Adam delivered a series of blows that unraveled Magnus’ defenses.

With a final, desperate attempt, Magnus swung his massive arm in a wide arc, aiming to catch Adam off guard. But Adam was already there, a step ahead, his fist connecting with a precision that was both clinical and dismissive. Magnus stumbled, his form wavering. He grunted, the sound torn from his throat as Adam’s fist connected with his solar plexus, followed by a swift uppercut that snapped the bullkin’s head back. With a graceful spin, Adam swept Magnus’ legs from under him, sending the bullkin crashing to the mat with a thunderous impact.

Magnus looked up at Adam, his chest heaving, his body acknowledging defeat even as his spirit rebelled against it. “I yield,” he sputtered, the fight draining from his body.

Adam stood over him, life force still blazing. His breath was calm, his body barely glistening with sweat, as if the intense sparring had been nothing more than a light workout.

The soldiers, those who could, picked themselves up, their expressions a mix of awe and a newfound understanding of the chasm between their abilities and their alpha’s. Chase whistled lowly, shaking his head in disbelief at the data scrolling across his screen.

“That’s enough,” Adam declared, his voice resonating through the lab. “Training’s over.”

As he reined in his life force, the glow around him dimmed, but the air remained charged with the undeniable presence of a leader who had just redefined the limits of his power.

Adam strolled over to Chase, his muscles still humming from the exertion. He leaned in to peer at the tablet displaying his power chart, a visual crescendo of lines and figures that confirmed what everyone had just witnessed. “Impressive,” he murmured, a note of satisfaction coloring his voice.

Chase grinned, tapping the screen with a flourish. “You’ve not just doubled your strength, Adam. You’ve set a new benchmark for what an alpha can be.”

Vanessa sidled up to Adam, her eyes sparkling with an excitement that bordered on reverence. She reached out, her finger prodding at his bicep, which, despite the slight reduction in size post-shift, was still formidable. “Looks like you’ve shrunk a bit,” she teased, “but still big enough to bench-press a small car.”

Nolan burst into laughter. “Can you imagine anyone trying to challenge him to a clan duel now?”

Vanessa’s expression turned to mock horror, her hand fluttering to her chest. “I could barely put a scratch on him before,” she said, her voice a mix of jest and genuine relief. “There’s no way I’d even dream of confronting Adam now. Thank the stars I had the foresight to admit defeat years ago and come under the Sullivan banner.”

Moments later, Adam was in the shower, the hot water sluicing over his body, washing away the sweat and the remnants of his exertion. Afterward, the preliminary testing not yet done for the day, Adam found himself in the west wing of the mansion, the Sullivan Research Division that housed Chase’s lab—a place of pristine white walls and gleaming equipment. As Adam sat, one of the beastkin scientists drew his blood, the crimson liquid filling vials with potential answers.

Once the procedure was complete, a quick swipe of cotton and a press of his thumb, the puncture on Adam’s arm was soon forgotten. The beastkin scientist nodded and disappeared with it into the lab’s depths.

Standing beside him, Chase’s gaze turned serious. “We’ll get these analyzed as soon as possible,” he said, referring to the blood samples. “Remember, we’re doing these once a week.”

Without wasting time, Chase led Adam and Nolan to his private office, a room lined with bookshelves and a large mahogany desk. Bypassing the desk, they headed for the more comfortable seating area with its plush sofas and armchairs. Nolan settled in, his tablet in hand, displaying a collection of notes he and Cedric had translated from ancient texts.

Taking a seat, Adam stretched his legs out in front of him as Chase dove right into the questioning.

“From the top, Adam. What’s it like, mating with an omega? Tell us everything, anything you deem important for the research.”

Adam took a moment to collect his thoughts. It was vital he be as accurate as possible for the sake of their research, yet he found himself hesitating to reveal his immediate attraction to Shiro. Choosing his words carefully, he omitted particular details he deemed unimportant.

“There’s a possibility our bond is strong because I gave up some of my life force to save Shiro’s life. That’s my theory. There was this sense of urgency, a need to protect him that went beyond the normal scope of things.”

Nolan’s eyes widened, and he flipped through his notes until he paused at a specific point. “Of course, the exchange in life force,” he said, his voice rising with excitement as if a light bulb had gone off in his head. “That could be the key. The initial spark that forges the bond. There has to be an initial exchange of life essence. In your case, Adam, it was when you saved Shiro’s life by giving him part of your life essence when he nearly died months ago.”

Chase nodded, his fingers flying over the tablet as he documented the information. “Makes sense,” he said, his tone thoughtful.

Adam continued. “As my attraction to Shiro grew, I noticed he emits a certain fragrance.”

Chase leaned forward, his interest piqued. “Can you describe it?”

“It’s sweet, musky, and quite intoxicating,” Adam admitted, a hint of distraction creeping into his voice as he remembered the scent. “Sometimes, it’s hard to think straight.”

Nolan nodded, his expression thoughtful. “There’s mention of a sweet scent emitted between alpha and omega partners,” he said, referencing the texts.

“That sounds a lot like pheromones,” Chase said, his brows knitting together. “Animals emit pheromones when they’re in heat. It could be that omegas release pheromones during their heat cycles too.”

Nolan’s laughter filled the room. “But animals emit pheromones to signal they’re ready to mate, to get pregnant. Surely you’re not suggesting…” He trailed off, the implication hanging in the air like a tangible thing.

Chase raked his fingers through his hair, a nervous chuckle escaping him. “Holy fuck…”

Adam rubbed his face, the weight of their findings settling over him. “Shiro’s been releasing this scent every day for over a month now, and it’s getting stronger.”

Chase nodded slowly. “Most likely Shiro is in heat, but remember, we’re not sure yet.”

Nolan said, “Given the ancient texts, your power increase is likely tied to your mating with Shiro. It’s crucial to note the frequency of your mating. We need to see if it has a continuous effect or if it was a one-off boost at the beginning.”

Adam shook his head. “It’s not a one-off,” he said.

Chase and Nolan perked up. Chase nodded, scribbling notes, while Nolan’s eyes narrowed in thought.

“And what about the intensity? The connection?” Chase probed, looking up from his tablet.

Adam, usually a vault when it came to his private life, understood the weight of their inquiry. For the sake of their kind, he found himself divulging more than he’d normally be comfortable with. “There’s a difference when the intimacy is more intense,” he admitted. “A stronger bond, so to speak.”

Chase nodded, tapping on his tablet. “So, compatibility, both physical and emotional then,” he mused aloud.

Nolan leaned forward, eyes sharp with curiosity. “So, this scent you mentioned—Shiro’s scent—does the urge to mate grow stronger when it’s more potent?”

Adam nodded, his gaze momentarily drifting as he recalled the intoxicating effect of Shiro’s fragrance. “Absolutely. When it’s strong, my primal wolf takes charge. All I can think about is claiming Shiro for myself.”

Chase paused, fingers hovering over his tablet as he processed Adam’s words. “So, the omega’s scent acts like an olfactory switch that activates an alpha,” he mused, mostly to himself, tapping out notes.

“But not all alphas,” Nolan interjected. “Shiro has been releasing his scent, and the rest of us can’t smell it—only you, Adam.”

Chase nodded in agreement. “It must be unique then, targeted specifically to his alpha mate. The exchange of life essence might work like a lock and key, a perfect match.”

Nolan chuckled. “Can you imagine if an omega’s scent whipped all the nearby alphas into a frenzy?”

Chase snorted, shaking his head. “It would be absolute chaos.”

Adam’s mind wandered back to the intimate moments shared with Shiro, and another crucial aspect dawned on him. “There’s something else we haven’t discussed,” he said, drawing the attention of Nolan and Chase. “A biological change during sex.”

“A biological change?” Chase echoed, brow furrowing in curiosity.

Adam cleared his throat, hesitating at his newfound candor. “When we mate, my cock swells and locks deep inside Shiro.”

Nolan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he quickly typed on his tablet. As he read, his eyes widened. “It’s mentioned here that it’s called ‘knotting’—the alpha’s cock swells during alpha-omega intercourse.”

Chase’s eyes sparkled with discovery. “And how long does this knotting last?”

Adam pondered, recalling the intensity of his connection with Shiro. “It ranges from minutes to… the last time, it felt like about half an hour.” Chase was about to ask another question, but Adam anticipated it. “The length varies with intensity. The more passionate Shiro and I are, the longer the knotting seems to last.”

Chase’s fingers danced over his tablet, capturing every detail. “This is absolutely fascinating,” he murmured, thoughts racing with implications.

Nolan leaned back, a thoughtful expression settling on his face. “This is groundbreaking, Adam. The implications are enormous—not just for you and Shiro, but for our understanding of alphas, betas, and omegas.”

Adam nodded, thoughts drifting to Shiro who was completely unaware of the gravity of their conversation. A surge of protectiveness bloomed within him. “We need to keep this under wraps for now,” he asserted. “The last thing we want is for this to get out and put Shiro, and any undiscovered omegas, at risk.”

Chase and Nolan exchanged solemn glances. “Agreed,” Chase said. “We’ll keep this strictly within the research division. We need more tests, more data.”

Adam felt a wave of relief wash over him, grateful that he wasn’t shouldering this knowledge alone. It was one thing to experience these profound changes; it was another to understand them. As the discussion unfolded, he got lost in thought, contemplating the depth of his bond with Shiro and the mysteries that surrounded their kind.

Chase looked up, intense focus shadowing his features. “Adam, your experiences are unveiling aspects of our biology we’ve only just begun to understand. This knotting phenomenon suggests a level of biological synchronicity between beastkins that’s unheard of.”

Nolan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “This could redefine everything we know about our kind. It’s not just emotional; it’s deeply rooted in our physiology.”

Adam crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “The connection between Shiro and me seems to run deeper than mere compatibility. It feels like our very essences are entwined.”

Chase nodded thoughtfully. “We need to consider the possibility that this bond—the intertwining of life essences—could trigger ascension to daemon status. If an alpha and omega are this connected, their combined power might elevate them to something near-godlike.”

Nolan grinned widely. “You and Shiro could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of daemonic ascension.”

A surge of protectiveness welled up inside Adam at the thought of Shiro being at the center of such monumental discoveries. “We proceed with caution,” he warned, his voice firm. “Shiro’s safety come first. This research is vital, but not at the cost of his well-being.”

Chase and Nolan exchanged another look, understanding the serious weight behind Adam’s words. “Of course, Adam,” Chase assured him. “We’ll take the utmost care and respect for both you and Shiro.”

Nolan added, “We’re a clan, a family. Shiro’s under our protection now, and we’ll do everything we can to keep him safe.”

Adam nodded, satisfied with their commitment. He felt the conversation shifting, and the reality of what lay ahead weighed upon him.

As Adam settled back to continue the discussion, Nolan’s voice broke through his thoughts. “So, if an omega like Shiro goes into heat, that means he’s ready for mating… possibly to bear offspring…”

The room fell silent, tension thick in the air. Chase broke the stillness, his voice steady. “That suggests that omegas, regardless of gender, possess… wombs. We’ll need to do scans—MRIs, CT scans—on Shiro to confirm this.”

Nolan leaned forward eagerly. “And we should do the same for Aka and Lan. I’m certain they’re omegas too.”

Chase’s meticulous mind was already calculating their next steps. “Great. I’ll enlist other beta beastkin for the scans and tests. We should sequence their DNA to look for distinct markers for omegas, mirroring what we know for alphas and betas.”

The gravity of the situation deepened as Adam and Nolan exchanged a resolute glance. “Get it done,” Adam said, his voice firm. “But remember, Shiro’s well-being is nonnegotiable.”

Chase nodded, fingers flying across his tablet, jotting down notes and laying plans for immediate follow-ups. “Of course, Adam. We’ll prioritize Shiro and the others.”