Primal Bonds 2 (Tales of Beastkin)

22. Adam

As Adam’s car pulled up to the Sullivan Mansion, he saw a flurry of movement at the doors. Shiro burst through first, his face a mixture of relief and concern. Behind him came Nolan, Lan, Aka, and Madi, their expressions mirroring Shiro’s worry.

Adam barely had time to step out of the car before Shiro launched himself into his arms. “Adam!” Shiro cried, his voice muffled against Adam’s chest. “We were so worried. Are you okay?”

Wrapping his arms tightly around Shiro, Adam buried his face in the boy’s hair. The tension he’d been carrying since the attack began to melt away, replaced by a profound sense of comfort. Adam’s battle-worn clothes, still smelling of smoke and conflict, contrasted sharply with Shiro’s clean, soft scent.

“I’m alright,” Adam murmured, his voice rough with emotion. “I’m sorry I couldn’t contact you sooner. It’s been… a difficult day.”

As he held Shiro, Adam looked over the boy’s shoulder at the others. Nolan’s usually carefree expression was tight with concern, while Lan fidgeted nervously. Aka and Madi huddled close together, relief evident on their faces.

“Adam,” Nolan spoke up, his voice uncharacteristically serious. “The safe house… is everyone…?”

Adam gently disentangled himself from Shiro, keeping an arm around the boy as he addressed the group. “We suffered losses, but it could have been much worse. Chase and his team are tending to the injured. We’ve also taken in refugees from a nearby village that was attacked.”

A collective gasp went through the group. Lan’s ears flattened against his head, while Aka’s eyes widened in shock.

“What can we do to help?” Madi asked, always practical even in the face of distress.

Adam felt a surge of pride and gratitude for his clan. “For now, we need to prepare. I’ve called for a meeting with the allied clan leaders.”

He looked at each of them in turn, seeing the determination and loyalty in their eyes. “I know you’ve all been worried, and I’m grateful for your concern. But now, I need your strength. We have challenging times ahead.”

Nolan straightened, his usual smirk returning. “Just tell us what you need, brother. You know we’re with you all the way.”

Shiro squeezed Adam’s hand, his voice quiet but firm. “All of us.”

Adam took a moment to brief them on the immediate tasks at hand. “Nolan, I need you to coordinate with our intelligence network. Find out everything you can about the BCOS’s recent movements and future plans. Lan, assist Nolan and keep an ear out for any chatter among our allies.”

Nolan nodded. Lan’s ears perked up, determination replacing his earlier nervousness.

“Aka, Madi,” Adam addressed the pair, “I need you to help prepare the mansion for our guests. Make sure everyone is comfortable and secure. We can’t afford any distractions during this meeting.”

Both nodded, already moving to carry out their tasks.

As the others dispersed, Adam gently pulled Shiro aside. “I need to clean up and prepare,” he said softly. “Will you come with me?”

Shiro nodded, understanding in his eyes. They made their way to their private quarters, the silence between them comfortable and intimate. As soon as the door closed behind them, Adam felt the last of his carefully maintained facade crumble.

Shiro seemed to sense the change. Without a word, he began to help Adam out of his battle-worn jacket, his touch gentle and soothing. As Shiro’s fingers worked at the fastenings, Adam closed his eyes, letting out a deep sigh.

“You don’t have to be strong all the time,” Shiro said softly. “Not with me.”

Adam’s eyes opened, meeting Shiro’s gaze. The love and understanding he saw there nearly undid him. “Shiro,” he breathed, his voice rough with emotion.

Their lips met in a sweet, tender kiss. At first, it was gentle, a reaffirmation of their bond after the day’s harrowing events. Shiro’s hands came up to cup Adam’s face, his touch soothing Adam’s frayed nerves.

But then, something within Adam shifted. It was as if a dam had broken, releasing a flood of primal energy he’d never felt before. His eyes snapped open, now glowing with an otherworldly light. A low growl rumbled in his chest, vibrating through both their bodies.

Shiro pulled back slightly, his eyes wide with a mix of surprise and concern. “Adam…?” he whispered.

But Adam was beyond words. With a snarl, he crushed his lips against Shiro’s, the kiss turning fierce and hungry. His hands gripped Shiro’s waist, easily lifting the boy and carrying him to the bed. Shiro gasped as Adam roughly deposited him onto the mattress, immediately covering the boy’s body with his own.

Adam’s mouth moved to Shiro’s neck, licking and nipping at the sensitive skin. His teeth grazed Shiro’s pulse point, eliciting a soft whimper. Adam’s hands weren’t idle, frantically pulling at Shiro’s shirt, desperate for skin-to-skin contact.

For a moment, Adam felt Shiro stiffen beneath him, as if frightened by this sudden change. But then, responding to some unspoken call, Shiro’s body relaxed. Adam felt Shiro’s hands slide up his back, pulling him closer. Shiro’s lips parted, inviting Adam deeper into the kiss, his body arching up to meet Adam’s with increasing eagerness.

Their lips met again in a clash of teeth and tongues. It was raw, primal, a claiming as much as a kiss. Shiro arched into Adam, their bodies pressing together as if trying to meld into one. Adam’s hands roamed Shiro’s body possessively, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

The air around them seemed to crackle with energy. It was as if their very essences were reaching out to each other, intertwining in ways they’d never experienced before.

But then, as suddenly as it had begun, it stopped. Adam’s eyes fell on Shiro’s lips, swollen and bruised from their frenzied kisses. In an instant, the feral light in his eyes dimmed, replaced by horror and confusion.

“Shiro,” Adam gasped, pulling back abruptly. “I… I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Despite the intensity of what had just happened, Shiro reached out to Adam, his touch gentle. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’m okay.”

Adam shook his head, his mind reeling. The need he’d felt, the raw, animalistic desire, it had been unlike anything he’d ever experienced. It both thrilled and terrified him. “I could have hurt you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Shiro’s hand came up to cup Adam’s cheek. “But you didn’t,” he said firmly. “Adam, look at me. Whatever that was… I felt it too. It was like your essence was calling to mine, and mine answered.”

Adam’s brow furrowed. He’d felt it too, though he didn’t understand it. It was as if his nature was evolving, reaching for something just beyond his grasp. The power that had surged through him, the overwhelming need for Shiro, it all pointed to something… more. Something he couldn’t quite comprehend.

“I need to shower and change,” Adam said reluctantly, trying to regain his composure. “The clan leaders will be arriving soon.”

Shiro nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I’ll be here when you’re done,” he promised.

As Adam made his way to the bathroom, his mind raced. The intensity of what he’d just experienced both exhilarated and unnerved him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something fundamental had changed within him yet again. But with the looming meeting and the threats they faced, he knew he couldn’t dwell on it now. He had a clan to lead, a family to protect. Whatever this new development meant, it would have to wait.

Adam showered quickly, washing away the grime and smoke from the battle, but not the weight of responsibility that sat heavily on his shoulders. As he dressed in a crisp black suit, he could feel Shiro’s eyes on him, filled with love and concern.

Standing before the mirror, Adam took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. The clan leaders would be looking to him for guidance, for assurance that he could protect them all from the BCOS threat. He couldn’t show any weakness.

Shiro approached, his eyes appreciative as he took in Adam’s appearance. “You look ready to take on the world,” he said with a small smile.

Adam’s expression softened as he pulled Shiro into his arms. “With you by my side, I feel like I can,” he murmured.

They stood there for a moment, drawing strength from each other. Then Shiro pulled back slightly, his face serious. “The first of the clan leaders have started to arrive. Nolan is greeting them in the foyer.”

Adam nodded, his jaw set with determination. “Then it’s time.” He cupped Shiro’s face in his hands, his gaze intense. “No matter what happens in there, know that you are my strength. My anchor.”

Shiro’s eyes shimmered with emotion. He reached up, straightening Adam’s tie. “Go show them why you’re the alpha they chose to follow. I’ll be right here when you’re done.”

With a final, tender kiss, Adam squared his shoulders and strode toward the elevator. As the doors closed behind him, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead. Whatever came next, he would face it with Shiro’s love giving him strength.

The elevator began its descent, carrying Adam toward the meeting that would shape the future of their clan and their world. As he watched the floor numbers tick down, Adam’s resolve hardened. He would protect his family, his clan, and his kind, no matter the cost. With Shiro by his side and their child on the way, he had everything to fight for.

The elevator doors opened, revealing the grand foyer filled with clan leaders. Adam stepped out, his presence immediately commanding attention. It was time to lead.