10 Years... (boyxboy)

Chapter 9

Jason POV

I throw my big bag over my left shoulder and my smaller but heavier bag over my right just as I leave my house. I don't bother locking the door because Oli will still be staying here.

Sighing, I head into the dome where I'm greeted by dark haired Tatia, genius Ralph, deadly Josh and meek Liam.

"Is everyone ready?" I ask as politely as I can in my current mood. Everyone nods, and Liam smiles shyly at me.

"Alright, we're off. I'll tell you everything that's going on on our way there, cool?" I smile, feeling my spirits being lifted, even if it's in the slightest bit.

Soon, we're deep in the woods, deep enough so that it's no-man's-land. I spot a clearing with an upturned tree for us to sit on. I do so, and everyone else follows suit, dropping their belongings on the side of the trunk.

"So, Oli's mother, Julia, has been kidnapped by her mate. If you'd remember, a few years back he was responsible for my parents murder and the same thing happened, he got out undetected. I'm nearly certain that he's staying in this cabin he owned, I had originally thought that he fled the country, but I have been proven wrong by recent events. Questions?"

Timidly, Liam raises his hand. Once I nod at him, he begins; "Why do you think he's at this cabin?"

"This cabin was a secret between our two families. Plus, he wouldn't kill his mate, he would be killing himself. That led me to believe that taking Julia was bait for me. He wants me dead. I might be leading you guys into a trap, but I am certain that he won't kill any of you."

After I finish, a smirking Tatia raises her hand.

"Could this be of any use?" She asks, holding a glistening gold necklace in her pale hand.

I dash forward and grab it, opening the locket and seeing a picture of Oli, and one of his father.

"Can you use this to track her, Liam?" I ask the small boy. He shyly nods, and sniffs it.

"This is from last night. It's going east," he says, pointing in the exact location of the cabin.

"Guys, make camp for the night. We'll need all the sleep we can get, but first, food. Liam, Tatia, set up the tents, Ralph, can you and Josh go hunting? I'll take care of the fire and other food, I have plenty of water."

Immediately, they all scramble to do their assigned jobs. Josh and Ralph disappear into the woods and Tatia begins setting up a small purple tent while Liam works on a slightly bigger green one. I turn, and begin building a circle of rocks to serve as a fire pit; I'd hate to start a fire, especially if Tatia is here because damn that girl is protective of her nature.

Once I finish with that, I begin the fire with the wood in the area. I put a can of green beans next to the flame to heat it but hopefully not explode it. I get out the water and pull out some napkins just as the hunters return with a deer. They begin skinning and cleaning it, and soon enough it's roasting over the fire.

Once it's fully cooked, everyone digs into it, except for Tatia, the faithful vegan (well, whenever she can avoid animals). She found some berries for herself - yes, vampires eat too, they just need blood every so often - and is happily munching down on them.

We finish eating, and Tatia clears her throat.

"So, Liam and I spoke, and we decided that it would be best if I'd have my own tent - the small one, obviously - and two each in the other ones."

"I'll share with Ralph, if that's alright with him," Josh says, earning a nod from Ralph.

"I guess that leaves you and me, huh Liam?" I laugh, hoping it doesn't freak him out. He just nods, so I say "I'm going to head to bed now, we'll be up bright and early so I suggest the same."

"Y-yeah, I'm going to head to sleep too," Liam stammers.

We enter the tent, and I notice Liam shaking.

"Hey, buddy, are you alright?" I ask him, putting my hand on his shoulder.

At that, he starts crying.

I pull him into my lap and murmur "You can talk to me, I promise I won't hurt you."

"I-its just that y-you're this big alpha and you're kind of scary sometimes... And you sleep around so I'm kinda worried that you'll..." He trails off.

At that, I burst out laughing.

"I'm going to let you in on a secret. I'm gay, undeniably so and I'm also a total bottom so unless you're going to be fucking me nothing's going to happen. Also, I'm only scary because I don't want to get hurt. I have panic attacks all the time, and it makes me feel weak so being scary makes me feel stronger. We have more in common than you'd think, Liam."

Liam bursts out laughing. Once he calms himself, he splutters "You're a bottom? There is no way in hell!"

"No, I promise Liam I am a total bottom it's sort of sad how submissive I am," I laugh.

"Let's just go to sleep, yeah?" I say, once I see how unconvinced he looks. He nods, and promptly passes out, me doing the same.

The sun shining through the gap in the tent wakes me up. Groaning, I start stretching. I roll up my sleeping bag and head outside, where I see Liam making oatmeal with some water he heated up.

"Morning," he smiles.

"Good morning, how did you sleep?" I ask.

"Pretty good, you?"

"Alright."

Still smiling, Liam hands me a bowl of oatmeal and a spoon. I sit down next to him, and we eat in silence.

Soon enough, Ralph and Josh file out of their tent, looking like zombies searching for brains.

Liam gently hands them bowls of oatmeal just as Tatia heads out of her tent. Smiling, she also grabs a bowl and we all eat in silence.

Once we all finish, they look at me expectantly so I simply say "Gear up. This isn't going to be pretty."

Authors Note: sorry about not updating, I've just lacked motivation so I've decided that after I finish this book, I'll write the entirety of the book before I publish it. I've found that I lack motivation a lot, so I think that's the best solution.

On another note, this book is nearing the halfway mark. Next chapter will probably be very short, since Caleb isn't really a part of the action at this moment, but that will change very soon.

Thanks for reading! Ever