Alpha in Town + TVD / TW

33. The Journey to Unlinking

TRIGGER WARNING: Talks about Suicide. I will mark the spot in this chapter that talks about Suicide. If this is a topic that you are sensitive to please skip over that part. Thank you.

"So, let me get this straight. We have to go to each of your siblings and get a vial of their blood to perform the unlinking spell?" I asked for clarification. I turned my head to look at Nik who was driving.

Nik had showed up this morning, told me to pack and that we were going on a road trip. I didn't have much of a choice in the matter anyway. Now we were on the road in his car, heading to two different states: New York and Ohio.

The only sounds currently was the engine, the music on the radio, and the two of us talking.

"Technically all of my siblings except for one." Nik corrected, and motioned his point by holding up one finger.

"Finn." I answered and gave a sigh, "Something tells me he's going to be hard to track down. Locator spell?" I asked, pursing my lips.

"That was my first thought. Unfortunately, my big brother left in such a hurry that he didn't leave us much to use for a locator spell, much less a postcard of his destination." Nik glanced at me with a smirk on his face.

"Smart ass." I chided and reclined the passenger seat back to lay back more.

"Just a friendly reminder, love, you happen to love my smart ass. And other parts." I rolled my eyes.

"We're in the middle of driving up whatever interstate to Ohio to get Elijah's blood and you're thinking about sex at this moment?"

"To be fair, it's always in my mind when it comes to you, love."

"Oof, talk about sappy. Doesn't work for you too much." I earned a chuckle from Nik with that one.

A comfortable silence fell between us as Nik drove. I turned my head to the window and watched trees fly by. My thoughts started to go through my mind. Hopefully, we find Finn and somehow get his blood. Then, we need to get a witch to even do the spell. But then what? How many more times are Damon and Stefan going to attempt to take out Nik? It's almost never ending and it's exhausting.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Nik's voice snapped me out of my thinking.

"Uh...just thinking about what's going to happen after you get unlinked. That's not going to stop Damon and Stefan. Especially Stefan who is currently making you his primary focus for all of his anger, hatred, frustration, hurt, and loneliness. He's not going to stop." I informed Nik.

"It's better he focuses on me than himself." I furrowed my brows and gave Nik a quizzical look.

"You and I both know how self-destructive Stefan is. All of those negative emotions he's feeling is because of losing Elena to his brother. He won't take it out on his brother because it would hurt Elena, he can't take it out on himself because he knows he'll go on another Ripper binge. I'm the only logical option left. He needs a target to get this out of his system, and as his friend I'm willing to be that target." I didn't think of it that way. Stefan needed to vent and this is how he's doing it. He's hurting.

"So....how much longer before reaching Ohio?" I asked, changing the subject.

"It's only been an hour, love. Six more hours to go." I let out a groan.

"I'm gonna take a nap. Wake me up if you want to switch or we make it to Ohio." I said as I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I felt Nik place his hand on my knee and used his thumb to rub over my kneecap. I moved my hand down to Nik's and placed it on top of his. I felt his hand rotate so the palm of his hand was now against my palm. He interlocked our fingers and squeezed my hand gently. The sound of the engine and the car being in motion made it quick to fall asleep.