12 - Seeking the Book

ADELINE'S P.O.V.

My stomach churned as I spotted Granur heading into the Alpha's office.  He was supposed to be my library chaperone, but typical!  Left me hanging.  With a sigh, I shuffled towards the office door, the sliver of space revealing more than I bargained for.

Then I heard it.  My name.  Specifically, what I'd told Tyler.  Panic clawed at my throat.  Were they planning to… no, wait.  Their conversation shifted, and a new word prickled my ears – 'mate'.

Now this was getting weird! I vaguely remembered the term from some fantasy novels I used to sneak reads of. Was that why I was pulled into this crazy dimension?  Because I was the mate of Mr. Intimidating Alpha?

No freaking way! No.

The thought made me grimace. Sure, the Alpha was undeniably handsome, with those piercing eyes and brooding demeanor, but that wasn't the point!

I had a life back home, a family probably freaking out right now!

Just because the Alpha made my heart do weird acrobatics didn't mean I wanted to be stuck with him forever!  Especially not if it meant giving up everything I knew.

Really? My brain asked me. Yeah whatever!

The sound of footsteps approaching from inside the office made me jump.  Granur!  I bolted, practically melting into the shadows down the hall.  Maybe exploring the library alone wasn't such a bad idea after all.

Finding a way back to my world had to be a priority, before any weird werewolf matey feelings started blooming.  I have no time for that mess!

***

THIS LIBRARY was the size of a football field! I'd been combing the shelves for hours, and they just seemed to stretch on forever. Seriously, how many dusty old tomes did these werewolves even need?

I sighed and stretched my arms. Staring at the pile of books in front of me makes my eyes hurt from all the reading! Ugh! I groaned in frustration, feeling like I'm not making any progress. Two whole days of searching, and I was still no closer to figuring out how to get back home!

"Giving up already?"

A deep voice startled me. I looked up to see the Alpha leaning against a nearby shelf, while a book casually in hand. Seriously, why did he have to be so distractingly handsome?

"Like it's any of your business!" Seriously, couldn't a girl get some peace and quiet around here?

He chuckled, "Not really my business... Just curious. Why not just, like, throw in the towel? Seems like you're wasting your time, human." He close the book with a snap.

"Giving up isn't exactly my style!" I grabbed another dusty tome and flipping it open with a determined frown. Maybe this one would be the one. Maybe this one would hold the secret to getting me back to my life, my bills, my actual decent cup of coffee! Although, a tiny part of me kind of wished he'd just leave me alone...

"What the!" A gasp escaped my lips as the book practically flew out of my hands. Before I could even register what happened, the Alpha was holding it, a playful grin plastered on his face. The urge to tackle him and wrestle the book back was strong, but I knew that wouldn't exactly end well.

"Seriously?" I whined, making a grab for the book. He just held it out of reach, his grin widening even further. "Hey! That was the most interesting one I'd found so far!"

"Granur had a point, you know," he teased. "You are a bit demanding for a... prisoner." He placed the book back where it came from. Then he pulled out a chair and sat down right across from me at the table.

I rolled my eyes. "Aren't you busy with Alpha duties? Pack meetings, world domination plans, the whole shebang?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Busy enough," he admitted. "But apparently not too busy to check in on a stubborn little human who's been terrorizing the library for the past two days."

"Terrorizing?" I squeaked, completely offended. "I'm not terrorizing anything! I'm just. . . diligently searching for information."

His eyes twinkled with amusement and leaned back in his chair, "Right. Information." He smirked, "So, how about it? Up for an adventure today?"

Wait, what? My jaw practically hit the floor. "An adventure?" I repeated, unsure if I'd heard him correctly.

"Yeah. I could, you know, show you around the pack territory. Give you a break from all this bookworm business."

I couldn't help but glare at him. "Why?"

He leaned in closer, his face just inches from mine. My breath hitched as I stared into his intense gaze. "Why?" he echoed, his eyes flickered from my eyes to my lips.

"G-Gideon?"

Wait, did I seriously just used his first name? Why did that feel so wrong, yet so... right? All I knew was that I desperately needed some space right now!

His eyes, which had been a warm brown before, seemed to flicker for a second, glowing an unnatural golden yellow.

My breath caught in my throat. Was that... his wolf? What did I do? Did I say something wrong? Was I in trouble now?

"Why," his eyes holding mine with a strange intensity. His voice, usually a low rumble, was a husky whisper now, "Why does my name sound so different when you say it?"

He leaned in closer and the space between us shrinking to a dangerous inch. Shit! I couldn't help but shut my eyes off and brace for... something. Maybe... Maybe a kiss? The thought sent a jolt through me, both exciting and terrifying!

His lips brushed my ear, "Adeline," he whispered, "Open your eyes."

I opened my eyes. He was even closer now, his face tilted a fraction, and his lips hovering tantalizingly close to mine...

This wasn't part of the plan! No! This library outing was supposed to be about finding a way home, not... not whatever this was.

"Um, G-Gideon?"

"Hmm?" he breathed, and it tickles me. What? Hey, Adeline, wake up! But his minty breath sends another wave of heat through me. Plus, the intoxicating scent of pine and woods filled my nose, I felt dizzy.

"Gideon... I... I thought... you were going to show me around?" I let out a fake chuckle.

A slow grin spread across his face while he stared at me. Then, to my surprise, he threw his head back and burst out laughing!