Chapter 15: Butterflies Everywhere!

He shrugged.  "Something about you intrigues him, Adeline.  Maybe it's your connection to Aurora, maybe it's something else entirely.  But one thing's for sure – you're not just any ordinary prisoner.  The Alpha… he seems… protective of you."

Protective?  Will Tyler be shocked if I tell him that I heard Granur and Gideon talking about me being the Alpha's Mate?

"Nah, instead of worrying about me, why don't you tell me why you were so nice to me when I was in your pack?  You had every reason to hate me, but you didn't."

His finger tapped my head playfully, like I was a curious puppy. "You wouldn't believe it, but I'm a half-blood myself," he confessed with a grin.

My jaw dropped. "Half-blood? Like, half vampire, half werewolf?"

He nodded. "Sort of. Except instead of a vampire, I'm half-werewolf and half-human."

With a mischievous grin, his finger tapped my head playfully.  "Guess what? You wouldn't believe it, but I'm half-blood myself."

My jaw dropped.  "Half-blood?  Like, half vampire, half werewolf?"

"Sort of, but instead of a vampire, I'm half human... half wolf."

"D-does that mean I'm not the only human who's ended up here?"

"Yeah.  My mother was human, just like you.  And my father well, he used to be the beta of our pack.  He'd lost his mate, and then… they found a girl, right where you were found.  At first, they thought she was a rogue, but they soon realized there wasn't a wolf hiding inside her.  They fell in love, and here I am."

His story filled me with a sliver of hope.  Maybe there were answers out there after all! Right. I can finally go home!

"So, did your mom… did she find a way back to her world?"  The question tumbled out before I could stop it.

Tyler's smile faltered.  He shook his head sadly.  "After my father died last year, my mom… well, she didn't last long without him.  She didn't even try to go back."

Disappointment washed over me.  For a brief moment, I'd thought maybe her story could hold the key to getting me home.

Sensing my dejection, Tyler nudged me gently.  "Hey, chin up, Adeline.  Just because things didn't work out for my mother doesn't mean they won't for you.  She chose to stay. Your situation could be completely different."

"What was your mom's name?" I asked, clutching at straws.  Maybe, just maybe, there was a connection between us.  Two humans pulled into this strange world… could there be a reason?

"Emma Theresa," he replied, his brow furrowing in thought for a moment.  "Hold on… my mother always carried a small notebook with her.  Not sure if it could help you, but it's worth a shot."

"Where can I find it?" My eyes widened.  A notebook!  Maybe it contained clues, or a message from her world!

"Our pack house, most likely.  But knowing Gideon, he probably brought it here, considering it might be important."

My initial excitement fizzled.  Great.  Just what I needed – something that likely belonged to Gideon's pack.  "But how can I get it?"

A sly grin spread across Tyler's face.  "From the way things seem, the Alpha seems to have a bit of a soft spot for you," he teased.  "Why not use your charm and see if you can convince him to let you look for it?"

My cheeks burned at the suggestion.  "Absolutely not!" I exclaimed, horrified.  "There's no way I'm doing that!  And besides, I wouldn't even know where to start!"

.

.

Later that evening.

Peeking out the door, I let out a breath of relief when the hallway was deserted. Yes! Slipping out, I shut the door with a whisper-quiet click, inwardly cursing Tyler for his suggestion.  Using charm on Gideon felt wrong on so many levels! But... the possibility of finding a way back home in that notebook? It was a gamble I was willing to take!

Following his unsolicited advice, I tiptoed towards the Alpha's office.  According to Tyler, this was my best shot. Most of the pack was probably fast asleep by now, and Gideon typically didn't have a lot on their plates after dark.

Taking a deep breath, I rapped on the door.  Silence.  After a moment's hesitation, I turned the knob and peeked inside.

Gideon's gaze snapped towards me the second the door creaked open.  The sheer intensity of it almost knocked the wind out of me.  I suddenly felt like I was trapped in a tiny cage.

"H-hi?"

"What is it?"  There was an edge to his tone that made me wince.

Finally, I blurted it out. "I wanted to ask permission to check through the items you brought from Tyler's pack." Phew! Not too bad, Adeline. Minimal stuttering.

Gideon's brow furrowed even deeper at my request.  He pushed himself out of his chair and began to pace, a low growl rumbling in his chest.  "Don't you think that's a bit much to ask, considering your current situation?  Have you forgotten you're a prisoner here?"

His words stung, but I held my ground. "I know," I said quietly, "But Tyler mentioned that his mother was also human, from the same world as me. He thinks her notebook might have some information, something that could maybe help me find a way back home."

Gideon leaned back against the desk, his arms folded across his chest in a way that made him more imposing.  "So, Adeline," his voice low and dangerous. "You've been asking for quite a few things since you arrived here. What exactly are you willing to offer in return if I let you rummage through the items taken from Tyler's pack?"

I was frozen. A trade? I hadn't considered that. Frantically, I searched my mind for something of value, something I could offer this powerful Alpha. But my meager possessions – a hairbrush, some clothes, a worn copy of a book – were nothing to him. Or maybe…

A blush crept up my cheeks at the thought that flickered across my mind. Could I offer something more… personal?

Shit!

"Well?" His eyebrow raised. Waiting for my answer.

Taking a deep breath, I surprised myself by stepping closer. Tyler's suggestion felt crazy, but seeing the Alpha like this, frustrated... maybe a little kiss wouldn't hurt?

Inching closer, I stood on the balls of my feet to close the height gap between us.  Squeezing my eyes shut, I leaned forward, my lips brushing against his in a quick, innocent kiss. It felt like fireworks exploded in my stomach – butterflies everywhere!