14 - Potential Threat

Maybe he was just trying to pick me up.  Flirting – who knew it was a thing here too?  "Sorry, not really interested in talking to strangers!" I said, my voice a little too sweet.  Even if he seemed okay, I couldn't just trust some random guy, no matter how cute.

I turned to walk away, secretly relieved when he didn't try to stop me.  Like most villains in those cheesy fantasy novels I loved, I guess.

"Your necklace," he called after me, his voice softer now.  "It looks so familiar… I can't place it, but I have a feeling our paths will cross again.  Until then, stay safe, little one."

My heart hammered in my chest, not because of what he'd said, but because of how close his voice suddenly sounded.

One second I thought he was a safe distance away, the next it felt like he was whispering right behind me! Woah.

Whipping around, I scanned the area frantically, but there was nothing – not even a shadow.

Swallowing hard, a shiver ran down my spine.  Maybe all those stories about werewolves having super senses were true, because this whole disappearing and reappearing act was seriously freaking me out!

"Talking to someone?" Gideon's voice startled me again, making me yelp and clutch at my chest.  "Gideon!  You almost gave me a heart attack!  Maybe you guys should wear neon signs or something – the whole popping-up-out-of-nowhere thing is getting old!" I grumbled, trying to ignore the concerned furrow in his brows.

"I asked you a question, Adeline," he said firmly.  "Who were you talking to just now?"

I hesitated, sensing a shift in his demeanor.  The playful Gideon was gone, replaced by a serious, almost distant version.  "I-I don't know," I stammered, "but he said his name was Zahir."

The mention of that name sent a dark flush creeping up Gideon's neck.  "Zahir?" he growled, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Is there a problem?  Is he some kind of enemy?"

Instead of answering, he grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the carriage.  "You're not leaving my side the next time we come here," he said in a clipped tone.  "Do you understand?"

I could only nod numbly, feeling myself being hustled into the carriage.  Silence descended like a heavy fog as we started our journey back.  Fear kept me glued to my seat, his anger radiating off him in waves.

"Who… who is he?" I finally managed to ask.

He turned his gaze towards me, his jaw clenched tight.  I held his intense stare for a moment before dropping my eyes. I couldn't stand staring at him!

"One of the Fenrivia Pack's top warriors," he said finally.  "What he's doing in Ravencrest territory is beyond me.  And why do I get this feeling you're somehow involved?"

My head snapped up, eyes wide with shock!  "Me?  Involved?  I swear, I don't know anything! After I ended up in this crazy world, everything's just gotten more and more confusing!"

Was it the necklace?  Could it be linked to all this somehow?  Was Aurora keeping secrets from me?  The weight of the unknown pressed down on me, adding another layer of worry to the already tense atmosphere in the carriage.

***

Stepping out of the carriage, I took a deep breath. Filled my lungs with the crisp evening air.  The pack house loomed before me— a majestic fortress bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. It felt like… peaceful here. It's crazy, I know, considering the whole being prisoner thing here, but there you have it.

But I knew better. This was just a temporary stop, a pit stop on my journey back to my own world.

Getting attached to these people... to this life... would only make me leave that much harder. This wasn't my world, these weren't my people.  One day, I'd find a way back home.  Until then, I had to enjoy this strange adventure without letting myself get too close.

The carriage door swung open, and Gideon offered me a hand down.  "We're here," Gideon announced, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Can... Can I go see Tyler?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Gideon's eyes narrowed for a brief moment, then he gave a curt nod.  "Just be back before dinner."

With a quick thanks, I hurried off, making my way towards the basement entrance.

Relief washed over me as I reached the familiar stone steps leading down to the basement.  The pack house seemed suffocating after the openness of Ravencrest, but at least I knew what to expect down here.

Tyler's friendly face greeted me as I entered the cell.

"Hey, Tyler!"

"Well, look who's back.  Did something good happen while I was stuck down here missing all the fun?"

I settled down beside him, trying to keep my voice casual.  "Yeah, actually.  The Alpha took me to the capital of Ravencrest today."

"Wow, lucky!  Not many prisoners get sightseeing tours with the Alpha himself," he chuckled, a hint of teasing in his voice.

"I wouldn't call it a 'tour,' exactly,"  I mumbled, it felt good to see a friendly face after such a bizarre afternoon. "So," I said, changing the subject, "I met someone while I was out.  A guy named Zahir.  Any idea who he is?"

Tyler's smile vanished in an instant.  His jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed.  "How did you meet him?"

I shrugged, recounting the whole encounter – Zahir's strange words, Gideon's reaction upon hearing his name.  When I finished, the air in the cell felt thick with tension.

"Zahir is no ordinary guy," Tyler explained, his voice low and serious. "He's one of the Fenrivia Pack's strongest warriors, their last line of defense. Think of him as Ravencrest Granur – a top-notch protector and assassin."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his comparison.  "Granur?  That yellow-haired guy?  Seriously?"  It wasn't that I doubted Tyler, but come on… "Granur looked like a golden retriever puppy, not some deadly assassin!"

"Looks can be deceiving, Adeline," Tyler said, a wry smile playing on his lips.  "Don't let his sunshine demeanor fool you.  On the battlefield, he's a monster."

"Huh, well, that's… interesting," I winced. Maybe I should lay off the teasing in the future.

"There's something else, Adeline.  Something's not right about the Alpha's treatment of you.  Letting you roam free around town, no guard in sight… it's unheard of for a prisoner, especially one who might be a potential threat."

"What do you mean?"