Well… it would make sense, and I’d never met an Alpha so determined to prove he was cuddle-capable before.

And hehatedRogue.

And he kept trying to outdo him.

You think Rogue is like… a cuddle champion?

Oh—hehadto be.

And that prick is trying to get ahead before we find out, Bunny.

I was fucking onto him.

With renewed excitement, I hurried down the hall, careful to be quiet as I passed Knox’s bedroom door.

The south wing was where the main ball was hosted, and last night Knox had told me the east wing was where the staff lived.

I wandered through the exit at the end of the hallway and into a huge room with four sets of double doors leading in different directions. We’d entered through here on the way in, and I knew they led to the other wings.

WherewasRogue, though?

Was he in the east wing with the staff?

I didn’t think so, Knox had told me Rogue was different. More likely he was in a horrible dungeon somewhere.

Still, I tried the east wing door and found it locked.

That was okay.

I had a plan.

So, I scratched out a note with the pen and paper I’d found in my bedroom desk drawer.

Help.

Lost my key to Rogue’s room, need another one. Please leave it under my pillow. Don’t tell Knox I lost it, or I’ll be in trouble and I need cuddles really badly.

Thistle and Bunny

I re-read it, sucking on the pen tip, then scribbled out ‘room’ and replaced it with ‘cell’.

Sounded more legit.

Then, I slipped it under the door and got to my feet. Maybe that would get me somewhere, but I’d have to wait.

In the mean time, I could try to explore.

“South’s the ballroom, north we just came from, and east is locked,” I muttered, turning around and looking at each.

Only one left.

I tried the huge, oak door to the west, and to my delight, it creaked open.

A grin spread across my face, and I glanced back at the north exit I’d just come through, giddy excitement bubbling in my tummy.

Was he in here?

Oh my god.