Page 101 of UNAwere

We enter a gigantic foyer, with warm wood-panelled walls and a set of black metal stairs twisting up a floor-to-ceiling window in front of us.

‘I’m gonna go up,’ Jude murmurs. He meets my gaze. ‘Stay with Ma, okay? Ma, can you get Sybbie something to drink?’

‘Of course!’ Bernie says.

I wave a hand. ‘Oh, it’s late. I don’t want to trouble you.’

‘You’re no trouble.’ She leads me to the right, where the foyer opens up into a large open living space, lounges and plush rugs set out in front of a lit fire. At the back of the room is a kitchen, all marble and sleek edges.

I hold my breath. This place seems too expensive to breathe in, let alone stand in, with my stained sneakers and on-the-verge-of-oily hair.

‘Sit down! The others will be down soon, I’m sure.’ Bernie nods to the lounges, so I go to one and hesitate before planting myself on the very edge.

I feel the warmth of the fire unfurl around me and shiver, leaning a little closer to it.

Bernie comes over with a glass of water and sets it on the marble-topped coffee table in front of me. She sits on the opposite lounge and then grins across at me, her gold-black eyes assessing.

‘You’re a lot cuter than I was expecting,’ she says.

‘Oh.’ I snort-laugh. ‘Thanks.’

‘Jude really had his work cut out for him.’ She chuckles and then sees the confused look on my face and says, ‘Oh, sorry, dear. That’s not a jab at you, but more at him. He’s hopeless.’

‘Is he as grumpy with everyone as he is with me?’

She grins. ‘Grumpier.’

I laugh. ‘Oh, good. Sometimes I can’t even tell if he likes me.’

‘He definitely likes you, Sybbie.’ She smiles, but it’s strained again. She turns towards the foyer when voices come floating down the stairs and stands.

I get up, too, feeling awkward, and watch as Jude rounds the corner. I can’t help but smile when I see him again, feeling my stuttering heartbeat calm at the sight of his broad shoulders and bearded face. He catches my eye across the room, and his lips soften.

I don’t even notice the man walking beside him. Not until they’re standing in front of us and he’s extending a hand to me.

‘Sybbie,’ Jude starts. ‘This is Alpha Warner.’

‘Oh!’ I tear my gaze from Jude and quickly turn my attention to the man beside him.

Warner looks about the same as he does in his photos, but his dark blond hair has grown, sitting around his shoulders. His jaw is flecked with stubble, and his blue eyes are sizing me up.

I take his hand and shake it.

There’s no spark. No bolt of electricity that immediately makes me want to climb into his arms. Even his scent is foreign – just like any other person I might come across in the mall or out on the street.

‘Sybil,’ Warner says, his voice smooth. ‘I’m glad you made it here safely.’

I smile. ‘Thanks to Jude.’

‘Jude?’ Warner throws him a look. ‘Got to a first-name basis pretty quick, Briggs?’

‘I insisted,’ I defend quickly.

Warner regards me, his eyes slightly narrowed. ‘You seem to have a mind of your own, Miss Palmer.’

I frown. ‘I’d like to think so, seeing as I’m a talking, functioning person?’

‘You’re a Were.’ He cocks his head to the side, still not letting go of my hand, even though my fingers slackened ages ago. ‘A female Were.’