Page 132 of UNAwere

‘What the fuck are you talking about?’ the alpha asks.

‘Oh, um, it’s nothing. Just an…’ I glance back at Jude, who doesn’t seem to have recovered from my outburst. The tension in the room has changed, and I’m scrambling to adjust to it. ‘Inside joke?’

Warner’s gaze flicks to Jude. ‘You made friends, huh?’

I don’t know whether he’s asking that question to me or Jude, but I say, ‘Yeah.’

The alpha glares back at me, a storm cloud flashing across his face. He seems to register the distance I’ve put between us and takes a step forward, clasping my wrist. He roughly pulls me into his chest, and I hear Jude shift his weight against the wall.

‘Don’t.’

Warner blinks.

I blink.

Jude’s spoken, and I don’t know whether he’s realised he’s spoken aloud.

‘What did you say?’ Warner asks him.

I watch as Jude stares back, fists clenched at his sides. His jaw flexes, nostrils flaring.

‘Your lunch is going cold, Alpha.’

Warner’s hold on me relaxes as he laughs.

‘You’re right.’ He smiles broadly at me. ‘I heard you love food, Sybil.’

I frown. ‘I do.’

‘Well, you’ll be on a strict diet from now on.’ He lets go of my wrist and then steps to the trolley, lifting one of the cloches. Underneath, there’s a plate of grilled fish and vegetables. ‘I need you as healthy as possible, to carry my heirs.’

‘Oh, um…’ I stare at the plates and can’t help but notice he’s eating a burger and fries. ‘You do realise it’s also to do with the man’s sperm—?’

But Warner hasn’t heard me. ‘Briggs, get us chairs.’

Jude gets off the wall and does as his alpha says. When Warner is seated in his chair, Jude comes up beside me, giving me my own, and I feel a shiver slip down my spine. It takes everything within me not to reach out and touch him. His scent is so close, and my primal side tears at my insides to try and get to it.

I clench my fists. My canines contract slightly, and I suck in quick breaths, but his scent fills my nose, and I need to touch him.

‘Sit, Sybbie,’ Jude murmurs, his voice pleading.

He steps back to the wall, and I collapse into the chair, trembling.

‘Eat,’ Warner demands.

I pick up my cutlery, hands shaking, and begin eating the fish.

‘We need to be on high alert,’ Warner says to Jude. ‘Sully told me there’s been movement by the border. Karvers might want to stop tomorrow’s ceremony, and I can’t let that happen. I’ve waited long enough as it is.’

I’m slowly beginning to understand why Warner wanted a bride, out of all the alliance deals he could have made. It’s because no one has ever wanted to be with this Were willingly.

‘Yes, Alpha,’ Jude says.

Warner bites into his burger, shaking his head. ‘I need more from you, Briggs,’ he says, mouth full of food. ‘I want you to be there.’

‘Where?’ Jude’s voice is low.

Warner throws a hand my way, and I look up.