Page 153 of UNAwere

‘The cabin?’ I ask.

‘Mhm. It’s a little place by the coast.’ She helps me sit up on the edge of the bed. ‘We’re headed there for a bit. Just while things cool down with any of the Primrose Weres who were fans of Warner’s.’

My heart jumps. ‘Are we in danger?’

‘No! Not at all. It’s a normal thing to have unrest after a change in alphas. Hannah and Jude aren’t taking any chances, and they want you at the cabin.’

‘They’re not coming?’

‘Not until things settle down.’

I shake my head. ‘No. I wanna see Jude.’

‘He wanted to see you, too. It took four of us to remove him from your bedside, and poor Sully has the bruise on his eye to prove it. He’d just got back from a surveillance and the first thing he encountered was an angry Jude, being forced to be separated from his mate.’ Bernie lets out a light chuckle. ‘I shouldn’t laugh… My son always had a temper, and now you’re in the picture… But he needs to stay here with Hannah.’ She brushes back my hair and then takes off her jacket and puts it over me. ‘You have to trust us, okay, Sybbie?’

I nod, mutely, but the thought of not seeing Jude for a few days kills me.

‘Ms Briggs, I haven’t checked her over yet.’ The nurse is back, glowering at us from the doorway.

Bernie casts her a casual glance over her shoulder. ‘She’s fine, Cal, thanks.’

‘But I was told to—’

‘Alpha’s orders, love,’ Bernie says happily. ‘It’s all good.’

Cal grunts and leaves, and then Bernie takes the heart monitor tabs off me and helps me to my feet.

The walk out of the house is slow, and I’m out of breath by the time we’re in the driveway. Bernie has parked her SUV by the door and helps me into the back seat. She throws a blanket over my bare legs and adjusts the air vents so they’re blowing warm air at me.

‘Can I not see Jude before I go?’ I ask when she climbs into the driver’s seat.

‘Your phone’s in the bag,’ Bernie says, gesturing to where it lies on the seat beside me. ‘He put his number in it.’

I dig through the pockets until I find it. ‘Where is he?’

‘In Helios’s council hall, downtown.’ Bernie gives me a sympathetic look.

‘What about Nolan?’

‘He’ll stay, out of good faith, until things are sorted. And then he’ll go back home.’

I swallow. ‘So Jude will come see us in a few days?’

‘Yep.’ Bernie pulls the SUV out onto the road and gives me a quick grin in the rearview mirror. ‘It’s just a girls’ trip for now. It’ll be fun!’

I let out a soft laugh. As much as I’d enjoy that at any other time, all I can think about is Jude, and how, if I’d known I wouldn’t see him for a few days when I was sitting with him in the grove, I would’ve kissed him more.

I open my phone and find him in the contacts list.

Me

Grumble Bum?

It doesn’t take him long to answer.

Grumble Bum

How’s my girl?