Page 52 of UNAwere

Can we have a ten-minute break?

No.

I snarl. But I’m less angry today, and the temptation to rip at his throat has waned. I just want to go to bed. To burrow myself into warm blankets and sleep.

Can I have a cookie first?

I’d forced him to get me a packet of cookies from the last service station we stopped at. Chocolate chip, with extra chocolate pieces.

You can have one when we’re done.

I groan. But a cookie will give me energy.

You don’t need energy to Turn. It should come as naturally as breathing.

We can’t all be as good as you, Briggsy.

He doesn’t say anything, still pacing, his brown-golden eyes on me.

Why do your eyes change? I ask.

Don’t try to change the subject.

I’m not. I’m only just noticing and want to know.

They don’t change.

They do. Your eyes are almost black in your human form. They’re almost gold in your wolf form.

Your eyes are hazel in your human form. They’re more green in your wolf form.

I blink at him. Really?

He stops pacing, and his head slowly cocks to the side. Have you not seen yourself Turned?

I don’t really make a habit of looking in mirrors when I’m a wolf.

Even in his wolf form, his deadpan expression is hilarious.

Come with me.

I follow him to the car. He stands by the passenger side and nods to the window.

Take a look.

Something inside me tells me to wait. To steel myself.

Briggs sees me hesitate and watches me closely. Why are you scared?

The question doesn’t sound like an accusation. He sounds genuinely curious. Confused.

I don’t know, I say truthfully. I think because when I think of Sybbie, I don’t think of the side of her that’s Were. I think about her working at her job, about how she likes pineapple on pizza, how her favourite hobby is crochet. There’s not a single part of me that sees me as a wolf.

Do you want to see yourself as a wolf?

I hesitate.

Because you don’t have to do this if the answer is no.