Page 102 of UNAwere

Jude’s nostrils flare. ‘We’re tired,’ he says. ‘Perhaps it’s best we continue this in the morning, Alpha? In your office?’

Warner ignores him, still watching me. ‘Briggs tells me you still have a lot to learn.’

I throw a confused glance at Jude, but he’s not looking at me. He’s staring at Warner’s hand, which is still clutching mine. And he looks livid.

‘I’ll admit, I’m not accustomed to living solely with Weres.’

Warner’s mouth twists. ‘So I’ve heard. That’s going to change.’

Bernie clears her throat. ‘Shall I show Sybbie to her room?’

‘Please, Mrs Briggs.’

Warner finally lets go of me, and it’s like the tension in the room loosens. Jude sucks in a deep breath through his nose, his fist flexing by his side.

‘Come with me, Sybbie,’ Bernie says softly.

I nod, following her. I glance at Jude again, but he’s still not looking at me. His jaw is tensed under his beard, nostrils flared.

‘Goodnight,’ I murmur, that ache back in my chest.

‘Goodnight, Miss Palmer,’ Warner says, watching me leave.

I cast one more glance over my shoulder at Jude, but he doesn’t speak to me. Doesn’t turn to watch me leave.

Bernie leads me down the other end of the house, still on the first floor. She weaves us through corridors, past abstract artworks and statues, and along halls with floor-to-ceiling windows that face out to nothing but greenery. The place is lit dimly from the floors, and there’s a sort of ethereal glow to the house that makes me feel like I’m in a dream.

I do feel like I’m in a dream.

After two-and-a-half weeks, I’m no longer with Jude, and it feels wrong.

I want him back. I want to turn around and run, and keep running until I find him again.

Bernie leads me into another sitting area, smaller than the other one, but with lounges and bookshelves and a wood burner that’s connected to a metal flue that shoots up into the ceiling. She opens a door opposite it and smiles at me.

‘This is your room. One of our workers has already put your bags in here. If you need anything, there’s a phone in there that calls the service team.’

My brows shoot up. ‘It’s like a fancy hotel.’

She chuckles. ‘It was great to meet you, Sybbie. I’m certain people here will love you.’

‘Thank you.’ I smile at her. ‘You’ve been really kind.’

She returns my smile and then heads back down the corridor.

I go into the room and close the door behind me. It’s mostly greys and blacks. The bed sits on the far wall, and it’s massive. I bite back a grin when I see it, resisting the urge to dive into it, and instead step into the bathroom. Inside, there’s a shower and a spa bath, as well as a walk-in wardrobe.

I come back out and peruse the books on the shelves that line the wall opposite the bed. Massive blackout drapes cover the window on the far side of the room, and when I open them, I find the window has a door that steps out to a small patio into the darkened garden.

My bags sit on the floor at the end of the bed, and I go through them, pulling out pyjamas and my toiletries. I shower, wash my hair, and when I’m done, I find a hairdryer and dry it. I’m warm and fuzzy by the time I slip into the bed and moan softly when I feel how comfortable it is.

I roll onto my side and scroll through my phone, half-wishing I’d gotten Jude’s number, so I could at least text him.

I bite my lip. What would I say? I miss you? Come to my room, and we’ll finish what we started last night?

Gritting my teeth, I put my phone back down and roll over.

In the morning, I wake early and decide to throw on my shoes and a coat and walk through the garden, going through the glass sliding door in my room. The mansion’s grounds are massive, and I find myself walking amongst hedgerows and out to a weeping willow where a bench seat sits. Its drooping leaves are lit by the morning sun, and birds flit amongst its branches, chirping happily.