Page 103 of UNAwere

I brush the frost and leaves off the seat and sit, breathing deep.

From this angle, I can see the house, the trees it backs onto, and the mountains rising over the roof in the distance. It’s gorgeous here. Quiet, tranquil. Back home, I could hear the rush of the I30 from my room. Here, I hear nothing but the sounds of nature.

I worry my lower lip with my teeth, thinking about what I’ve gotten myself into. Despite the not-overly-great first impression I got of Warner, I think I can do this. I know I have no choice, but it’s at least good to think I might not be completely miserable here.

After a while, I get up, needing coffee.

When I get back to my room, I’m met with a warm gust of air that smells like Jude. I quickly close the sliding door, heart racing, but he’s nowhere in sight.

Sitting on my bed, however, is a gift, messily wrapped in tissue paper.

I go to it, frowning. There’s a hastily scrawled note sitting on top of the gift, and I grin at Jude’s messy handwriting.

This should cover what I owe you. Maybe time to get a swear jar? – J

I unwrap the tissue paper, which has been strangled by several rotations of sticky tape. It takes me a moment to break through all the plastic, and I’ve made a mess of the bed by the time I finally pull the gift free.

It’s a soft, dark green pouch, sealed shut by a piece of rope that’s attached to its seam. I gasp when I see the brand name embroidered in the bottom corner, immediately knowing what it is.

A set of crochet hooks.

A very expensive, very good set of crochet hooks.

‘Iwant the bonding ceremony to be in a few days. I think that’s ample time for you to learn our customs.’

I stare across the desk at Warner, unflinching.

Jude’s standing behind his shoulder, but he’s still refusing to look at me. When I saw him this morning, I felt my entire being sing at the sight of him. I wanted to thank him for my gift, but he’d only cast me a quick glance and a “Morning” before focusing his attention on the floor between his feet. Now, his arms are crossed, and he’s staring at the back of Warner’s head as if he thinks he might be able to bore a hole through it.

‘On the night before the bonding, we will become mates. You’ll be dressed in the official garb, your glands oiled with a pleasure enhancer, and I will hunt you down in the forest. When I catch you, you’ll submit to me, and I will mark you as mine.’ Warner talks about breeding me as if it’s the next installation in his building plans. No emotion, just straight facts. ‘Hopefully it will be successful, and you’ll fall pregnant with my heirs.’

I lick my lips. ‘Heirs?’

‘A good bitch will give me more than one.’

This time I do flinch.

Jude adjusts his weight behind Warner, and I feel a primal fear wash over me at the expression on his face.

Pure wrath.

‘Your, er, customs are a lot more… old fashioned,’ I say, wanting to distract myself from the way Jude looks as if he’s about to tear apart everything in his path.

Warner smiles, but it’s not friendly. ‘Like I said, you will be ready. I’ve prepared lessons.’

‘Lessons?’ I flush, hoping I don’t have to have sex with random people in order to learn how to be bred by this alpha.

‘About our history. About breeding rituals. Bonding ceremonies. Everything. Primrose is the original pack of Sol, and you need to understand the weight that holds. In the old ways, an alpha could only be overthrown by his heir, the way I did my father. I wish to bring that back.’

‘Oh…’

‘Jude’s sister, Hannah, will be the one to teach you.’

I grin. ‘Palindrome!’

Jude’s gaze flickers to me, only momentarily, but I see his face soften.

‘What?’ Warner asks.