Page 25 of UNAwere

‘What?’ I ask.

‘It doesn’t mean that you honk if you like pizza. It means that if someone has honked them, they’re making a joke out of it.’

I stare at him. ‘What?’

He sighs, letting go of my hand. ‘It’s just a stupid way to say, “You’re not honking at me, you’re honking because you like pizza”.’

I sit back in my seat, eyes wide, unable to comprehend what he’s saying.

‘So… You’re saying…’ I start, voice small. ‘That my entire life has been a lie?!’

‘Apparently,’ he mutters, unfazed.

I thread my fingers through my hair. ‘What do you mean?’

Briggs pinches the bridge of his nose. ‘It’s just a stupid joke. It doesn’t mean anything.’

‘But what about the people who stand on the side of the road, with signs that say, “Honk if you like sexy ladies”?’

He clears his throat. ‘What?’

‘Haven’t you seen those sexy-lady people?’

It’s like he’s trying very hard to keep his gaze forward. ‘Nope. Can’t say I have.’

I frown. ‘I swear I’ve seen sexy-lady people…’

‘Maybe it’s a Luminaire thing?’ he offers awkwardly.

‘Maybe…’

‘Forget about it. It’s just a stupid joke.’

I keep sipping at my coffee. Despite the world-shattering news he’s just given me, I guess it really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.

Just before midday, Briggs pulls up onto the side of the road, where there’s a field and a thick forest down a small rise. He turns off the engine and undoes his seatbelt.

I stare at him. ‘What’s going on?’

He jerks his head towards his door. ‘C’mon.’

‘What?’

‘C’mon.’

My eyes narrow. ‘You’re not going to kill me, are you? Dump my body in the forest?’

He snorts, opening his door. ‘C’mon, Red.’

I feel my cheeks warm at hearing him call me Red. A nickname? For me? Already? We really are making progress. I fist-pump when he turns his back and then follow him out of the car. He leads me into the field and down the slope until we’re surrounded by trees.

The sunlight is less bright in here, and the dim, blue hue of the forest instantly relaxes me, reminding me of home. I settle a little, turning to look at Briggs.

I gasp and stumble back when a massive, black wolf steps towards me.

‘Jeepers,’ I say, panting. ‘You really need to give a girl a warning before doing that.’

You’re a Were. You should expect it.