wary
WAIR-eeadjMeaning cautious about possible danger or trickery
Memory hook be WARY = BEWARE. A sign says “Beware of the goose,” so Kai tiptoes past the pond, watching the goose every step. He is wary.
The stray cat was wary of strangers but loved the girl who fed it.
In context Burned once by a deal that sounded too good to be true, Grandpa was wary of the smooth salesman and asked to see everything in writing.
Similar cautious, guarded, watchful, suspicious
Opposite trusting, careless, unwary