Page 158 of Their Rejected Queen

“Don’t worry about us,” he says as if he knows my thoughts before I speak them aloud.

But I do worry.

Everything changed after last night. I still must rescue my sister, and I can’t leave either of them right now. Their pain bleeds inside of me, begging for me to mend it.

Maybe I can’t mate them like I have Ze’ev.

Maybe they’ll never accept me, but they don’t have to in order for me to help them.

Godric’s brow furrows as the thoughts race through my mind. I don’t share them aloud, but I know that I must erase the guilt that’s imprinted on his soul before I leave.

And I will be taking my sister with me.

He brings my fingers to his lips and presses a kiss on my knuckles, then he nips the inside of my wrist, sending a flush of heat over my body.

How does he know exactly how to make me go crazy?

“Arwan and I are players in King Njord’s entertainment circles. Our punishment would be to remain alive and suffer, not die at his hands. And your sister will be under Arwan’s protection. He won’t let any harm come to her. Eventually, he might even be able to get her out, but your safety is our paramount concern right now. You cannot participate in the Monster Games.”

Irritation makes my shoulders shake. “And why not?” I ask as I reclaim my wrist.

Godric crawls over me, pinning my hips with his as his powerful erection digs into my abdomen.

Apparently, not completing the mate bond is affecting him just as much as it is me.

“Because I will not allow any harm to come to you,” he says as he presses a kiss to my mouth. It’s not tender, and he does it again, demanding entry with his tongue, which I hungrily give him. I grip his muscular arms as I kiss him back.

I don’t want this to end.

Now that the possibility of being his mate is within my grasp, I’m even more terrified. Because I know what’ll happen when he learns the truth.

I don’t want him to know my dark secret and turn from me, breaking my heart into a million pieces when he realizes I can never give him what an Alpha like him really needs.

A family.

“Did Arwan agree not to nominate me?” I ask between kisses.

Godric growls into my hair as he sweeps his fingers underneath me and holds me to him like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever cherished. “He will,” he rumbles. “Especially when my scent is all over you, and I’ll agree to let him wash it off and replace it with his own.”

The reversal of exactly what Godric had done to me the day before makes heat swarm through my system and desire tingle between my thighs.

I indulge the pack master as he lifts my skirt and works me with his fingers, demonstrating an apology I know he won’t speak aloud.

Because in twelve hours, he’s going to break my heart.

And I can’t let him.

CHAPTER 35

My body is impossibly sore after a day of Godric’s “apologies” that leave me bruised and humming with satisfaction.

I opt not to use my healing vial because it’s running dangerously low. Now I’m hiding a limp as I try to remain standing upright. But it’s there if I need it.

The pack master encouraged me to keep them strapped to my thigh for Nomination Night, should anything go wrong. The familiar pinch on my skin gives me a sense of comfort as I resist the urge to run my fingers over the glass containers.

“Look how handsome he is,” Sofia purrs as she curls her fingers under her cheek and bats her eyelashes at Renalt. He’s standing on the stage with the other sponsors. They’re all dressed in their royal best, complete with silks, silver jewelry, and smug smiles.

“Very handsome,” I agree as I acknowledge that Sofia’s sponsor is quite attractive with his sharp jawline and pretty eyes, but he looks soft compared to my sponsors.