Page 76 of Their Rejected Queen

This isn’t the place where I can divulge all of Godric’s secrets, but it should be common knowledge that he has no plans to take a mate.

“His priority is his pack,” I explain, “which means he can’t sponsor. It would split loyalties.” I wave my hand as Sofia waits for me to elaborate. “Or something,” I pathetically add.

It sounds silly when I try to explain it out loud, almost like it’s an excuse.

Is there another reason why Godric claims he can’t take a mate that he might just not be telling me about?

She taps her chin in thought. “Well, what about Arwan? He’s your sponsor, too, right? I haven’t seen him around.”

I glance at the entrance again, almost expecting Arwan to step through it in a glimmer of blue mage lights, but he doesn’t. I’m left with only two annoyed shifter females glaring at me.

I look away before they get the wrong idea.

“My understanding is that he visits once a month, so I’m sure I’ll see him again with the other sponsors tomorrow.”

My stomach flips at the thought of that. But at the same time, I’m concerned how that’ll make Godric feel.

He may not be able to take a mate, but he’s been kind to me.

I bite my lip as I think about his fingers and how gentle he can be.

Very kind.

Arwan, on the other hand, has a strange form of foreplay. Taking me to his tower of death and all.

So romantic.

Sofia is considering her nails, and I try to reorient my thoughts to the present. I’m still worried about her. “How has your training been going?” I ask her as I inspect her arms. “You’ve gained some muscle. That’s good,” I say as I squeeze the small bulge of her bicep.

She chuckles and waves me away. “Ulara is a hard-ass, but she trains me in the evenings. I think you’ve fully pissed her off by the end of the morning that she takes it out on me, but that makes for a strong combat session, I guess.”

I give her a side smile. “Sorry,” I admit. Being my friend might have awarded her special accommodations, but Godric is also aware of how much I care about Sofia and her decision that she will enter the annual Monster Games.

Meaning she needs to survive. Godric seems to think Ulara is the answer to any problem that involves violence.

Ulara and I don’t always get along. Some days, I’m not sure if she tolerates me or loathes me.

“I think she’s just worried about Godric,” I conclude.

Sofia chuckles. “I could see that. Maybe she thinks you’re making the pack master too soft. He disappears with you sometimes, and everyone whispers about it.” She glances around and cups her hand around her face to keep her question between us. “Please, tell me the details. I heard that the other night he came back carrying you and was very… happy to do so. If you catch my drift. Is he pinning you up against a wall somewhere?”

I can’t help but remember when he had done exactly that the first night in the woods, but it hadn’t ended in sex.

Still, it was damn hot.

“It’s nothing interesting,” I say.

Sofia smiles. “Liar.”

Shadows curl over us, and both Sofia and I look up. We’d been in our little bubble, and the two shifter females who had been guarding the entrance are now glaring at me like I kicked their favorite puppy.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

They narrow their eyes.

“Godric has asked us to take you to the den,” one announces.

I frown. “Why?”