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I’m sure it’s quite the sight. A fully naked pack master carrying a human wearing only a long shirt back to his tent.
Ignoring the stares, I can’t help myself and snuggle into his chest. His scent of cedar and smoke relaxes my entire body. All I want to do is close my eyes and fall asleep, but I’m afraid of what dreams might await me if I do.
Which gives me another concern that must be dealt with if I’m to survive the remaining months before the games begin…
“Can a shifter’s heat be suppressed?” I ask into Godric’s ear.
His steady gait takes us toward the tent, but I swear he stumbles just slightly.
“Usually, yes. We use the masking soap for unmated females in the pack, but there is a tonic that’s sometimes used.”
I toy with his braids while I listen to the way he speaks and try to ignore how each word he utters sends a vibration straight through me. “Then why haven’t we tried that before?”
“It’s made of poisons. It would likely kill you.”
“Oh,” I mutter as I draw in a deep inhale, then flutter my eyes closed. For a moment, I let Godric’s swaying motions lull me into a blissful rest until I realize we’re back at his tent.
He sets me down on the disturbed piles of furs, and I suppress the urge to straighten them.
“Maybe Arwan could make them safe for me,” I surmise as Godric grabs a pair of pants and puts them on. “He’s a master of magic. I’m sure he’s learned a secret or two when it comes to tonics and neutralizing poisons.”
A hint of a smile flashes on his lips, then it’s gone. “I’m sure he has,” Godric says.
His gaze travels over me. Those amber eyes are magnetizing, and the gold flecks seem to ignite in the glow of the tent’s fire.
“Get some rest,” he says, seeming to force himself to turn away, but I clear my throat. He glances at me over his shoulder and gives me a raised brow. “Was there anything else?”
“Dream suppression,” I say. When he turns a little more to stare at me, I decide to elaborate. “I had nightmares when I left my city, which isn’t unusual. The King of the Elite City is a nightmare monster.” Not many people actually know that, but my family is an expert on all things Cain. He’s an incredibly powerful beast, and dreams are his playground. I was taught at a young age to navigate them and avoid his attention at all costs.
“Is he bothering you?” he asks, fully turning to me now. His jaw clenches, and the scars along his torso ripple as his muscles flex.
“He isn’t,” I admit as a blush crawls over my cheeks. “But after the infusion, I’ve been having other… dreams.”
There’s a moment of suffocating silence, and I regret the moment I look up.
Godric’s shimmering gaze doesn’t hide his hunger.
Or maybe that’s his wolf I spot lingering underneath. Godric, the man, doesn’t really want me, right?
It’s only his beast who sees me as a compatible mate.
Someone to breed.
I don’t dare correct that narrative, not when his wolf also has very sharp teeth.
It’s much better if he simply thinks I’m not interested. Regardless of how beastly Godric and his wolf may be, they both seem to greatly value mutual consent.
“I see” is all he says. “I’ll discuss that with Arwan as well.”
The blood drains from my face. “Maybe Ulara might have some ideas?” Not that she’s any better, but if I’m going to be humiliated, I’d rather experience that with the female shifter who already thinks I’m an idiot.
“You’re welcome to ask her,” Godric says as he turns his back to me again. “She and I aren’t on speaking terms right now.”
I raise a brow. “Oh?”
“Maybe it’ll help you sleep if I leave you be. The tent will be guarded. Once Arwan is here, I’ll have some pack duty to attend to, and I’ll entrust your care to him for a few days.”
My eyes widen. “But—”
