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“I used the masking soap,” I counter as I ignore my stray thoughts. “You know, before I almost drowned.”

He chuckles. The rumbling sound is stupidly attractive.

I’m a prisoner inside a prison camp, I remind myself. And I’ve attracted the attention of the freaking warden.

“That only works on the younger shifters,” Godric says. “I’m the oldest unmated male in the pack. I have no trouble tracking a scent, especially one belonging to an unmated female. So don’t test me, because I will find you.” His eyes seem to glow again, as though there’s a dangerous promise that if I make him chase me down, there will be consequences. “The purpose of the masking soap is because wolves have strong instincts. I am older and more in control of my animalistic impulses.”

He leaves the rest unsaid.

His control has limits.

Wolves like to chase.

And when they catch their prey, they feast.

But Godric does what all men do.

They underestimate me.

Yet it’s the other little bit of information Godric just revealed that I find myself turning over and over again in my head.

Oldest unmated male.

Why in all the kingdoms would a god like this not have a mate?

Maybe he ate them all, my subconscious supplies.

What a way to go.

“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he says as he finally gives me breathing room. “When I return, I’ll take you to my tent, where you can rest.”

I frown, recalling what he had said about the only two safe places for me.

Here, at the den.

Or with him.

And he intends to keep me with him at all times, apparently.

I have no intention of finding out what’s going to transpire when we reach his tent, so I make up my mind and gather my courage as I watch him descend into the darkness as the ground swallows him up.

After a few moments filled with silence and the pounding of my heart, I reach down and pull out two vials from my sheath.

One for healing.

Another for invisibility.

It won’t mask my scent, but it doesn’t need to. I just need to keep my distance and make it to the wall unnoticed.

Slipping outside the safety of the enclosure, I take the first full breath my lungs have accepted since the train and bolt.

Happy hunting, Godric.

Catch me if you can.

CHAPTER 5

My heart thunders in my ears as I patter across the dusty road, ignoring the stones jabbing into my bare feet. Taking off my shoes probably wasn’t the best idea, but my invisibility magic works through my skin.