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And for the first time since my arrival, I don’t have any dreams.

CHAPTER 19

The rest of the month passes with a new routine.

Ulara trains me in the morning.

Godric trains me at night.

And even periodic trips off camp are made, with Godric as my supervisor, for Ze’ev to train me as well.

Those have been interesting.

Today, I have a rare break, and I get to spend it with Sofia and a giant meal that she’s prepared for the remaining candidates.

The room is abustle due to the special occasion. The first combat is tomorrow, and while that means we get to have another chance to see our sponsors again and earn gifts, it also means we might die.

So maybe this is more of a last meal.

Regardless, Sofia has proved to be the best cook in the group, and Godric made sure she had every ingredient she’d asked for, and even permitted all of the girls to be gathered in what is usually the pack dining hall. A roaring fire burns at the end of the row, and an empty throne surveys the crowd.

Godric has pack errands, as he usually does this time of day, but he’s left some shifters behind to watch over us. I’m perfectly fine with that arrangement because I can no longer focus when the Alpha is around.

“Do you like it?” Sofia chimes in. She’s been watching me eat this whole time. “I wasn’t sure what you might like, so I made everything.”

I honestly hadn’t been tasting any of it. My mind has been too occupied by a certain burly wolf shifter.

Focusing, I realize what I’ve been missing as my taste buds finally register.

Wow.

“This is heavenly,” I groan as I bite into a tenderized meat that’s cooked to perfection. I didn’t eat very much meat when I lived in the Elite City, but all the training I’ve been enduring has my appetite growing.

“Even more heavenly than your nights with the pack master?” Sofia teases as she props her chin in her hands and gives me a bright smile. She knows exactly what has me so preoccupied. “I do live next door, you know.”

A blush rushes over my cheeks.

The overpowering need I felt that night in the forest hasn’t gone away. Apparently, the link I share with Godric has created a side effect. Besides night vision, I also experience something similar to a shifter’s heat. It’s not as intense as a real one, according to Godric, but it isn’t going away without actually having sex, either.

Except, sex might prove fatal, so that’s a slight problem.

The solution is that Godric “helps” me after training, a routine I am certainly not complaining about, but then I feel guilty when he goes for a run.

I glance around at the other girls, who are giving us space. It’s common knowledge that I’m of an esteemed position in the pack and messing with me means incurring Godric’s wrath.

Sometimes that doesn’t do me any favors. While I might be safe from Violet and her gaggle of mean girls, there are shifter females who have started giving me sour looks.

Two of them guard the doorway at tonight’s feast, and I don’t like the way they’re looking at me.

I lean in and pitch my voice low. “He never lets me reciprocate. I don’t get it.”

Sofia makes a sound of surprise. “What? You’re telling me he’s both gorgeous and a giver?” She giggles behind her delicate hand. “Maybe they’re all like that. I haven’t had any alone time with my sponsor yet. You seem to get special privileges.”

“You’ll get to see yours tomorrow,” I say as I waggle my brows. Then I make a pouty face. “Unfortunately for me, Godric isn’t a sponsor.”

She tilts her head as some of her teasing drips into concern. “Really? He acts like one. He follows you around like a puppy.”

I chuckle at that imagery. “Hardly.”