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Perhaps Godric is ashamed that he let me walk out into the forest unprotected. Or he thinks he owns me and that he should take better care of his property.

Either way, I know what’ll happen once he finds out the truth about me.

It’s the same thing that always happens.

I’ll be rejected.

So I’ll just be doing the rejecting first this time and get it over with.

Leaning in, I stare up into his gorgeous face and choose to play with fire. “You already told me you can’t take a mate, so I don’t know why you care so much about what happens to me. Especially when I don’t want you.”

Godric freezes.

There. Now he has an excuse to get rid of me.

I’m ready for this nightmare to be over.

“What did you say?” he asks as he towers over me. His powerful body is like cast iron as he scarcely breathes. His muscles are marked by lines of scars and shifter tattoos, making him seem like a statue the Gods decided to leave on display as a warning for what happens to those who displease them.

“I. Don’t. Want you,” I say with slow, deliberate enunciation. My eyes sting with unshed tears.

I have no idea why I’m sad to lie to him about this.

There can’t be anything between us anyway.

I hadn’t even intended to enter the games and find a mate.

Survival. My sister. Those are the only things I care about.

But now, after experiencing a glimpse of my courtship with Ze’ev, with Godric, and even Arwan’s interest, I’m not so sure where my priorities lie anymore.

I know I have to get out of this before I’m too far in.

I can’t forget what my purpose is.

“You said you’d get me off this isle,” I whisper. “You said you could do it. You have to, before…” My voice catches, and I drop my gaze to the ground.

I don’t even realize I’m trembling until Godric takes me into his arms.

“I thought you might reject the mate bond,” he whispers into my hair. “It was never supposed to happen in the first place.”

My eyes widen. “What?” I ask, looking up at him again.

He brushes my hair from my cheek. “What happened with Arwan was a mistake,” he says, and that declaration twists my insides. “I’m glad you’re rejecting the mate bond my wolf attempted to force between us. It’s better this way.”

I know that, but the words still sting inside my chest.

“We can plan for your departure under the excitement of the games,” he continues. “You’ll resume training, and after nominations have been completed, I’ll get you out.”

I consider the information as I chew on my lip. I won’t leave without my sister, but the games aren’t happening for a few more months. There’s still time to find her.

My more immediate concern is what his wolf would think of all this. “So, you’re not going to kill me?”

Godric scoops me up into his arms and ventures back into the encampment. “I’m not the monster you think I am,” he says with a very sharp-toothed grin.

“You are a monster, though,” I clarify.

“Not that kind,” he whispers as he ignores pack members who stare at us.