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Because that’s their purpose, right? What else could he possibly do with a bunch of human women.
“You’ve put me in a precarious position,” he begins. The low rumble of his tone has an inhuman growl to it that vibrates straight through my body and rattles my core.
A shiver runs up my spine in response.
I ignore it.
“I didn’t realize not dying would be such an inconvenience for you,” I say back.
His lips curl into a smirk that does stupid things to the butterflies in my stomach.
Why does he have to be so damn rugged and attractive?
“Surviving a death challenge from a pack member makes you officially one of us,” he states, making my eyes grow wide. “Once you all entered that train, you became preliminary candidates. And I did not expect anyone to require an initiation before we’ve even had a chance to prepare the dorms. If any of our sponsors find out, they’ll want you to be televised on a live stream twenty-four seven, and my pack is not prepared for that level of public scrutiny from the royals. Not yet.”
My jaw pops open at the sheer level of information he just casually told me, as if at least three of those things weren’t Monster Isle’s best-kept secrets.
“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, honestly flustered. “I know about the televised games, and that your king sometimes streams updates on candidates throughout the year. There’s a hefty black-market fee to watch them, but anything regarding pack dynamics is not public information.”
I grew up in the Magic Sector. The only echelon above my station would be the Immortal Sector, so there’s not much that I wasn’t already privy to, even as isolated as I was. I wouldn’t be useful to my brother if I didn’t understand the basics of our society.
Godric’s gaze shifts to the sunlight filtering in through the doorway. “King Njord is your king now. And he has eyes everywhere. Never forget that.” He pinches my chin and lifts my face to look him in the eyes. I hadn’t realized that my posture had dropped. “There are only two places you are safe. In this den, or with me.”
“With you?” I parrot.
I shouldn’t feel safe with him. Godric is the Alpha of a wolf shifter pack, rugged, covered in scars, and in charge of a slave operation.
Except, that last bit doesn’t sound right. He said that all of the girls on the train were pack members.
“I am your pack master,” he states as he lets me go, then rises to his full height.
Which is intimidating, to say the least, but I suffer from Rinhold pride. I don’t cower. I roll my shoulders back and glare up at him.
He sighs as if my defiance tires him. “I have things to take care of. If you value your life, you’ll stay here until I return.”
I glance around. There aren’t any chairs, or even a blanket. Just a bunch of dirt surrounding a hole in the ground. Anyone coming in or out could have me pinned to the wall in two seconds.
“You’re safe here,” he promises. The conviction in his voice makes me want to believe him. “The entrance to the den is holy ground. No one will enter or leave unless I say so.”
I eye the entrance to the den where the other three males ventured. They had indeed waited until he said they could go in.
Then I consider the stream of sunlight.
“What if I run away?” I ask. Because I’m absolutely going to if he leaves me here by myself, and the best way to prepare for what he might do is to bluntly ask him.
Men like honesty. And he has no reason to lie to me because he thinks I don’t have anywhere to go. This place is a fortress, and I doubt I could find the exit even if I looked for it.
But… I could make one. I have a vial or two that would accomplish that task.
My entire body stiffens as Godric leans in again, and this time he brings a strand of my hair to his nose. He takes a long inhale.
His eyes flutter closed for a moment, then he opens them again.
Gods, I hope he can’t hear my heart skipping a beat.
“Then I will track you down. You have a very distinctive scent.”
Distinctive good… or distinctive bad?
