Page 78 of Their Rejected Queen

“It’s a love potion,” I say with a bright grin. “I don’t have it on me. But it’s all the rage in my sector in the Elite City. Worked like a charm. It’s back at Godric’s tent, where I use it on him every night. Did you want to try it on him? I bet it would work for you, too.”

Her iron-colored eyes widen, then she barks a laugh. “That was too easy! Dunk her again just for good measure.”

This time I hold my breath as I’m shoved under the water. They keep me there until my lungs burn, and then I’m sputtering again.

Nausea winds through my stomach as one of the shifters tangles her fingers through my hair.

They don’t just want answers.

They want to mess me up.

Or worse.

“You really thought you could take advantage of our pack master?” she asks. The edge of hatred in her voice makes fear skitter up my spine. “There’s a punishment in our clan for that kind of betrayal.”

I rethink my strategy and backstep before they drown me. “I lied!” I shout. “There’s no potion. It’s his, uh, wolf. His wolf wants me, while he doesn’t, so he took me as his concubine until he can figure it out.”

Lies are best when they’re steeped in truth.

Except, Godric does want me. That’s obvious enough, but my claim is something that should get their attention. Because if I can sway their pack master’s wolf, then I hold value.

Or they might think twice about killing me if Godric’s wolf has shown an interest in me.

At least, I hope that’s the case.

Her brow furrows as she studies me. “Why would his wolf want a stupid little thing like you?” She picks up my arm, then lets it fall wetly to my side. “You’re so skinny.”

She’s not wrong. My birth defect extends to more than just being out of breath without a little magical support. My body also has trouble gaining muscle, or even fat, leaving me petite and frail.

Godric has warned me that if we did have sex, it might kill me.

I believe him.

I’m fragile. I’m vulnerable. Those are qualities I imagine a wolf would not be attracted to, but Godric is different. He protects the innocent and defends the weak.

And by his definitions, I match that criteria.

“No wolf would want her. I think the first thing she said is the truth,” the shifter holding my neck decides aloud.

The lead shifter considers me, then glances at the third. “Rina? What do you think?”

I commit that name to memory.

Rina glances over her shoulder and scans the darkness. “I think this is the only chance we have to break whatever spell this human has over our pack master. He’s killed for us, even when it came to our own kind who were like a disease, bringing us all down.” She frowns at me. “That’s what she is. A disease. We need to rid our pack of her and damn the consequences.”

They all fall silent as they consider Rina’s speech.

“Very well,” the lead shifter says as she leans back. Her beads pleasantly fumble against one another as she swishes her fingers through the water. “I’ve always been willing to die for my pack. I’m not afraid of what Godric might do. You’re no good for him or any of us. He’ll thank us, one day.”

She raises her hand to give the signal.

Not good.

“Do you know what Godric says about you?” I snap at the lead shifter.

She slowly lowers her hand before she leans in again.

A little further.