Page 105 of Rogue Wolf

“I think so,” Roan said. “But we need to get him out of here. There are still vampires around.”

“Kodiak, can you walk?” asked Roan.

Kodiak trembled, and Roan dragged Tamaska backward. She fought until she realized her shifter was changing back into human form. But to her eyes, it didn’t seem right. The transformation was slow and painful. Not quick and easy like Roan’s had been and she pushed a hand against her mouth to stop a cry escaping.

Kodiak fell, but with a groan, pushed himself into a sitting position.

And all she wanted to do was grab him, hold him. But she couldn’t move. Roan kept his hand on her shoulder like a warning to stay put.

“I think so,” said Kodiak breathlessly.

He stumbled as he tried to get to his feet. But he fell and the freeze inTamaska broke. She shook off Roan and hurried to Kodiak’s side, helping him to stand with Roan’s support.

“I’ll be all right in a moment,” said Kodiak with a gasp, and he leaned on Roan.

She bit her lip, tears slipping free. “I was so worried…”

He didn’t speak to her as the rest of the pack suddenly burst into the room, like they knew he was up and about.

Tamaska had never been so happy to see the rest of the before. Right now they represented a kind of home, familiarity and every face she saw meant someone else had survived.

Channing approached, then changed back to his human form. His skin held onto the remnants of a fight, spotted with bits of fur, his own blood, and someone else’s.

She felt about for the opal. It was there, and she found that wire was there, too. She must have stuffed it in there without thinking. She pulled it out to ask someone, but Channing went to pass her and she reached for him to hug him. So happy he’d survived. She’d grown fond of him.

But he didn’t seem pleased. In fact he backed away, arms raised.

Bile rose in her mouth. They all hated her. She looked about and the rest backed away, including Kodiak. She looked around, scared and took one step towards Channing. “Please, what—”

“Keep that away from me.” Channing scrambled farther away from Tamaska, fear in his wide eyes as the wire swung out.

“This? But—”

“What are you doing with a silver chain?” asked Ash after she morphed into human form. She backed away, too, eyes accusing.

Tamaska looked down at the silver chain in her hands, which was so delicate yet so strong. “It was around Kodiak.”

“Silver is our one weakness. Keep it away from us,” said Ash. “Now. Never, ever bring silver in here. Ever.”

“Noted.” She rolled up the chain and shoved it into her pocket.

“We should get out of here,” said Onai, nursing an oozing cut on his shoulder.

“Let’s go. Stay alert, they won’t let us go easily,” said Kodiak, pushing Roan away so he could walk. He only took a step before stumbling, which prompted Roan and Onai to catch him.

Tamaska hurried to assist them, but Kodiak veered away, bumping into Onai, who cursed as the wound on Onai’s shoulder widened, and more blood spilled out.

“Get the silver away from me,” growled Kodiak. “Now!

Ash pulled Tamaska aside. “He’s too weak, after so much exposure. Now he’s more sensitive to it.”

“I didn’t know,” said Tamaska, moving away from Kodiak while all she wanted was to be as close to him as possible. “Th-they threw a net on him, too. I think it was silver.”

“Bastards.”

She almost threw the chain up behind the bar, but stopped. Because what if the vampires did come back and they found it? And then used it…? She couldn’t be responsible for that. Instead she bundled it right at the bottom of her pocket and put the opal over it.

No, she couldn’t risk leaving it. She’d nearly lost him. And he was still weak, he’d used his strength to fight and save her and it tore her apart with guilt.

---