Page 121 of Rogue Wolf

That might be the sweetest thing Ash had ever said to her and if circumstances were different she’d be touched.

Tamaska nodded and turned. Ash let her go and smiled.

“True. I’ll be in the meeting room, and he can find me there,” said Tamaska.

“I’m sure he will. Have fun…killing him?”

Tamaska walked off, angry, stressed, happy he was alive, embarrassed by Ash’s parting words, and she stepped into the empty meeting room.

It was quiet. Too quiet in there and she didn’t know what to do with herself.

What if he tried to find a way to tell her he’d made a mistake and his love was nothing more than a reaction to his imprisonment? What it—

Tamaska stopped. She’d send herself mad if she kept going.

Uncomfortable in the silence that would eat her sanity right up if she let it consume her, she turned on the television and cycled through its daytime programs to distract herself.

Footsteps in the hallway caught her attention, detected by hearing that was now better than ever before.

Great she was transforming, probably and he was going to kick her to the curb.

No, he wouldn’t but the nerves still ate at her.

She sank into one of the lounge chairs and swung her legs over the arm, trying to look casual as Kodiak walled into the room.

“Where have you been?” she demanded. So much for casual. And murder. Although that last one was definitely on the table.

He looked tired, like he was struggling to stand. And her heart went out to him. It was such a traitor.

“I had to do something, Tamaska. And I needed to do it then.”

“Not without fucking telling me first.” Tamaska sat upright in the chair and frowned at him. “I had no idea what happened to you. What if the vampires had gotten you?”

“Not in the daytime.” He moved closer to her. They don’t have the Blood Opal anymore.”

Good point—she’d forgotten about that. Still, she wasn’t about to let him off the hook so easily.

“I was worried about you.” She pointed an accusing finger at him. Her anger had no visible effect on him, which only made her even more furious as he came even closer. “I love you and I was scared.”

“I’m sorry—you…you do?” he asked softly.

She shot him an irritated look. “Well of course I do, what do you think I’m doing here?”

“I love you, too, you know.”

“You’re an ass.”

A small smile bloomed briefly. “I wanted to get you something.”

She was about to yell at him again, not because she wanted to but because it was better than losing her shit and falling apart, a complete blubbering mess, but his words gave her pause. She swallowed hard, trying to be patient.

“I…I’m listening.”

Kodiak knelt beside her. And her heart started to thump madly, sending her pulse spinning. “Things haven’t been smooth between us, not since the moment we met.”

“That’s for sure.” But she smiled. Just a little.

“I want that to change.” He looked nervous, unsure and she fell in love with him even more. “I want for us to be a team, officially. I want for you—officially—to be my mate.”

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