Page 33 of Rogue Wolf

And Tamaska… His worry was borne of his being the next Alpha; of the unknown risks of the change; of whether, deep down, she truly wanted it.

Once she changed that was it. She couldn’t ask for a refund.

Worse she didn’t understand the obedience that was ingrained in them. She’s asked him to explain but he couldn’t, not when it either was or wasn’t.

He could tell her it didn’t mean lack of independence or weakness. He could tell her it wasn’t submission.

Everyone and everything had its place and she…she didn’t.

She’d either get it or not. It was how things worked in his world. The pack would force her into exile if she couldn’t obey when asked. He couldn’t allow that to happen. Even though their bond existed, always growing stronger, he would ignore it and push Tamaska away if she couldn’t she was capable of working as a team, of following their rules.

And pushing her away when this was done—not before—meant he needed to decide soon. Because once changed he might as well kill her if the pack rejected her.

Pushing her away was the only way to keep her safe and alive and with hope for a future without him.

If it came to that.

If, if, fucking if.

Kodiak turned back to the window. He shifted the heavy curtain to the side. His superhuman sight allowed him to see clearly despite the dark. He watched for Fern’s return, and for any sign of vampires.

If anything happened to Fern, Tamaska would have no chance in hell of ever being accepted into the pack. Then Kodiak would have to make that hard decision now. No change and as soon as it was safe, Tamaska would need to leave.

The thought almost killed him.

Fern, are you nearly back? Kodiak reached out through their pack connection, hoping she was close enough to sense him.

No answer.

He didn’t like that. He also didn't like how quiet it was in the clubhouse. Moki was finishing the last of the painting in the living room while the others prepared for the trip to the hut in the Blue Mountains.

Ordinarily, the clubhouse would be alive with banter, pool competitions, darts, drinking, training, and sparring. Not heavy with this silence that got under his skin, tightening his anxiety like a screw into his chest.

It was too soon to go out and check on Fern, but Kodiak considered it anyway. Right now, he couldn’t be too careful. Too much was riding on her return.

Headlights appeared, and Kodiak exhaled slowly.

“Get ready to leave,” he said to Moki, leaving the room without waiting for an answer.

Kodiak strode out to meet Fern. “No problems?”

Fern got out of the car with blood trickling down her face.

Fuck. Whatever had happened wouldn't help Tamaska become part of the pack.

“What happened?” asked Kodiak.

“The usual. Vampire attack.” Fern slammed the vehicle’s door. “Happens a lot, now that she’s around.”

“It’s our duty, remember?” Kodiak inspected Fern’s face. A gash near her hairline needed patching up.

“Like hell it is.” Fern pushed his hand away.

“It's more about the Blood Opal than anything. And if it weren't for Tamaska, then we wouldn’t know that the vampires want it. They're up to something.”

“Bullshit. Look at what’s in the car! Nothing there is going to help us. All she’s done is make more work for us.”

Kodiak growled under his breath. “Taking this out on her doesn’t help.”

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