Page 37 of Rogue Wolf

She has to get used to this if she’s going to be my mate.

More than that, Kodiak needed to find a way to explain what seemed unexplainable, this unfamiliar world, to Tamaska before she did something else to put all of their lives at risk.

CHAPTER 9

Kodiak

Foot hard on the gas, Kodiak sped away from Sydney down the Great Western Highway. The city lights blurred behind him as the scent of death faded. He longed for the fresh air and open space at the hut. His wolf pushed hard at the surface, begging for the chance to be free and enjoy nature.

Driving ordinarily helped Kodiak relax. Not tonight, not when the risk of a vampire attack still remained.

Then, there was Tamaska.

He could smell her, feel her, and the force of their bond unnerved him. How had such a strong bond formed between him and a human? It didn’t help that every time he looked in the rearview mirror, he saw her looking at him with an expression of confusion and hurt on her face.

Tamaska didn’t say a word—though, from time to time, her mouth would open as if to speak. Instead, she would sigh.

It's her own fault. He had every right to be angry at her. And he tried to hold onto the anger as it gave him distance.

But his anger cooled too quickly with her, just like he knew it wasn’t entirely true, that it was all her fault.

Kodiak needed to tell her more about the pack, about the bond between them that she couldn’t ignore. Then, he needed to explain the details of the change. Bring her into that ultimate decision, just as Ash had said.

But not before I have more information. I don’t want her risking her life if it’s too dangerous.

He adjusted the rearview mirror, glancing at the backseat instead of scanning for any traffic coming from behind. Tamaska’s gaze sent a ripple of pleasure through him. He quickly looked at Ash, who was busy on her laptop.

You found anything? He asked Ash through the pack connection, searching for a distraction from the things Tamaska stirred within him.

Fuck, Kodiak. It’s only been a few minutes, Ash answered without looking up from the screen. Her fingers didn’t even slow as they typed.

It’s been the better part of an hour.

I’m not that good.

You are.

She harrumphed.

Tamaska glanced between them, trying to work out what they were communicating.

Another thing he had to explain to her. Another thing to add to his ever-growing list of burdens.

Leave me alone. I need to concentrate.

Kodiak withdrew, not wanting to further disturb Ash.

“What was that about?” asked Tamaska, a soft pleading in her tired voice.

Even without seeing her, Kodiak felt her glare burn into him and it set off the familiar heat inside him that both pulled him to her and turned him on, and riled him. Jesus. The others had to be picking up on that. Something he didn’t need.

Kodiak pressed harder on the gas instead of answering her. The sooner they reached their destination the better. He swerved around a vehicle going a little too slow, the driver honking, and he cut the corner too fast, and he narrowly missed hitting another car.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

Roan paled, still next to Kodiak in the passenger’s seat.

“Don’t you go puking in my car, Roan,” warned Kodiak.

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