He glanced at Ash now, “Do you think this could help us? Now we know.”
“Not sure,” she said, looking over at Tamaska. “But the things she’s said about Amdis might be helpful. I’ll look into everything.”
“Another mistake I’ve made,” his woman said.
“No. Just…” He paused. “Make sure you tell me, or Ash, or someone in the pack if you get information like that again, or anything that comes to mind, really.”
“I didn’t think you’d believe it, coming from me.” She turned and stared out the window at the night and the passing cars. “I have nothing to add to the pack, nothing but trouble, do I?”
“You do have a lot to add to the pack,” said Kodiak. “It might not seem like it now, but that’s just because we’re in the early days. The others will adjust. Just hang in there.”
“He gets there eventually,” Ash said, so he could hear.
Kodiak gripped the steering wheel tightly. It was even more important now to get to the hut, complete the ceremony, and officially step into his role as alpha.
His theory must be correct. Tamaska was superhuman. Even more, it seemed like she might have wolf shifter genes. Some shifters had dormant genes, allowing their human half to dominate their wolf side.
She was too vulnerable to hear that right now; Tamaska would take it as proof he didn’t care. But if it was true and she had those genes, then maybe the risk for change would turn out non existent.
“Got all that, Ash?” asked Kodiak. Through the pack connection, he sensed Ash wanted to speak to him.
He knew her well enough that she was giving him the necessary space to talk to Tamaska. “What else do you need to know, Ash?”
“Got it. What’s your last name, Tamaska?” asked Ash. “When did your grandparents come to Australia, and what city did they travel from?”
“Lane. They came to Australia in 1921 from Seattle.”
“Unusual.” Ash struck the keyboard hard and fast to enter the new information. “Most migrants came during the goldrush and after the second world war. Mostly from China and then Europe respectively. So this might make finding something easier.”
Roan slipped back into the car. “What did I miss?”
Kodiak revved the car, the sound powerful and strong. He ignored Roan, who closed the passenger door.
“Don’t keep information from me again,” he said firmly.
She nodded. “I won’t.”
“Make sure you don’t, Tamaska.” He flashed a smile into the rearview mirror. I want you with me. We’re a team.”
A real one, where we share things?” Her voice was soft. “Like about what I am?”
A heavy pause weighed in the air as Kodiak reentered the highway.
“After the ceremony, if there’s anything Ash has found. We’ll talk then—but only if there’s enough time.”
“Promise?” she asked.
The word twisted in him, unravelling parts of him and he hated the way she undermined him so easily without meaning to.
“Only if you promise to obey me, like we talked about.”
She quirked her lips in an almost smile. “Promise. Master.”
“Then I promise, too.”
“See, that wasn’t so hard, you two. You’ve got your first lovers’ fight behind you. Now it’s just smooth sailing ahead,” said Ash.
Kodiak growled a warning.