Page 44 of Rogue Wolf

“Hell, yes,” said Roan. “But you’re still going to have to take it easy for a few days, at least.”

Tamaska didn’t need to be told that her injury would prevent her long-awaited transformation for the next few days, that was clear without him saying it. The waiting and sitting about annoyed her, but she wouldn’t say anything. If keeping her mouth shut would help speed things up, then she would gladly oblige. For now.

Within a few minutes, the effects of the tablets started to ease her head. “For herbs, this stuff is powerful.”

“We wolves know a few of nature’s tricks,” said Roan proudly.

Curiosity, jealousy, and the longing to be included stirred something else deep within Tamaska, as if a part of herself was only just beginning to wake up. That part was impatient and desired freedom. She’d never felt anything like that before.

It was as if her brain was opening up and soaking in all the things in the air in the car.

Should I tell Kodiak about this?

But he had enough to deal with and it was just the herbs. Besides, she wanted to hold on to this strange awakening as her secret, even for now. Surely even the closest of packmates didn’t share every single detail with each other?

Tamaska was about to ask Roan another question when Kodiak slowed and turned off the highway. They had nearly arrived. Tamaska sensed that somehow, even though it was black outside with no streetlights or cars around.

Was it just the tablets that heightened her awareness?

Or was something else happening to her?

Maybe learning about wolf shifters and vampires opened something in her and these crazy new sensations were to do with her potential shifter ancestry. Maybe she was finally reacting to the horrors she’d witnessed during the vampire attack.

Then again, maybe her new awareness was just a side effect of this new world she’d been thrust into. Maybe she was simply adapting, finally noticing things that had always been in plain sight but beyond her understanding.

Tamaska shifted in the seat, waiting to get out and stretch her legs. After the long car ride, she longed to fill her lungs with fresh country air.

The car bumped, sending Tamaska bouncing around the backseat. She scrambled for something to hold on to before slamming into Ash.

“Geez, Kodiak, this is the last time I’m riding with you,” said Roan.

The wheels rumbled across gravel, announcing they were close to the hut. He kept driving, down a curving drive until a glowing light appeared.

Kodiak ignored Roan, his concentrated gaze set straight ahead. Despite their bond, Kodiak felt more distant than ever in that moment.

Tamaska’s pulse increased. She needed to be fully prepared for the events that lay ahead. No matter what. Her gut tightened, convincing her there would be more to Kodiak’s ceremony than she’d been told.

CHAPTER 11

Tamaska

She pressed her nose against the glass of the car window. The clearing in front of the hut had been transformed into something fascinating.

Bamboo torches protruded from the earth at regular intervals to form a semi-circle, their flames bright against the darkness of night. Shadows danced from the fire flickering on the ground. The surrounding dirt had been raked smooth, all its rocks and plants removed.

The sacred feel immediately struck her, like she was about to witness something extraordinary, and her gut churned with excitement and trepidation.

Regardless of the fact they were protecting her, she was aware of the privilege of being here. One she didn’t take lightly.

Tamaska shivered as Kodiak parked the car somewhere out of the way.

“Come on, we have a ceremony to start,” said Kodiak, getting out of the car and stretching.

Ash finished typing, snapped the laptop shut, and rushed out. Roan, too, was out in a flash, taking deep breaths. His skin had finally started to lose its sickly pallor from the journey.

Tamaska struggled with the seat belt. Those tablets must have slowed her down. Ash stood nearby beside Kodiak, their heads bent close as they whispered.

Her heart squeezed. What had Ash learned? Tamaska was desperate to find out. But she stopped herself from overreacting. They had a lot on their plates and maybe this wasn’t about her. She needed to calm.

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