Page 46 of Rogue Wolf

At least Roan was turning out to be friendly. Not everyone in the pack stood against her.

“So, be patient and wait.”

Gain friends one at a time.

Her chat with Roan alleviated fears she never realized had been hiding within. She’d been so intent on accusing Kodiak for everything he did wrong—everything she did wrong—that she’d missed a simple way to help him and the pack.

“You’ve got it.”

Maybe rushing into her transformation wasn’t such a good idea. She wanted to become a shifter, without a doubt, but she was already in shock. Her mind had been paralyzed since she’d first seen vampires drinking blood, let alone fighting wolves.

She needed to center herself, to ensure she was ready for a step that would change her life forever. Be patient and learn to absorb all the experiences. Good and bad. After the change, there would be no going back.

Roan lowered his voice. “The ceremony is important to him. He’s grieving Olcan and still in shock from killing Shota. Until the ceremony is complete, the pack has no official leader. Anyone could step up to claim the position if they wanted. Kodiak’s the choice and we know it, but…you saw Shota. Things happen under pressure. And there’s the threat of vampires. So go easy on him, and yourself.”

His words shocked her. “I thought it was a done deal that he was the alpha.”

“Not until after the ceremony,” he said with a shake of his head.

She closed her eyes a moment. “Which is why he wanted this done tonight.”

“Exactly. See, you’re learning quick.”

Tamaska glanced at the night sky to see the moon peeking behind a cloud. It was almost full. Odd. “Shouldn’t the moon be full during the ceremony?”

“Why do you ask?”

Tamaska shrugged. “Seems like it should be, that’s all.”

She couldn’t explain how the thought randomly popped into her head. Then again, maybe it wasn’t so random. Maybe ancient knowledge had awoken within her mind.

Or maybe she was full of shit, clutching away at straws.

“It should be,” Roan said, forehead creasing with worry. It was the first time Tamaska had ever seen him look outwardly concerned.

“Is it bad that we’re doing it tonight, then?”

“I hope not.”

She shivered, hating the helpless feeling rising up. “So, why don’t we wait?”

“Because the pack needs a leader to recover and gain strength. There’s no time to wait.”

Tamaska hoped Kodiak knew what he was doing, missing the full moon by pushing up the ceremony. That wasn’t fair. She knew he did. But she worried. She couldn’t stop.

Everyone there was exhausted from the fight, the burial, and clean-up. Kodiak had insisted they were safer at the hut than in the clubhouse, but the way Tamaska’s belly twisted made her uneasy.

“Don’t worry, Channing’s been all over the security,” Roan said. “We’re safe here.”

Tamaska clenched her jaw. She trusted Kodiak, but that uneasiness crept over her, like a mist hovering above the ocean.

“I should get you a blanket.”

“No, I’ll be fine.” Whatever happened, she needed to stand in her own strength.

While they talked softly, the pack moved closer to the light, naked and waiting silently.

A thought struck her. “Do I need to take my clothes off?”

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