Page 72 of Rogue Wolf

“What are the rules?” she asked.

“Whatever Kodiak say they are now he is the big boss,” Channing said, “so we do what he says, and we don’t question. He protects, and we—”

“Kodiak’s as bad as Tamaska at times.” Ash said.

It struck Tamaska right then that Ash wasn’t furious, she was scared. Maybe the rules helped. But then again, so did being proactive.

“You’re both hotheaded and don’t listen.”

“Ash!”

Channing sounded scandalized and Tamaska almost smiled.

“He’s a good leader, and he’s got it in him to be great. I’d follow him anywhere, and I’d punch him, too. But I don’t. Pick your fights. This isn’t one of them. And you know it, Tamaska.”

She rested one foot against the seat, bending a knee to rest her head on. She looked out the window as the rural landscape slowly changed to cityscape. Yeah, she was meant to toe the line, obey and sit back like a good girl, even though she hated it. And his rules…the pack rules…they seemed to be something they all just knew. But it didn’t make it easier. It didn’t make her worry any less.

“But what if he needs our help?” she asked. “I’m not trying to fight or disobey, but…it doesn’t feel right to leave Kodiak, even at his own insistence. Does it to you? Ash? Channing? Roan?”

“He’ll be fine, Tamaska,” said Roan from the front seat. His face paled from the car’s motion.

“Has he contacted you?” asked Tamaska. “Any of you? I know you all communicate through a pack dial up brain service.”

Channing snickered.

But she meant it. During the whole ride, she’d studied Ash, Channing, and Roan for any telltale signs that they were using the pack’s mental connection. Sitting there with them, Tamaska felt like the outsider she was. It made her sick to think he might be calling out, hurt, in pain or worse, and she couldn’t hear him.

But they wouldn’t hide that from her, would they?.

“No,” said Roan.

“So, you don’t know,” she said softly, more to herself than to anyone else. “He could be hurt. We should go back.”

“No!” Ash pushed down on the accelerator.

“He’ll be back, don’t you worry,” said Channing from his seat beside her, reaching over and touching her shoulder. “You’ll see.”

Tamaska nodded. She didn’t share his confidence. All the information in her head she’d learned bubbled up with nowhere to go. It wasn’t about to help right now, just cause more fractures. The last thing they needed.

“He’s a great fighter,” said Roan, turning around to look at her.

“I just wish he hadn’t gone off alone like that.” She met his gaze. “I don’t know what I’ll do if I never see him again.”

That was as close to an admission of love she’d give them.

Roan raised his eyebrow as if making a connection—then he shrugged. “I don’t hear him, so he’s not calling out to us.”

“He sent us away, would he?” she asked, “even if he was in trouble? He’s not the type to bring others into bad trouble.”

No, he was the type to push them away to protect.

If he was here, she’d stangle him. And her eyes burned as she put her fist to her mouth to stop a moan of despair escaping.

“There’s no reason to think he can’t take on a few vampires.” Channing’s hand squeezed her arm. “He’s not Alpha for nothing.”

“I hope he’s okay. I hope he’s not being stupid and brave.” Tamaska pressed her knees together and clasped her hands to comfort herself. She would have done anything to have he arms around her, to hear him reassure her that everything would be all right.

She couldn’t explain it to the others, but Tamaska’s terrible feeling tore through her faster, right to her gut. Her head pounded, and darkness crept over her vision.

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