Page 73 of Rogue Wolf

“You should use this time to rest a little more,” suggested Roan, his voice soft. “You’re still injured, and the shadows under your eyes suggest you could use the sleep.”

“She would’ve slept plenty if she hadn’t been messing around with my laptop,” Ash said. .

“Oh, you didn’t do that, did you, Tamaska?” asked Channing, his voice light.

“Yes and as you heard, I said sorry.”

“But are you?” he bumped his shoulder into her, clearly trying to stop her worrying.

“Yeah, she fucking did,” Ash snapped. The car started to move faster.

“Slow down, Ash, or I’ll throw up,” Roan said, turning around to face forward.

“Tamaska, in case you haven’t worked this out already, Ash is rather protective of her laptop,” said Channing with a wink. He dropped his voice. “And she’s worried.”

“We all are,” Ash said. “I just…I need… Apology accepted. For now.”

“Eureka. You’re making friends, influencing people,” Channing said. Behind his cheer the worry crept through.

But that comment helped ease some of the tension surfacing within her, as did Ash’s churlish acceptance of her apology. She smiled back at him a little, grateful for the moral support. Ash still acted like she was simmering over her laptop's lengthy, unauthorized use.

“But you should know, Tamaska, our pack has rules, and they must be followed,” said Ash.

“Fuck, Ash, slow down…” Roan’s voice went soft.

Ash groaned and rolled her eyes, taking her foot off the gas.

“Never thought you’d have a weak stomach, with all your medical experience,” said Ash.

“Motion sickness is different.” Roan lay his head back against the headrest.

“Kodiak’s not following the rules, going off by himself. It seems to me that your rules only apply to a select few,” said Tamaska, taking her leg off the seat in front of her.

“It’s different for the alpha,” said Ash. “And different for you, because you’re not one of the pack.”

“Come on, Ash, that’s a bit harsh,” said Channing. “She’s as good as in. You know Kodiak’s chosen her.”

“Chosen me for what?” asked Tamaska. To change her? But that didn’t make sense, that was already on the table. Or wasn’t. Or…or maybe it meant he would do it sooner rather than later.

Though, knowing her luck, it probably meant he would sacrifice her.

She couldn’t even raise a little humor at her lame personal joke.

“That’s for Kodiak to tell you,” Ash said. She maintained a steady speed while slipping easily into the parallel lane to overtake a few slower vehicles on the highway back to Sydney.

At least this time there wasn’t the prickly belligerence in her tone. But still, she asked, “what is it?”

“This really is Kodiak’s news to give,” said Channing.

“You can’t even give me a hint?” She latched on to this because it was better than worrying. Or, better than focusing in on that worry. “Please.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything, sorry,” Channing said. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he’ll tell you as soon as he gets back to the clubhouse.”

“Secrets, always secrets with you lot,” said Tamaska half jokingly. And her gut twisted. It didn’t help matter that she had her own secrets now. Even if that was only because no one listened to her when had tried to tell them.

“It’s not that bad,” said Channing. “Now, there’s one less. Don’t use Ash’s laptop.”

“Ash accepted the apology, Channing, so shut the fuck up,” said Roan, clutching the door handle as Ash accelerated. “Ash, I’m going to throw up.”

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