Page 76 of Rogue Wolf

Roan was looking out for Tamaska, and that gave her hope. Maybe it was possible that she would soon become part of the pack. Nothing would please her more because it would please Kodiak. Well, nothing, apart from his safe return.

“I’m not leaving you alone until you rest. Kodiak would have my head if you collapsed.”

“Fine, I’ll go and rest.” She had no chance of sleeping, not until she knew Kodiak had safely returned to the clubhouse, but she agreed to get Roan off her back, and to appease him.

“Good. I’ll bring these to Fern so she can return them. Great idea with the carpet cleaners, by the way. I’ve never seen the clubhouse look so good. And the smell of blood’s gone.” Roan gently pushed her back inside the house, giving her little choice but to turn around.

Tamaska sighed as she walked down the hallway. When she passed a meeting room towards the back of the house, she couldn’t help but glance inside. Ash sat on a secondhand lounge chair, which someone had collected to refurnish the room after they’d tossed the old, bloody furniture. Her laptop rested on a small desk, her fingers moving quickly over the keypad.

Maybe it was time to make proper overtures. And, hopefully, learn something about the research. If Ash decided to share, that was.

“Knock, knock,” said Tamaska, entering the meeting room. “New decorations look good.”

Ash didn’t glance up. “I’m busy.”

Shit. She pasted on a smile.

“Can I help?” asked Tamaska, flopping down on a scavenged beanbag nearby. All the furniture in the meeting room was now secondhand, which suited the space. At least, there was no more blood in sight. So…there was that.

“No.” Ash tightly pressed her lips together, as if actively stopping herself from saying any more.

“I’m…I am really sorry I took your laptop, but aren’t you sort of glad I did? At least I learned more about the Blood Opal and my family line. That’s got to be helpful.”

Oops, that slipped out, but now it was out there, she waited.

Ash kept typing.

“C’mon. At least we know more now, and that’s gotta help the pack.” She breathed out. “I’m trying. I just…I just thought if there’s a link somehow with me then maybe you can use me. For the pack. F-for Kodiak.”

Ash ignored her.

“Fine, I get. You’re mad, worried and all the rest. But you’re not always going to be able to ignore me.” Tamaska moved to leave.

Ash sighed heavily and snapped her laptop shut.

“It’s not that.”

She turned back to face the shifter. “What, then?”

“You’re changing the hierarchy, the pack, our future, and you’re risking Kodiak’s life.”

She stared at Ash. “That’s crazy. H-he wanted me to stay. It’s his choice. I’m not making him do anything.” She bit her lip. “I’d do anything for him and the last thing I want is an upset in the hierarchy. Please. Help me understand.”

Ash blew out a breath then shook her head. “We need him back here. I can’t be the one to tell you.”

“I-is this about what was said in the car? I don’t know what it is if you don’t tell me.” She spread her hands. “Is it about changing me? Is something wrong there? Right? Help me, Ash. Please.”

“You don’t get it.” Ash rubbed her eyes. “Kodiak needs to be the one to tell you.”

“And what if he doesn’t come back?” The words were out before she could stop them and she wished she could take them back, as if saying them would somehow make those terrible syllables true. She gulped back a sob.

Ash half reached for her but dropped her hand. “We’re all worried, Tamaska, but it’s Kodiak. He’s tough and smart. He’ll be back.”

Tamaska forced the giant what if back to the bottom of her being and turned on her bravado, all the way up to eleven. “He’d better. I need to whup his ass for making me worry like this.”

Ash smiled. “You’re a good match for him.”

“Except for the times when I don’t follow his orders.” She rubbed her arms even though it wasn’t cold. Inside, she was frozen. And she didn’t think she could ever be warm again, at least not until Kodiak came back to her.

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