Page 99 of Rogue Wolf

“Don’t ever make a deal with a vampire,” interrupted Kodiak.

Tamaska’s heart sank at the coldness around her and the censure in his voice. He pulled back, angry, even in his weakened state. Maybe she’d gone about rescuing Kodiak all wrong. Maybe if she hadn’t involved the pack—

No, the vampires want this. But she pushed the agenda that the two of them were fracturing rather than bonding. This is what Kodiak wanted…right?

“I haven’t made any agreements with you,” snapped Tamsaka. “I’ve been very careful since I got here. I haven’t let Amdis trick me and I’m not the one standing chained up and naked.”

“And you never fucking listen.” Kodiak’s words were so soft she almost missed them, but they were razor sharp and Amdis looked like he was being fed a meal.

Oh Christ, she hoped she was right and Kodiak was also trying to create a feeling of dissent. And it hurt to say the things she’d said to him, just like it hurt to hear his words.

She swallowed, taking in a gulp of air, her misery somehow real and Amdis bared his fangs in a grin and rubbed his hands together.

“Don’t tell me, Tamaska, you’re not listening to your alpha. My, my, you will get yourself in an awful lot of trouble by breaking the rules. Lucky you’re with me now. We’re on the winning side of this little war.”

“I haven’t made a single deal with you, Amdis,” Tamaska said.

He laughed. “I hope you don’t think the dog’s joking here, he means it. They always do. Then again, they’re a subspecies. Not worth my time.” He looked her over. “And then there’s you.”

“Say what you want to me. I’m not touching you and I’m not listening. Not until you let him go.” She folded her arms as if she had confidence. “Then we can talk. You and me.”

“You need to educate her about her new supernatural lifestyle. Her ignorance has made this all too easy for me,” said Amdis, glaring at Kodiak.

“Wait, what?” Tamaska whirled around and looked at Kodiak. “What does he mean?”

“She hasn’t touched you. And there isn’t an agreement. You forced her.”

Admis nodded at his vampires, who pulled the wire tight and Kodiak tumbled to his knees, he breathed hard and heavy before he shakily pushed up.

“These aren’t normal rules, I suppose,” Admis said. But my place, the opal and the ancestor of the opal’s owners and I can do what the fuck I want.”

“Listen to me Tamaska. Run. I—I didn’t know this.” A cry broke free as the vampires pulled the wire again and he landed hard, this time he only made it to his knees. “If he’s saying this and needs your touch, then…then this must be right. Fucking run.”

She looked about and made half a move before stopping as Amdis came right up to her and she narrowly missed touching him.

Oh, God. It was a trap. She didn’t even understand most of it, and even Kodiak was surprised, but she stood still. She could keep trying to run, yes, maybe even make it. But she wasn’t leaving Kodiak and Admis could move so fast that she’d end up touching him. She stared the Vampire down. “I’m not going anywhere. Not without him. And I turn down this so-called agreement. Deal’s off.”

Amdis curled his lip. “Just walking in here was agreement enough. You’re now bound to me.”

“Fuck, no,” said Tamaska. Her attitude riled Kodiak, she might as well turn it on Amdis. “I say no. Ever hear of women’s lib?”

“What the…?” Amdis narrowed his eyes. “Do I look like I fucking care about human rules. Come here. Now.”

The need to go to him was almost overwhelming, but she fought it.

“Or maybe I just wanted Kodiak…” Amdis clucked his tongue. “Maybe I was counting on you being too predictable, Kodiak. Rushing after the vampires and leaving your pack made it so much easier for us to capture you.”

“Fuck you, Amdis! Let him go,” she said. “I don’t believe you.”

“She says that but look.” Amdis raised his hands. “I’m not holding her, she can leave and yet she stays.”

It made no sense he only wanted Kodiak. No, he was trying to confuse them and make her touch him, but something came to her.

“Do you have the Blood Opal?” she asked.

He sighed. “I do, right here inside my jacket pocket. I keep it close to my undead heart as a reminder of my ultimate plan to improve the life of every vampire. If you want it, come and get it.”

“Tempting,” she said, “but no.”

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