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But even to Tamaska’s ears that didn’t sound reassuring. No, it sounded full of doubt, the same doubts as inside her.
“If he wins. He’s strong, but so was Olcan and…”
Ash folded her arms. “Olcan’s mate was killed early. He—I think he went out hard because it’s the only way he knew. He pushed.”
“Like Kodiak will.”
“It’s not in your hands.”
She flicked her gaze to him and a ripple of awareness ran through her as he glanced briefly back at her, eyes dark and vibrant. “I worry. And he…he needs to focus and prepare himself for the fight. When is it? And—”
“Tonight. And no there’s no stopping it. It has to happen.”
Ash and Tamaska each sat down on a log, and she stared out over the bushland, a kind of peace washing over her as she did so. Strange to think they were in Sydney. Sitting here, she could be in rural Australia. The sky above turned from red to blue as the sun rose.
She could live somewhere like this. Close to everything, but free and having nature so close.
And now he was alpha.
That brought a whole new level to things.
Would a human even be allowed as mate to the alpha? Or would Kodiak send her away for being human?
Maybe she needed to change. If she could. If she wanted to stay with him.
“Is there a way I can become like you?” she asked.
“A wolf shifter?” Ash raised her brows.
Tamaska nodded. “I have to be one, don’t I?”
“Oh, I see.” Ash slid closer to Tamaska, lowering her voice. “Wolf shifters are born. We’re like this because of our DNA.”
“So, I can’t ever be like you?” Tamaska stretched her legs towards the firepit.
Ash breathed out. “During a full moon, one of us could bite or scratch you. If our essence infected your blood, you’d begin to change.”
“I…I could do that.” Tamaska wasn’t sure if she really wanted to change, but having the option gave her the hope of a future with Kodiak.
“If the pack allows it.”
“It’s not up to Kodiak?” Tamaska’s heart sunk.
Ash shifted. “Not entirely. You don’t have wolf-shifter genes. We’re purebloods, and we’ve all agreed to preserve our bloodline.”
“Pureblood? What about genetics? Isn’t that….” She shrugged. Clutching at straws is what people called what she was doing.
“There are other pureblood shifters out there. A lot. We tend to be attracted to other natural shifters. Like, I’m not related to anyone here by blood in that way. But I’m a pureblood and when my mother mated with a member of this pack later, after my father’s death, I stayed part of this one.
“Shifters here will mate with other shifters in the pack, shifters they are not related to other than by pack loyalty.” Ash breathed out. “It’s…it’s complicated.”
“Oh.” And she didn’t even have an iota of shifter blood in her. No way the pack would take her.
Maybe if Kodiak was an insignificant member, but as alpha?
It couldn’t happen.
She heard it in Ash’s words, and it made everything in her turn into lead.
