by Alicia White
Novikov Clan 3
Claiming Emma
Emma Steele is all alone in Alaska after a tragic accident forces her to leave the comfort of her home and family in Seattle. She has too many secrets and can’t seem to move forward with her life. Feeling alone, she’s desperate for love and affection.
Chayton Youngblood is the youngest brother of three. His destiny is to leave home and find a mate to share with his siblings. Luckily, he doesn’t need to travel far since his mate came to him. He rescues her and takes her home, but not to his brothers…instead, he wants to keep her all to himself.
Mahkah and Takoda are waiting for their brother to bring home their mate. After six weeks, they take control of the situation. Unfortunately, Emma and Chayton are attacked before she can even meet her other mates. Without Chayton conscious, his brothers scramble to earn Emma’s trust and love.
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Paranormal, Shape-shifter
Length: 53,160 words
CLAIMING EMMA
Novikov Clan 3
Alicia White
MENAGE EVERLASTING
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Ménage Everlasting
CLAIMING EMMA
Copyright © 2013 by Alicia White
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-624-9
First E-book Publication: March 2013
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Letter to Readers
Dear Readers,
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Regarding E-book Piracy
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DEDICATION
To all the readers that love the Novikov Clan as much as I do. Thank you for all your love and support. Without you, this book wouldn’t exist. Happy reading!
CLAIMING EMMA
Novikov Clan 3
ALICIA WHITE
Copyright © 2013
Chapter 1
Emma Steele stormed toward the small bar, hoping she would be able to finally get some food. They were in the middle of nowhere, Alaska, and she couldn’t wait to get back home. Her now-ex-boyfriend, Tom, was following her, along with his friends. She wasn’t sure why she agreed to come on this horrid camping trip in the first place.
They stayed at the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and after hours of driving, just pulled into a small town. She wasn’t sure where they were or what the name of the town was. The sole purpose of going on this trip was because Tom wanted to include her with his friends, and she assumed that he must really care about her. Lord, how wrong I was. He knows nothing about me!
After nearly freezing to death outside in tents, going without proper food, and no showers for close to three days, she ended their relationship. Shivering, Emma shoved the door open and walked in. Luckily, it was still considered fall in Alaska. The days were comfortable, but the nights were cold. The first thing she noticed was that the floors were covered in beautiful cherrywood. There were a few tables, chairs, and booths on one side of the room, and on the other, a long bar. The place was small, homey looking, incredibly cozy and warm.
Emma shook off the chill, stomping her boots on the entryway rug before unzipping her jacket. Tom and his friends entered shortly after and made a beeline for a table. Chairs scraped loudly as they took seats and waited to be served. Everything about him bothered her now that she ended their two-month relationship. Emma shook her head and glanced around, hating to be stuck with them, but she needed to get a ride home.
After a quick decision, she reluctantly made her way to the table and took a seat. She picked an imaginary piece of lint on her sleeve. She didn’t bother looking up or engaging Tom or any of his friends in conversation. They all hated her and told her repeatedly to stop complaining. Camping was not her idea of a good time, but she tried. Too bad she failed miserably. Some laughter caught her attention, and Emma strained her neck, scanning the back of the bar.
Emma could barely make out a group of men playing pool in the dim lights. They were tall with broad shoulders, and wearing similar black military-type uniforms. Their uniforms seemed out of place in this bar, but she shrugged, wondering if they were in the military possibly doing training in the area. Biting her lower lip, she stared at them, drinking them in, wishing more than anything she could get a closer look. There was something about them. She couldn’t put her finger on it. Perhaps wishing they could get her out of her current situation had something to do with it.
In unison, the strangers turned their heads and stared directly at her. They guarded their expressions, but not before she noticed the curiosity in their eyes. Jerking her head back, Emma looked down, embarrassed that she’d just been caught ogling them.
“Hey, do you wanna get some beers?” Tom asked, and Emma glanced at him, shaking her head, hoping that he was joking. She wanted to eat and quickly get back on the road. They had a four-hour drive before they reached Anchorage, and she just wanted to get home.
“Yeah.” His friends agreed, going to the bar.
“Wait!” She panicked. “I thought we were just stopping for dinner
. We need to get back on the road. I have work tomorrow.”
“We’ll be fine, Emma. Jeez!” Tom looked at her with disgust, and Emma knew there would be no winning this battle. She was stranded with these people for the time being. The sooner she got away from them, the better off she would be.
“Listen, you won’t be fine. You shouldn’t drink and drive, Tom…please. Can’t we eat and get back on the road?” The question was met with silence. They completely ignored her. She could feel herself begin to shake.
Sitting back in her chair, Emma tried to calm down. After so many days camping, freezing, and practically starving, she could barely keep it together. She’d moved from Seattle to Anchorage for a job about a year ago. She was still getting used to the weather changes, and everything else that came along with living in the area. Every day she woke up hoping she would be able to forgive herself, and once again be with her family and friends. She needed to focus on the prize and establishing herself.
Emma stood and grabbed her purse. She needed to find a restroom before she had a breakdown in the middle of the bar. She struggled to keep her composure. Her eyes began to fill with tears, and she blinked them back.
“It’s over there,” a gruff voice entirely too close said, and Emma looked up into the most beautiful brown eyes she’d ever saw. The man was beyond amazing. He looked to be a few years older than her twenty-six, with straight, long black hair that hung loosely down his arms. His features were sharp and strong, and she wondered if he might be Native American.
“What?” She breathed out quietly.
“The ladies’ room. It’s over there.” He nodded his head toward the back corner. Emma could barely manage a smile, realizing she was staring at his mouth.
“Thanks.” Walking away, she was shocked at how perceptive he was.
She opened the door to the bathroom then quickly locked and leaned against it. Her nose tingled, and her eyes began to fill with more tears. Slipping to the floor, she sat down and laid her head against her knees while crying silently. Old memories came rushing to the surface, and she tried desperately to block them. She’d been so stupid, and here she was, once again in an impossible situation.
“Okay. I need to eat, find a rental car, and get myself home. It’s going to be all right,” she whispered to herself as she wiped her face, gaining her composure. After a few minutes, Emma stood up and went to the sink. Rinsing her face with cool water, she stared at her reflection and gave herself a quick mental pep talk before leaving the small space.
Her mind made up, she made her way to the bar and grabbed a stool. She wouldn’t be traveling back to Anchorage with Tom and his friends. She wouldn’t trust her life to a man who was under the influence, even if it was only one drink.
She waited patiently for the bartender, even though her stomach was growling loudly. Putting her elbows on the bar, she rested her head in her hands, feeling completely exhausted.
“Hey, Mack!” A loud voice boomed, and Emma jumped in surprise as the bartender walked over. “I believe the lady needs some food.”
“What can I get you, sweetie?” the older man asked, smiling. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he reminded her of her grandfather.
“Um, can I please get a burger with everything, and a soda?”
“Of course.” He looked over at the gorgeous stranger next to her. “Are you going to order something and keep the lady company?”
Emma looked up at him, and he winked. “I’ll have what the lady’s having.” He moved then, sitting down on the barstool next to her, their thighs and arms touching. It felt far too intimate, but she didn’t care.
“I’m Chayton Notaku Youngblood, and you are?” He cocked his head to the side and stared at her. This was the first time a man introduced himself and included his middle name. She had to admit it was kind of cute.
“Chayton Notaku…” she said slowly, hoping she didn’t butcher his name. “That’s an interesting name. Does it mean something?” she knew instantly that her guess about his origins had been right.
“Yeah, Chayton means ‘falcon’ and Notaku means ‘growling bear.’” He rumbled, proving that he could in fact growl, and Emma laughed quietly, loving the sound of his voice.
“I’m Emma Steele. It’s nice to meet you, growling bear.”
“You, too.” He winked. “So what brings you to my neck of the woods?”
“A horrible camping experience,” she said, shaking her head, glad for the company.
“Not the outdoors type I take it.”
“I’m not into freezing, starving, and not showering.”
“It’s a shame you didn’t have anyone with fur to keep you warm.” She crinkled her forehead at that comment, wondering what he meant. “A mate to keep you warm,” he clarified, and again she felt a bit confused. “That man, is he your mate?”
“My mate?”
“Your boyfriend or husband?”
“Oh, no. He’s my ex-boyfriend,” Emma stammered, feeling a little embarrassed.
The plate was delivered, her stomach growled loudly, and her mouth watered just looking at the wonderful food. It felt like months since she’d had a real meal, and she didn’t waste any time. Wrapping her hands around her burger, she took a huge bite, chewing quickly.
“I like a woman with an appetite,” he commented, and Emma looked at her food and realized that she had almost finished. Her cheeks warmed.
“Thank goodness.” She laughed, before grabbing a napkin and wiping her face.
Emma felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up quickly at Tom. She heard a low growl, which she knew had come from Chayton. It was a predatory sound, and she shivered, throwing Tom’s hand off her.
“We’re leaving. Let’s go,” Tom demanded, and she could smell the alcohol on his breath. She jerked back instinctively.
“She’s not going anywhere.” The hostility in Chayton’s voice couldn’t be missed. “I’ll take you home. You don’t have to go with them.”
“I wasn’t going to, but you don’t need to take me home. I was hoping to rent a car or something.”
“I’ll take you.” It was obvious that he wouldn’t take no for an answer. For some reason, she trusted him. Her gut told her he would keep her safe. The relief she felt was tangible.
“Fine. Whatever. Take her,” Tom slurred, walking away, and she let him go, not caring if she got her bags or not. She had her purse and jacket. That was all she needed.
“Thank you. I’ll pay for your gas, especially since you’re driving me all the way to Anchorage. It’s a pretty good distance.”
“It’s no big deal. I’m just glad that I’ll be with you.” He winked, taking another bite of his burger while Emma studied his hands, his posture, and took the first deep breath of the night.
He was an amazing specimen, perfect, and she was surprised that he was sitting next to her. How could a man this good-looking be with her? Although, technically, he wasn’t with her. He was only offering to help her, so maybe he was the type that liked to rescue women in need, and thank goodness he was there to help her. She definitely fit that bill.
Chapter 2
They walked out of the bar together, and Emma felt a moment of fear, wondering if getting into the car with a virtual stranger was really a good idea. She was desperate to get home, but getting in a car with a man she just met wasn’t one of her better decisions.
“There’s no reason to be afraid. I would never hurt you. You can trust me.” The tone of his voice soothed her, and Emma exhaled loudly. “Why don’t you call someone in your family or a friend and give them my information. Will that make you feel safer?” He handed her his driver’s license and quickly scrawled his phone number on a small piece of paper.
“That’s a great idea.” Emma fumbled through her purse for her cell. She called her cousin, Beth.
“Hello,” a quiet voice grumbled, and Emma smiled. It had been quite a while since she’d spoken with her cousin.
“Hey, it’s Emma. Listen,
I’m getting a ride home from a stranger named Chayton Youngblood. Can you get a pen and write down his information.”
“Are you drunk?” she asked, and Emma flinched.
“No. Of course not,” she whispered, her shoulders sagging. Emma looked over at Chayton, gave him a smile, and walked out of earshot. “Will you write it down or not?”
“Fine,” she hissed, and Emma listened as she rustled around, no doubt searching for a pen and paper.
“Go ahead,” Beth said, and Emma read off Chayton’s driver’s license information as well as his phone number.
Emma hung up and walked back to the truck. Chayton was standing next to the passenger side, holding the door open for her. Pasting a smile on her face, Emma climbed up into the truck and quickly buckled up, letting him close the door. She exhaled and leaned back into the seat, glad to finally be heading home.
“Are you okay?” he asked as he climbed into the truck, and Emma could only nod. She really wasn’t in the mood to talk about all her problems.
“Thank you again for taking me home. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. I’m looking forward to the drive.” Chayton started the engine and pulled away from the bar. His mere presence seemed to fill the cab, and Emma could feel his heat from the other side of the truck. She relaxed somewhat.
“I never asked. Do you live around here?”
“Yeah. I–uh…my family lives in the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.”
“Really? I didn’t know people lived there. Are you some sort of forest ranger or something?”