Kodiak's Heart

by Lacey Thorn

  “Lawrence has always been an arrogant prick,” Fletch offered, contempt in his tone. “He thought himself above everyone else around him. Thought he deserved more than anyone else.”

  “I don’t remember Dad saying anything about him,” Declan admitted. “Either of you?”

  Koby shrugged, shaking his head.

  “I don’t remember anything,” Laramie admitted.

  “Something spurred him to this point. He manipulated two packs. His endgame appears to be stripping the Holloways of their pack and possibly setting this Titus up as the alpha,” Holt told them.

  “I agree,” Laramie said. “Maybe, we need to call the elders back. See if any of them can think of something.”

  “They’ll be more than willing to help if it will get them back in your good graces,” Koby admitted.

  “Punishment stands. For every year they kept us in the dark and our females hidden, they will no longer act as council or hold the revered roles of auntie and uncle as they have in the past. They’re lucky that’s all I did.” Laramie had considered several things before settling on the sentence he’d chosen. It seemed fitting for the crime they’d committed by hiding something so important from the alpha.

  “Tell me who you want to call back, and I’ll take care of it,” Fletch offered.

  Laramie nodded. “In the meantime, we need more information. Lawrence is still missing, and Malachi is following a trail from the Washington pack attacks. Declan, are you and Xandra still interested in going after Lawrence?”

  “Hell, yes!” Declan agreed coming to his feet.

  “Good. I want you to track Lawrence as best you can. Be careful. We know he’s working with hunters. Now, it seems he’s working with someone in this other pack, as well. I’m sending Chance and Wood with you.”

  Chance and Wood had been Alpha enforcers for Laramie’s father back when Laramie had been an enforcer. Now that Laramie was alpha, he’d called them back to serve again. As his enforcers. They were among the short list of people he trusted completely.

  “We can be ready to leave in the hour,” Declan assured him.

  “In the morning,” Laramie told him. “Chance and Wood just got back from taking care of something else for me. Besides, we have more stuff to go over first, and I want you all well-rested. And armed. We don’t know what you might walk into. Plus, Xandra is still sluggish on shifting. The drug Lawrence gave her to prevent her shifting ability hasn’t completely left her system.”

  “True,” Declan agreed, and Laramie squeezed his brother’s shoulder in support. Lawrence had betrayed their pack, betrayed their father and planned his murder. He was also the elder who’d taken Declan’s mate and drugged her to make her easier to control, threatening Xandra with sending one of her sisters to a hunters’ lab if she didn’t behave.

  “Now that we have that decided, let’s move back to your woman,” Milo said. “What does she need protection from?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Laramie admitted. “Malachi said everything she does is to protect those around her. That she’s more than she seems, and that she needs us more than any of us realize.”

  “I’d say we all realize how much you need her,” Koby countered, and masculine laughter filled the air.

  “She’s my mate,” Laramie growled. “I knew it the moment I saw her.”

  “Yeah, I get that,” Declan agreed. Koby nodded while Holt grinned.

  “I’m going to keep her safe,” Laramie asserted. “I can’t think of a better way to do that than having her at my side always.”

  “You just need to trick her into saying the words,” Holt told him. “Jaeda could help you with that.”

  They all laughed at the reminder of how Jaeda had tricked Holt into a mating ceremony. He hadn’t known the commitment he was making at the time, but Jaeda had. Luckily, it had all worked out, and the two were very much in love.

  “We need to talk,” Jensen said as he burst through the door. His hair was sticking out as if he’d been running his fingers through it. “Sorry, didn’t know you had a roomful.”

  “What going on?” Laramie asked. Hell, we need to talk seemed to be the mantra of his life lately.

  Jensen shrugged. “It can wait.”

  “You can talk in front of everyone here,” Laramie assured him.

  “It’s about Emersyn,” Jensen admitted.

  “Is something wrong?” Laramie demanded.

  “I noticed something when she spoke to everyone earlier. Just before she shut her eyes, they changed,” Jensen told him.

  “Changed? How?” Koby asked before Laramie could.

  Jensen shook his head. “I swear they glowed. She shut them quickly, so I didn’t get that great of a look. But I know they did. Then there’s her changing scent, the way your scent is changing, Laramie. She’s not human.”

  “What?” Declan demanded, but Laramie was already nodding. He’d suspected it from the first. Hell, he’d even gone to Jensen with his suspicions.

  “What did you discover?” Laramie demanded.

  “I’m not sure how she’s been hiding her scent, but Emersyn’s a shifter. I’m almost a hundred percent sure,” Jensen shared.

  “Bear?” Koby asked.

  “It would make sense since her father was the alpha leader of a den,” Jensen agreed. “He was a Kodiak bear, according to Rissa. Which means, no matter what she is, she should carry the Kodiak gene in her DNA.”

  “These speculations go no further than this room right now. Understood?” Laramie waited until they’d all nodded. “Hiding what she is might be part of what she needs protection from. We’ll wait for her to tell us.”

  “And if she doesn’t?” Jensen asked.

  “She will,” Laramie declared.

  “What makes you so sure?” Koby argued.

  “She’s my mate,” Laramie said again and felt the truth settle along his skin, felt it in the way his bear nudged in agreement. “She’ll come to me. Soon.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Part of Emersyn wanted to run. Just pack up the car, grab Ruby, and take off. The other part also wanted to run. To Laramie. Years of drilled in behavior fought with animal instinct. She had no idea what to do. Malachi had sent her away, telling her not to let anyone know what she was, then sabotaged her so everyone would know what she was. What the hell was she supposed to do?

  She almost ignored her phone when it started buzzing. Then she saw the number.

  “What the hell did you do?”

  Malachi had the gall to chuckle. “I see you’ve read my letter.”

  “Why, Malachi? Are you trying to finish off the rest of the Holloway pack?” she demanded. She regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. “I’m sorry.”

  He sighed. “I wanted to give you an opportunity your father never did.”

  “My father gave me everything!”

  “Your father smothered you with protection. He taught you to fear who you are by making you hide it. That’s not freedom, Em. I’m not blaming him. I know he loved you. Parenting isn’t easy. You know that as well as I do. But I won’t smother Ruby. I want her to embrace every part of herself. I want the same for you,” Malachi stated softly.

  She shook her head even though he couldn’t see it. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I’ll put everyone in danger.”

  “Em, look at what happened to our dens. Both attacked. Both alphas killed along with so many of our pack members. We get attacked simply for existing. People die. And none of it has anything to do with the bear that lies within you,” he vowed.

  “But if they know—”

  “Then they know,” Malachi stated blandly. “And nothing changes. Except you get to stop hiding.”

  “I need you here,” she begged. “Come home.”

  “Soon, Em. I have some things to do first. I’m still tugging at those threads.”

  “What threads? You keep distracting me, so I don’t ask the questions I need to
. What is it you suspect? Is Titus behind my father’s death?” she demanded.

  “I thought he was. I was almost certain. Now…I’m not so sure. He’s arrogant. But I’m starting to think he’s only guilty of stepping up when no one else would. But there’s something there. Someone in his inner circle. I just need to keep pulling on this string,” he said.

  “If anything happens to you, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself,” she vowed.

  He laughed. “I love you, too, kid.”

  “Don’t hang up yet. I need to tell you something,” she urged.

  “I know, Em,” he said softly. “I know Xandra, Sidia, and Jaeda are alive. I knew before I sent you and Ruby there. It was what finally pushed me into acting.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “It doesn’t change what I need to do. I can’t let it. We need answers. We need blood for blood. I can’t stop until we have it.”

  “We need you,” she reminded him. “Ruby and I. Your sisters. This pack. We need you.”

  “Give me a little longer, Em. Just a little longer to find where this leads,” Malachi urged.

  “I’m afraid,” she whispered, admitting the truth to him and herself.

  “Trust in yourself,” he urged. “Trust in your bear. That instinct that’s coming completely alive for the first time in your life. Listen to it.”

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  “You can do anything. Amber told me that often.”

  “I is up!” Ruby appeared in the doorway then ran toward Emersyn when she saw the phone in her hand. “Is it Daddy?”

  Emersyn put Malachi on speaker.

  “Hey, baby bear.”

  “Daddy!” Ruby screamed. “I gots you pwesents. I yike my beawr bestest of ayl.”

  “I thought you might. I miss you.”

  “I misses you yots and yots. They’s twyin to take me away from Mama. I don’t yikes them,” Ruby babbled, reminding Emersyn of what she hadn’t shared.

  “They? What? No one’s taking you away from Mama Em, baby. Em?”

  “I handled it, Malachi. A little misunderstanding between your sisters and me,” she assured him.

  Silence greeted her.

  “Malachi?”

  “Daddy?” Ruby asked, peering at the phone.

  “I’m here. If anyone says anything to you again that scares you, you tell them your daddy will eat them up like a big, mad, papa bear,” Malachi told Ruby.

  “Malachi,” Emersyn warned while Ruby rolled on the bed, hands cupped over her mouth while she giggled.

  “I says it,” she agreed, and Emersyn couldn’t help but smile.

  “I love you, baby bear.”

  “I yove you, Daddy beawr,” Ruby promised.

  “Take a chance, Em,” Malachi urged. “You have everything to gain.”

  Somehow, she thought he knew about her and Laramie. It made her wonder who he was talking to and getting information from.

  “Stay safe,” she ordered.

  “Daddy ‘tect Daddy, and Wuby ‘tect Mama,” Ruby declared.

  “That’s right,” Malachi agreed. “Now, be good. I’ll be there soon.”

  He disconnected before they could say anything else, and Ruby giggled again. “Daddy say you be good.”

  “I think that was for you,” Emersyn challenged as she tickled the little girl, bringing more laughter to fill the air.

  When she finally stopped, Ruby snuggled close, throwing an arm over Emersyn’s chest.

  “I stay with Mama furevew and evew.”

  “Forever and ever,” Emersyn agreed. When she glanced down, she realized Ruby had fallen back to sleep. She really hadn’t slept that long in the other room.

  Wrapping her arms around Ruby, she closed her eyes and breathed in the scent of her baby girl. Malachi’s words played over and over in her head. She didn’t want to run. She wanted to stay. And she wanted Laramie. The question was whether or not she had the courage to stay?

  She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she awoke. She knew immediately she and Ruby weren’t alone. She also knew who was in the room.

  “How did you get in?” she asked him softly.

  “My cabins,” Laramie answered just as softly. “Besides, I’ll always find a way to get to you.”

  She wasn’t sure what to say to that. Instead, she eased herself away from Ruby, tugging the pillows in place and motioning Laramie to precede her out of the room before pulling the door closed behind them.

  “What do you want, Laramie?”

  He moved into her, pinning her against the wall as his lips beelined for her neck. One strong palm cupped her breast, thumb and forefinger plucking at the nipple while he nipped and sucked his way up the arched column toward her jawline then her lips. He took her under quickly, drowning her in a sea of lust and need that robbed her of everything but him.

  She didn’t realize he’d partially stripped her until he went to his knees in front of her and buried his face between her thighs. He jerked one foot out of her jeans and underwear and lifted the leg over his shoulder. She buried her hands in his hair, clenching and kneading his scalp with her fingertips as he licked from her clit down to her opening. He paused to fuck her sheath with his tongue before heading back up to flick his tongue against her clit.

  “Laramie,” she moaned, struggling to stay quiet enough not to disturb Ruby.

  He ate her sex while fucking her with his fingers. It didn’t take long to have her coming. He never stopped, working her higher, making her come even harder. Then he pressed until she came yet again.

  Her legs were weak, his hold the only thing keeping her upright. He planted a sucking kiss on her inner thigh then stood, lifting her and turning until she was bent over the back of the couch. She heard his zipper, felt the head of his cock as he ran it along her drenched folds, coating it in her juices before pressing into her. One hard thrust buried him deep. He gripped her hips tightly and fucked her as if he were a man possessed or a man who wanted to possess. Her.

  She held on, held tight. He pounded her sex, growling and grunting before giving a low moan as he emptied inside her. His dick stayed hard. He tugged free only to lift her again. This time, he laid her on the couch, removing the remnants of her clothes as he did. He came over her, forcing her thighs wider as he thrust into her again. He was slow but no less thorough this time, dividing his kisses between her face and breasts.

  “I need you, Em,” he whispered at her ear. “I can’t let you leave me. Not now. Not ever.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t speak. Just listen,” he ordered, pressing his fingers over her mouth. “You belong with me. We belong together. I knew it the moment I saw you. I don’t care if you’re human. I don’t care what you are. I want you any way I can have you. If you try to leave, I’ll follow you. I’ll find you no matter where you go. I’ll always find you. You’re a part of me, Em. Here.” He patted his chest, over his heart. “Feel the way we fit together.” He thrust deep and held still as if emphasizing his words. “You were made for me and only me.”

  “Laramie,” she tried to speak again, but he cut her off with a kiss. That easily, he had her blood thrumming again. She lifted her knees to clasp along his hips, her arms wrapping under his arms to grip his shoulders tightly. It was hard and fast. He demanded everything she had, and she knew in that moment she wasn’t leaving. This was what she wanted. He was what she wanted. She was still a little afraid, but she’d figure out how to tell him the truth. Soon.

  He swallowed her cries when she came again then buried his face in her neck, biting down on her flesh to muffle his growl of pleasure. Warmth filled her belly as he overflowed her womb, his seed spilling out between them to coat her thighs and drip down between her ass cheeks. This was how she wanted to spend her days and nights. Wrapped in him. Joined with him. Alive. So very much alive.

  She didn’t want him to move, to pull free of her body, and thankful
ly, he seemed just as reluctant. They lay together for a long moment, hearts beating frantically as they slowly came down from the sexual high. When he lifted his head, she leaned in to place kisses along his throat, to nuzzle against him, breathing him in.

  He glanced down at her, blue eyes glowing, expression fierce. She waited for him to say something, to demand something, but he merely watched her as if daring her to challenge him. She would. Many times, most likely. But not in this. Not in them being together. When he finally pulled away and stood, she sat up on the sofa. Laramie tucked and zipped then reached down to stroke a finger along her check.

  “Shower, get dressed and meet me at the house for dinner.”

  It was an order, one she intended to follow, but there was no need for him to know that.

  “Are you asking me or telling me?” she queried.

  He lifted a brow, but a smile pulled at one side of his lips. “Telling,” he admitted with a shrug. “I’m the alpha.” He reached down and pulled her to her feet, pressing her against him and dropping a hard kiss on her mouth.

  “Hurry,” he ordered. “And pack your things and bring them with you. I don’t like you being away from me.”

  “No.”

  He kissed her again, cutting off her words.

  “The answer is still no,” she whispered when he finally allowed her to breathe. “Ruby and I will come to the lodge for dinner, but we’ll be sleeping here tonight.”

  “Then I’ll join you here,” he stated.

  “Laramie—”

  “Those are the only two options, Em,” he vowed with all his arrogance showing.

  She shook her head. “You don’t always get what you want.”

  “I will in this. I’ve let you lead me in circles since you got here. No more. You’re mine, Emersyn Langston. Mine. I’ll have the words from you before the end of the night.”

  She knew the words he wanted, but she wasn’t quite ready to say them. There were other things they needed to discuss. So, she gave him the words she felt he always said to her.

  “We need to talk.”

  He grinned, shaking his head before laughing aloud. “And we will.” He patted her ass, gave her another of his hard, possessive kisses, then turned and headed toward the door. “And make no mistake, Em. You belong here, with me. We both know it. I’ll have the words. And you. Tonight.”