Kodiak's Heart

by Lacey Thorn

Her cheeks hollowed out. She took more of him in. Then more until he felt the constriction of the back of her throat as she gagged slightly on him. She eased back then took him deep again. Christ! She had his balls tight with the need for release.

  “I’m going to come. I want to see it in your mouth, watch it slide over your chin, coat your tits. Then I’m going to put you on that bed, bend you over and fuck you.”

  She moaned, the vibration of sound making his cock jerk, and some of his seed leak from the tip. She slurped it up and kept going, moving faster. She’d dropped one hand between her legs, and he knew she was fingering herself while she sucked him. It was erotic. He planned to suck those fingers clean. Then suck her pussy until she came on his face. Only then would he flip her around and fuck her hard.

  “Fuck, yes,” he moaned, taking over and fucking into her mouth. “Are you dripping for me? I bet those fingers are coated. Finish me off, and I’ll take over. Make that pretty, little pussy come hard before I shove my dick inside.”

  She moaned again, long and low, with his cock at her throat. He growled as he came, continuing to fuck, watching his seed do exactly as he’d described to her, sliding down her chin to drip onto her breasts. It was a sight he could get used to. His cock was still coming when he bent to grasp her under the arms and pull her up. He sat her on the mattress then dropped to his knees, burying his head between her thighs and tasting the cream that glistened on her folds.

  Her fingers wound through his hair, gripping him and urging him closer. He chuckled then gave her what she needed. Dipping a finger inside, he took her clit between his lips and rubbed his tongue over the taut bud. She moaned and thrashed, making those sexy sounds in her throat that made his dick hard. Her body tensed, going tight as a bow, and he latched onto her clit, greedily sucking at it.

  She came with a cry, her juices coating his fingers. He pulled them free, replacing them with his mouth, drinking her down, using his tongue to press for more. Tasting her only made him want her again. He stood, rolling her to her stomach and urging her up onto her knees. He placed a knee on the bed, gripped her around the waist and moved her upward on the bed so he could join her. He trailed a finger from the small of her back to her shoulders, flattening his hand and pressing until she lowered her chest toward the mattress.

  He glided his hands back down along her sides until he gripped her hips. He nudged her knees wider, settling into place between them. His cock brushed against her ass. He let it slip between her cheeks, reminding them both of his promise to claim her everywhere before the night ended. He gripped his cock, sliding it lower until he lodged it at the snug entrance to her pussy. Slowly, he thrust inside her, relishing the tight grip of her flesh as he surged deep. Enjoying the way she squeezed around him, gripping him tightly as he eased back only to stroke deep again.

  He was beyond words. He wanted to give them to her. To tell her how perfect she was. How beautiful she was. How right they were. But there’d be time for talking later. He rode her hard then slowed down, being easy until the urge to pound was too urgent to resist. He made her come, her juices dripping over his cock to coat his balls and thighs. Then he made her come again and a third time. Back and forth he went, until she was whimpering and begging beneath him. Only then did he give in, coming with a roar, his seed erupting from his cockhead in hard jerks as he continued to fuck. He pulled out his cock, pressing the head against her anus until it barely breached, coating her with his seed there. She’d need more preparation before he took her there, and he would. But not yet.

  She cried out, jerking against him, and managed to force more of his tip into her ass. He growled as more semen shot out. He wrapped his hand around the shaft and jacked it until he was empty. He tugged free of her grip then dropped to the bed beside her, pulling her so that she lay half on his chest. They said nothing for the longest time. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he was content to wait until she spoke.

  “I was told my whole life to hide what I am,” she whispered, her breath tickling across his nipple. “I’m a Kodiak female. The last of my kind. My father drilled it into me that I’d forever be hunted if anyone knew. That those around me would never be safe. He had me on pheromone blockers from the time my scent began surfacing. I was to be human, and that was all I could ever be.”

  His chest rumbled with anger, and his mate rubbed her check against him. One hand stroked through his chest hair as she tried to soothe him. He was livid that her father had forced that on her. To hide who she was. To be made to feel as if she was somehow dangerous to her own kind.

  “No father should ever treat his child that way,” he reprimanded.

  “He loved me. He was only trying to protect me.”

  He cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “When we have a daughter, if she’s blessed with a Kodiak, I’ll teach her to be strong and fierce. To be an alpha, the daughter of two alphas. I’ll be damned if I teach her to hide, to be afraid. I’ll be damned if you do that either.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t. Malachi made me see that with Ruby. Oh, my God. Ruby! I need to go to her, make sure she’s okay.” She tried to pull away, and he switched their positions so he half lay on her, keeping her in the bed.

  “You need to put yourself first for the first time in your life. Ruby is fine. She’s surrounded by people who love her and will take care of her. The two of you aren’t alone anymore.” He waited until she settled down then continued. “Was that the first time you’ve shifted?”

  She shook her head. “My dad took me away, just the two of us, a few times. I was able to shift then and run free. Then we’d go back. But I haven’t had the opportunity in years. Even before my father was killed.”

  He wondered if she caught the sadness in her voice. He did. It made him even angrier to know her father had let her have a taste of what she could be then sentenced her to hide in plain sight. Didn’t he once think about what he put her through? It was one thing to want to protect your child. It was another to suffocate them.

  “You’ll never hide who you are again. Never, Em. No more pheromone blockers. You can change into your bear anytime you want. I’ll show you the boundaries of our land. You’ll be safe here. I’ve gotten a reputation among hunters. They know not to come on my land. Any hunter who does dies. No questions.”

  She nodded. “I… It may take some getting used to. I’ve had a lifetime of not revealing who I am. It may take me a bit to learn to be comfortable in my own skin.”

  “You looked pretty comfortable earlier,” he teased. “Fierce. You made me so fucking proud. And hard. Christ! It was all I could do not to mount and fuck you in the middle of the woods.”

  “Maybe, next time,” she offered, rubbing her lips over his nipple.

  “Careful, love. I’m not sure you’re ready for more yet.”

  She nipped him with her teeth. “I’ll always be ready for you.”

  He groaned. “Talk first. Why was Natalie taking Ruby?”

  Emersyn tensed. “She planned to use her to try to control Malachi. I guess he’s been sending people this way.”

  “Yes,” Laramie agreed. “He called and told me. Said if I could convince you to stay, the Washington den would stay, also.”

  “God, Laramie. I left them. Rissa called me out on it. Said I isolated myself with Malachi and Ruby when my dad and Amber died. I pulled away from the pack and walked away. She was right.”

  “You were grieving,” he assured her, stroking his palm along her back.

  “Did you do that when you grieved your father?” she asked.

  “It’s not the same,” he told her.

  “If you say it’s because I’m a woman,” she began, but he shook his head.

  “I had six younger brothers who looked to me to fill our father’s shoes. Then the attacks happened right after. I had no choice but to step in. There were those who said I never officially proclaimed myself alpha. And maybe, I didn’t with words. But I di
d with my actions. I stepped in, stepped up, and did my best to help this den heal. When it seemed all of our women had been killed off, what was the point in words?”

  “In Washington, the attacks happened all at once. My father and all of his enforcers were ambushed. Someone managed to call for help. Malachi was barely alive when they arrived. It was weeks before he awoke. Then I had to tell him the others hadn’t survived, introduce him to his daughter and explain that Amber had died during childbirth.”

  “That’s a lot to ask of anyone,” Laramie soothed.

  “Natalie said she was with Amber when she went into labor. That she left her and Ruby to die. Natalie had to die for that alone.”

  “She did,” he agreed, sensing she needed his reassurance she’d done the right thing. “I heard her talking about Titus, the new alpha in Washington. Do you think he had anything to do with the attacks?”

  She shook her head, paused as she looked thoughtful, then shook her head again. “No. Malachi said as much when we spoke. For all Titus’ faults, I don’t believe he would have killed my father or the others. He had friends who died that day. Close friends, Laramie. He grieved with the rest of us. He’s arrogant, but as Rissa pointed out, he stepped up to lead when no one else would.”

  “Let me tell you this. The man responsible for planning the attacks on our den is Lawrence Walker.”

  Her eyes widened as her mouth dropped open. “Walker as in Titus Walker? The bear who took my dad’s place? I have to let Malachi know!”

  “Malachi knows. I don’t know if Titus was in on it or not, but we’ll find out. And if he’s as guilty as Lawrence is, then he’ll pay the same price.”

  “You’re going to kill him,” Emersyn said.

  “My plan was to let those who were left without the chance of a mate strike the blows, but knowing there are females still alive, from this den as well as the one in Washington, makes me wonder about that. Either way. He will die. I won’t abide a traitor.” On that he was certain.

  “There are plenty of females in our den, Laramie. If Malachi is sending them this way, there won’t be a problem with finding mates.”

  “Speaking of people from there. What about Rissa and Adam?” Laramie asked. “They came here with Natalie.”

  “I can’t see either of them being a part of Natalie’s plan, but I never would have thought Natalie capable of what she did, either. But…Malachi sent them here.”

  “Actually, Malachi sent Rissa and Adam here. He didn’t know Natalie was with them. Seemed surprised when I told him and told me to keep an eye on her. I already had one of my enforcers watching her. I’m glad I did. He was already in place to intervene when you went after her.”

  “I didn’t see him, but it wouldn’t have mattered,” she admitted. “Ruby is my daughter, Laramie. She’ll always be my daughter, and I will protect her.”

  “I know that. She’s come to mean a lot to me. I’m grateful Malachi entrusted me with her safety. And yours.”

  She laughed. “Malachi sent me here to find a mate.”

  “What?” Laramie asked.

  “It was all in the letter he sent me. He wanted to give me a chance to stop hiding. He said my father never wanted me to be alone. That he’d just never found a man worthy of me. Malachi said he sent me to a place where there were men worthy of me.” She sat up beside him on the bed. “And he did. I’ve never met a man like you. You had me going in circles from the moment I arrived.”

  “I believe that’s my line,” Laramie said with a chuckle.

  “Malachi has given me the two greatest gifts of my life,” Emersyn whispered. “First Ruby. Allowing me to step in for Amber and be a mother to her daughter. Then sending me here. To you.”

  “We both owe him for that,” Laramie agreed, moving until he rested between her thighs again. Thrusting inside, he continued, “I’m never letting you go, Em. You gave me the words.”

  “You demanded them,” she reminded him with a grin.

  “Semantics,” he informed her, watching her eyes take on a sultry look as he rocked his hips back and forth. “You gave them. Soon, we’ll have a formal ceremony. The entire den will be here to show their respect to the chosen mate of the alpha.”

  “I’d like to wait until Malachi’s with us.”

  He understood her wanting her best friend with her even if he suspected Malachi would do a lot of gloating that he’d been right.

  “We’ll put it off for now. But soon, Em. I want there to be no doubt anywhere that you’re my mate.” He emphasized his words with a hard thrust.

  “It won’t always be easy between us,” she warned with a groan, and he laughed.

  “Trust me. I’ve known that from the moment we met.”

  “I’m serious, Laramie.” She groaned again, lifting her knees to clasp his hips. “Why are we having this discussion now?”

  He chuckled. “Having trouble concentrating, love?”

  “Yes,” she hissed, leaning up to nip his jaw. “Talk later.”

  “First, I need your word on something,” he urged. He had one hand planted on the bed while the other cupped her ass, helping her meet his thrusts.

  “What?” she demanded.

  “No matter how mad you get at me. We work it out. Yell at me. Hit me. Do whatever you need to do, but it doesn’t go to bed with us. And we will be together in bed, every night for the rest of our lives,” he informed her.

  “Agreed,” she vowed. “Now, shut up and fuck me.”

  His chuckle turned into a groan as she nipped him again. Her nails clenched in his shoulders as she urged him to ride her faster. He dropped to the bed, blanketing her body with his, giving her most of his weight. She growled as she rubbed her face against his neck. Marking him. Claiming him. Maybe, even needing him as he needed her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Laramie had made them shower again before he’d agreed to head back to the main lodge. There’d been fresh clothes left in a bag on the porch for them, and the scent lingering on the bag let Emersyn know it was Matheus she had to thank. She was eager to find Ruby and see for herself that her little girl was okay. It was late though, and she didn’t expect Ruby to still be awake. Emersyn also wanted to thank Xandra. Whatever their differences, Xandra had stepped in and helped when she was needed.

  It was quiet when they entered the house.

  “Let’s go check the kitchen,” Laramie said, tugging her through the dining room. “I’m starving. You?”

  She dropped her gaze to the ever-present bulge in his jeans and grinned. “I could eat.”

  “Woman, you’ll be the death of me,” he growled, pulling her close and kissing her breathless.

  She was still reeling when he tugged her the rest of the way into the kitchen. Neither of them were prepared for the group that seemed to be waiting for them. All of his brothers were there, along with Holt, Jaeda, and Sidia. They all stood when Laramie and Emersyn entered.

  Matheus was the first one to step forward. He had a huge grin on his face. “Welcome to the family, Em.” He hugged her tight, lifting her off her feet as he squeezed.

  Slade was next, wrapping her in a hard hug. “Welcome!”

  Brock gave her a one arm hug. “Hell, I didn’t even know there were any female Kodiaks in existence.”

  “My dad believed I was the last one,” she admitted.

  “Makes sense he’d want to hide you then,” Jensen said, drawing her attention to him.

  “What?” There was no way Laramie had the opportunity to tell his brothers what she’d shared yet. How could Jensen know that?

  “If he hadn’t hidden you, we would have heard about you,” Jensen stated. “You’d have had every male bear beating down the door to try to win you for a mate.”

  Laramie growled.

  “Instead,” Jensen continued, “you got stuck with the head… What is it Xandra used to describe us, Declan? Hollow-dickhead?”

  Emersyn laughed. She could easil
y imagine the other woman firing that out when in a temper. “Fitting,” she assured them, and Laramie hauled her up against him with another growl.

  “For the record, Declan and Laramie are the dickheads,” Koby assured her, but his mate’s laugh led Emersyn to believe otherwise.

  “They all have their moments,” Holt told her while Jaeda nodded in agreement from her spot snuggled against her mate.

  “Now, wait a minute,” Declan argued. “Laramie, I’ll give you, but not me. I’m practically a saint.”

  They all burst into laughter. The comradery was easy to see. The only alpha she’d ever seen was her father. She’d never seen him relax with anyone the way Laramie did with his family. Her mate might be alpha, but he didn’t hold himself apart from the others the way her father always had. They joked and teased and laughed, including her and the other mates in it. They were obviously very close to one another. She wanted so badly to be one of them. Wanted this type of family bond for Ruby and Malachi.

  “Where’s Ruby?” she asked.

  “She hasn’t left Xandra since the incident in the woods. My mate got her cleaned up and fed. Then took her to Laramie’s room. When I was there, about ten minutes ago, they’d both fallen asleep,” Declan said. “She won’t hurt her, Em.”

  “I know,” Emersyn assured him. “She was there when I needed her help. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

  He nodded as if he’d needed to know she understood.

  “Eat first, Em,” Laramie ordered, dropping a kiss on her brow before moving toward the stove.

  “There are two plates keeping warm,” Koby told them. “I loaded them up. Figured you’d be starving after everything.”

  Warmth flush Emersyn from head to toe. Was he talking about all the sex she and Laramie had indulged in?

  “I believe my mate was referring to your shifting,” Sidia told her with a grin then winked. “But I’m sure what you’re thinking of helped.”

  They all laughed again.

  “You’ll have to get used to it,” Matheus said at her side. “I swear nothing is sacred in this family.”