Kodiak's Heart Read online

  Kodiak’s Heart

  Awakening Pride: The Holloways

  By Lacey Thorn

  Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

  www.supernovaindie.com

  Powered by Your Imagination

  Contents

  Contents

  Kodiak’s Heart

  Copyright

  Thank You!

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  About the Author

  Lacey’s Booklist

  Kodiak’s Heart

  by

  Lacey Thorn

  For love or duty?

  Emersyn Langston has been through hell, and she’s not going to stop until she gets some answers. Her last hope – find the Holloway brothers and seek their protection for her and her ward. To make that happen, she’ll have to hide the truth about what she is.

  Laramie Holloway is determined to protect the surviving females of his pack. Before he can work out a way to do it, a blonde dynamo barrels onto his land requesting protection and upending his life.

  Both he and his bear know she belongs to them. Only problem is she’s human, a definite no when it comes to the alpha’s mate. What can he do when his alpha duty will shatter his Kodiak’s heart?

  Copyright

  © 2019, Lacey Thorn

  Kodiak’s Heart

  Edited by Michele Paulin (Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC)

  Formatting by Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

  Cover Art by Supernova Indie Publishing Services, LLC

  Published by Lacey Thorn Publishing

  Oklahoma City, Ok 73160

  Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-949795-40-0

  Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Electronic Release: May 2019

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

  Thank You!

  Dear Readers,

  Thank you for your purchase of Kodiak’s Heart. I hope you enjoyed the story and will consider leaving a review at the eBook retailer website where you made your purchase. Reviews are a key way to help other readers find books and authors. Please consider taking a moment to rate and review Kodiak’s Heart!

  I love hearing from readers! Please visit me on my website at http://laceythorn.com where you can sign up for my newsletter or contact me at [email protected]. For a complete list of where to find me on the internet, please visit my website.

  Happy reading!

  Dedication

  To Dr. Pepper and M&Ms. Thanks for keeping me company all those late nights I stayed up writing.

  Chapter One

  “Mama Em.”

  Emersyn Langston glanced up as her little girl called her name. Once the precocious four-year-old knew she had the attention she sought, she flew into the room and pounced on Emersyn’s lap.

  “You’re supposed to be tucked in your bed, fast asleep,” Emersyn, Em to her family, scolded softly while her fingers danced across the little girl’s ribs, bringing peals of giggles to fill the room.

  “I not seepy,” Ruby told her then yawned hugely before bringing up her fists to rub her eyes.

  “Hmm, I can see that,” Em agreed before grabbing the throw off the back of the couch and tucking it around the little girl in her arms. Gingerly, she brushed long, blonde curls off Ruby’s face and tucked them behind her ear. Big, green eyes blinked up at her before dropping closed as Ruby tucked her thumb into her mouth.

  Em held her close, stroking her hair. For the millionth time, she wished her cousin had lived to see her daughter grow up. It had been bad luck that Amber had gone into labor during the attacks that had taken out many of their den. Her cousin’s mate, Malachi Blackstone, had nearly lost his life trying to protect Em’s father. To no avail. The pack alpha, Emory Langston, had been viciously killed, his head severed from his body. Fucking hunters and their quest to eliminate all shifters.

  Em suppressed a whimper but wasn’t surprised when Ruby snuggled closer, one hand reaching up to grip the strap of Em’s tank top. The little girl had a way of knowing when Em was upset, no matter how hard Em tried to hide it. Malachi said it was because Em was the only mom his daughter had ever known. Sometimes, the only parent, thanks to the war hunters kept bringing to their door.

  In the aftermath of the alpha’s death, the den had splintered. Most of those who’d remained took Titus Walker as their new alpha. Emersyn had not. She didn’t trust something about the other male. He’d come by a few times, under the guise of offering his condolences or because he was checking on her. She knew better. Titus had sniffed her out, smiling the entire time. Though the scent of his lust had thickened the air around them, he’d left her alone. If he’d had any idea she wasn’t the human female she appeared to be, she had little doubt he’d have tried to force her to mate him.

  Thankfully, the pheromone blockers she took prevented anyone from knowing what she was. Another bear shifter would only know she was more by tasting her blood. That would never happen. Even without him knowing what she truly was, Em believed Titus would have tried to force her to mate if Malachi hadn’t been with her. Human or not, she was the alpha’s daughter and many still looked to her for guidance. Titus knew that. But the scent of another clung to Em’s skin. Malachi’s. Titus couldn’t challenge that. He didn’t know the only reason Em’s skin wore the scent was from Ruby. The little girl would carry her parent’s scent until she was older and hit puberty. Then she’d develop her own unique scent. For now, the baby rubbed against the woman she thought of as her mother, thus marking Em as hers.

  Em was hers. Just as much as Ruby was Em’s. She’d die to protect Ruby. Even more, she’d kill. Amber had been like Em’s sister. The two of them had been inseparable as kids.

  Ruby was the only reason Em had stayed on her feet after losing her father and Amber at the same time. Malachi hadn’t been so lucky. On the heels of discovering his pack in Wyoming had also been attacked and his entire family had been killed, he’d lost his mate. It broke him. His sole mission had become finding the person responsible. Anyone could see his love for Ruby, but his self-imposed duty kept him away for long periods, leaving Ruby and Em alone.

  He was fueled by vengeance. He’d spent the time since Amber’s death searching for answers. Why the attack had happened? Who was behind it? He believed the assaults on the two bear dens were related. At first, Em hadn’t seen how. One den was in Wyoming while the other was in Washington. Plus, other than Malachi, they had nothing in common. Emory Langston had ruled the Washington den while Mathew Holloway had ruled the Wyoming den. Though the two had been thought to be the last of the Kodiaks, they’d never met to Em’s knowledge. Malachi had shared the existence of the other den with them when he’d arrived, urging Emory to reach out to the Holloway alpha. Whether he ever had or not, she’d never know. Both men had died in similar attacks. It was too much of a co
incidence not to be related.

  Ruby snuggled closer, and Em couldn’t resist placing a kiss on her baby-soft cheek. The little girl was the perfect combination of her parents. Amber’s blonde curls, a Langston staple, and Malachi’s green eyes. Em liked to think Ruby got her curiosity and general orneriness from her.

  “Sometimes, when I see the two of you like that, it’s hard to remember you’re not the one who gave birth to her. You and my mate could have been twins.” Malachi’s voice was soft as he entered, and when Em glanced up, she saw open grief on his face. Something else was there, too. Fear. She saw it in his stiff posture.

  “Malachi, what’s wrong?”

  “I need you to do something for me.” His gaze never wavered from his daughter. “I’ve found a string I need to tug. It won’t be safe for either of you when I do.”

  She tensed as awareness washed over her, and Ruby whimpered, burying her nose into Em’s neck until Em forced her body to relax again. “You know who killed my father?”

  “Hunters killed your father. Same as they killed my family. You know that,” Malachi stated, but she saw the truth in his eyes. Technically, hunters had been the ones to attack, but he believed the same as she did. The betrayal had to have come from someone within their den. Someone who knew exactly when and where to attack.

  “Who?” Her voice remained soft in deference to the sleeping child in her arms, but there was no denying the alpha demand behind it. She was her father’s daughter.

  “When I’m sure, you’ll know,” Malachi said. “I need you to take Ruby and go to Wyoming.”

  “Wyoming?” Her mind spun. “The Holloways? Why would you send us there?”

  “Because Laramie Holloway has just declared himself alpha and has commanded every member of our pack to appear.”

  “I’m not a member of your den.”

  “Ruby is, and as her surrogate mother, so are you.”

  “Malachi…”

  The sorrow in his gaze nearly tore her apart. How dangerous was this avenue he intended to pursue?

  “I’ve lost everything, Em. My mate. My family. Ruby’s all I have left. Please, help me protect her. Please.” His voice broke as if the plea cost him greatly.

  “You know I’d do anything for Ruby,” she reminded him.

  “Then pack. I need the two of you to leave as soon as possible. Tonight. Stop only to rest.”

  “Malachi, you’re scaring me. Talk to me. What is it you think you’ve found?”

  He moved closer as if drawn by his daughter. “A connection.”

  “Who?” she whispered. She had her suspicions. Had always had them.

  “When I’m sure, you’ll know. For now, it’s safer if you don’t.”

  “Damn it, Malachi!”

  “Dam nit, Daddy.” Ruby’s eyes blinked open as she repeated Em’s words.

  Malachi dropped down beside them and held open his arms. “Come here, baby bear.”

  Ruby wiggled until she could bounce onto her father’s lap, immediately latching her arms around his neck and burrowing into him. Bliss crossed his face as he wrapped his daughter in his embrace.

  “How do you feel about going on an adventure?” he asked Ruby.

  “Venture,” she mumbled against his chest.

  “Yes,” he agreed, but his gaze snapped to Em as she stood and paced around the couch. “You’re going to go stay with Daddy’s pack for a bit.”

  The little head lifted, and Em bit her lip at the calculating look Ruby gave her father. “Daddy, Wuby, and Mama Em?”

  He shook his head, and Ruby’s bottom lip trembled. Em’s heart softened, and she would have stepped toward Ruby, but Malachi shook his head.

  “You and Mama Em,” he corrected. “Daddy has something to do first. Then I’ll meet you there. I’ll show you were I grew up. The trees I once climbed. The woods where my sisters and I ran and played.” His voice broke slightly when he mentioned his sisters and Em knew he still grieved their loss. He’d had four sisters. Xandra, the twins, Jaeda and Sidia, and the youngest, Saphira. They’d all been killed when his pack had been attacked. His siblings along with his parents.

  Em reached out and placed her hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. She understood the grief of losing your whole family. Her father and cousin had been hers.

  “Don’t wanna go way.” The little girl pouted, putting that bottom lip to good work with a quiver while her eyes grew luminous with unshed tears. Unfortunately, her father wasn’t as much of a softie as Em was.

  “You’re going,” Malachi said, his tone firm. “I need you to keep Mama Em safe for me. I can count on you to do that, can’t I?”

  Em almost snorted at the ludicrous thought of the baby black bear keeping her safe. Ruby’s little face scrunched up in a scowl as a growl sounded in her chest.

  “I ‘tect Mama!” she exclaimed.

  “That’s my girl,” Malachi said. “I knew I could count on you.”

  The little girl nodded, all big eyes and ears as she took in her mission. Then she leaned in and cupped her father’s face in her small hands.

  “Daddy keep Daddy safe fow Wuby,” she told him. Then when he nodded she continued. “I counting on you, too.”

  Em’s heart leapt at the too serious expression on her baby’s face. Her heart broke for the childhood Ruby had been denied because of the viciousness of the attack. Amber should have given birth surrounded by family. Her husband at her side. The three of them should have been a family.

  Malachi lifted a hand, pinkie finger extended, and after a brief glance, Ruby wrapped three fingers around it.

  “Pinkie pwomise,” she swore.

  “Pinkie promise,” Malachi agreed. He dropped a kiss on her brow then lifted her off his lap. “Go pick out what you want to take with you. I’ll be there in a minute to help.”

  “I taking my pweety pink boots,” Ruby vowed as she took off out of the room.

  Malachi leaned back his head and closed his eyes. After a brief moment, Em circled back around the couch and sat beside him. Without lifting his head, he found her hand and clasped her fingers, giving them a squeeze.

  “Ruby’s not all you have left,” she reminded him.

  “I know,” he agreed. “I need to know you’re both safe.”

  “I need to know you’ll protect yourself,” she fired back softly. “We need you. Ruby and I. So don’t do anything stupid.”

  “Not in my plan,” he promised. “I need you to be smart, too.”

  “With the Holloways?”

  “Don’t let them know what you are,” he warned.

  “You don’t trust them?”

  “I do. With my daughter’s life. She’s four. You’re twenty-four. The last of your kind. An alpha’s daughter with the mightiest of bear spirits inside. You’d be a prize to any man who could claim you.”

  “You think they’d try to force a mating?” She knew Titus would have if he’d had any clue just what she was. “That I wouldn’t be able to stop it without you there to back me?”

  Malachi’s head lifted, and a real smile touched his lips. “I think I wish I could be there when Laramie Holloway meets you. Even without him knowing what you are, I think you’ll knock the new alpha on his ass.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question,” Em argued.

  “You know why you need to keep it secret. You’re your father’s daughter. The only Kodiak female in existence. If word got out, a forced mating would be the least of your worries, and we both know it.”

  She did know. The importance of hiding it had been drilled into Em her entire life. If knowledge of what she was surfaced, she’d become the most hunted shifter in existence. She’d never be safe, and she’d bring that danger to the door of anyone who tried to help her. Malachi. Ruby. Em would take the secret of what she was to her grave to protect those she loved.

  “I won’t let the Holloways know what I am,” she promised.

  Malachi blew out a
deep breath and shook his head. “Hell, maybe, your dad had it all wrong. Maybe, you shouldn’t be hiding. Maybe, you should be searching for a man powerful enough to keep you safe.” He gave her a thoughtful look. “Maybe, the best thing would be Laramie Holloway mating you.”

  “Not without my consent,” she stated with a growl as her bear pressed against her skin.

  “If you don’t guard your temper, those eyes of yours will give you away. Besides, I don’t remember Laramie as the type of man who’d force a woman to be his mate,” Malachi assured her. “Just guard those expressive eyes of yours.”

  Her father had often told her the same. Her pale, blue eyes glowed iridescent when her bear rose to the surface. A dead giveaway, even to a human, that she was more than she seemed.

  “I’ll do my best to appear the perfect picture of a weak human seeking protection.” She batted her eyes, trying to resemble her remarks.

  Malachi laughed. “I don’t think you could look weak and helpless if you tried. Ask to speak to Laramie. Only Laramie. Tell him I sent you. I promised I’d call when I left him a message, and I will. But not as quickly as I thought. Tell them Ruby is mine. They’ll smell me on her and her on you. He might assume you’re my mate. I’ll leave the truth of that up to your discretion.”

  “You want me to pretend to be your mate?” Em questioned.

  “If you feel the need to use my name as protection,” Malachi offered with a shrug.

  Em shook her head. “They’ll accept us because Ruby’s your daughter.”

  “And you’re her mother,” Malachi added.

  “Amber—”

  “Is gone,” Malachi interrupted. “We both need to accept that. I’ll do my duty and avenge her, avenge your father and my family. Then my sole focus will be that little bear in there. Even then, you’ll be her mother. You’ve been her mama in every way that matters since the moment she was born. Amber wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”