Page 40 of Kodiak's Heart

Chapter Thirteen

Laramie tossed the letter aside and headed toward the door. Hand on the knob, he paused. He wanted to head to the cabin and demand answers from Emersyn. What did Malachi mean? Why was she trying to protect everyone? What type of danger was she hiding from? He needed answers, and the one thing he knew was he wouldn’t get them from Em. Not when it was all he could do to keep his hands off her when they were together.

He grabbed his phone, shot out a group text then headed upstairs. There was no containing his growl of displeasure when Jemma stepped out in front of him.

“Not now,” he snapped as he tried to move past her.

As if she hadn’t heard him, she threw herself against him, wrapping around him and rubbing. The touch made him ill. His skin felt irritated where she rested against him.

“I understand you have needs, alpha. I’m willing to meet them for you. You don’t need to lower yourself to fucking around with a human. She’s beneath you, and I’m right here.”

He growled, snatching her wrists and forcing her away from him. “Listen to me. I want no misunderstanding. You will stop this. Now. Let me be perfectly clear, so this ends here. You’re not my mate. I don’t want you. I told you when you arrived here you’d always be welcome in my home. Don’t make me regret that, Jemma.” He released her and turned to walk away. He’d had enough of the girl and her silly attempts at seduction or whatever it was she was doing.

Fletch and Milo were in his office when he got there along with Koby, Holt and Declan.

“What’s up?” Koby asked as soon as he entered.

“Titus Walker,” Laramie said.

“Who’s that?” Declan asked.

“Walker,” Holt repeated, making the connection immediately.

“Malachi sent me a letter with the trio he sent our way. Some interesting things in the letter,” Laramie told them.

“Emersyn’s father was the alpha of the pack.” Koby brought up. Laramie had wondered who would mention it. “Maybe that’s what you’ve been picking up on that the rest of us didn’t.”

“I’m picking up on the fact she’s my mate,” Laramie stated with a growl. “Eventually, I’ll convince her of that. In the meantime, I need to make sure she doesn’t run.”

“Run?” Holt asked. “Why would she run?”

“Let’s say she’s not as certain of the mating as I am,” Laramie admitted. “But it doesn’t matter. If she runs, I’ll chase her down. There’s nowhere she can go that I won’t follow.”

Koby started laughing. The sound grew until he was bent over, wiping tears from his eyes.

“What?” Laramie demanded.

“Just remembering a certain conversation we had. I believe your exact words were ‘Alphas don’t chase’. There was something about your mate feeling so lucky to have you that she’d obey your every command, too. How’s that working out for you? Oh, wait. Emersyn’s in a cabin, and you’re afraid she’ll run.”

“I don’t see the humor,” Laramie snapped, but there was no missing the amusement in the gazes around him.

“I do, big brother. I do,” Koby assured him, grin plastered on his face. Laramie wanted to knock it off.

“The point is Emersyn needs us. Needs our protection. Malachi told me that in my letter.”

“From what?” Fletch asked, and Laramie knew the other man was ready to do battle if needed. It was why he’d called Fletch and his brother, Milo. He needed them. Polar bear shifters were fierce in battle. And fearless. The powerful duo had joined the Holloway pack as young boys when their mother had shown up on Mathew Holloway’s doorstep, seeking protection. Laramie’s father had never spoken of what she’d shared with him, but he’d taken in her and her two sons. And Laramie had made friends for life with the brothers. Hell, half the time he thought of them as two more of his own brothers, and he already had six.

“Check that for a minute,” Declan said. “Who is Titus Walker? I’m assuming he’s related to Lawrence?”

Laramie nodded. “Titus is the new alpha of Emersyn’s old den. He stepped in when her father was killed. Malachi says Titus and Lawrence are related. He also knows Lawrence was behind the attacks here. I have my suspicion on who he’s spoken with and should have it confirmed shortly. As far as I know, he hasn’t been told about his sisters yet.”

“He’s looking for a connection,” Holt rationalized. “Following the dots, so to speak. Lawrence plotted with the hunters to take out the females here. While in the Washington pack, they lost mostly males. Probably the ones who would have stood between Titus and the alpha position.”

“Definitely the impression Emersyn gave me,” Laramie agreed.

“So what was the end game?” Koby asked. “Get rid of our females and what? Wait for us to die off? How does that help this Titus? I’m not seeing the connection here.”

“It puts Titus in a position of power. Basically: I’m the alpha. This is my den. We have females. Why stay in a pack where there’s no mate to help continue your line?” Holt theorized.

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