Page 6 of Kodiak's Heart

Chapter Three

Emersyn took one look at the giant before her, and her knees grew weak. She feared she might fall to them, and judging by the bulge in his jeans, she wasn’t sure what she might do once she was there. Damn! She’d taken one look at the man and known who he was. He had alpha stamped all over him. Kodiak alpha. She knew the arrogance well.

Damn it. Her father would have liked Laramie. The wayward thought made her heart ache. She had to pull herself together. Malachi and Ruby both counted on her. Damn Malachi. He hadn’t prepared her for Laramie Holloway.

Tall, broad, muscled. So many words could be used to describe him, but there was only one for how she felt. Hungry. For him. God, save her, she might be drooling.

His hair was closely cropped over his ears but lush and thick on top. The scruff that covered his face, slightly darker than the brown and blond of his hair, made her want to rub against him. She’d never felt this way about anyone, especially not at first sight. Not this all-consuming lust that had her nipples tingling and an ache growing between her thighs.

“Malachi.”

Laramie growled the name as if it tasted bad on his tongue.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Malachi sent me here to find the Holloways. To find you. I’m here to seek protection for myself and—”

She stopped mid-sentence at the sound of the door opening behind her. She turned just in time to catch the growling baby bear who ran for her. She scooped the little girl into her arms and held her close. Ruby wrapped her hands around Emersyn’s neck, and the little girl nuzzled her throat as she peeked at Laramie from the safety of Em’s embrace.

“And Ruby,” Emersyn finished, running her palm down Ruby’s curls.

He inhaled. “Malachi’s daughter?”

She nodded in agreement. “And a member of your den.”

“As her mother, so are you.” Laramie didn’t sound happy about that. Malachi had told her she could use him as a barrier between her and the Holloways, but she wasn’t one to use others.

“I’m not her mother,” Emersyn admitted.

“Mama,” Ruby said, cuddling closer and making Laramie lift an eyebrow.

“Shh, baby,” Emersyn soothed, but her gaze stayed on the man in front of her. “Biologically speaking. I am, however, the only mother she’s ever known.”

“Mama Em,” Ruby agreed.

“Ruby, this is Laramie Holloway. He’s the alpha of your father’s den,” Emersyn stated. “Laramie, this is Ruby Blackstone, daughter of Malachi Blackstone and my late cousin, Amber.”

“They were mated?”

“Yes. Amber died during childbirth.”

“I hungwy,” Ruby announced and bounced on Em’s arm until she let her down. Ruby marched right up to Laramie, putting her hands on her hips and staring up at him. It was comical to see the tiny girl dwarfed by the giant man in front of her. Laramie immediately dropped to one knee but still managed to tower over Ruby.

“How’s breakfast sound?” he asked. “Eggs, bacon, toast?”

“Pannycakes,” Ruby said. “Wif bacon.”

“I’m a fan of pancakes myself,” Laramie told Ruby and held his arms out. Ruby showed no fear as she went to him and let him scoop her up as he rose.

“I yike pannycakes, bacon, and choco milk. You got any choco milk?” she demanded.

“It’s my favorite,” Laramie assured her then turned his gaze back to Emersyn. “What’s your name?”

“Emersyn,” she replied, appalled to realize she’d been speaking to him the whole time without sharing her name. Lord, the man made her lose her mind.

“Mama Em,” Ruby agreed with an enthusiastic nod of her head. “She my mama.”

“Yes, she is,” he agreed. “Ready to go get breakfast? Maybe, I’ll have a surprise or two for you, little bear,” Laramie said.

“I yike papwises,” Ruby gushed, clapping her hands together.

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