Page 2 of Kodiak's Heart

“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.”

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