Kodiak

by Delta James

  “Josh is quicker to laugh. He and I both hope that will change now that he’s brought you home. Talk about a bad mood... every time he came back from Seattle after that first time you met. Did you know he was looking for you?”

  Flynn nodded. “I did. Somehow, I figured if he came back looking for me, it would be at the same time of the year. However, I never connected it to Kodiak mating season.”

  “And you’re all right with all of this?” Allie asked her.

  “Surprisingly, yes,” Flynn laughed and knew it to be true. “Maybe it’s the Kodiak DNA, but what a couple of days ago would have been weird... like Twilight Zone weird... now seems normal and in a funny way as if it was always supposed to be this way.”

  Allie smiled. “Josh is worried about him...”

  “He thinks I’ll break his brother’s heart?”

  “No. I think there was a part of Josh that worried about that until earlier this afternoon. He said that between you becoming Kodiak and just the way Alex carried you in... he figured you two were going to be okay. He’s worried about this confrontation with Koto.”

  “Look, Allie, we haven’t known each other for very long, but I’m not big on mincing words. Alex isn’t going to have a confrontation with Koto. He means to kill him. I saw him deal with the other two brothers and know what he did with the assassins Koto sent to kill us. David Koto doesn’t stand a chance.”

  “I don’t doubt that. Alex is a formidable opponent when he doesn’t give a damn, but to protect his family? His mate? There’s no way he doesn’t come out on top. Josh just worries about the cost to his soul. Alex was a sniper during the war; it changed him. In some ways it made him a better clan leader, but I’m not sure he’ll be the easiest guy to live with.”

  Flynn laughed. “That might be the understatement of the year. He tends to be a bit over-the-top in the dominant, alpha-male category and I worry that he wants someone who wants to just fall in line and that’s not me.”

  “Make no mistake. Alex wants you. There are plenty of females—Kodiak and human alike who would willing flop on their backs and spread their legs...”

  “Not a visual I needed.”

  “Come on, even I can feel the guy’s sexual magnetism, but my point was he didn’t want any of them. He wanted you. I don’t know that he’s even looked at another woman since that incident at the pub. He may have taken the edge off at some of the clubs over on the mainland during mating season, but I think that may have only been after he returned when he thought he could get you out of his system.”

  Flynn blushed. “You know about the pub?”

  “Only enough to know it affected him deeply. And what I will tell you is that male Kodiaks pretty much have a gut instinct about who their mate is and are willing to go all out to get her on board with the idea.”

  “But?” asked Flynn.

  “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted you to know if you need my help, I’m here. He didn’t ask for your consent about turning you and he had you bonded to him when you were unconscious.”

  “I understand my choice about becoming Kodiak was for him to turn me or I died. Considering how good I feel, Kodiak seems better than dead. As for the bonding thing... I agree with you, but when I really think about it, it’s more that he did it that way than I don’t want to be with him.”

  Allie nodded. “Good, but to your earlier point? I don’t think he wanted a submissive mate.”

  “My butt would tell you otherwise.”

  “Perhaps, but I think he likes that you’re strong, tough, and can and will stand up to him.”

  “He says I’ll give him strong sons and daughters that will be sought after,” laughed Flynn.

  Allie joined her. “That too. He does worry about their bloodline. Our girls aren’t Kodiak and won’t be unless they choose to be.”

  “Would you be opposed to that?”

  “Not if it’s what they want.”

  “And you never wanted it?”

  “I could never make up my mind and I figured unless I was very sure then it was better not to do it. Josh has always been okay with it even though I know Alex feels differently. I hope now that he has you, he’ll cut Josh some slack.”

  Flynn laid her hand on Allie’s arm. “I’ll see if I can’t help with that. As for needing your help, I may take you up on that. I don’t want Alex going to Seattle alone and I know he’s tasked Josh with staying here and ensuring the rest of the clan is safe.”

  “I would point out you are a part of the clan and your safety is paramount to him.”

  Flynn looked her square in the face. “As his is to me.”

  Allie grinned. “It would seem the Unangan Clan has another female warrior as Lady of the Clan. Yutu’s mate, Lena, knows how to fly a seaplane. We can get you out.”

  “You know, Allie, I think you and I are going to be the best of friends.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  When Alex returned to the lodge, Allie told him Flynn had gone up to their room. Taking the steps two at a time, he opened the door, stopped short and then entered slowly, closing and locking the door behind him. Flynn was propped up on her back—naked, beaded nipples, legs spread and the entrance to her core wet and inviting. His cock became engorged and throbbed in anticipation. He meant to fuck her all night. She’d get a taste of what it was to be rutted. Come tomorrow, she’d be sore and more likely not to give Josh and Yutu a hard time while he was gone.

  Without uttering a single word, Alex stripped out of clothes before joining her at the side of the bed. He palmed her breasts before climbing onto the mattress, lowering himself between her thighs and mounting her with one, hard plunge to her depths. Flynn reached up and clutched at him as she came hard from nothing more than him ramming his cock home. Her legs wrapped around his and he settled into a strong rhythm of thrusting, groaning as he did.

  He stroked her, feeling her pussy quiver and tried to remember if there had ever been a time he’d enjoyed fucking a woman even half this much. He reached under her and took hold of her ass to hold her steady so he could extract the maximum amount of pleasure she could give him.

  Flynn’s breathing sped up and lost its rhythm. She panted shallowly in unison with his grunting as he plowed her. Alex focused on the way she was responding in order to keep himself from spilling himself too soon. He felt her body begin to stiffen in anticipation of her impending climax. She threw her head back and keened in both need and fulfillment. He thrust ferociously into her hot, wet heat, reveling in the way she writhed beneath him. Alex roared his own satisfaction as she clung to him, whimpering as her pussy spasmed and trembled all along his cock as he pumped his seed deep inside her. His orgasm took an eternity to end and Flynn clutched him as her cunt rolled through a series of mini-climaxes, encouraging him to deposit every last drop of his cum and stay coupled with her.

  When he’d finished, he rolled off of her and nudged her onto her side, wrapping one massive arm around her, pulling her body into his. Alex reached up to idly to play with both of her nipples and trailed down the midline of her body to stroke her clit. She moaned and snuggled back into his body, offering him no resistance. He had ensured Flynn would be sore tomorrow. She needed to become accustomed to his tremendous need for her, especially during the mating season. Given the level of her response, he no longer worried that she would not welcome the rut as much as he. Settling himself against her, he stopped caressing her but left his hand in place to cup her entire mons. She belonged to him and nothing would ever threaten her again.

  * * *

  Flynn’s eyes fluttered open. She felt the loss of his presence in the bed. She rolled to her back and stretched languorously.

  “I’d watch putting yourself in that position during the rut,” he said smiling as he walked out of the bathroom, crossed over to her, and leaned down to kiss her as he tickled her clit. He ended the kiss by nuzzling her neck. “Behave yourself while I’m gone.”

  “Do you have to leave? Maybe if we just stay up h
ere, he’ll leave us alone.”

  “And are you suggesting that your brother stay in Reykjavík?”

  He kissed her, silencing her before she could protest.

  “Dealing with Koto will not keep me long from between your thighs,” he said caressing them.

  He moved away from her and dressed quickly, pulling a wide, well-worn belt through the loops of his jeans.

  “I know Seattle better than you. I could help,” she argued softly.

  “If you leave the village, for any reason, I’ll take this belt to your backside and welt your ass until rutting with me will be a combination of pain and pleasure.”

  “You’re an overbearing sonofabitch, you know that?”

  He leaned back and kissed her again. “So I’ve been told. But I am your mate and your clan leader, and you will remain here and stay safe. Try not to be too much of a pain in the ass while I’m gone.”

  “Love you too,” she quipped.

  That stopped him short at the door. Turning back, he said, “Do you?”

  She smiled. “Yes, I do. And I’ll wanted it recorded in the history of our clan that I said it first.”

  He grinned at her. “Duly noted.”

  He left their room; Flynn heard him trot down the stairs, whistling a happy tune. She only hoped that he wouldn’t be furious with her the next time they shared a bed. Rising up out of the bed, she pulled on the shirt he had discarded the night before and walked out onto their balcony, waving as the plane he was in taxied away from the dock and took to the skies.

  “Come in,” she called when she heard a knock on her door.

  “Do you kayak?” asked Allie.

  Flynn turned to her, “I do. Why?”

  “Lena has a seaplane waiting around the point. Fastest way there is kayak. Yutu has the girls and I’m going to keep Josh busy so you can make your escape.”

  “How much trouble am I getting the two of you into?”

  “Not enough that we don’t have your back. You know Seattle far better than he does. I think he needs you in his corner. He needs to know he can’t exclude you. And I doubt anyone could stop you.”

  Flynn flashed her a grin. “Your grasp of the situation is excellent. I’ll be ready to go in a few minutes. I take it my escape kayak is the red one down there?”

  “That would be the one. Good luck, Flynn.”

  “I don’t need luck, Allie. I have Alex.”

  She dressed quickly and waited for the house to grow quiet again. Slipping out, she jogged down to the dock, untied the kayak and paddled out into the bay before turning to the left and making her way around the point. The seaplane and Lena were waiting. She grounded the kayak and boarded.

  * * *

  Alex was a bit surprised when there was a man holding a sign with his name on it waiting outside the TSA checkpoint.

  “I’m Alex Kingston.”

  “Thank you, sir. I have a call for you,” he said, handing him a cell phone.

  “Ranger Kingston?” said the female voice he thought he recognized as that of Koto’s executive assistant.

  “Yes?”

  “A message from my employer. Space Needle Observation Deck tonight at 2 AM. The security code for the elevator is 3-4-5-3. Do I need to repeat that?”

  “No, 3-4-5-3.”

  “Very good. Mr. Koto hopes you can conclude your business this evening without further hostilities.”

  “Doubtful, but thank you for the information.”

  Alex wouldn’t need the code. He planned to be there long before the Needle closed and lie in wait for his adversary. He wanted this over and done with. His cock was uncomfortable, and he wanted to be back with Flynn as soon as possible.

  * * *

  Normally, Flynn was asleep on an airplane before it ever reached cruising altitude, but she was agitated and couldn’t get comfortable. She told herself it was because Alex had left her deliberately sore, but she knew that wasn’t it. She was worried for Alex. It had taken her entire life to find him and she had no intention of losing him to some reptilian thug and his minions.

  Her plane had been delayed and she failed to reach her houseboat until after dark. Making sure she was secure, she called Koto’s office, talking her way through a series of underlings until she was able to speak with his executive assistant.

  “Ms. Montgomery, I’m surprised to hear from you.”

  “I’ll bet you are. I need to know where your boss is meeting Alex Kingston.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t supply you with that information,” the assistant said in a cool, detached manner.

  “Let me explain something to you, blondie. The tribunal and his clutch have turned their backs on him. If I can head Alex off, maybe, just maybe, your boss gets to live. If not, Alex will kill him, skin him, and make a pair of boots out of him.”

  There was a long pause.

  “I know Mr. Koto is expecting him at 2 AM at the Space Needle. That’s all I can tell you.”

  Flynn hung up and dialed her brother.

  “Flynn, is that you?” he asked.

  “Yes. Are you all right?”

  “I am. I spoke with Alex Kingston. He says the two of you are together and that David Koto may be gunning for both of us.”

  “We are and he is. Don’t you have a buddy who works security for the Space Needle?”

  “Yeah... but this is a lot more complicated and dangerous than you might understand.”

  She grinned. She didn’t know how, but she suspected that somehow her brother knew—either about the Komodos, the Kodiaks, or both.

  “Then you know a fight between a Komodo and my mate will result in one of them dying. Alex is noble and courageous, and Koto will use that against him.”

  “You know?” Ben asked.

  “I do. A more interesting question for later is, how do you? Why don’t you see about getting to Kodiak and I can introduce you to the rest of the clan.”

  “Damn,” Ben swore softly. “But you’re okay?”

  “The sooner I get Alex back up to the village and into our bed, the better. I need the security code to get into the Needle’s complex.”

  “I don’t know, Flynn...”

  “Ben, I don’t have the time to climb the damn Needle. Get me that code and call me back.”

  Within the hour, she had changed to all black clothing and footwear that would be useful in achieving her goal. As she looked in the mirror she started to laugh. Most likely she would need to discard her clothing and shift to be able to help Alex.

  * * *

  Alex watched from his secure location as the two men working for Koto secreted themselves on the observation deck. The Needle closed for the evening and Alex waited. Shortly before 2 AM, Koto appeared and spoke briefly with those in his employ. Alex moved silently along the deck’s outer rim and locked off the elevator system. The only way off the top of the Space Needle was down the long staircase that was part of the interior structure.

  At 2 AM sharp, Alex stepped out into the dim light to confront Koto.

  * * *

  As Flynn feared, both elevators appeared to be non-operational. She quickly used the key code given to her by her brother to access the stairwell inside the Needle. She removed her clothing using the backpack she had brought with her, ensuring the gun was still on top. She stilled her mind and called forth her bear that flowed smoothly from deep within her to transfigure her physical being. Flynn picked up her bundle and began galloping up the stairs. Climbing over five hundred feet would have been incredibly taxing on her human body, but her bear seemed to enjoy the exercise. She reached the top of the staircase and left her clothing on the landing outside the door to the observation deck. Quietly, she opened the door.

  Koto and Alex appeared to be in mortal combat. Koto shifted to his reptilian form and sank his teeth into Alex’s forearm. Alex roared as his bear sprang forth and he tossed the lizard away from him,

  Koto shifted back as he hit the ground, screaming, “Help me, you bastards! Get him!�
�

  Alex, too, reverted to human as the other two men attacked. Flynn flinched as she heard bones breaking and joints cracking. Koto’s goons appeared to be getting the best of Alex, and Koto, himself, now seemed to be closing in for the kill. Alex was trapped against the banister of the observation deck close to one of the few openings.

  The air around Koto shimmered and the man became Komodo, his assassins following suit. Their tails wagged slowly back and forth as their jaws snapped together with a sound that seemed to split the night sky. Koto reared up on his hind legs, slashing at Alex with his gigantic claws. Realizing that Koto meant to force Alex over the edge, Flynn charged the distance between them, hitting Koto broadside and knocking him close to the safety railing. Alex quickly grabbed the enormous lizard’s back legs and boosted him over the side. They both watched in fascinated horror as Komodo became man once more before he hit the ground.

  Alex turned on the two remaining Komodos who shifted back.

  “Please, wait. Koto was the leader of a large clutch. The decision was made not to abandon him in his quest for revenge, even though the tribunal urged us to do so. We were told if he lost the fight, to beg you for mercy and peace with what is left of those here in Seattle.”

  “Why should I let you go?” asked Alex evenly. “Your tribunal gave me carte blanche to deal with the lot of you with no repercussions for my clan.”

  “But we are no longer a threat to you,” said the second assailant. “And you did not come alone as you agreed.”

  Alex barked a laugh. “Neither did your boss. My mate has joined me against my express orders, something she will answer for later this morning. What is your excuse? Money? Just following orders?”

  “No, we are brothers from the Island of Flores. The Koto brothers purchased our sister as their mate. We agreed to help Koto if he would release our sister. No one else would help him and it was the only way we could free her.”

  “Flynn, go get dressed. Did you bring your clothes up to the top of the stairs?”

  She nodded.