Kodiak Bloodlines - The Complete Series (7 page)

“They won’t hurt Sonja. They didn’t keep the two of you this long to hurt you. Don’t you see child. They kept you and your sister to breed you with Lennox sons! To mix our bloodline with theirs!” She said with assurance.

“But why can’t I remember you, or my parents? I can’t remember anything other than the few dreams I have.”

“Who is your guardian now? Who have you lived with all this time? Lennox?”

“No. Mama Sable. She is the one that found us that day and raised us in Palmer, Alaska and then Willow.”

The old woman’s brows shot up. “Sable Creed?”

“Yes. Why?”

“She’s a witch Jordan! Didn’t you know that? She comes from a very long line of black magic, her being the oldest, the wisest.” The woman said in a panic.

“So. She would never hurt us. She loves us, has cared for us all these years.” Jordan said in a defensive tone. She watched the old woman stand rooted in her spot, thinking hard and tapping her finger against her lip when she finally turned and said, “Omg...it all makes sense now.” She took two long strides to where Jordan was standing, grabbing her shoulders and said, “You don’t understand child. She has you and your sister under some kind of spell. She must have suppressed your memories, your inner animal.”

“Why would she possibly do that. What benefit would she get out of it?”

“I don’t know. But it is the only logical explanation. Kodiaks have the ability to shift into most forms, however we all have our dominate animal inside of us which is our chosen form. The ones we were born with. When was the last time you and your sister shifted?”

Jordan looked at the woman with anger and said, “I can’t shift.”

“Of course you can dear. You have been shifting since a child.” The woman said in a tone of assurance.

“I can’t shift.” Jordan said again. Embarrassment washed over her face. “I was told my entire life that Lennox was the Alpha of Anchorage and that my father was his second in command. That the Kodiaks were the ones that killed our pack and most of the Warren pack. I have no memories but only the stories you have told me now.” She watched the woman walk away and Jordan could see she was extremely frustrated. “I don’t know what to say... Or who to believe.”

The woman whipped around in a heated tone, “You are a Kodiak! My granddaughter and that man will never be Alpha! They have you and your sister brainwashed! Lennox and his pack slaughtered our family and he will pay dearly for it when the time comes.”

Suddenly the front door opened and a large man walked in. Jordan’s head turned and took in his full frame when panic instantly gripped her. She watched him close the door behind him and take a step closer. Jordan jumped and backed into a corner. This man scared her to death even though he looked like he held no malice. It was the man that took her, the one that clawed Jude’s face. Jordan was finally able to open her mouth, but her words only came out as a whisper. “Who are you?”

She watched him take another step forward. “Stop! Don’t come any closer! Who are you god dammit!” She screamed at him.

“Asher Slater, son of Cyprus.” His voice was deep, smooth and calm.

“That means nothing to me.”

He looked at the old woman with a confused look and said, “Haven’t you told her?”

“Yes, not everything but most. She may have had her memories along with her animal suppressed.”

Asher’s brows furrowed together as anger tore through his face. In a low growl he said, “Who?”

“Sable Creed.”

“Do you want me to bring her here?”

“No. I need to figure this out first. I still don’t know exactly what she has done to the girls.”

Jordan screamed at the top of her lungs. “What the fuck is going on! Stop talking like I’m not even here. I want to go back to Anchorage now. I will figure things out there on my own.”

She watched as both of them looked at her with surprise. Jordan’s eyes fell on Asher with an intense stare. His build was incredible, well over six feet. His neck was so thick and her eyes landed on the word ‘KODIAK’ that was tattooed in dark ink there. Her eyes fell to his forearms that were threaded with muscles and his large hands. He was built like a god or a statue and the way he held himself with assurance and command exuded in his confidence.

“You agreed to spend the night Jordan. Please give us a chance. I will have Asher take you home tomorrow.” The old woman pleaded.

Jordan felt like a trapped animal. Her eyes went from the old woman and then back to the beautiful man that was now standing only a few feet away from her. She jerked her head to Asher when she saw him take two long strides towards her and grab her arms. She couldn’t move; she was rooted where she stood and she looked up into his crystal blue eyes that suddenly consumed her. She felt herself go weak in the knees, her vision started to blur and everything went black.

Chapter 4

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“Y
ou can’t catch me!” The young blond girl yelled running into the forest laughing.

The older boy with dark hair laughed. “Watch me.”

The girl ran fast weaving in and out of trees and jumping over rocks and brush when she turned and looked over her shoulder. The boy was gone and in his place was a beautiful black panther racing through the forest.

“Not fair Asher! Were supposed to be playing in our human form.” She yelled and then instantly transformed into a beautiful white wolf like a wave of running water rolling over her body. She ran fast, her agility was impressive as she disappeared into the forest. She looked back one last time not being able to see anything when she heard something from her right and then the black panther came lurching out of the bush and landed on her. Pinning her to the earth’s floor on her back.

They both laughed and shifted back into their human forms when the young girl shoved him off. “You are such a cheat Asher Slater!” Still on her back she turned her head to look at him. He was lying on his back staring back and smiling. “I love you Jordan.” The young boy rolled to his side planting a light childlike kiss on her cheek.”

She watched him get up, shift and run back into the forest before she yelled, “Wait... Asher!”

Jordan lurched in bed, sitting up. Her breathing was fast, her heart pounding and she could feel the layer of sweat across her forehead. Her hair was damp. She blinked her eyes a few times to clear her vision and her eyes landed on him...He was staring straight at her.

In a soft defeated tone she asked, “Who are you to me?”

He took a few steps toward the bed and sat on the edge. “Jordan, I am your mate. Our fathers planned our mating before we were ever born.”

Jordan watched his facial expression. It was soft and sincere, but she could also see the pain in his eyes and it pulled at her heart in a way she had never felt before. “What happened? Why am I back in bed?”

“When I touched you, you fainted.” He said raking a hand through his tousled dark hair.

Jordan looked down at her hands and then back at him again. He had a strong jaw and high cheekbones, but his eyes were like crystal blue orbs that bore through her soul. Her hand came up and cupped his cheek. She felt a tingling sensation run through her fingertips when another flash turned everything white. A few moments later she opened her eyes and removed her hand and placed it back on her lap. “I don’t understand how this keeps happening.”

Asher tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowed and said, “You’re having visions aren’t you. When you touch me.”

“Yes.”

Asher lowered his head looking at the floor and his mouth curled wickedly when he said, “That is another one of our gifts. When we touch certain things we can have visions. What are you seeing?”

Jordan swung her legs over the bed and sat up right beside him. She turned to look at him and said, “I think I saw us playing in the forest together as kids.”

Asher let out a deep laugh and then smiled. “I could never catch you. I always had to side swipe you when you weren’t looking. You were just too damn fast. Even faster when you shifted into a wolf.”

Jordan smiled. She felt a sense of warmth flood her body. Her instincts were telling her that she was in no harm, that these people were not the enemy, however she still did have her reservations.

“If the old woman is telling...” Her sentence was cut off by his words.

“Stop calling her old woman. She is your grandmother Jordan.” He said crossing his arms over his large chest looking aggravated.

She laughed and then said, “Ok. If my grandmother is telling the truth and Mama Sable really has put some kind of curse on us, how do we fix it? How do we lift the curse?”

“Mama Crone is looking into that right now. She left when you were sleeping. She is going to see Erza.”

“Who is Erza?” Jordan raised an eyebrow.

“She is one of the oldest witches that has lived among the Kodiaks for a very long time. Erza is considered a white witch, one that does good, heals, allows harmony and promotes well being and every living thing to thrive. She’s incredible.” He said with a blank stare on his face, as if he was in awe of this woman.”

“She sounds incredible.”

“She is. Erza has saved so many of us when someone fell sick, the wounded that would have died that day of the slaughter. Everyone on the Island considers her our guardian angel and we love her dearly.”

Jordan played with a torn hole in her jeans. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Were you the panther that killed Noah?” She said looking up at him.

Asher stood and walked over to the counter. He turned and said, “No. That was Micah and Sage. They were sent to Anchorage for supplies and when they couldn’t get them there, they went to Willow looking. They saw you that day with Noah, talking about the mating that would take place between the two of you. They waited patiently until Noah was alone and killed him. We could not allow the mating to take place and now that we had found you; knew where you and Sonja were, we waited and planned to bring you back here.”

“But why did they have to kill him? You could of just took me and Sonja instead of shedding any blood.” She said now standing.

“NO! He deserved to die, so does Jude and Lennox! They slaughtered our families Jordan, my mother! They will pay and I will not have any regrets doing it.” He clipped, his tone harsh.

Surprise, then fury, lit her insides as she said the words. “So you’re just like them then.”

Asher turned to face her and took one long stride, now standing in front of her. She watched as his breathing was coming in long deep breaths, expanding his rib cage and then falling. His fists were clenched at his sides and then she looked up at his face as anger rolled over it. Gritting his teeth, he growled, “I am nothing like them and if you had any memories left at all you wouldn’t have an ounce of pity for their pathetic lives or compare me to such trash.”

“That trash raised me and my sister! You have to understand my point of view Asher. It’s not as easy as yours.” She said.

The next moment the door flung open and Mama Crone raced through breathing heavily. “Come! We must go now.

Chapter 5

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“W
hat is it?” Asher asked looking at Mama Crone.

“Erza found the spell. She thinks we may be able to undo it. She’s waiting for us.” She said.

She felt her body respond and kiss him back. Opening her eyes she broke away and slowly pushed him back smiling shyly. “Let’s go. I will stay the night and see what happens.” She watched as the smile spread across his face, lighting it up and then she looked at her grandmother who was also smiling.

They all walked out of the cabin and Jordan was mesmerized at what she saw. The sun was shining and she took the last step from the cabin to the earth’s floor and just  stared at the sight in front of her. She looked around and saw rows of cabins that were weaved throughout the tree’s.

There was no pavement but just a dirt road and she watched as little children played and laughed. Her eyes whipped around to small wolves and panthers that were running and tackling each other.  She took a step further, now standing beside her grandmother when she noticed all eyes were now upon her. She watched as two brown wolves and a black panther walked up to her. The panther kneeled before her, sniffed and then pushed it’s lush fur and body against her legs as a cat would while purring. Then the two wolves did the same and then Jordan looked at Asher who was smiling and then her grandmother. “Why are they doing that?”

“Honey, they are welcoming you home.” Mama Crone said smiling.

“But their children right?” She asked raising an eyebrow.

“Yes.”

“Then how could they possibly know who I am?”

“Your bloodline child. They can smell it. Sense it.” The old woman winked. “Come on.”

“Jordan! Come here child.” Erza chirped in an old crackling voice and then stood up on the porch.

Jordan looked at her grandmother who was smiling and nudged her. “It’s ok. Go.”

She took a step forward onto the first step and walked up the other two, now standing in front of the woman. Jordan felt like she was towering the woman who was slightly bent over at the waist. The woman raised her hands and cupped Jordan’s face and then said, “My god how you’ve grown. You’re absolutely stunning.” She paused staring. “I have missed you so much. I knew this day would come. Come...let’s go inside.” She said tucking her arm into Jordan’s.

They walked into the cabin, with Asher and Mama Crone following behind. Erza motioned Jordan to sit at the table and she did. Asher and her grandmother followed suit, sitting in the chairs next to her.

Jordan watched the witch grab a book and lay it out in front of them. Then she sat in the chair next to Jordan and pointed to the parched paper that had several different animals and an old inscription written next to it. “This is what Sable used. I’m sure of it.” Erza said smiling.

Jordan studied the page but couldn’t understand any of the writing...it was written in a language unknown to her. “What does it say.” Jordan whispered.

Erza laid a weathered hand on Jordan’s arm and said, “It’s called ‘CURSE OF THE LYCAN’ but if this is the curse she used, Sable didn’t think it through.” Erza said letting out a little giggle.