Page 18 of Clash of Kings

You’re not helping.

Dakota glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Six a.m. Thank the goddess it wasn’t earlier. The hotel began serving breakfast in half an hour. That gave her time to take a shower and dress. She had wanted to be on the road at a decent time, putting more distance between her and Panther, so this was perfect. She rolled to her feet, stretched her arms over her head, and twisted at her waist. She reached down and touched her toes, noticing the chipped polish. It wasn’t like anyone was going to see her feet, so she disregarded them and headed to the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, she was dressed, packed, and ready to go. She took her bags to her car to eat up a few more minutes, then headed to the small dining area.

The coffee station was already set up, so Dakota fixed a cup and waited until a hotel worker informed her the buffet was ready. She loaded a plate with eggs, bacon, sausage links, and a biscuit. She went back to where individual containers of cereal were stacked and grabbed one of the fruity variety. She would save it for a snack on the road. Dakota took her time eating. She sipped her coffee as well as a glass of milk. When finished, she wiped her mouth on the cloth napkin and left a tip on the table for whoever cleaned up after her. Before heading outside, she found the restrooms past the check-in desk and peed so she wouldn’t have to stop for a while.

Digging in her purse for the car keys, Dakota didn’t realize she had company until it was too late. Sloane was leaning against her car, his long legs crossed at the ankle.

“Keys,” he demanded.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” Dakota turned to head back inside and ran into a brick wall. A brick wall with hands that grabbed her arms.

“I’m disappointed, Kody.” King released his grip, holding out his hand. “Keys, now.”

“You can’t make me go home,” she argued. King arched a dark brow. Okay, he could. He could command it, and she would have to obey. “How did you find me? I left my phone at home so you couldn’t access the GPS. And you don’t have authorization to…” Then it dawned on her. Sloane owned a garage. King had worked there before taking over as Alpha. “You put a tracker on my car, didn’t you?”

King remained quiet as a couple walked by. They didn’t stop to ask if she was okay. As if they recognized the monster in their midst, they kept their eyes averted. Once they were out of earshot, King growled, “Keys, Kody. Don’t make me take them from you.”

“I hate you,” she seethed as she slapped the keys onto his open palm. “I don’t know what you think this will accomplish other than making me despise you more than I already do.”

King tossed the keys to Sloane who unlocked Dakota’s car and moved the seat back to make room for his long legs. He then got in, closed the door, and started the engine. When he drove off without looking back, Dakota knew she was fucked.

“Let’s go.” King gestured to his SUV that was parked in the next row. Dakota could have run. She could have yelled and caused a scene, but she didn’t. What she also didn’t do was speak. When King unlocked his car, she moved past him to the back door. He didn’t protest. He held the door for her until she was seated, then closed it before striding around to the driver’s side. Once buckled, King started the motor and turned the radio up.

Dakota leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Hope was a fickle bitch. She had teased Dakota with a small taste of freedom. She wondered what would happen when they got back to Panther. Would he lock her up or allow her to go back to her life? Vernon would welcome her to come back to The Depot, but that wouldn’t be fair to Noah. Dakota was willing to fill in part time so she had some money coming in. If she was allowed her freedom. If not? Dakota didn’t want to think about that.

Her thoughts strayed to her dream and Sebastian Stone. Was it possible hewasa dragon? That didn’t fit, though. Whatever he was, he hadn’t shifted to a creature. He’d held her in human arms. A human with wings. Maybe he could do a partial shift? Why was she even trying to make sense of it anyway? It wasn’t real. But he had felt real. The way he called to her was how she imagined a mate pull would feel even though wolves didn’t have fated mates. If she got that same sense from Kingston, Dakota would have submitted to him without a second thought. Her life would be so much easier if that were the case, but it wasn’t.

At least now you’ll get to meet the man.

To what end?

To find out what he is. I sense something…

What? You sense what?

A calling. The same thing you felt in the dream, I sense his beast calling to me.

That was crazy talk. Wasn’t it? But if he was somethingother, was it possible he was seeking her out in her dreams? She wished there was someone she could ask. Someone who knew about dream walkers and other shifters and souls calling out to their other half. But there wasn’t. The Bridgewater pack wasn’t like others she’d heard about with elders and healers and shaman. They had the typical hierarchy with the Alpha and his second. There were alphas, betas, and omegas, but for all intents and purposes, their pack was basically a community like most others where the members had jobs. They lived regular, though insulated, lives. Their income was mostly their own with a small percentage going to the Alpha so he didn’t have to work an outside job. King’s role as their leader was his job.

I doubt I’ll get to see anyone. King’s probably going to lock me up and throw away the key.

Dakota dug around in her purse, making as much noise as possible. She removed her phone, and King eyed her in the rearview. She then grabbed the bottle of ibuprofen and shook it at him. She unscrewed the lid and poured a couple in her palm, tossed them in her mouth, swallowing them dry. King returned his eyes to the road, and Dakota waited a few minutes before moving her phone to her knee so King wouldn’t see it. She made sure it was on silent and even went so far as to turn the vibration off. Then she leaned her elbow against the door and rested her head on her fist. Using her left hand, she typed out a text to Jolee, a few words at a time. Since it was early, her bestie was no doubt asleep, but Dakota wanted her to have the message as soon as she woke.

Me:It’s Dakota. King put a tracker on my car. He’s dragging me back to Panther.

Dakota didn’t have to wait for a response.

Jolee:Holy shitballs. Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?

Me:I’m fine. Just pissed.

Jolee:How far away are you?

Me:About 4 hours.

Jolee:What are you going to do?

Me:Depends on what he allows. Don’t worry. I’m not running again.

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