Page 35 of Clash of Kings

“Sorry, not sorry. My mate is just too sexy. Anyway, Mads has the name and number of everyone King spoke to. Once Knox knows Dakota is your fated mate, he’ll agree to call the Alphas and set the record straight. In the meantime, you might want to lay low.”

“We’re heading several hours away from Panther to look at a lodge. King shouldn’t have any way of finding us there. Regardless, we will remain vigilant. Please keep me posted on the conversations Knox has with the other Alphas, and if you can, try to find out how many packs are in West Virginia. If I’m going to build a home here, I need to understand who I’ll be neighbors with.”

“We’re on it, and congrats to you both.”

Dakota muttered, “Thank you,” as something Bas said niggled at her.

“Thanks, Nik. Go maul your mate, and we’ll talk soon.” Sebastian disconnected.

“Is Nikita a Gargoyle?” Dakota asked.

“She’s a dire wolf. Remember in the meeting, Anthony mentioned one of the Gryphons found his mate in a dire wolf? She is Nikita’s mother. Madsen is a wolf shifter. They met in South Carolina when that whole debacle went down. Nikita, along with two of our Clan, Carleigh and Harlow, own a cyber security company called H3. We call them the Trio. All three of them are expert hackers, but don’t call them that. They prefer computer specialists. Madsen is also a hacker. Between the four of them, they could probably wipe out a small country with a few keystrokes.” Sebastian flipped on his blinker as he changed lanes to overtake a slower vehicle. “Did I mention Gargoyles have the ability to detect emotions in others?”

“No, I don’t think you did.” Dakota was confused in the subject change.

“We can. And I noticed you tensed when you saw who was calling. Your heart rate sped up, and I do believe it indicated either anger or jealousy. You are my mate,Cucciolina. It doesn’t matter that we haven’t exchanged bites. You are the only female for me. Let me assure you now, any female who has my number is either family, part of the Clan, or a friend of mine. There is no former lover with my number, not that there are many of those. I tried to keep my baser urges under control, but I’m a male with needs, and I gave in several times. For that, I apologize.”

“Oh, Bas. There’s nothing to apologize for. You probably don’t want to hear that I’m not a virgin, but it’s true. Let’s just agree going forward there will be no others.”

“That I can promise.”

The GPS indicated their exit was a mile ahead, and Dakota’s heart raced for a different reason. She hadn’t booked herself a separate room, and in the next half hour, she would be alone with Sebastian. Would they have sex and complete the bond so quickly? Not that she was opposed, but her life would be forever changed once they marked each other. She would become the Gargoyle Queen. She still couldn’t wrap her head around that. When thinking about being Alpha Mate, Dakota had no desire whatsoever. So why was being Queen of Gargoyles hitting differently? She turned and looked at the male sitting beside her. That was why. Then again, Bas could have said he washed dishes at a diner, and Dakota would’ve still been as enthralled. There was an inherent goodness in him that called to her. Was Dakota that good? She liked to think so. She helped others whenever she could, which lately hadn’t been often, other than listening to her pack mates and offering advice while pouring beer that is. Thinking of her previous job reminded her of her best friend.

“I need to call Jolee and tell her what really happened with King. If he’s spreading lies, the pack needs to know the truth. I’ll also tell my mom. Not that she’ll speak up, but I want her to know I’m safe.”

“Do you know their numbers?”

“I have them all written down. When I left town yesterday, I copied them so I could put them in a new phone. I left my old one behind so they couldn’t track me. Turns out that didn’t matter.” It hit Dakota then what was bugging her earlier. “Bas, we need to check the Jeep and Anthony’s car for trackers.”

“Shit, I didn’t even think about that. As soon as we get to the hotel, I’ll have Tony check.”

“Won’t he need some type of device?”

“Yes, but with him being a private investigator who also does security, he probably has a kit in the back of his car full of techy toys.”

They pulled into the parking lot of a small hotel. The outside was decorated with fall accents and jack-o’-lanterns. Bas parked beside the other vehicle and shut the motor off. “I’m surprised something this small had online reservations,” Dakota stated.

“I was too when I looked at their website. I had planned on staying here the first night I was in town, but the stars were magnificent, and I ended up sitting in my Jeep until early the next morning.”

Anthony knocked on Sebastian’s window. “You gonna sit there all night making moon eyes at each other?”

Dakota opened her door and climbed on the running board, looking over the top to where Anthony stood wearing his signature smirk. “And if we are?” she challenged, arching a brow.

Sebastian got out, pushing Anthony back with his door. Lowering his voice, he said, “Can you check to make sure King didn’t have trackers put on our vehicles?”

Dakota jumped down, closed the door, and rounded the Jeep, wanting to hear his answer. She also wanted to see his tech kit, if he had one.

“I did that while you were rescuing your damsel. Both cars were clean.”

Dakota looked up at Sebastian. “I wonder how he plans on finding us then.”

“You think he’ll try?” Lydia asked.

“Maybe not physically.” Sebastian relayed the conversation with Nikita. “Then again, if we try to go into other territories where he’s spread his lies, we might be met head-on with claws and fangs. Now we not only need to worry about humans, but other shifters as well.”

Anthony tapped his fingers against the top of the Jeep, his gaze off in the distance. Dakota knew from listening to Bas talk about his cousin that Anthony was smart even if he came across as a wise ass. “Maybe we should head back to Panther and really challenge King. Once we defeat him, that will show the other wolves who they’re dealing with.”

Sebastian sighed. “Let’s save that as a last resort. I don’t want to come across as combative. We’re trying to get the other species leaders on our side, not start a war.”

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