Page 38 of Clash of Kings

“Sure, if I can call you Tony,” she returned.

He waved his hand in the air. “Sure, sure. Most of my cousins do. So, Kody, can you cook?”

Dakota broke her bacon into pieces before scooping up a bit of eggs onto her spoon. “I can. Granted, it isn’t gourmet, but it’s edible.” She looked around before lowering her voice. “My mom did all the cooking at home since that’s an omega’s role.”

Lydia sat up straighter. “And you aren’t an omega?”

“Nope. I’m an alpha, which is rare in our world. Most females are born betas or omegas. At least in the packs I know of.”

“Nikita’s an alpha as well, but I thought that was due to her being a dire wolf,” Anthony said.

Dakota took another bite of egg and bacon. After she chewed and swallowed, she said, “We were told dire wolves were nothing more than a myth.”

“Probably because there are so few of them. The only ones Nikita knows of are her grandmother’s old pack down in New Mexico. According to her mother’s journal, they kept to themselves and didn’t want their pack members to mate with regular wolf shifters. They wanted to keep their bloodlines pure. It’s why her mother ran away,” Anthony explained.

“That sounds like your great-uncle, the one who ostracized your grandfather.”

“Ah, yes. Dear old Alistair. May he rot in the bowels of whatever hell the gods sent him to upon his demise.” Anthony raised his mug, and Bas tapped it with his own. Then Anthony did that thing where he drummed his fingers against the table while staring off across the room. “Kody, how many other single females in your pack are alphas?” he asked without looking at her.

“None, why?”

Lydia turned in her chair so she was facing Dakota. “Is it possible that’s why King was so hell-bent on you becoming Alpha Mate?”

“That’s what I was thinking,” Anthony added. “I’m not up on my wolf shifter biology, but wouldn’t two alphas make more alphas? Like two parents with brown eyes have a higher probability of having a child with brown eyes?”

Dakota’s fork clanked against the plate when she dropped it. “I never thought of that. I always figured he wanted me because I kept turning him down. Like he considered me a challenge.”

Anthony downed his coffee and reached for the pot for a refill. “We alpha males do love a good challenge, but I believe it was more than that. Do you know the percentage of each type of wolf in your pack?”

“Not off the top of my head. I don’t know every single member of our pack since there are a bunch of kids, but thinking about those I do know, the percentage of alphas is probably lower than the other two. Irregardless—” Sebastian narrowed his eyes at his mate, while Anthony choked on his coffee, and Lydia groaned. Dakota burst out laughing and waved her hand in front of her face as her eyes watered. Sebastian loved the sound. Loved the playful side of Dakota. “Oh, my goddess,” she managed to say between laughing fits. When she was finally able to speak, she said, “I know that isn’t a word. I promise I’m not some dumb hick from the sticks.Regardlessof the reason, it’s now a mute point.”

This time, Anthony groaned, Lydia laughed, and Bas tickled her side. “Finish your breakfast, Sassy Pants. We need to leave in ten minutes so we aren’t late.” Gods, his mate was cute. And funny. And sexy. And gorgeous. And… Bas could go on thinking of her positive attributes. He was truly blessed to have this female as his Queen. He couldn’t wait to introduce her to his parents.

“I want to call my parents and tell them the good news,” he said, tossing his napkin on the table.

“Yeah, about that.” Anthony rose from the table and stretched his arms overhead, twisting his body left and right. When he dropped his arms, he said, “Tabby called last night to talk about a case, and I mentioned you found your mate. I have no doubt she got off the phone with me and called Mom who told Dad who called Rafael. Just a hunch.”

Bas didn’t doubt it either. “And we know your hunches are always right. All the more reason to call them.”

“I need to get another phone so I can call my mother. I’m sure she’s having a breakdown,” Dakota said.

Anthony shoved his hands in his front pockets. “I have one in my kit you can have. Unless King has someone like the Trio, your call will be untraceable.”

Bas stood and held out his hand for Dakota. “Come on. We’ll make those calls after we look at the lodge.”

Once outside, Bas helped Dakota into the Jeep while Anthony stopped by his vehicle and retrieved a burner for Dakota. Lydia climbed in the back, then Tony joined her. He passed the phone to Dakota. “It’s a basic phone, but let me know if you need help adding the numbers.”

Dakota took it with a smile. “Thank you.” She dug into her small purse and removed a piece of paper. “I’m adding Jolee’s number too so I can tell her the truth of what went down yesterday.”

Anthony leaned forward between the seats. “When you talk to her, tell her I said hello.”

Dakota turned and pushed against Anthony’s forehead. “Sit back, you heathen. And no, I won’t tell her that. Since it’s obvious she isn’t your fated mate, you can leave my best friend be.”

“But—”

“No. You had your night of fun with her, but Jolee doesn’t need you messing with her head.”

“Fine,” Anthony agreed, sitting back and crossing his arms over his chest.

---