Page 60 of Clash of Kings

“Are you threatening me?” Fur sprouted along King’s arms as his wolf pushed forward.

“No. I want a peaceful resolution.”

“Fuck that,” Sloane hissed.

“Of courseyouwouldn’t want peace. Where’s Jolee?” Dakota asked Sloane.

King placed his hands on the porch rail and snarled at Dakota. “My wolves are none of your concern.”

“Jolee’s still my best friend, and if you or your mutt hurt her, you’ll be sorry,” Dakota threatened, pointing at Sloane.

“Kody?” a female voice called out. An older woman started her way, but a male grabbed her arm, stopping her.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Oh, goddess. You’re alive,” Diana cried, clamping a hand over her mouth.

“I tried to call you, but Arthur intercepted the call. I told him to tell you I’m alive and well. I guess he didn’t pass the message along. He was too busy causing trouble for my mate.” Dakota turned toward her mother, and Sebastian kept his eyes on her and King both. “Hey, Arthur. I figured you’d be in jail by now for filing a false police report.”

“Sebastian Stone is the one who should be in jail,” Pheonix said, moving to stand beside his father.

“For what? Rescuing me from you?” Dakota asked.

Phoenix stepped toward Dakota. “You turned on our family. Our pack. I should gut you myself.” Tessa and Lydia moved in front of Dakota. As if they had choreographed the movement, the two females swept their hands down, and swords appeared in their hands.

“That’s my Queen you’re threatening,” Tessa said, pointing the tip of one blade at Phoenix.

“Queen?” Phoenix narrowed his eyes at Tessa.

“Sebastian is the King of Gargoyles. All two thousand of us,” Lydia said. “Dakota, being his mate, is our Queen.”

“You can’t prove that,” Sloane called out. “Anyone can say they’re mated.”

“No, but we can prove they were married Friday,” Rafael said. “Sebastian’s mother and I were there as witnesses.” He moved to stand behind Dakota and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Dakota is my Queen, but she is also my daughter now. My mate and I welcomed her into our family, and we can’t wait to show her how parents should behave.” Goading Arthur wasn’t a good idea, but Bas trusted his papa.

“Who the fuck do you think you are, telling me how to deal with my daughter?” Arthur pushed Diana behind him so hard, she stumbled. She would have landed on her ass if Pheonix hadn’t caught her.

“I don’t think. I know I’m the one who’s going to teach you a lesson. A male should never put his hands on his female in anger. Or any female for that matter.”

“You got that right. Which one of you bastards is Sloane?” Nikolas asked, his wings popping out behind him, shredding his shirt.

“I am, motherfucker.” Sloane jumped off the porch, shifting in midair. Before his paws hit the ground, a massive grey wolf launched past Sebastian and took Sloane to the dirt. Within seconds, Kayden had his jaws on Sloane’s neck, pinning him down. Sebastian had to give props to Sloane; he didn’t give up. He used his claws to scratch at the larger wolf.

“Godsdamnit, Sloane was mine,” Anthony groused.

A wolf howled, and where Arthur had stood moments before, his beast now pawed at the ground. Rafael didn’t bother removing his shirt. He phased, releasing his wings. “Protect our Queen,” he said to Tessa and Lydia as he strode past them to get to Dakota’s dad.

As more wolves flooded the area, the fighters on Sebastian’s side either phased or shifted. Sebastian removed his shirt, getting ready for the fight he knew was coming. When he phased, he turned to King. “What’s it going to be? Stand down and live, or leave your pack without an Alpha?”

The female next to King grabbed his arm. “Please don’t, King.”

King shoved her to the side. “Shut up, Tinsley. Go make yourself fucking useful.”

“Yes, Alpha.” The female shifted and leapt off the porch.

King also shifted, and Bas sighed. “Die it is.”

Chapter 23

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