Page 62 of Clash of Kings

Beside her, Tessa murmured, “Holy shit.”

When Kingston shifted from his wolf and stopped struggling, Sebastian released him. King fell to his knees, his wary eyes on her. Bas smiled at Dakota and inclined his head, letting her take the lead.

Stepping out of the circle of her Clan, Dakota faced her old pack. She propped one sword on her shoulder and pointed the other at King. “Two lives have already been lost, and for what? Because you were too prideful to listen to reason. Too stubborn to admit there are creatures stronger than you. We came here to talk peacefully, yet you still demanded the challenge be fulfilled. Would you like for my mate to finish the job? Or would you prefer to swallow your wounded pride, mourn the loss…” Dakota choked back a sob as her mother wailed beside Nix’s body. “Mourn the loss of two of your wolves, then lead the Bridgewater pack with honor? Choose wisely because if you don’t, the pack will lose not only its Alpha but also its second. I will turn my mate loose on you, and that Lion over there will finish the job he so easily started.”

Kingston lowered his eyes and bared his neck. None of the pack argued or called him out for being a coward.

Dakota hitched a breath at King’s submission. “Before we get to what happens next, where is Jolee?”

“Sloane,” King called out to his second who was still in his fur. The wolf raised his head but kept his eyes on the Lion.

“Kayden, don’t kill Sloane when he shifts, yeah?” Dakota commanded.

The Lion huffed, then returned to his human form. “You’re no fun.”

“Shift,” Dakota demanded of Sloane. He fought the compulsion, but in the end, he had to comply. When he was once again in his skin, she asked, “Where is Jolee?”

Sloane snarled his lip. “That bitch is—”

Kayden grabbed Sloane by the neck, lifting him off the ground easily. “The next words out of your mouth will be said respectfully, or I’ll go against Dakota’s wishes and rip your dick off and make you eat it.”

Sloane’s eyes widened, and for the first time Dakota could recall, the male showed fear. He might be a major asshole, but Sloane was smart enough to know he would not win a fight against Kayden. Sloane nodded as best he could. When Kayden dropped him, Sloane coughed and cleared his throat. “She’s in my bedroom.”

Dakota didn’t want Jolee to be rescued by a stranger, especially if she was injured. “Anthony.”

Tony stepped up beside her. “Yes, My Queen?”

“Please go retrieve my best friend. Second floor, last bedroom on the right.”

“On it.” Anthony withdrew his wings, then he used his shifter speed and was gone in a flash.

Dakota pointed the tip of her sword at Sloane. “She better be unharmed.” Sloane wouldn’t meet her eyes. He crossed his hands over his flaccid cock. No one spoke while they waited. A roar from the second floor rattled the windows. Sloane took a step back, but Kayden gripped the male’s hair, tipping his head back.

“Hmm. Seems like I might get to play after all,” Kayden growled.

Dakota kept her eyes on the door, but Anthony didn’t return. Instead, he yelled, “Dante!”

Sebastian’s uncle took off running. If Anthony was calling for the doctor, Jolee couldn’t be in good shape. Dakota began pacing, swinging her swords down and up. She wanted someone’s head, and that someone was Sloane. She stalked back and forth in front of him as she waited for Dante and Anthony to help Jolee. Sloane whined the closer she got. Did he realize his time on Earth was close to an end? Because if Jolee was as bad as Dakota suspected…

“Look,” one of the female betas said, pointing to the door.

Anthony came out carrying Jolee bridal style. A blanket covered her body, so Dakota couldn’t see Jolee’s injuries. Dakota dropped her weapons as she rushed to her best friend. Anthony’s face told the tale, but she had to see for herself. Dakota lifted the blanket, and Jolee’s body was riddled with cuts and bruises.

“We need to get her to the hospital,” Dante said softly. “Gregor, you drive. Tessa, come with us so she has a female with her.”

Major, having put his clothes back on, joined them. “I’ll go in case we need to voice the hospital staff. There’s going to be questions we probably don’t want to answer honestly.”

Who didn’t offer to go were any of the wolves. Dakota returned to where she had dropped her swords. She leaned over and picked them up, turning to face Sloane when she stood upright. Nikolas strode past Dakota, his claws out. Kayden gripped Sloane’s hair in one hand and his arm in the other so he couldn’t get away.

Without a word, Nikolas raked his claws down Sloane’s chest, tearing flesh from bone. Sloane twisted as he howled in his human voice, but the sound was cut off when Nikolas punched past Sloane’s sternum and ripped out his heart. Kayden dropped the male’s body and wiped his hands on his jeans.

Nikolas faced the pack, holding the heart in front of him. “That bastard put his hands on my daughter. He abused Jolee. Males like that don’t deserve to breathe.” Nikolas tossed the organ to the ground in front of Kingston. “If anyone wants to avenge his death? Come and get me.”

No one moved. Hell, Dakota didn’t know if the wolves were still breathing at that point. She looked at each member of the pack who was there. Many weren’t, but they would hear what happened that day. Sebastian and Rafael stepped up to flank Dakota. Bas put his arm around her waist, and Rafael placed a hand on her shoulder. When she felt the energy behind her change, she glanced over her shoulder as everyone who had come with them spread out behind her. As impressive as their beasts were, having them stand together in their human forms was even better.

“Please rise and shift so I can see your faces,” Dakota commanded the wolves. Within seconds, all the pack was standing in their skin. Arthur scowled at her as he stood over his dead son’s body. “Not that I owe any of you an explanation, but I’ll give you one anyway. For years, I have denied Kingston’s request to be the Alpha Mate. The reason for that is this male at my side. I met Sebastian ten years ago in Utah. Phoenix attacked Sebastian, leaving him for dead. As you can see, he lived. Our old Alpha made our family move because my brother was too much of a liability. Not only did I have to leave my pack and friends behind, but also the teen who was my mate. Wolves don’t have fated mates, but Gargoyles do, and somehow deep down, I knew Sebastian and I belonged together, so I put faith in the goddess that she would bring him to me. She did.”

Dakota took a deep breath, then blew it out. “What could have been a peaceful, beneficial arrangement was shattered today. Lives were lost. I understand when a challenge is made it should be honored under normal circumstances. These were anything but. Sebastian didn’t challenge King for the role as Alpha of the pack. He threatened him because he knew I was his mate. If you weren’t paying attention, know this – Gargoyles hold females in the highest regard. Not just their kind, but all females. That’s a lesson I believe the pack would do well to learn. Whether you do or not…?” Dakota shrugged. “As for your Alpha, Kingston made the right decision – live to lead the pack.”

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