Page 66 of Clash of Kings

“Anything you want, My Love.” Sebastian lifted Dakota in his arms and carried her to the en suite where he started the shower, and while it was heating, removed his mate’s clothes. He set her in the stall, then quickly got naked. Bas bathed Dakota, washed and conditioned her hair, and once they were done, he dried her body. Then he sat her on the closed toilet lid and detangled her hair. Having watched her add the special serum, Bas did that for her as well. He needed to learn to braid it so he could take care of that task too, but for now, she had to do it herself. While Dakota finished in the bathroom, Bas turned down the bed, closed the blackout curtains, flipped the AC on low, and when she was ready, Bas tucked her in next to him. His mind wouldn’t let him sleep, so he held his mate while she rested.

By the time they made it downstairs, everyone was gathered in the same room they’d met in the day before. Another buffet was set up, and Bas was pleased to see Jolee sitting with Kaya and Tessa. He felt it would do the female good to be around her new Clan instead of holing up in her room alone.

After he and Dakota finished eating, Bas stood and clinked his fork against his beer bottle. “Can I have your attention please? I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for being here. A highly intelligent female told me thanks wouldn’t be needed.” Sebastian winked at his momma. “But I wanted to extend my gratitude regardless. In some way, we are all family. The Gryphons through Harlow, and the wolves of Charleston through Nikita. As those of us in the younger generation meet our mates, I have no doubt we’ll encounter even more species than we’re currently aware of. It’s more important than ever to remain vigilant as well as united. If any of you ever need assistance, the Gargoyles will be there for you the same as you were for Dakota and me. I want to thank my papa for his wisdom and Uncle Frey for the training you gave us. You prepared us for today. With the love and guidance of those who raised us, we’re ready for whatever is thrown our way. I raise my glass – uh, bottle – to you all.” Drinks were raised, and shouts of cheers sounded from everyone.

Bas took Dakota’s hand, and they mingled throughout the room. Most everyone was departing the next day for home, but in true Tessa fashion, the dinner spilled over to the bar where another party ensued. As Bas danced with his mate, he kept an eye on Jolee, but he needn’t have worried. Between Tony and Tessa, the mother and son team kept the female laughing and dancing the whole night.

When the party was winding down, Jolee bounced over to where Bas was leaned on a stool with Dakota between his legs. “Is it always like this?” she asked.

“If Tessa’s around, pretty much,” Bas answered.

“It’s so different, your Clan. It’s like everyone is equal. You two are King and Queen, but no one is afraid to joke around. There’s no baring the neck and lowering of eyes just because you’re the Alpha, yet they still respect you. And the Gryphons don’t have a King. How does that even work?”

“From what Nikita has said, they pretty much police themselves. Her grandfather, Maveryck’s dad, is sort of the leader in the Northeast. If anyone steps out of line, either Sutton deals with them, or he sends one of the Hounds to do it.”

“I think I’m going to enjoy being part of your Clan. Is there some type of initiation or paperwork to fill out?”

“Nope. We just claim you, and if you haven’t figured it out yet, you’ve been claimed already. Welcome to The Stone Society.”

Chapter 25

Dakota placed acase of Michener’s IPA on the bar with a clank. The lodge was a week from opening, and she was ready. Past ready, truth be told. When she agreed to oversee the renovations, Dakota had no idea how much work it would be. She didn’t mind hard work when she knew what she was doing, but a couple weeks in, Dakota knew she was in over her head. When she told Sebastian as much, he tasked Lydia with finding a project manager, wanting to keep his cousin involved with the lodge even if she was across the country. It was Lydia’s mom who recommended Oliver “Ollie” Lynch. Ollie had overseen the remodel of Lydia’s parents’ house, and the male was a godsend. Or goddess send, as the case was. Ollie was a lion shifter, adding another species to the list of those who needed their secret protected.

Even better than the male taking over the project from Dakota? Ollie was in love with Jolee. Together, the couple had taken the lodge from a nice establishment to something straight out of a magazine. They had yet to officially mate, but Dakota knew it was only a matter of time. Her bestie lit up like the Fourth of July whenever Ollie was in the room, and she gushed like a teenager with a crush when he wasn’t.

“What’s all the racket?” Bas asked as he entered the bar area.

“The last case of IPA. Rob Michener also sent a couple cases of their stout free of charge as a thank you for our business.”

Bas made a beeline for Dakota, dipping her low, and kissing her silly. Dakota giggled when he stood her upright. Yeah, yeah. She had no room to make fun of Jolee. Being in love was the best feeling in the world. Her mate doted on her. Spoiled her rotten. Gave her the perfect date night often of eating steak and potatoes, then taking her outside to sit by the fire pit where they drank beer and gazed at the stars. Made love to her whenever the mood struck. She was the luckiest female alive.

Dakota walked around the bar to put the beer in the cooler. “Have you heard from Lydia?”

Bas pulled out one of the stools and sank down on it. “No, and that worries me.”

After leaving West Virginia, Lydia stayed with her parents for a week before taking off across the country for some alone time. She told Bas she was searching for shifters to join the council, but she confided in Dakota that she needed time away to heal. Dakota felt for the female. Having killed someone by accident, even if she was defending her Queen, would be hard on anyone. Dakota made sure Lydia checked in once a week, and each time her friend called, she sounded more despondent than the last. Dakota was worried about her. She planned to reach out over the next few days and make sure she wasn’t spiraling.

“Sophia is due to give birth any time now. There’s no way Lydia won’t make it home for that.” At least Dakota hoped she would be there.

“You’re right. I just wish she was here with us.”

Not only was Holt Lodge ready to open, but their home in the woods was complete. It amazed Dakota at how fast the house had come together. Then again, her mate was brilliant and hired the best in the business. They had lived out of one of the suites on the second floor while their house was being built. Jolee had also taken one of the rooms, and as part of her compensation for being manager, she would live onsite. She argued with Sebastian for about two seconds, saying he was already paying her way too much for doing a job she loved, but he pulled the King card, and she quickly gave in. Jolee had been instrumental in making their business a showcase, but she’d also helped Dakota with the décor of their home. Both were stunning.

Sebastian asked Dakota’s opinion every step of the way apart from naming the lodge. When he told her the name he’d chosen and why, she might have teared up. Jonathan and Priscilla Holt had been humans who managed Rafael’s household for years, until Jonathan passed away from cancer, then many years later, Priscilla died of old age. Bas had been given their last name as his middle one, and he wanted to continue honoring those who had been there for not only him and his parents, but the Clan as a whole. Rafael had learned to make Priscilla’s famous cookies upon her passing, and that recipe was being used in the lodge’s kitchen. The cookies would be presented to guests upon checkout as a thank you gift.

After getting the bottles put away, Dakota pulled Bas a stout from the tap. She tossed a branded coaster on the bar before setting the frosty glass in front of her mate. He took a long drink, letting out a deep “ah” afterward. Yeah, Bas was more than ready for the lodge to open as well. He had transitioned his business from Atlanta to Carlton, leaving Grace behind with Travis. Grace was still Bas’s assistant. The only difference was where he met his clients. He had the Clan’s jet at a nearby hangar in case he needed to travel farther than he wanted to drive, and so far, things were going smoothly. With Jolee and Ollie overseeing the renovations, Dakota had been free to travel with him.

The one job she didn’t pass off was hiring the bartenders and servers. While Slade and Matthew made good on their promise of helping design the kitchen and hire the kitchen staff, Dakota had worked at The Depot long enough to recognize the right type of people to pour drinks and serve their customers. Their bar was a different animal being it was catering to humans. It wasn’t going to be a rowdy party place with a jukebox blaring music so loud you had to shout to hear yourself think. But Dakota vowed it would be a welcome environment for anyone who ventured inside. Carlton had a dive reminiscent of The Depot, but once the residents set foot inside their bar and got a taste of the gourmet food coming from the kitchen and the multitude of options from the taps, she had no doubt it would be a gathering place for many.

“You sure you want to work?” Bas asked again. When Dakota told him she wanted to bartend the day shift while he was at the office, he smiled and said, “Whatever you want, My Love.” It was his answer to everything she wished for.

“For now. It’ll give me a chance to get to know the staff better.” Dakota wasn’t one to micromanage, but this was Sebastian’s dream, and if she worked alongside her bartenders and waitstaff, she could ensure she had made the right decisions when hiring them.

“Kody, I’m here!”

Dakota rolled her eyes. “Let the games begin,” she joked as Tony strolled into the bar, pushing his sunglasses on top of his head. His platinum blond head. They had invited several of their Clan to stay for a few days. That would allow the employees a chance to “practice” before the first real customers arrived. She poured an IPA and placed it beside Sebastian where Tony sat. Dakota had a déjà vu moment, thinking of a different Alpha and his second sitting across the bar from her. Only now, the touches and compliments coming from her Alpha were welcomed.

“You are the best bartender ever,” Tony gushed before taking a sip.

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