Page 67 of Clash of Kings

“Yeah, yeah. What’s up with your hair?”

Anthony set the glass down, then propped his chin on his hand. “It’s a long story. See, what happened was…” And he was off, not worried about whether or not she had time to hear his long story. By the time he was finished, though, Dakota was crying from laughing so hard.

“What lies is my twin telling?” Tabitha strolled in looking like a runway model with her tight figure and long auburn hair. Tony’s twin was one of Dakota’s favorite beings in the world. She had her brother’s wit, her mother’s don’t-give-a-fuck attitude, and her father’s sweetness. Tabitha Stone was the whole package. Oh, and she could kick your ass fifteen ways to Sunday. The female was a beast.

Tabby wasn’t alone. Seven was with her. Bas’s sister was pretty as a picture with blonde hair and blue eyes, basically a younger version of Kaya. Bas was five years older than Seven, but the two couldn’t be closer if they were twins. Dakota wasn’t jealous of their relationship, but it did make her wish things with Phoenix had been different. Dakota chalked it up to being wolves versus Gargoyles as well as who their parents were. Dakota now had a younger sister in Seven, and that went a long way in healing the pain from having a brother who hated her.

Dakota mixed Tabby a tequila sunrise, then pulled Seven a sour as more voices infiltrated the lodge. She couldn’t be happier. It had been months since they had been around so many of their Clan at one time. Dakota had met quite a few of Bas’s family when they stayed in Atlanta. They had visited Sebastian’s parents at Christmas. Jolee went with them, and Tony, Tabby, their little brother Andy, and their parents were there as well. The twins had come to visit several times, sometimes together, and others by themselves. They chatted with the Trio via face messaging. But getting a bunch of them together at the same time hadn’t happened again until now. Who they hadn’t seen was Diana. Arthur was still furious at how things had played out, and he refused to allow Diana to speak to Dakota. Tabby offered to kidnap Dakota’s mom, but Dakota didn’t want to cause more trouble for the female. One day, she would find a way to talk to her mom, but until then, she had a whole Clan who loved her and kept her heart full.

Sometimes, like now,when Dakota worked her magic behind the bar, looking sexy as all get out in her cowboy hat, her smile as bright as the sun, Sebastian had to pinch himself. His momma told him one day his dreams would come true, and they had. He’d found his little she-wolf. They were mated as well as married. His idea to open a lodge was at hand, and he was King. He might have balked at that last one, not because he didn’t want the title, but because he hadn’t wanted it so soon. Now? The title and responsibility that went with it were second nature. Bas chalked it up to having his mate by his side. Dakota was as intelligent as she was gorgeous. She was also kind and funny. He and his Clan couldn’t have asked for a more perfect Queen.

Bas wasn’t the only one completely awed by Dakota. Everyone who met her fell under her spell. She was the best friend. The doting daughter-in-law. The fierce warrior. The gracious hostess. The tough but fun boss. Late at night while Dakota slept and Bas held her in his arms, he thought about Kingston and why he had wanted Dakota for his own. Bas understood. No one would have been a better Alpha Mate. The only problem with that, other than she was destined to be Sebastian’s, was that King wouldn’t have allowed Dakota to shine. It wasn’t in his wolf’s nature to take a step back so that Dakota could lead the pack. Sebastian had no such qualms. When his mate spoke, he listened. When she took charge of a situation, he let her. Dakota offered sage advice. Sometimes it was tough love, in Jolee’s case, and others, it was a sympathetic ear, in Lydia’s case.

After killing the she-wolf named Tinsley, Lydia spent a week with her parents before jetting off to the other side of the country. She was radio silent for a while, but Dakota finally wore her down. She might have pulled the Queen card to get Lydia to respond, but once she did, Dakota demanded Lydia call her at least once a week to check in. When she failed to do so one time, Dakota was calling on Bryce to ready the Clan jet. Before she got her bags packed, Lydia phoned, apologizing for the delay. Her excuse? Not having cell service in the wilds of Alaska. Dakota’s solution? She bought satellite phones and shipped one of them to Lydia. When his mate wanted something, she usually got it.

The most recent thing Dakota asked for was to have a soft opening at Holt Lodge with several of their Clan present. Sebastian had already planned on it because Dakota’s birthday was in three days, and what better way to celebrate than with a bunch of their family present?

Seven twirled the drink between her hands while staring at Bas. He stared back. “What?”

Seven looked around, then lowered her voice. “Can I come live with you?” Bas tensed. If someone was messing with his sister— “Calm down.” Seven rolled her eyes. “Nobody is after me. No one has hurt me. I’m not running from a big baddy.” Seven blew her hair off her face. “I just need a change of scenery.”

“Have you talked to Momma?”

“I’m twenty-two, for fucks sake. I don’t have to get Mom’s permission to move, Bas.” Uh oh. If Seven was cursing, she was in a mood.

“I know you are, but she’s going to wonder why you’re leaving New York.”

“And I’ll tell her the truth. I need to get away from Papa. He doesn’t want me dating anyone if they aren’t my mate. I don’t want to be an old cat lady, sitting at home knitting while the world passes me by.”

Sebastian grinned at his sister. “You don’t knit.”

“And I don’t want to start! I’ve been to college. I’ve trained with Frey. I’ve been the dutiful Princess, but now…” Seven’s shoulders slumped. “I just want room to breathe and be Seven Stone for a while, not Stefania Di Pietro. I want to live here with you and Kody. Ride four-wheelers. Go ziplining. Take up skiing or maybe snowboarding. And I know I could do all that in New York, but I want to be where you are, Bas. Heck, I could do the books for the lodge. Put that college degree to good use. I’ll even wait tables. Something. Anything. I’m begging you,” Seven whined.

Bas playfully shoved his sister’s shoulder. “You’re ridiculous. Of course you can live with us, but you might want to invest in noise-canceling headphones.”

“Gross,” Seven muttered before taking a sip of her sour. She placed the pint glass on the bar and looked over at Bas with misty eyes. “I’ve missed you. That’s the main reason I want to leave home,” she whispered.

Bas placed his hand on Seven’s nape. “I’ve missed you too. And don’t worry about Papa. If he knows you’re living with me, he won’t have a problem with you moving.”

“Excuse me, Sebastian.” Bas turned to Ollie’s brother, Theo.

Sebastian kissed his sister on the temple as he slid from the bar stool. When Dakota arched a brow, Bas shrugged as though he didn’t know why the lion shifter was there. He led Theo out of the bar, through the lobby, then outside where they would have privacy. Once they were far enough away that Dakota wouldn’t be able to eavesdrop, Bas said, “You’re early.”

Theo inclined his head. “The task was easy. Arthur wasn’t at the house. According to Dakota’s mom, he left town without a word. She had already packed a couple of bags and was ready to go when we arrived. Nobody questioned who we were, and no one tried to stop her from leaving.”

“Damn, that’s brutal. Where is Diana now?”

“She’s upstairs in Jolee’s room. We took her through the back door so Dakota wouldn’t see her.”

“Thank you, Theo. And thank your stepfather for me.”

“You’re welcome. I’m going to go have a beer if that’s okay.”

“Absolutely.” Sebastian escorted Theo inside where the male took the empty seat next to Seven. Bas leaned over the bar, and when Dakota turned, he said, “Get everyone settled with drinks, then I have a surprise for you.”

“Go ahead, Kody. I’ll handle the bar for a few,” Seven offered.

Dakota tipped her hat to Seven and joined Bas at the end of the counter. He took her hand and led his mate to the elevator. “What kind of surprise?” she asked, looking up from under her hat.

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