Page 11 of Clash of Kings
“What good news?” she asked as she helped herself to some pulled pork. She might have lost her appetite, but she needed something on her stomach.
“That you agreed to be my partner.”
Dakota dropped the fork. She fisted her hands, but King grabbed her wrist, rubbing his thumb against her bare skin. “Easy, tiger. My partner on the council.” He released her arm, but the damage was done. Her father smiled at the gesture, mistaking it for what it was. He saw affection, but it was King keeping Dakota from leaving in a fit. He used some of his Alpha compulsion on her, and she hated that it worked.
Ignoring the tingle left by his touch, Dakota reached for the coleslaw. “Strong-armed is more like it,” she muttered, piling the slaw on top of her pork. She then reached for the mustard-infused barbecue sauce and doused the meat.
Her father sucked in a breath, but King spoke before Arthur could chastise her. “Maybe I did.” He grinned sheepishly at Diana who was staring at the Alpha like he was a god. “But my reasons for wanting you on the council are valid. That’s what I was telling your folks before you arrived. How you’re the best candidate to stand at my side.”
Dakota stabbed her meat, then shoved a huge bite into her mouth. After chewing for what seemed like forever, she took a huge gulp of sweet tea to help wash it down. Keeping her eyes on her food, Dakota ignored them all. It wouldn’t do any good to refute his reasons. Nothing she said would convince him otherwise because it wasn’t the council where he wanted her. It was in his bed. At his side as Alpha Mate.
“We are honored you chose Dakota. When are you meeting this other Alpha?” Arthur asked.
“I spoke to him this morning. He and his cousin arrive this afternoon. Diana, if I had known how well you cook, I would have paid you to cater our meal. This is delicious.”
Dakota snorted. “Just call Big Jim.”
“Dakota,” her father warned.
“What? I’d know this Carolina sauce anywhere since it’s my favorite.” Any other time, Dakota would have kept her mouth shut and let King believe her mom slaved all morning on the meal. She hated making her mother look bad, but instead of having Dakota’s back, she was conspiring against her. Diana knew when she called Dakota that King would be there. “Sorry, Mom. It is delicious. Better than the usual sandwiches we have.” She glared at her mom briefly, and her mother dropped her eyes. It didn’t matter if she felt bad. The damage was done. Dakota knew her father put his mate up to it. Dakota never said no to her mom; they had a special bond, but Diana couldn’t say no to Arthur. He was the alpha of their family. Further talk was stilted, and the atmosphere uncomfortable. When everyone finished eating, King turned to Dakota.
“The meeting is set for six at the pack house. I can pick you up, if you’d like.”
“Not necessary, but thanks for the offer. I’ll see you then.” Dakota stood and began clearing the table.
“I apologize, Alpha. I don’t know what’s wrong with that girl,” Arthur said quietly, but Dakota still heard him.
“Nothing to apologize for. I like that Dakota knows her own mind. If I wanted a doormat for a mate, I’d have already chosen someone else. Diana, thank you again for a wonderful meal. I’ll see myself out.”
Dakota cringed when the door closed. Her father stomped through the house to the kitchen and let her have it. “How dare you disrespect your mother like that?”
Dakote dropped the platter into the sink and turned on her father. Her claws came out, and she pointed one at him. “I dare because she used our bond to get me here. You both know how I feel about King. How I don’t want to be the Alpha Mate. But you don’t care.” She jabbed her finger his direction with each word. His pheromones were strong, but Dakota wasn’t afraid. She knew what King would do to her father if he so much as laid a hand on her. “You would rather see me roll over like an omega bitch even though that’s not what I am.” She took a deep breath and retracted her claws. “I am an alpha whether or not you want to recognize that fact. I need a mate who will balance the equation, not tip it strongly to one side.”
“Like the Alpha coming to visit? The one whose picture you had on your computer?”
“That is called research. I wanted to get a feel for who we’re meeting with. We know nothing about this male other than the Alpha from the East Coast trusts him. Speaking of which, I have some things to take care of before tonight.” Dakota stepped up to her mother who was silently watching them spar. “I’m sorry for disrespecting you.” She kissed Diana on the cheek. “Always remember, no matter what, I love you.”
“I love you too, Kody,” her mom whispered.
Dakota wiped away the single tear rolling down her mother’s cheek before walking out of the room, not bothering to say goodbye to Arthur. Once upon a time, she adored her father. Not any longer. Her mind made up, she drove the short distance to her cabin to pack. Dakota wanted to time her leaving so that King was getting ready for the meeting, so after she had everything loaded in the car, she sat down and read for a while.
She hated leaving Vernon in a bind, but Noah was always asking for more shifts. Now he could have them all. The Depot was busier than usual when Dakota stopped in to talk to Noah and Vernon, and several customers were grumbling. Jolee was working the tables alone, but that wasn’t unusual. Wendy wouldn’t start her shift for another hour. Dakota didn’t understand what the problem was until Vernon said, “Oh, Dakota. Thank the goddess.”
Dakota ducked behind the bar, grabbed the ticket from his hand, and pulled the order for Jolee. “Where’s Noah?”
“At the clinic. Lottie called. Their mom came home from work and found their dad fucking some broad. The claws came out, and it got ugly.”
Well, shit.
“I don’t know why you stopped by, but I’m glad you did. I need you behind the bar until Noah gets here. If he gets here. From what I gathered, everyone was torn up pretty good.”
“Yeah, I got this. But when he gets here, I need to talk to you.”
“No. Nope. Talking’s never a good thing, not from where I’m sitting.” Vernon shook his head and stalked off toward his office, grumbling.
Dakota filled the orders Jolee was waiting on before taking care of the patrons sitting at the bar. When she had a spare minute, she removed her hoodie and stowed it under the counter, and then she got busy checking stock and refilling ice between orders. The mood shifted back to normal since Vernon wasn’t behind the bar. He was a nice male. A good boss. But he was a shit bartender. Dakota didn’t know how you could own a bar and not be able to pull a beer.
“Maybe this is a sign,” Jolee said when she got a second to breathe. “Maybe you should—”