The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

“Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.”

– Elizabeth Bowen

If you were to ask my parents to describe my older brother, they’d tell you he was a natural leader. Fearless and courageous, the kind of man born to lead armies.

And if you asked them to describe my sister, they’d gush about her sweet disposition and her selfless heart.

But me?

There’s only one word my parents would use to describe me: human.

You might not think that “human” could be used as an insult, but somehow, I’ve spent my entire life wearing this word like a badge of shame. When I showed up on my Alpha father’s doorstep at twelve, he told the rest of the pack that I was there because of my human mother’s failure. I was thrust into the wolf pack – literally – but my status as the only human there made me an instant outcast. I couldn’t run or wrestle or shift into wolves like the rest of the neighborhood kids. I’d never meet my mate or experience that instantaneous true love that mated pairs had.

I was still the Alpha’s kid, and while that might’ve saved me from the bullies, it didn’t mean I fit in. The werewolf world was drastically different from the human one, and to them, my humanity was a weakness.

My father never told me he was ashamed of me, but I could still feel his disappointment – it hung in the air every time he called me his human daughter or explained that I was the product of a short affair with a human woman eighteen- years-ago. 2

My stepmom, my father’s true mate, did try to make me feel included. She was the epitome of the perfect Luna – gentle and good-natured – but I could still tell she was ashamed of me. If there was ever evidence that her family wasn’t perfect, I was living proof of it. Every time she looked at me, she was reminded that her mate had cheated on her.)

Try as they might, none of this made a good recipe for the perfect family. I’d spent

six

years living under my father’s roof, in his pack, and in the werewolf world, but I’d already accepted that I’d never fit in there.

*Or so I thought. *

Despite making plans to go to college far, far away from the pack that had no room

for me, my life was about to change completely. Something technically,

someone

—

there was plenty of space in the werewolf world for this

*Dear Clark Bellevue,

that we are unable to offer you admission into the University of Florida at this time. We appreciate the time and effort put into your application, but unfortunately, this year’s large pool of applicants has made our decision difficult and we have limited space for

you will go on to achieve great things in your studies, and we wish you the best in your

*Best Regards,

Dean of Admissions

University of Florida*

–

it was just another generic rejection email from another college that didn’t want me. My senior year of high school was ending, and although I had applied to an endless list of colleges, I’d only received three rejections

–

of the schools I applied for were state schools with

finding a college that was far away. Somewhere far enough where I’d have an excuse not to make it home on the weekends or for most

lived in cold, rainy Washington, Florida’s sunny (and distant) climate would’ve been perfect – but

“Clark!”

my name. I barely had time to exit out of my Gmail screen before Lily was bursting into my room without even

you for the past five minutes,” she sighed, leaning against my door frame, “Were you watching another trashy reality show or

were half-sisters, Lily and I hardly looked alike. She was tall, fair- skinned, with long, blonde locks that never seemed frizzy or out-of-control. Her and my

be missing out on the complete story. Head over

wasn’t trying to tune you out, Lil,” I said, “What’s

my apology. “Dad wants to see us, there’s a big meeting tonight at the pack house. A

furrowed. Pack meetings weren’t unusual

of pack business. I couldn’t shift, which meant I

is dad asking for

me to come get you. I’m sure

reason, dad wouldn’t bring you around if it wasn’t.

me, and I watched

room.

being summoned, I thought, this

our family house was one of the largest in the pack a perk that came with being part of the Alpha’s family. Photos of Lily and my brother, Sebastian’s, accomplishments hung on the walls like the trophies they were: Lily as

living room. Dad lounged in the recliner like it was

and his booming voice echoed around the room, “We’ve got

the same fair hair and blue eyes as Lily, and his strong jawline and intimidating frame

Grace – or Luna Grace if you weren’t her step-daughter was my dad’s true mate