The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

“I’m not running away. I’m moving on.”

Irvine Welsh

It wasn’t the first time someone had referred to me by that title, but coming from Alessia’s mouth, it made me feel like even more of an imposter. It didn’t fit – I knew it, and given the amused expression on Alessia’s face, she knew it too.

“We could just go inside and talk, you know,” I said, taking her jacket, “That way, nobody has to stand out here with no jacket.” Although it still couldn’t compare to the Canadian cold, the jacket definitely helped me tolerate the freezing night.

Alessia rolled her eyes. “Please, there are guards everywhere,” she said, “You want the entire castle to hear our conversation?”

“Definitely not.”

“That’s what I thought,” she said, and then she gave me a teasing smile, “So, your Queen now, huh?” (3

“I’m surprised you heard,” I told her, “I didn’t see you at the meeting earlier.”

—

It was weird to think the meeting had only been a handful of hours ago it felt

more like months.

“Oh, yeah,” she shrugged, “I didn’t feel like going. A room full of territorial Alphas fighting over a pack dispute? No thanks. But the castle has been in an uproar given all the drama, I kinda wish I wouldn’t have missed it.”

“By drama,” I said dryly, “You mean Griffin recognizing me as his mate and then killing his father in the span of five minutes? I don’t know if I’d classify that as

drama.”

I guess so,” she chuckled, “So, how does it feel?”

“How does what feel?” I asked.

‘

“Being Queen, being the mate of the Alpha King – whatever you want to call it. Had I known you were going to be such a big deal when we talked last night, I would’ve kissed your ass more.”

–

I couldn’t stop the laugh from bubbling up. Although I didn’t know Alessia well at all, something about her was comforting. She wasn’t someone to be trifled with the scar on her face proved that but she wasn’t fake either. She wasn’t afraid to tell me the truth, and in turn, it made me feel like I could be honest with her.

–

“You want the truth?” I asked her, leaning against the balcony.

She nodded.

“I can’t tell what’s coming from me and what’s coming from this stupid mate bond,” I confessed, “When Griffin recognized me as his mate, I was horrified. I know mates are supposed to be a good thing, and for werewolves, I’m sure they are. But I had a life, things I wanted to do…like go to college.”

to the King for the rest of

will.”

”

completely hate him…but I can’t. This mate bond or whatever

I’m around

for you,” Alessia said, “Not that I would know from firsthand experience or anything, but that’s usually how those things go. I imagine it’s more subdued for you since you’re human, but it sounds like you’re still

it.”

–

normal human things. I’m worried I’m going to lose myself. I’ve seen mated couples before.

say you were trapped,” she said with that same teasing smile, “I mean, by yourself sure. You don’t stand a chance of getting away from the King or his pack on your own. This place

–

know how

–

which you don’t, I’m

getting out of here is

was smart enough to at least realize I couldn’t navigate the forest on my own. I regularly got lost on the way to school, there was

best chance was hitching a ride with someone who was already leaving

immediately find me and report me

Someone like Alessia.

was turning to Alessia with frantic eyes. “Alessia,” I said, “I know we don’t know each other very well but you could be my ticket out of here. You’re visiting just like

I could

me like I’d grown

“I wasn’t trying to

friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book on n??el5s.com, you might be missing out on the

if I did agree to help you, I’m pretty sure my head would end up on the floor like the former Alpha King’s did once your

out.

succeeded,” I told her. Suddenly, the gears in

is through. “You would just have to smuggle

suggest I smuggle you

crossing her arms.

1

as of today,” I said, “Some people know about

Like whoever drives you to the airport? I doubt word has spread that far. You could just say I’m part of your pack one of your warriors sent to protect you. Once we

–

are you going to go after that?” she asked, “My pack is in California

California.

where she used to live as far as I knew.

in California. I just need you to

your position, and normally, I’d be all for sticking it to the monarchy but not when it comes

was hard to argue with her. I knew that helping me was a big risk. for her, and it’s not like I had

on

asked. She

“What do you mean?”

she said, and her eyes narrowed. She walked closer to me, nostrils flared. “It’s the same scent I caught last night – it’s coming from you but it’s not actually you. God, it smells so good.

eyes gleamed in the