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.”

you’re chained to the King for the rest of your

will.”

”

hate him…but I can’t. This mate bond or whatever it is it’s like my feelings only

I’m around

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

it.”

–

“I’m worried that if I spend too much time around him, I’m going to forget about everything else going to college, seeing my family, doing normal human things. I’m worried I’m going to lose myself. I’ve seen mated couples before.

smile, “I mean, by yourself sure. You don’t stand a chance of getting away from the King or

–

Unless you know how

–

which you don’t, I’m

you’re getting out of here is if you leave

own. I regularly got lost on the way to school, there was no way I’d make it through a thick Canadian forest alone. If I didn’t die of hypothermia

chance was hitching a ride with someone who

– someone who wouldn’t immediately find me and report me to

Someone like Alessia.

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 everyone else, which means you’ve got to go home to

could

at me like I’d

wasn’t trying

a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book on n𝘰𝚟el5s.com, you might be missing out

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

out.

we succeeded,” I told her. Suddenly, the gears in my head were

through. “You would just have

do you suggest I smuggle you out? You’re the

crossing her arms.

1

today,” I said, “Some people

that far. You could just say I’m part of your pack one of

–

“My pack is in California and

California.

that’s where she used to live as far as I knew. It’s not

okay,” I said, “I have family in California. I just need you to

you, girl – I do. I wouldn’t want to be in your position, and normally, I’d be

helping me was a big risk. for her, and it’s not like I had much to offer in

I’m on my

suddenly asked. She sniffed the air

“What do you mean?”

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

eyes gleamed in the