The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

hapter 36 Chapter 36

“Growing up happens when you start having things you wish you could go back and change.” (“)

Cassandra Clare | *

Steve had brewed herbal tea for both mom and me, but none of us had taken a sip yet. She stared at

her hands, wringing them together and I watched the steam rise from my tea. I knew she was

gearing up to tell me something big, so I didn’t rush her.

I was still trying to make sense of what she had said about my dad just a couple of minutes ago. He

had stopped her from contacting me ~ could that really be true? I didn’t want to believe it, but I

couldn’t help but think of every time he’d brushed me off when I asked about my mom.

I knew she – and the fact that she’d hidden my existence from him for eleven years was a sore spot

for him. But had he really told her never to contact me?

“[ guess I’ll just start from the beginning,” mom finally spoke, and her eyes were glassy with unshed

tears, “You remember when we were living out of that dingy little motel on Burke Street? When you

were

eleven?” “Oh, definitely,” I smiled, “I remember that old little TV in our room. It only got, like, two

channels and you had to keep the satellite in the perfect position.”

My mom smiled ruefully. “God,” she said, “I can’t believe we really lived there – that I let you live

there for so long.”

“Mom, it’s okay,” I said, “It wasn’t that bad. We had food and electricity

“Oh, Clark,” she cut me off, “It was that bad, honey. You were just a kid, and I was doing my best to

hide it from you, but I was spiraling. My drug addiction was getting worse. I could hardly keep food

on the table for you. My debt was so bad that the only places I could live were off friends’ couches

or dingy motels like that one. And it was only going to get worse from there.”

I sat in silence and let her talk.

“Steve was the one who finally got through to me,” she said and placed her hand over his. They

exchanged smiles. “When I called to borrow money from him for the thousandth time, he finally

gave me a bit of tough love. He told me I couldn’t continue on like this, and if I did, he couldn’t

watch me do it. He told me I needed to get help. Real help ~ rehab.”

“All I knew,” Steve added, “Was that I was watching the woman I loved hit rock bottom and drag

her.” “Well, you were the

only problem

six months and that was too long for me to let you

your

left

I said, “My

said, practically pleading. “You have

involved with

werewolves.”

at her in shock, glancing at Steve. He looked completely

mom knew about the existence of werewolves, but I had no idea that

aware.

said, chuckling, “Your

father shapeshifts into a

a smile

my mom continued, “Had I known what

live with him. I’m not sure what I would have done, but

out. I wouldn’t have just let

couldn’t have been faked.

for my dad but I wasn’t here with him.

mom.

mom smiled bitterly, “You know

be in control

,” I couldn’t help

years,” she said, “He was incredibly angry with me. I

“Punish you?” I repeated, “You’re my mom!

punishing. Keeping you away punished

I wanted to talk to you all

your voice. I

ran

times had T been

you tell

there! Just a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book on

complete story. Head over there to dive

know much

never

was a one-night

came in one night,

smile and I saw Steve roll

me a lot of specifics at first, but

eyebrows. “And that didn’t send you

surprised me,” she shrugged, “But I came around to

how he was terrified to let his pack down, how

no idea about any of that stuff, so I was just

his side.”

third party,” Steve chimed

platonic

him. And then one night, he came in and I could tell he’d had a

One thing led to another and, well…he ended up back at

hotel room.”

glad to have some

you guys had the one- night