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

you were the first one to get through to me,” she

problem with rehab was that

me to let you stay with

that could be your actual

left one

me guess,” I said, “My biological

to, Clark,” she said, practically pleading. “You have to

with his world.

werewolves.”

her in shock, glancing at Steve. He

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

aware.

Steve said, chuckling, “Your mom has told

your biological father shapeshifts into a giant furry

cracked a smile

mom continued, “Had I known what your father was

brought you to live with him. I’m not sure what I would

wouldn’t have just let him

been faked. “I don’t

question best saved for my dad but

mom.

wolves,” my mom smiled bitterly, “You know what

in control of

,” I couldn’t help

said, “He was incredibly

through me. “Punish you?” I repeated, “You’re my mom! And

you away

no idea how much I wanted to talk to you all these years. How much I

your voice. I

ran

had T been

didn’t you

if you’re not reading this book

on the complete story. Head over there to

much about

head. “Not really,” I said, “He’s never talked about it, but my

was

father came in one

cracked another smile and I

confided in me. He didn’t tell me a lot

raised my eyebrows. “And that didn’t

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

let his pack down, how much pressure he was under. And I

any of that stuff, so I was just an

his side.”

third party,” Steve

“Everything started out platonic between us but I did

I could tell he’d had a rough day. He

started sweet-talking me. One thing led to another and, well…he ended

hotel room.”

but I was also glad to have some answers. The subject

guys had the