The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

Chapter 38

“Your first love is your first love. It cannot be analyzed, explained, or forgotten.”

Aisling Bea

My mom had been right about the little cafe in town ~ it was cute and cozy. They also just had good coffee, much better

than the black sludge that Steve was drinking in his thermos every morning.

After I’d gone with her that first night, I started going there on my own. Sometimes I’d take a book to read, and other

times I would just people-watch with steaming hot coffee in my hand. \°)

Yorba Linda was definitely a small town, there was no denying that. Besides a grocery store, a movie theater, a library, and

the little cafe, there were just houses here. (*

But it was also peaceful and the people were nice but not intrusive. I was used to living in a small town — if you could

call the Blacktooth Pack a town ~ but the pack had never felt peaceful.

Everyone had heightened emotions, mates were all over each other, and people thought they were entitled to know

every aspect of your life. It probably had to do with their “mind link,” but as a human, it wasn’t great. Yorba Linda

might’ve been small, but nobody bothered you. People

went about their business and didn’t inquire about yours. It was nice. )

After ten days in the little town, I found myself spending another afternoon in the coffee shop. This time, I was equipped

with some mystery novel I’d pulled off mom’s bookshelf. Her collection was sparse, so I would need to make a run to the

local library soon.

I walked up to the coffee shop counter to place my order. The shop was a little busy, and I watched the barista ~ a

college-aged girl with dyed purple hair whose nametag read Amber ~ multitask like a pro.

Geez, she really moves fast. (: She slid someone’s mocha down the counter and then turned to me. Despite how quickly

she seemed to be working, there wasn’t a hair out

of place. She didn’t seem to be breaking a sweat. (=

“What can I get you?” she asked with a bright smile, and I saw her eyes

widen when she looked at me. “Woah,” she muttered under her breath. )

My cheeks instantly flushed. Why is she staring at me like that? “What?” I couldn’t help but ask. She was still staring. “Do

I have still

my face?” Before she could reply, I swiped my shirt

I wasn’t trying to stare. It’s just…you reminded me

thought you

said, “She’s a redhead with

it. Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel awkward. Anyway,

with cream.” “Coming right

drink, I settled into one of the armchairs

voice broke through the silence. “Clark? Clark Marshall? Is that

high alert. I took a sharp

“Aiden?”

older than the last time I’d seen him two years ago. I could tell he was

he was less scrawny

there was no mistaking the same blue eyes and fluffy blonde hair. ) This was

Griffin insisted on knowing about, and interrogated

stare at him with wide eyes. Of all the people who

he come from? What was he doing in

friendly reminder that if you’re not reading

to dive into the next chapter—it’s all

Yorba Linda?

so good to see you,” Aiden said with a bright smile and he plopped down on the empty chair

it was you when I walked in. I thought I was seeing things.”

eyes were even bluer than I remembered them to be and I couldn’t help

hair was or how big Steve’s jacket must’ve looked on

run into somebody I know when I look like I just rolled

I told him, “You’re not seeing things…but what are

didn’t falter for a second. “In this coffee

you. I guess I

know,” he grinned, “Last I remember, you were living in Washington with

ago. I’ve been going to the local

nothing beats the

about him, his parents frequently

to Oregon when we started dating, and now it seemed like

back in California. ‘)

time for me to run into

said, sipping his own drink, “How’d you end up in Yorba Linda? Last I remember, your

strict about your whereabouts.”

while,” I said, “We’re catching up.” It wasn’t technically a lie, I

him glance at his phone. “Shoot…I’ve got to go. I’ve got class

could see you again? It’s been two years – I’m sure you and

do too.” \”)

asking me out?

colored my cheeks. Aiden was cute, we had a brief history together, and he was probably the only

in the area, Could going out with him really

that if you’re not reading this book on

there to dive

nagging at me – some sort of gut