The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

Chapter 41 Chapter 41

“The world consists of predators and prey. You are either hunting or running.” (1

Unknown

Lused to volunteer at the animal shelter with Uncle Steve when I was seven or eight. Most of my time there is a blur, but I

remember how we captured feral cats so they could be spayed or neutered at the shelter.

We’d buy those live traps, stick a little cat food inside, and wait for the next hungry stray to wander by. I remember how

those feral cats would look when they stumbled upon the trap.

First, they’d wander into the trap cautiously and sniff out the food. There would be a split second where their animal eyes would light up, and you could tell they thought they’d just found the cat-version of the lottery.

But just as they began digging in, the trap would swing shut. The cats always knew they were trapped immediately. They would paw at the door and hiss when you got too close. But they knew they were caught.

The terror in their eyes used to bother me as a kid — even if Steve was always quick to remind me that we were helping

these cats. Sometimes I would wonder what it felt like to be that afraid, to know there was no escape.

But as I stared up at Griffin, I felt exactly like one of those feral cats. I’d wandered into a trap without realizing it, and just

for a moment, I had believed I’d gotten away with it unscathed. I had believed that I could live a life away from

werewolves and mates and crowns.

But now that I was looking into Griffin’s eyes, I knew there was no escape. Nowhere for me to run or hide. He’d caught me.

“Griffin,” I breathed his name out. As scared as I was, I couldn’t help but notice how gorgeous he was. The streetlights of

Yorba Linda illuminated his bronze skin and highlighted his dark hair. His jawline was sharp enough to cut glass, it made

him look like some kind of beautiful sculpture crafted by an artist, not a real person.

He was also dressed just as casually as the first time I’d met him ~ a hoodie, light jacket, jeans, and boots.

I didn’t miss the way his eyes lit up when he heard me say his name. “Little fox,” he said, and I’d forgotten how husky his

voice was.

He looked like he was about to say something else, but just as he opened his mouth, a laughing couple walked by us.

There was one of the outdoor benches just feet away and they looked like they were making a pitstop there.

Adrenaline was pumping through my veins. Fight or flight, Clark?

I barely had time to think, but just as Griffin’s eyes flickered to the strangers walking by, I stepped back.

Flight it is. I pivoted on my heel, getting ready to run. But I never got the chance.

Just as I tensed my body to run, Griffin’s hands ensnared me like a cage. He pulled me back toward his chest, and I felt

him push his nose into my hair, breathing in my scent. (2)

My heart continued to pound like a drum, and I wondered if he could hear it. Probably ~ werewolves did have

heightened senses.

“| wouldn’t do that if 1 were you,” Griffin whispered in my ear. I held back a shiver but it wasn’t one of fear. It was

something else his voice was doing to me. “You can’t see them, but I have my guards surrounding us. You won’t get

away from me, not again.”

I practically deflated in his arms. I had known it was fruitless even to try, but part of me had been hopeful after seeing the

strangers walk by.

come alone. Of course, he’d bring

me was gentle but firm. His hands were running up

feel the sparks.

go home now, little fox?” He whispered and I could feel his

voice ~ his tone was even and calm. But I couldn’t

me across the

fighting was over. He had me now. (1) So,

feel his smug smile.

he turned me around to face him. I had to crane my neck upwards to make eye

was wearing a victorious smile.

in his. I hated to admit it,

back?” I finally asked him. I couldn’t bring myself to call the castle “home,” but I

to take me.

flickered to the main road and I watched as a sleek black

up and from the castle

course he has

tugged me towards the car, I took one last glance back at my shattered phone sitting

message to my mother, and now, I was going to just disappear into thin air. How was

let her

didn’t fight or protest when Griffin placed his hands on my hips and helped me into the SUV (even though I totally

not need it).

to the far window and watched Griffin climb in after

broad form and height were

spoke and I felt my

driver who had driven Alessia and me away from the castle.

who I was the

fate. I’d never get away again, I could feel it. If he was willing to chase

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

over there to dive into the

listened to him the first time when he told me that he’d

been lying. (! Part of me felt like I should’ve stopped the

would’ve saved me plenty of

you would never have gotten to spend time

matter how short our time together had been, I would always be glad that

again — and

me think about how worried she’d be when I never came

dots about

maybe there’s still a way for

“I know you must be angry at me right

hoping I could ask for a

lit up with amusement. “Oh,

of weeks tracking me down and he wasn’t angry? I found

incredibly hard to believe.

I asked him with furrowed

Griffin said, and then he smiled at me. It wasn’t a

like he was trying to lure me into some false sense of security

pounce on

you’re not mad?” J

His fingertips left tingles everywhere they touched.

“But I am disappointed in you.”

My stomach dropped.

argue that disappointment was better than anger, but somehow, I could

be worse

you wanted to

for even asking. In fact, I just felt embarrassed.

to think I’d get away from him? Everyone had warned me

them. ’d been too blinded by the possibility of a life without

Pull yourself together, Clark.

just curl up into a ball and hide my face in the corner, I managed to swallow down