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.

wouldn’t come alone. Of course, he’d bring guards with

His hands were running up and down my arms and I tried

feel the sparks.

fox?” He whispered and I could feel his

couldn’t judge if he was angry by his voice ~ his tone was even and calm. But I couldn’t imagine that he

me across

over. He had me now. (1)

face, but I could practically feel his smug smile. Just as I knew

turned me around to face him. I had to crane

as I’d suspected, he was wearing a victorious

grabbed my hand in his. I hated to admit it, but his

myself to call the castle “home,” but

to take me.

the main road and I watched as a sleek black SUV pulled up to the sidewalk. It wasn’t unlike

up and

has

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

to send that message to my mother, and now, I was going to just disappear into

her and let her know I

on my hips and helped me into the SUV

not need it).

the leather seat closest to the far window

broad form and height

queen,” the driver suddenly spoke and I felt my face go

same driver who had driven Alessia and me away

I

behind him and it felt like he was sealing my fate. I’d never get away again, I could feel it. If he was willing to chase me to another country, he

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

dive

listened to him the first time when he told

of me felt like I should’ve stopped the entire

us. It would’ve saved me plenty of

would never have gotten to spend time

No matter how short our time together had been, I would always be glad that

again — and to

made me think about how worried she’d be when I

connect the dots about my disappearance, but maybe

is dead, but maybe there’s still a

turned to me. “I know you

was hoping I could ask for

lit up with amusement. “Oh, I’m not angry with you,

The guy had just spent the past couple of weeks tracking me down and he wasn’t angry? I found

incredibly hard to believe.

asked him

and then he smiled at me. It wasn’t a happy smile. It was the smile of a predator who’s finally

ease my mind. It felt like he was trying to lure me into some

on

you’re not

my face. His fingertips left tingles everywhere they touched. “No,

I am

My stomach dropped.

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

to be worse than his

was the favor you wanted to

disappointed in me, I felt foolish for even asking. In fact, I just

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

I’d just ignored 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