The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

“Punishment is not for revenge, but to lessen crime and reform the criminal.”

Elizabeth Fry

Suddenly, everything that my brain had momentarily forgotten about — Griffin hunting me down in California, drugging

me, dragging me back to the castle against my will – smacked me in the face.

Punish me? Is he insane? What does that even mean?

I took another step back from him and Griffin just watched me carefully. His hair was messy, a side effect of the way I’d

tangled my hands in it during the kiss.

God, I can’t believe I kissed him.

Tkissed the man who drugged me and kidnapped me ~ what is wrong with

me? Even worse, part of me hadn’t wanted him to stop!

Heavy shame settled in my gut and I knew my cheeks were red — this time from embarrassment. I couldn’t believe I had

let myself get so carried away. And for what? Because he’d called me his muse and drew pretty pictures of me? This was

not a fairytale and Griffin was no prince charming, regardless of what kind of title he held.

“You can’t punish me,” I snapped at him, crossing my arms, “You drugged me and brought me here against my will.

That’s kidnapping! If anyone deserves to be punished here, it’s you.”

Griffin’s eyes flashed. “I wouldn’t have had to kidnap you if you would’ve just stayed here in the first place,” he said, “You

chose to run. That action has consequences.”

He took another step closer and I jumped back. Okay, he’s not reasonable ~ time for a new approach!

“You’re right, it was wrong of me to run,” I said, throwing my hands up in surrender. Griffin cocked an eyebrow, clearly

unsure where I was going with this. “But I’ve learned my lesson. I will never run from you again, okay? I’m yours. I

understand my mistake. No punishment needed.” (7

Griffin looked amused. “As much as I appreciate the apology, little fox,” he said, taking another step, “You and I both

know you don’t believe it. You’re saying that to placate me. If you were given another opportunity to run right now,

you’d take it. The only way you’re going to actually learn your lesson is with a…helping hand, I should say.” (7) I took

another step back. “You want me to accept the mate bond, right? How am I supposed to do that if you hurt me? That’s

going to be making progress in the wrong direction.”

Griffin took another step and I went to retreat, but my back hit one of the walls in the art studio. I was officially stuck and

he knew it. Griffin loomed over me, his arms caging me in.

His eyes danced with amusement. “Oh, little fox,” he said, and he brought one of his hands up to cup my chin, “Just

because I’m going to punish you doesn’t mean I’m going to hurt you. Not really.”

“You’re not?” I asked. That felt a little bit like relief, but the word “punishment” still had plenty of bad implications. Was he

going to lock me in the dungeon? Refuse to feed me?

course not,” he said, “I’d never you hurt, Clark. Not like that.”

still be a punishment but I don’t think you’re going to hate

I could ask what he meant by that, Griffin wrapped his arms around me and tugged me

barely had time to let out a gasp ~

at him but all I could see was his

should say – exited the art studio in just a few strides and then Griffin gently set me down on

We’re relocating…to the bed?

Griffin stood a few feet away, arms crossed. I could no

his face, it

beating a million miles per minute. |

to force sex on me – or anything else that would actually hurt me = but what he was actually

it need to take

on the bed?

for a few moments and the anticipation felt like it was

planning

on the bed beside me, stretching

he said, “It’s time.”

was supposed to understand that

What do you want me to do?” Was being cryptic and confusing also part

narrowed his eyes for a moment ~ like he was trying to figure out if I was just being difficult – and

“Sometimes, I forget how innocent you are, little fox. Come lay over my lap.

to spank you.”

back from him. “What? No!” I said, “You want to

kid.”

eyes again, “But you have been my disobedient little

learn your lesson.” 7

my face heat up. There was no way I could blush

right now. He can’t be serious. “You can’t spank me,” I

asked with raised eyebrows. From the amused look on Griffin’s face, he

embarrassment.

I sputtered, trying to come up with an explanation, “I’ve never been spanked before!”

“Then I’m sure this will teach you your lesson.” He started to move

stop him. I knew my strength was no match

if you’re not reading this book on n𝘰𝚟el5s.com, you might be missing out

to dive into the

you can punish me?” I practically had to force the word

like dirty to say

yet,” Griffin said, “Now, enough stalling. It’s time,

and pulled me over his lap in

fall over him,

into his thighs. Oh my

going to spank

a moment, all I could do was chastise myself for not wearing pants. Why had i worn a dress for

the time, it had felt light and airy for California’s warm breeze, but now, it was just going

Griffin easy

one of his large hands

what it felt like when I learned you were trying to

middle of a meeting when one of my escorts mind- linked

to leave with one of the guests. He asked me if I wanted

leaving.

known from the start.

breathed. “Why didn’t you stop me?” From the position I was lying in, it was too

for you so long, I couldn’t believe you would just leave

never even met me.” There was obvious pain in his voice and I felt

that leaving would Griffin. Well, that wasn’t completely true.

Griffin would just move on from me, forget

had been a delusion. I had been around enough mates in my life

other. |”

how stubborn you were. You’d been fixating