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

his face. “Il still be a punishment but I don’t think you’re going to

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

had time to let out a gasp ~ he really carrying me over

doing?” I snapped at him but all

– or we, I should say – exited the art studio in just

We’re relocating…to the bed?

sat up straight on the silk sheets and Griffin stood a few

face, it

miles per minute. | knew

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

need to

on the bed?

a few moments and the anticipation felt like

planning

Griffin seemed to move. He moved to sit down on the bed beside me, stretching his legs out. “Alright,

he said, “It’s time.”

knee and looked at me like I was supposed to understand

to do?” Was being cryptic and confusing also part

narrowed his eyes for a moment ~ like he was trying to figure out if

little fox. Come lay over my lap.

to spank you.”

flushed red and I lurched back from him. “What? No!” I said, “You

kid.”

you have been my disobedient little

learn your lesson.” 7

There was no way I could blush

He can’t be serious. “You can’t spank

eyebrows. From the amused look on Griffin’s face, he was

embarrassment.

sputtered, trying to come up with an

you your lesson.” He started to move closer

hand into his chest to stop him. I knew my strength was

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

into the next chapter—it’s

you can punish me?” I practically had to force the word ‘punishment’ out of my

dirty to

other ways…but you’re not ready yet,” Griffin said, “Now, enough stalling.

and pulled me over his lap in one fell swoop. I

to fall over

and legs digging into his thighs.

really going to

all I could do was chastise myself for not wearing

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

Griffin easy access.

when I felt one of his large

learned you were trying to run

meeting when one of my escorts mind- linked me. He told me you

the entrance, trying to leave with one of the guests. He asked me

about me leaving. The escort knowing my name…it all made

known from the start.

stop me?” From the position I was lying in, it

about it,” he said, “After waiting for you so long, I couldn’t believe you would just

me.” There was obvious pain in

wasn’t completely true. I had known it would hurt

just move on from me, forget about me even… that was an easier thought

But it had been a delusion. I had been around enough mates in my life to know they

other. |”

you were. You’d been fixating on this idea that we weren’t