The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

Chapter 47 “Happiness can only exist in acceptance.” George Orwell

Later that evening, when Griffin returned to our rooms, I decided to put my new attitude into work. I’d already tried

running away and fighting fate. For the time being, it was time to see where actual acceptance might get me.

So, when Griffin entered the room, I didn’t turn away or try to argue with him like I might’ve done a couple of days ago.

Instead, I turned to him and actually smiled. The gesture still felt forced and I could see Griffin raise his eyebrows almost

immediately ~ he clearly hadn’t been expecting me to look happy to see him.

“Hello, little fox,” he said, bounding across the room and taking me into his arms. “I missed you.” His embrace was warm

and firm, and rather than pull away, I let myself sink into his arms and hug him back.

“Yeah, me too,” I told him. It wasn’t a complete lie. Other than Dr. Inessa, Griffin had been primary human interaction for

the past day. Even if he’d spent a good portion of that time “punishing me,” his presence was better than nothing.

In response, Griffin only stiffened under my touch. Was he expecting me to reject his touch?

“What’s wrong?” I asked as Griffin stiffly pulled away from me, staring at me with narrowed eyes.

“What are you trying to pull?” he asked, his voice low and barely above a growl. 2)

“What do you mean?”

“That smile when I walked into the room,” he said, “Telling me you miss me too, hugging me back…what sort of game are

you trying to play with me?”

me. After all, I had

If I was him, ’d certainly be

pull anything,” I replied. My eyes bore into his and I tried to communicate every ounce of sincerity

might think that, but seriously, there’s no ploy here. I’ve had pretty

bond.

I could’ve sworn I saw something flash in his eyes. Hope?

the thing,” I started. Suddenly, it was all I could do not to look away from him. I

and vulnerable in a way that I’d rarely felt before. It was the heart pounding, sweaty-palm feeling

rejection.

bond, and now I’m worried that he may try to laugh in

if I tell him I want to

been pretty against this whole thing,” I said, “And while I’m definitely not

recognize that I probably didn’t

running off at the first

I said, and I had to grit my

my entire future might end up slipping away. A human future. But I was

path may be different than what I thought and I owe this whole thing a shot — or, at least, I

embarrassment and I couldn’t bear to

in his grasp, he turned my face towards his and I nearly gasped

the look in his

adoration—there was no mistaking it. I’d seen that look

told him he won the lottery or like I was proposing marriage. “T knew

see that you belong

take leads to

of my vulnerability. His possessive words didn’t terrify me the

or I’d just

times.

to take things slow. This kind of stuff…it’s new to me. You can’t throw

role and expect me to roll with it. I’ll just