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?”

so suspicious of me.

If I was him,

into his and I tried to

“I can see why you might think that, but seriously, there’s no ploy

Us. The mate bond. Whatever you want to call

raised his eyebrows, but I could’ve sworn I saw something flash in his eyes.

he questioned. “Well, here’s the thing,” I started. Suddenly, it was all I could do

that I’d rarely felt before. It was the

rejection.

this bond, and now I’m worried

tell him I want to give this

pretty against this whole thing,” I said, “And while

I probably

mean running off at the first opportunity

gut. “Well, yes,” I said, and I had to grit my teeth to stop myself from stopping,

being with you meant my entire future might end up slipping away. A human future.

owe this whole

couldn’t bear to make eye contact with

away. Clasping my chin in his grasp,

look in his

I’d seen

like I was proposing marriage. “T

you’d see that you belong to me eventually. There is

take leads

His possessive words didn’t

to accept the mate bond or I’d just heard him tell

times.

“I need to take things slow. This kind

me to roll with it. I’ll just disappoint you. I need