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?”

couldn’t even be offended that he was so suspicious of me. After

I was him, ’d certainly be suspicious about

My eyes bore into his

see why you might think that, but seriously, there’s no ploy here. I’ve had pretty much the entire

The mate bond. Whatever

I

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

rarely felt before.

rejection.

ago, I would’ve done everything I could to break this bond,

him I want

said, “And while I’m

that I

mean running off at the

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

entire future might end up slipping away. A human future.

what I thought and I owe this whole thing a shot — or, at least, I owe you shot.” My

embarrassment and I couldn’t bear to make eye contact with him.

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

the look

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

told him he won the lottery or like I

he whispered, “I knew you’d see that you belong to me eventually. There

take leads to

down the last of my vulnerability. His possessive words didn’t terrify me the way they used to.

bond or I’d just heard him tell me that I belonged to him

times.

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

with it. I’ll just disappoint you. I