The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

Chapter 69

Chapter 69

“If we act like prey, they’ll act like predators.” Alyxandra Harvey

By the time my first training session with Ivan was over, my muscles felt like jelly and my knuckles were swollen. Ivan had

wrapped them in bandages before he taught me to use the punching bag, but they were still bruised.

I didn’t realize how weak your human healing capabilities were, Ivan had told me. He hadn’t even meant it an insult. If

anything, he looked a little uneasy when he examined my reddened fists ~ like the slight bruising might bring Griffin’s wrath down upon him, He’d even insisted Lice them for several minutes.

It wasn’t until I’d ensured Ivan several times that I’d be fine (and ice

them for the rest of the evening) that he ended our training session.

Thad no idea what time it was but judging by the moonlight filtering through the castle windows, it was well into the

evening.

Ivan had mind-linked one of the guards to bring me back to my rooms, and by the time I got back to the suite, I was more than ready for a nap.

Well, maybe some food first and then a nap. Chapter 69

I closed the bedroom door behind me, thanking the retreating guard for escorting me as I did so.

“How was your training session, little fox?”

I whipped my head around to catch sight of Griffin sprawled out on the bed. Judging by the untucked dress shirt he wore, he hadn’t been here long.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, “You’ve been busy this entire week.

You usually don’t make it back until I’m half-asleep.”

Griffin smiled lazily. “My meetings ended early,” he said, “I’ll tell you about it later. For now, I want to hear about this

training session. How did it go?”

I tried to be careful as I described the training session to Griffin. The last thing I wanted him to do was assume that Ivan was being too mean or too hard on me, and cancel the self-defense lessons. Or do something worse.

“It was informative,” I said, plopping down on the edge of the bed, “He showed me some moves that might help me take

down a stronger opponent in a fight. You know, like a werewolf.”

Griffin raised an eyebrow at me, and I could see a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, really? Perhaps I should be wary

of making you mad then, little fox. Now that you’re a trained fighter, I wouldn’t want to invoke your wrath.” Chapter 69

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” I said, rolling my eyes “Maybe you should be

wary. I know how to take you down now.”

“Is that so?” he said. Griffin spread his arms across the top of the bed like he was inviting me to come close. “Well, what

are you waiting for then?”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You said you know how to take me down now,” he grinned, “So, show

me these moves. Take me down.”

“You want me to fight you?” I asked with wide eyes. Was this some kind of trick? Was he trying to goad me into a

punishment?

Not that ending up over his lap again would be the worst thing, some small voice inside of me whispered. \*

But Griffin didn’t seem mad or disappointed. There was amusement dancing in his eyes ~ and something else too, but I

couldn’t put my

finger on it.

“Think of it like an opportunity,” he shrugged, spreading his arms wider, “You’ve learned these moves, and now you can

see if they work.”

“What if I hurt you?” I countered. Griffin seemed completely at ease with the idea of me fighting him, but would he feel

the same way after a punch to the throat or the kidneys? Chapter 69

Griffin chuckled. “That’s cute, little fox,” he said, “But you don’t need to worry about hurting me.”

I could feel my competitive spirit flare to life. He doesn’t think I’m actually capable of inflicting any damage.

Screw being cautious about hurting him – maybe he does

– I learned how to incapacitate a stronger opponent. I mean,

quickly but I don’t think you want me

as he leaned

he’s the strongest werewolf in the world, There’s no

didn’t wait for Griffin

my movement wasn’t thoughtless. I remembered what Ivan told me. I couldn’t

fist upwards and under his ribcage — right

Griffin was quicker.

could land the hit, Griffin’s larger hand wrapped around mine. He

straddling his

practically dizzy

these great moves intended to incapacitate me?”

smile lit a

think I’d just give in after

out loud to him. Instead, I used my free hand to

throat. He didn’t even look like he

no more taxing than a cat batting at

probably was.

hands in his grip, Griffin’s teasing smile got

feel his cool breath on my lips. “Right before you strike,

“Wait —” Chapter 69

to finish my sentence. Griffin’s lips were

that it made my head spin even as he pulled back to look

your next move,” he teased. There was a victorious smile on his

he’d won.

fox,” he continued, that same mocking smile on his face, “But you

chance.”

the play fight had he not said that last part, Something about

spirit rearing

mouth – probably to

speak.

not reading this book on

dive into the next chapter—it’s

catching him in the shin as hard

surprise flash across his face briefly. He didn’t flinch or release his hold on me,

chest, I knew

what was that about not letting your opponent

move?”

left his face. If anything, it only got

and brushed his fingers

my breath caught as those same fingers suddenly wrapped around my

or applying any pressure, just letting the weight of his long fingers rest over

“I

sure if it was our little fight, Griffin’s hand wrapped around my throat like a necklace,

There was a

knew I

tell me he’s

twitched and I knew it was too late — we were too close and his senses were

scent of my arousal.

satisfied look in his eyes sent

he looked every bit like the predator

as he leaned down to steal my lips in another kiss, I realized he didn’t just look like a predator —

always be one, no matter how many self-defense moves or tactics Ivan

around my neck. I did my best to keep up with

he’d Chapter

at

back just long enough to pull his shirt over his head. There was

his toned chest before his

moments, Griffin released my other hand to tangle his in my hair. I took advantage of

my hands across the

of his

fair that you’re still wearing a shirt,” Griffin mumbled against my lips.

I looked down

a long, dark claw. That

paper, leaving me bare

at you,” Griffin rasped, and his eyes took in my bare chest like a starving man. “You’re so beautiful, little fox.” I watched his claw recede back into his skin until it was

but Griffin’s mouth was on mine

hand ~ the same one that

was now trailing down my chest.

return the favor. I wanted him to

I

with renewed passion, my hands twisting into his hair and jerking hard. Griffin

until | let out some sort of muffled

and his mouth moved from my lips to my neck. I would’ve replied

not immediately swept over the claiming bite and left me feeling like a tingly,

I bucked my

it feels when he

Griffin pulled back briefly, but I

and under the waistband of my