The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

Chapter 79

Chapter 79

“You are enough to drive a saint to madness or a king to his knees.” Grace Willows

You’d think a coronation would last for hours, but all things considered, the ceremony was relatively short. When Nadia

had told me that Griffin was only crowning me, she meant it.

I wasn’t complaining though. Having so many eyes on me was unsettling, and the less time I had to spend in front of a

crowd, the better.

After the Alphas had finished bowing to me, I saw Nadia emerge from the crowd. It was the first time I’d seen her during

the coronation, although frankly, | hadn’t really seen anyone. I didn’t recognize most of the faces and I wasn’t trying to.

Seeing someone I knew — like my father or Uncle Steve ~ might just trip me up when I was already nervous enough. I wanted to save those interactions for the reception.

“Please make your way to the exit,” Nadia said, clapping her hands together to get their attention, “You’ll see several

escorts posted by the doorway. They’ll take you to the reception – we’ll have food, drinks, everything you need. The King

and Queen will join you shortly.” That was as much encouragement as most Alphas seemed to need. Chapter 79

The heavy air of the room seemed to lift as well as the silence. The important part was over. Gradually, the Alphas began

to move toward the doors, conversation picking up between them. As they passed, many of them bowed their heads to me again and | inclined mine. If they were going to show respect to me, I wanted to show it back.

As soon as the last Alpha had walked out of the throne room, I took a few steps toward the door but Griffin’s hand

clasped over mine to stop me. “What are you doing?” He asked, looking confused. His face looked much softer now than

it had a few minutes ago, and I had no doubt it was because we were alone now.

Whenever we were around other people, especially other Alphas, Griffin wore a mask. Not a literal one, of course ~ but a

facade to keep his face from betraying too much emotion.

When we were alone, the mask slipped off. He didn’t feel the need to put up a facade around me. Since I’d accepted the mate bond, I didn’t either.

“Isn’t there a reception?” I asked. “That’s where everyone is going.” “There is.”

to go too?” I asked. “I

face. “I’m sure they won’t mind

into

long, lingering kiss.

to restrain myself from pulling him closer. It took almost all

you doing?” I asked. Griffin’s smile

alone. Not a guard in sight and someone had closed

doors.

totally not

my Queen,” Griffin said, and then he leaned down to graze his lips over the claiming

and I barely held back a moan. “Do you have any

one of the

My cheeks flushed

saw it,” he continued, his lips ghosting over my neck

gorgeous you looked. And then I thought about how I wasn’t the only one seeing you in

that I was the only one who could look at

to say, “I couldn’t have been crowned if you

he said, and his tongue ran over my claiming bite until I moaned, “That’s

all

coronation could go on but

eyebrows shot to my hairline at that

couldn’t say for

sure,

to that, but Griffin didn’t seem to

than ever, like

this?

he said, pulling back to look at me, “Well, you don’t want

I was thinking.” If the animalistic look in his eyes was any indication, I

wasn’t sure what triggered me to say it – probably a lingering confidence

be on their

teased him, “I just got crowned Queen

out of

to punish me for saying

an electric thrill down my spine. Amusement

knew that I was treading a dangerous line,

“Aren’t you going to show some loyalty

in my chest.

passed through Griffin’s eyes, and for a moment, I wondered

bowed to anyone in my life,” he said, “People

eyes at that sentence, Griffin’s next move left me with a