The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

Chapter 80

Chapter 80

“Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say.” Rick Riordan

Eventually, after several more minutes of kissing and touching and running my hands through Griffin’s hair, we finally

made our way to the reception hall. Griffin had wanted to finish what we’d started, but I also didn’t want to miss my own

coronation party. That was just bad taste, right?

So, with Griffin leading the way, we made our way to the reception hall — another part of the castle I hadn’t seen yet. Nadia had briefly mentioned the room in meetings before, but this was the first time I was laying eyes on it.

Really, it wasn’t so much a room as it was a ballroom. (‘)

With marble floors that shined so brightly I could see my reflection in them, I wasn’t sure what the most impressive part

of the space was. If it wasn’t the grand staircase that led into the center of the room, it was the high, coved ceiling and

Corinthian columns. It looked like something you’d find in a fairytale.

Well, I do live in a literal castle built centuries ago. Chapter 80

As Griffin and I made our way down the staircase, the chatter and activity of the room ceased to a momentary halt. “Your

new King and Queen,” Nadia’s voice carried over the room and many of the Alphas began clapping for us.

I managed to spot Nadia and the sight of her – and who she was with — made me smile. She was tucked into Ivan’s side,

smiling and greeting those around her. Ivan looked less enthusiastic about being here, more like a grumpy guard dog on watch duty.

Griffin and I descended the stairs together, but as soon as we’d reached the bottom step, Alphas that I did not recognize were gunning for his attention.

“My King,” a middle-aged bald man with a thick beard said, seeming to appear out of thin air, “There’s a matter I wish to

discuss with you.”

“actually, if there’s something I could get your opinion on first, Your Majesty,” said an Indian man who popped up from

the other side.

They were like hungry dogs nipping at his heels and desperate for his attention.

A little bit of annoyance sparked in me. We’d only gotten here and they were already trying to steal my mate away. But

then I remembered that these men didn’t get to see Griffin all the time, not when some of them lived across the world.

Getting to speak with the Alpha King might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of them, so it was

understandable they’d want to monopolize him. Chapter 80

Griffin looked down at me, and I could see the silent question behind his eyes. He was asking if it was okay to leave to

deal with whatever this royal business was.

I simply nodded. While the thought of navigating a room of mostly strangers on my own didn’t sound appealing, I

reminded myself that they wouldn’t be strangers for long. These were my people now.

Besides, Queens aren’t supposed to get socially anxious…right?

“Pll be back shortly,” Griffin said, leaning down to peck my lips, “If you need anything, if anyone bothers you…I’m here.”

The hard edge of his voice said it all.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” I said, lightly pushing him away. He shot me one last look before joining the two men. I could

see them beginning to babble into Griffin’s ear although their words got lost in the chatter of the room.

Sighing, I turned back to the room full of strangers, scanning the room for my mom and Steve. As the only two other

humans in the room, I could only imagine how out of place they felt amongst the wolves.

Where are they? “Oh, Clark! You looked so beautiful up there!”

I barely had time to turn around before the scent of vanilla perfume and pale arms enveloped me. Mom. Chapter 80

Well, that answers the ‘where’ question.

After squeezing me in a hug hard enough to rival wolf strength, she pulled back to look at me with misty eyes. “You

looked so strong up there, sweetheart,” she said with a watery smile, “You have no idea how

proud I am.”

“Your mother was getting all kinds of looks because she couldn’t stop crying,” Steve suddenly butted in, coming up

beside mom. He was decked out in a suit and a tie that matched her dress.

“Hey Uncle Steve,” I said, giving him a hug.

To see both of them here, happy and unharmed, brought me more relief than I’d expected. Their embraces were

comforting and familiar, and the fact that they’d come all this way for me left my heart full.

“You did look good up there, kid,” he said, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my hair. “Real grownup and

He paused to look around the room full of

one in

mostly full of middle-aged men,” I said, “Not

too!” Mom said, lowering her voice as if she

was a little confused about one thing

“What’s that?”

it werewolf custom for the King to crown the Queen? I thought he was getting crowned too,” she said, furrowing

“Just seems. a little

no coronation for the King or anyone in the original royal line,” I told her, echoing the

Nadia had given me

I’d asked weeks ago, “But it’s a big deal when the heir or heiress

only for me.”

forming a small ‘o.’ I could tell she

accept my explanation.

clarify, a new voice spoke from

My stomach dropped.

that

around to find the two people I’d dreaded seeing at my

stern as I remembered him. After a

blue eyes were

seemed like they were always trying to

side, Luna Grace’s soft

contrast to his seriousness.

stiffened, and he placed

My father’s eyes darted to the two, widening just enough for me to know that he recognized my mom. Even

years, it

was my birth mother. We looked too much alike, and if nothing else, her human scent would

her away.

smile and a frown. “May,” he said,

“I was

her frown

long time, Marcus,”

is…May? Clark’s mother?” Luna Grace’s soft voice interrupted them, and her face

mom compose herself and muster up a smile. “That’s me,” she said, and she offered up a hand to Grace, “You

lesser woman might not have handled meeting their husband’s one- night stand

polite smile was her favorite

years of experience learning not to embarrass my father in

didn’t completely shock me when

“Yes, I am Marcus’ true mate,” she said, and there

a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book on n𝘰𝚟el5s.com, you might be missing out on

over there to dive into the next

it. “Look, uh, we all know this is a little awkward to meet like this,” he said, sounding sheepish, “But we’re all here for Clark, right? That’s what matters

his way. At least I could count on

are you?” Dad asked, narrowing his eyes at Steve. “I’m

are.” 7)

mean,” mom said,

to remember my contribution

above a growl. “You’re going to lecture me

me for nearly twelve

To my

she was physically protecting him from mom. The polite

— or as close as Grace could get

be intimidated in the slightest by Grace. “Oh, please,” she

was

her mother.” Chapter 80

I kept her away from a drug addict,” dad shot back, “And it was the right choice.”

how far up your own ass you are, Marcus?” Mom said, “Even after all these years, you

you’re surrounded by people who do nothing

he is or how’s he

him for two decades. You

approached him at a bar and happened to catch him

down to my

and then my mother quietly said, “Is that what

the result of a single night, that’s true,” mom said, “But Marcus and I

love with him…God, I was naive.” She let

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

gotten into my pants,” mom added, “That’s when he finally told me he had

at home – that Chapter

when he finally told me

choose his own destiny. And

chipped and fell away,

herself away from

he was, there was desperation in his eyes now. My mother

to the carefully constructed lies that my father had been feeding

why we never talked about my mom, why he

he knew her. He was pretending she was a stranger he’d met

forcing her face into blankness. “I

to follow her but she shot

didn’t look happy about Grace disappearing into the crowd, but as soon

would kill, he would’ve

my eye, Steve tugged mom

you?” Dad growled, his eyes flashing dangerously, Chapter

wasn’t enough, you’ve got to take your shot at the one

my mate too.”

she was gearing up for a fight. My parents

the night, 1 finally stepped in.

pushing myself between them.