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

to look around the room full of Alphas. “Besides your mother,

one in

said, “Not sure that’s a super

Griffin is a looker too!” Mom said, lowering her voice as if she was confessing a secret, “You two

little confused

“What’s that?”

the King to crown the Queen? I thought he was getting

little odd to me, that’s

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

Nadia had given me

when the heir or heiress

only for me.”

‘o.’ I could tell she was still a little confused, but

accept my explanation.

could clarify, a new voice spoke from

My stomach dropped.

knew that

I’d dreaded seeing at

father looked just as stern as I remembered him. After a

eyes were

seemed like they were always

soft features were

contrast to his seriousness.

and Steve stiffened, and he placed a hand

father’s eyes darted to the two, widening just enough for me to know that he recognized

those years,

much alike, and if nothing else, her

her away.

forced smile and a frown. “May,” he said, and

teeth, “I was not…expecting

hide her frown and neither did Steve.

a long time, Marcus,” she

Grace’s soft voice interrupted them, and her face went white

between us, and then I watched my mom compose herself and muster up a smile.

woman might not have handled meeting their husband’s one- night stand so well,

polite smile was her favorite accessory. She

learning not to embarrass my father in

shock me when Grace

hand in mom’s. “Yes, I am Marcus’ true mate,” she said, and there was an

a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this book on n??el5s.com, you might be missing

story. Head over there to dive into the

time, Steve was the one to break 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 — celebrating her.”

least I could count on Steve to try

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

are.” 7)

you mean,” mom said,

seem to remember my contribution to her

barely above a growl. “You’re going

me for nearly

To my surprise, Grace reacted first, stepping in front of

was physically protecting him from mom. The polite smile had

or as close as Grace

seem to be intimidated in the slightest by Grace. “Oh, please,” she scoffed, “You did the same thing! As

did tell you about her, you did the one thing I was worried you would. You

her mother.” Chapter 80

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

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

you’re surrounded by people who do nothing but

he is or how’s he changed?” Grace said, and her facade completely cracked,

she really was. “I’ve known him for two decades. You knew him for one night. You were just some

and happened to catch him in a moment

talk down to

moment and then my mother quietly said, “Is that what he

the result of a single night, that’s true,” mom said, “But Marcus and I were friends for months before that. I

falling in love with him…God, I was naive.” She let out a bitter laugh before continuing.

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

my pants,” mom added,

home – that Chapter

said when he finally told me about you? That some part of

choose his own destiny. And

of Grace’s polite mask chipped and fell away,

broken as she pulled herself away from my father’s

said, reaching for her, “Please…” As angry as he was, there was desperation in his eyes

carefully constructed lies that my father

why we never talked about my mom,

pretending she was a stranger he’d met to preserve Grace’s

moment but Grace managed to compose herself, forcing her

beginning to move away. My father turned to follow her but she

crowd, but as soon as she had, he was turning

If looks would kill, he would’ve suffocated mom

eye, Steve tugged mom closer to

you?” Dad growled, his eyes

if ruining my chance at a relationship with my daughter wasn’t enough, you’ve got

my mate too.”

fight. My parents were beginning to make

of the night, 1 finally stepped in. “Both

pushing myself between them.