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

full of Alphas. “Besides your

in here.”

room is mostly full of middle-aged men,” I said, “Not sure that’s a

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

a little confused about one

“What’s that?”

to crown the Queen? I thought he

“Just seems. a little odd to me, that’s

original royal line,” I told her, echoing the same

Nadia had given me

a big deal when the heir or

only for me.”

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

accept my explanation.

clarify, a new voice spoke from

My stomach dropped.

knew that voice.

two people I’d dreaded seeing

looked just as stern as I remembered him. After a few months away from his house, I’d forgotten

eyes were

always

into his side, Luna Grace’s soft features were

contrast to his seriousness.

me, mom and Steve stiffened, and he placed a hand around

My father’s eyes darted to the two, widening just enough

years,

looked too much alike, and if nothing else, her human scent

her away.

twisted into something between a forced smile and a

from gritted teeth, “I was not…expecting

hide her frown

a long time, Marcus,”

soft voice interrupted them, and

between us, and then I watched my mom compose herself and muster up a smile. “That’s me,” she said, and she offered up a hand to Grace, “You must be

handled meeting their husband’s one- night stand so well, but this was

a polite smile was her favorite accessory. She could teach a master class

experience learning not

completely shock me when Grace schooled

mom’s. “Yes, I am Marcus’ true mate,” she said,

reminder that if you’re not reading this book on n??el5s.com,

story. Head over there to dive into

but this 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

smile his way. At least I could count on

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

are.” 7)

mom said, her eyes flashing

remember my contribution to

his voice barely above a

kept her from me for

dad, leaving Steve’s umbrella hold. To my surprise, Grace reacted

she was physically protecting him from mom. The polite smile had dropped

anger — or as close as Grace could get

slightest by Grace.

one thing I was worried you would. You cut her off from me and

her mother.” Chapter 80

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

you even see how far up your own ass you are, Marcus?” Mom said, “Even after all these years, you haven’t

by people who do nothing but kiss your ass

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

livid she really was. “I’ve known him for two decades. You knew him for

happened to catch him in a moment of weakness. I will

down to my

then my mother quietly said, “Is that what

just blinked at her. “Clark may have been the result of a single night, that’s true,”

I was naive.” She let out a bitter laugh

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

until after he’d gotten into my pants,” mom added, “That’s

at home – that

what he said when he finally told me about you?

own destiny. And his own

of Grace’s polite mask chipped and

herself away from my

“Please…” As angry as he was, there

bat to the carefully constructed lies that

little bit more sense – why we never talked about my mom, why

was a stranger he’d met to

to compose herself, forcing her face into blankness. “I think I need some

move away. My father turned to follow her but she shot him

look happy about Grace disappearing into the crowd, but as

he would’ve suffocated mom to death

my eye, Steve

growled, his eyes flashing

if ruining my chance at a relationship with my daughter wasn’t enough, you’ve got to take your shot at the one

my mate too.”

gearing up for a fight. My parents were beginning to make a bit of a scene too,

became the main event of the night, 1 finally stepped in. “Both of you

pushing myself between them.