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

the room full of Alphas. “Besides your mother, I’m pretty sure

one in

said,

Griffin is a looker too!” Mom said, lowering her voice as if she

little confused about one thing

“What’s that?”

King to crown the Queen?

a little

anyone in the original royal line,” I told her, echoing the same explanation

Nadia had given me

it’s a big deal when the heir or heiress has a mate, so that’s

only for me.”

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

accept my explanation.

I could clarify, a new voice spoke

My stomach dropped.

that voice.

people I’d dreaded seeing at my coronation — dad and

father looked just as stern as I remembered him. After

eyes were

they were always trying to

Grace’s soft

contrast to his seriousness.

and he

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

those years, it

We looked too much alike, and if nothing

her away.

and a frown. “May,” he

teeth, “I was not…expecting

bother to hide her frown and

a long time,

voice interrupted them, and her face went white as a

herself and muster up a smile.

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

smile was her favorite accessory. She could

not to embarrass my father

shock me when

true mate,”

not reading this book on n𝘰𝚟el5s.com, you might

dive into the

know this is a little awkward to meet like this,” he said, sounding sheepish, “But we’re all here for

could

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

are.” 7)

mom said, her eyes flashing angrily,

seem to remember

Dad asked, his voice barely above a growl.

from me for nearly

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

him from mom. The polite smile had dropped from her face and was

or as close as

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

one thing I was worried you

her mother.” Chapter 80

a drug addict,” dad shot back, “And it was the right choice.”

you are, Marcus?” Mom said, “Even after all these years,

happens when you’re surrounded by people who do nothing but kiss your ass all

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

him for two decades. You knew him for one night. You were just

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

you talk down to my

for a moment and then my mother quietly said, “Is

a single night, that’s true,” mom said, “But Marcus and I were friends for

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

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

gotten into my pants,” mom added, “That’s when he

home

what he said when he finally told me about you? That some part of him had wished he

his own destiny. And his own

of Grace’s polite mask chipped and fell away, leaving pure devastation in

pulled herself away

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

a baseball bat to the carefully constructed lies that

bit more sense – why we never

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

took a moment but Grace managed to compose herself, forcing her face into blankness. “I think

move away. My father turned to follow

happy about Grace disappearing into the crowd, but

would’ve suffocated

the corner of my eye, Steve tugged mom

wrong with you?” Dad growled,

a relationship with my daughter wasn’t enough, you’ve got to take your shot

my mate too.”

into fists at her side and I knew she was gearing up for a fight. My parents were beginning to make a

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

pushing myself between them.