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 Alphas. “Besides your mother,

one in

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

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

little confused about

“What’s that?”

the Queen? I thought he was

a little odd to me,

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

Nadia had given me

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

only for me.”

‘o.’ I could

accept my explanation.

new voice spoke from behind me.

My stomach dropped.

knew that voice.

to find the two people I’d dreaded seeing at

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

blue eyes were

were always trying to poke beneath the

Luna Grace’s soft features

contrast to his seriousness.

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

two, widening just enough for me to know that he recognized my

those years,

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

her away.

between a forced smile and a frown. “May,” he said, and the word sounded

from gritted teeth, “I was not…expecting to

didn’t bother to hide her frown

time,

voice interrupted them,

a smile. “That’s me,” she said, and she offered up a hand to

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

favorite

learning not to

me when Grace

dainty hand in mom’s. “Yes, I am Marcus’ true mate,” she

Just a friendly reminder that if you’re not reading this

dive into the next

to break it. “Look, uh, we all know this is a little awkward to meet

At least I could count on Steve to try

Steve. “I’m here for my daughter, but I’m not

are.” 7)

you mean,” mom said, her eyes flashing

seem to remember

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

from me

dad, leaving Steve’s umbrella hold. To

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

like anger — or as close as Grace could get

slightest by Grace. “Oh, please,” she scoffed, “You did the

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

her mother.” Chapter 80

from a drug addict,” dad shot back, “And it was

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

by people who do nothing but kiss

is or how’s he changed?” Grace

him for two decades. You knew him for one

him in a moment of weakness. I will

talk down to

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

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

She let out a bitter laugh

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

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

at home

what he said when he finally told me about

his own destiny. And

polite mask chipped and fell away, leaving

broken as she pulled herself away from

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

lies that my father had been feeding Grace

made a little bit more sense – why

was a

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

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

the crowd, but as soon

looks would kill, he would’ve suffocated mom

of my eye, Steve tugged mom closer

you?” Dad growled, his eyes flashing dangerously,

daughter wasn’t

my mate too.”

hands were balled into fists at her side and I knew she was gearing up for a fight. My parents were beginning to make a bit of a scene too, with some

became the main event of the night, 1 finally stepped in. “Both of you need to stop,”

pushing myself between them.