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

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

voice as if she

little confused about one thing though…”

“What’s that?”

the Queen? I thought he was getting crowned too,”

a little odd to me, that’s

coronation for the King or anyone in the original royal line,” I

Nadia had given me

the heir or heiress has

only for me.”

words, her lips forming a small ‘o.’ I could tell

accept my explanation.

I could clarify, a new voice spoke from behind me.

My stomach dropped.

that

swiftly tuned around to find the two people I’d dreaded seeing at my coronation — dad and Luna

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

blue eyes were

it seemed like they were always

side, Luna Grace’s soft features were a complete Chapter

contrast to his seriousness.

Steve stiffened, and he placed a

two, widening just enough for me to know

those years, it

that she was my birth mother. We looked too much

her away.

smile and a

was not…expecting to see

mother didn’t bother to hide her frown

long time, Marcus,”

soft voice interrupted them, and her

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

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

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

experience learning not to embarrass my

it didn’t completely shock me when Grace schooled her features

true mate,” she said, and there was an edge to

reading this book

Head over there to dive into the next chapter—it’s all

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

I could count on Steve to try and keep

asked, narrowing his eyes at Steve. “I’m here for my daughter, but I’m not sure

are.” 7)

daughter, you mean,” mom said, her eyes flashing

remember my

barely above a growl. “You’re

me for

Steve’s umbrella hold. To my surprise, Grace reacted first, stepping

like she was physically protecting him from mom. The polite

as close as Grace

Grace. “Oh, please,” she scoffed, “You did

I was worried you

her mother.” Chapter 80

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

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

when you’re surrounded by people who do nothing but

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

known him for two decades. You knew

to catch him in a

talk down to

for a moment and then my mother quietly said,

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

I was naive.” She let out a bitter laugh before

existed, you know.”

“May,” dad growled. (“)

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

him at home –

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

destiny. And

chipped and fell away, leaving pure devastation

pulled herself

As angry as he was, there was desperation

the carefully constructed lies that my father had been

bit more sense – why

was a stranger he’d met to

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

turned to follow her but she

into the crowd, but as soon as she had, he was

he would’ve suffocated mom

of my eye, Steve tugged mom closer

growled, his eyes flashing dangerously, Chapter

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

my mate too.”

side and I knew she was gearing up for a fight. My

drama became the main event of the night, 1 finally

pushing myself between them.