The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (7) Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (7)

“after a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own, relations.”

Oscar Wilde

Aria wasn’t sure she’d ever felt so much like a helpless lamb headed into a den of starving wolves. Or, in this case, werewolves. In preparation for the dinner party, she wore the blue cocktail dress she’d found on her bed when she

returned from the walk with Sebastian ~ a gift from his sister, Lily.

Aria didn’t want to reject the gesture, especially since it was a beautiful dress, even if it only made her more anxious. She

was staring in the mirror, fiddling with her hair for the thousandth time, when a familiar knock sounded on the door.

Sebastian, His delicious scent gave him away every time.

“You can come in,” she called quietly, “I’m decent.”

He walked through the door, decked out in a blue button-down shirt that matched her dress (and his eyes), and froze as

soon as he saw her.

Immediately, Aria felt her stomach drop. “What’s wrong?” Even as she asked the question, she was already using her bare

arms to cover up as. Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (7)

much of her body as possible. “It’s the dress, isn’t it?”

She shouldn’t have worn this ~ she knew it. She knew the blue body- con dress had been too revealing. It showed too much cleavage and outlined every curve of her body…of course her mate would think it was

inappropriate.

She should have asked for his approval or maybe asked him to pick out her outfit — that would have been the safe

option. That’s what her mother would’ve done, what a good mate would’ve done.

Sebastian swallowed, unable to take his eyes off her body. “‘Wrong’?”

She could practically feel her body folding in on itself, and she wanted more than nothing than to crawl under the covers

and never come out. “Pm sorry,” she muttered, “I shouldn’t have worn this, I know it’s not ladylike and I should have

asked your permission first, it’s just your

sister -”

Sebastian was suddenly in front of her, his large hands on her shoulders and looking into her eyes. “Woah, slow down,”

he said, a smile cracking on his face, “I’m not upset. Like at all.”

“You’re not?” She peered up at him, suddenly aware of the height difference. He really was quiet tall, but he didn’t throw

his size around like most Alphas did. It was only times like now, when they stood face- to-face (more like face to chest)

that she was reminded just how much taller he was. |!) Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (7)

Sebastian shook his head and furrowed his eyebrows. “Of course not. Why would I be?”

“Well, it’s just…you came in and you were staring at me,” she said, looking anywhere but him, “And I know this isn’t the

kind of dress that I should’ve worn, but your sister left it, so I just thought it’d be okay… but I should’ve waited for your

permission before putting it on.”

Sebastian’s face had slowly transformed into a deep frown as she spoke. “aria,” he said, and she tried to suppress the

shiver that rolled through her when he said her name. “You don’t need my permission to wear a dress, regardless of

where it came from. I would never be mad at you for what you wear.”

“But wouldn’t it embarrass you?” She asked. “If I wear something inappropriate around other people, then I’m making

you look bad.”

she’d just asked him to solve a complicated math equation in his

his tone tinted with confusion, “Why would I be mad or embarrassed about what you wear? You’d look great

anything.”

specific memory, when she’d been nine years old and her

to the garden in the light, low-cut top and a pair

pull out the

her father returned home from helping the warriors trained.

Chapter – Aria

as soon as he caught sight of her mother, and the way he pulled

needed to change immediately.

mother had started sobbing almost immediately as she hurried off

with her father. He’d squatted down to her height, wiping away her tears.

She’d nodded frantically.

much gentler this time, “Your mother made

embarrass me like that. What do you think would’ve happened if

was dressed like that? He might not have been able to

mother could’ve gotten hurt.” He

don’t you,

her back to the present, “I need you

wear. I’m pretty sure

that I’d dislike.”

about her outfit, she asked, “Nothing at all? Not even if I

Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian

sure you’d find some way to make even a trash

said what she said next – she knew it was pushing her luck,

stop them. “And if I wore nothing at all? If I just decided to do my grocery shopping topless, that

clearly hadn’t expected her to say that either ~ before

out the eyes of anyone who

upset.”

weather with her, Sebastian took her hand. “We should

said, “I’m. pretty sure we’re late

headed out of the room, hand in hand, and Aria felt a

she almost didn’t

Safety. GI9IOP

reminder that if you’re not reading this book on

dive into the next chapter—it’s

dining room was grander than she could’ve imagined — certainly more luxurious than any part

than that, however, were the kitchen staff. Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian

and women, bustling in and out of the

outfits like the women at Liam’s

everyone else was already seated. Lily

latter looking even more unimpressed than she’d

on the other two inhabitants of the

help but linger on the Queen, and she almost couldn’t believe how different this woman

first time she’d met her

wasn’t just the fact that she was no longer covered

her countenance. Back at Liam’s pack, the Queen practically reeked of

anxiety. Like she might

looked nothing like that. There wasn’t an ounce of fear on her face or a single frown line.

red hair shine in the light of the dining room, and without a

her face, Aria could make out the smattering of freckles that covered both of her cheeks. Bonus

Sebastian (7)

was almost afraid to look at the man attached to her side. King Griffin was handsome,

him was intimidating and big and too much. Whereas Sebastian’s dominance

suffocating. His power leeched out of every

want to lie down and

idea how the Queen dealt

her hand and led her to the remaining empty chairs.

Lily directly across from them. Alessia was across from her seat, and she ignored the woman’s leveled stare

~ it was everyone’s. She could feel Lily’s

judgement, and even the

Queen’s gaze.

be here, but instead of dashing from the room, she just

He squeezed back.

had glasses of what smelled

It was the Queen who broke

Aria & Sebastian (7)

miss a family dinner, especially one as