The Alpha King's Human Mate by HC Dolores

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (8) Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian (8)

“The good news is that you survived. The bad news is that you’re hurt, and no one can heal you but yourself.”

Clementine Von Radics

Just as she’d expected, the moment of comfortable silence was short- lived. Just as Aria was spooning mashed potatoes

into her mouth, Alessia broke the quiet. “So, Aria,” she started, “We all had to deal with that loser Liam, but you’re the

one who had to actually live with him. What was that like?” The question was phrased so casually, like she was asking Aria

what the weather was like – and not loudly announcing her greatest shame.

Everyone else at the table tensed immediately ~ Aria, Sebastian, the King, and the Queen. Alessia might as well have

presented a ticking time bomb for dinner.

To her surprise, it was Sebastian who answered. “Alessia,” he said, his voice low and frustrated in a way that Aria had

never heard it. “We don’t need to talk about that.”

Alessia shrugged. “What? I’m curious. I want to know if the guy was as delusional in private as he was to the rest of the world.” She leaned closer to Aria from across the table, her eyes lit with curiosity. “So…was Bonus Chapter – Aria &

Sebastian (8)

he?”

Aria wasn’t sure why the mashed potatoes in her mouth – which had melted against her tongue moments ago — now

tasted like she was trying to choke down sand. “I -”

“Sebastian is right,” Queen Clark cut her off, shooting Alessia a pointed look. “We don’t need to talk about it. Aria

doesn’t need to explain anything to you.”

Alessia rolled her eyes. “You’re right. She doesn’t have to do anything. She could tell me to fuck right off if she wanted to,

but the poor girl hasn’t been able to get a word in edgewise since I’ve met her. Everyone around her treats her like

glass.” Her voice was taunting as she turned to Aria. “Is that what you are, Aria? Glass? Are you going to break into a million pieces if someone says Liam’s name?” (!

Part of Aria ~ no, most of her ~ wanted to crawl under the table and never come out. She wanted to hide from the curlyhaired girl’s hard gaze and her taunting tone.

But another part, much smaller, wanted to wipe that cold, teasing smile off her face. (“)

“Alessia, this conversation is over,” Sebastian said, his eyes dark and his

voice a growl.

‘The sound of his anger sent Aria’s heart racing and her stomach twisting into knots. Bonus Chapter – Aria & Sebastian

(8)

Alessia rolled her eyes again, but she stopped pressing the topic. It took every bit of Aria’s courage to pick up her

silverware and keep eating her now-bitter mashed potatoes with shaking fingers.

The rest of the dinner passed in uneasy silence.

GPLOIOP

Aria almost felt bad when she dodged Sebastian’s hug after dinner and scurried back to her room, but the relief of being

alone again was palpable. That dinner had to have been one of the most uncomfortable experiences she’d had in years. Going into it, she’d been worried about the King and Queen…but they hadn’t made her feel anxious.

If anything, Queen Clark continued to show her a level of compassion she was sure she didn’t deserve.

– he’d stood

only trying to protect her, and yet, when he got upset on her behalf, she’d

table

his intentions, no matter

capable

capable of being angry at her. It would only be a matter

growling at her, not Alessia. Bonus Chapter

tried to push the thought from her head as she changed into a pair of pajamas, but

her tracks ~ especially when she realized the scent on the other side

out. “Alessia,” a gruff voice answered,

now? Had she come to continue taunting

hesitation from the other side of the door, and Aria could almost imagine her rolling her eyes as she said,

piss you off. I’m here to

going to come out of Alessia’s mouth, it wasn’t that. Was she joking, and just trying

the door

make up

but it might upset Alessia

reconciliation…

said, sitting on the edge of the bed with

just

door, her footsteps heavy and her hands in Bonus Chapter – Aria

easy confidence ~ or the way that she entered every room like she already

it.

took in the guest room as well as Aria’s casual PJs. “Sorry

with sarcasm. “I

really want to

not reading this book on n??el5s.com, you might

to dive into the next chapter—it’s all

expensive bed sheets

to apologize?”

entire lemon. “Right,” she said, and she averted her eyes to the

me I should

way she dodged him,

face, of course,” Alessia said, her

into a smile.

Alessia wasn’t done yet. “But then,” she continued, “My mate

you, and

a lot more

loud, dramatic sigh and stared at the

very word pained her. “Sorry if asking a couple

for the rest of dinner. It was

to obtain, trust me…but I’m sure I’ll be out Bonus Chapter –

the doghouse once I

to

to reply.

started shaking

fresh and hot, ran

that anger, for

from the bed and marching over until her and

call that an apology? Your questions at dinner weren’t innocent, and

and expect me to

desire to hear any kind of apology from you,

leave now. And no, we’re not cool, regardless of what

she was done, Aria was breathing heavy, her

to realize what she’d done, but as soon as it registered, her eyes widened and her heart

throat. Bonus Chapter – Aria

yelled at

enough muscles to break

remember the last time she’d ever lost control of her anger

was going to tear out her

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

Head over there to dive into the next

stuttering out apologies, but as she looked at Alessia, she realized the curly-haired woman didn’t look like she was about to break her in half. She didn’t even look angry.