The Alpha King’s Human Mate

“They were two halves that together formed a magical whole.” (7

– Dick Button S

As Esther led me to the dining room where I’d eat dinner with Griffin, I felt like a little girl playing dress up. We’d pass guards or people walking in the hallway and they’d bow to me, averting their eyes.

Did they not see I was just an imposter? Just a teenage girl stuck in a situation she had no say in? 4

The dining room that Esther led me to was different than the one I’d dined with Seb, Lily, and the former Alpha King in. The mahogany door wasn’t nearly as ornate.

She stopped in front of the door, her eyes glazing over as she communicated through the mind link.

Then after a moment, she opened the door and gestured for me to go inside. I took a deep breath and walked past her.

As I’d suspected, the room wasn’t quite as elaborate as the other dining room was but it was still fancier than anything else I’d dined in. The biggest difference was the size this dining room table was smaller, more intimate. It was clearly meant

–

to only seat two or three guests.

And at the head of the table, Griffin’s dark eyes raked over my b*dy. He clearly had no shame in staring, and if the smirk on his face was any indicator, he at least liked what he saw.

And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like what I see either. (2

I tried to hide the flush on my cheeks as Griffin stood up from his seat and I got a full look at his outfit. He had cleaned up in dark dress pants that hugged his thighs and a light blue dress shirt that popped with his complexion. I couldn’t help but notice that his sleeves were rolled up and the griffin tattoo on his forearm was on full display.

That damned tattoo.

I should’ve known something was off when I started dreaming about a hot guy – I

never dream about hot guys.

3

“You may leave now, Esther,” Griffin said, but he didn’t take his eyes

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

off me.

I remained planted near the door, but as soon as the door clicked shut behind.

Esther, Griffin was striding across the room to me.

He stopped only inches from me, and this time, I couldn’t stop the flush from

creeping onto my face. It was just his intensity. Everything about him was intense and powerful the way he talked, the way he walked, and most of all, the way he

looked at me.

–

“You look beautiful, my little fox,” Griffin said, and he tugged my chin up until my

eyes met his. I had no choice but to stare back at him – or really, I should say up at

him. Given the height difference, I was more eye level with Griffin’s chest.

Despite the intense eye contact, I managed to keep my composure. “You don’t look

so bad yourself.”

Griffin smiled as if I’d just told him he was the most beautiful man alive, and moved his other hand to the small of my back. “I’m glad you approve, little fox. Here, why don’t you take a seat?”

He led me to the chair opposite his and pulled it out for me. The gesture felt. romantic and I was glad he could no longer see the blush on my face as I sat.

He slid into his own chair next, his eyes back on me. I averted my gaze to my empty

plate.

Someone really loves eye contact.

“Why do you do that?” he suddenly asked. [1

“Do what?”

“Look away from me,” he said, “It’s like you’re afraid to make eye contact with me for more than a second. Are you afraid of what you might feel if you do?”

You mean this stupid mate bond I have no control over?

“Maybe I’m just not big on eye contact,” I retorted, “The real question is, why do you feel the need to make eye contact with me all the time?” My response was

probably a little snarky, but judging by Griffin’s chuckle, he didn’t seem to take.

offense.

“Why do I look at you?” he asked, his tone playful, “How could I not look at you? You’re stunning, little fox.” For a moment, his smile seemed to disappear and I was drowning in his eyes again just dark intensity that left an odd knot in my

stomach.

–

“You only think that because of the mate bond,” I said, looking away from him again, “If we weren’t mates, you wouldn’t look twice at me.’

His eyes narrowed. “Is that what you think?”

1Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

I knew I was treading a thin line here. Dinner hadn’t even started and I was already broaching a sensitive subject, but now that I’d started, I couldn’t stop.

“Am I wrong?” I asked, “If the mate bond didn’t exist, I wouldn’t even be an

option for you. You’d pick someone else. someone on your level. It’s why I struggle to buy into this stuff. You only think you feel things for me because of the bond, not because you actually know anything about me.”

Griffin regarded me carefully. His expression was unreadable. I couldn’t tell if I was still treading the line or if I’d stepped over it. ?

“Do you understand what a mate is, little fox?” he asked.

“Yes, of course, I know what a mate is. I’ve learned all about.

H

“No,” Griffin interrupted me, his voice low and dark. I snapped my mouth shut immediately. “I didn’t ask if you knew what a mate was. I asked if you understood what a mate is.”

His tone made me feel like a little girl being lectured and it was all I could do not to squirm uncomfortably.

He clearly wasn’t waiting for a response because he just continued talking. “A mate isn’t just a random person that you’re linked to,” Griffin said, “Your mate is your perfect other half. A mate completes you, they balance you. Everything about you will balance me, even if neither of us knows what those things are yet. I don’t need to know anything about you to know that you’re perfect for me, little fox. My wolf knows you’re my other half. I feel it in my soul…and every interaction that I have with you only confirms it. But don’t misunderstand me. I have every intention to get to know you and someday soon, I’ll know you better than you know yourself. In fact, I’d like to start right now.” @