The Alpha King’s Human Mate

The Alpha King’s Human Mate

“Be careful what you wish for. There’s always a catch.” Laurie Halse Anderson

Aria hadn’t been wrong when she said I had plenty of time to think during my captivity. I did think a lot. I thought about

escape.

The door was all silver, minus the doorknob. It was clearly locked from the other side, but even if it wasn’t, it was far too

heavy for me to move on my own. My only shot of making an escape from the cell was waiting for someone else to open

it, and then overpowering them.

Thad very little faith I’d stand a chance against someone like Liam, but Aria was smaller than I was. She was still a werewolf, and definitely stronger than me, but she was skittish enough that I might be able to catch her surprise. (*

The only problem was that I didn’t know what was waiting on the other side of the door. Liam had said I was the only

prisoner in these cells, but that didn’t mean there weren’t guards patrolling outside.

If I did manage to escape, I had no idea what was I walking – or running – into.

Unfortunately, all of this hinged on Aria’s next visit — but she wasn’t Chapter 88

the next person to enter my cell. It was Alpha Liam.

Theard his thunderous footsteps echo down the hall, and by the time he’d opened the door, I had already swallowed

down my fear. I wish I could say that my mind was sharp or at its best, but after three days in dark isolation, I certainly felt

rough around the edges.

And if the pleased smirk on Liam’s face was any indication, I didn’t look much better either.

“Your Majesty,” he said, his tone mocking, “I trust the accommodations have been to your liking?”

“Oh, definitely,” I bit back sarcastically, “I hope you haven’t been troubling your chefs with all the gourmet meals.” I

gestured to the water bottle and half-eaten turkey sandwich sitting in a plastic baggie on the floor.

Liam just grinned. “Well, I’d offer nothing less to a Queen,” he said, and then his voice took on a hard note, “Or at least

someone who likes playing dress up as one. Those of us who actually rule know it’s more than just putting on pretty

clothes and a crown.”

Ihadn’t planned on responding to that insult, but then my mind flashed back to Aria and what she’d let sl*p to me during

our last conversation. (7) Chapter 88

“and does ‘actually ruling’ include getting S**ual favors from young girls?” I shot back, “I mean, you can call me what

you want…but I’ve never forced any of my subjects into my b*d.” 2

The smirk dropped from Liam’s face, and with it, my heart began beating like a drum inside my chest. Had I gone too far?

‘There was a beat of silence between us, and then Liam’s l*ps curled into a snarl. “I’d watch that mouth of yours,” Liam

said, his voice barely above a growl, “That boy may tolerate disrespect, but I don’t. You may find yourself in a similar

position as those ‘young girls’ if you aren’t careful.” |!)

My stomach dropped.

I would like to say that Liam’s threat didn’t terrify me, but it did. I was alone, powerless, and at his mercy. He could very well make good on any threats he wanted, and there would be nob*dy here to save me.

Liam seemed fully aware of that too. The snarl on his l*ps had curved back into a smile — he knew he was in control of

the situation.

“Let’s put this unpleasantness aside,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets and taking a step towards me, “I offered

you a deal. Do you

want it?”

“You’ll really let me go if I agree?” I asked, “Just let me back into the human world as long as I promise not to return?”

Even as I said, I had no intentions of following through with the deal. Chapter 88

If Liam gave me the chance to get out of here, I’d use to find my way back to Griffin.

“Well, that’s the basic idea,” he said, “Of course, this all hinges on the fact that you’d disappear forever. I’m not so sure

you haven’t become attached to the werewolf world, to that boy.” He paused, staring at me. “Ld like to be able to release

you, Clark…I’m just not sure you’d hold up your end of the deal.”

It took everything in me not to scoff and roll my eyes. I should’ve known Liam wasn’t serious about the deal – it had

been too good to be true.

But maybe there’s still a chance to convince him that he doesn’t need to worry about me.

If can just convince Liam to let me out of here, then I’ll be able to get back to Griffin.

He just needs to believe that I don’t want anything to do with werewolves.

Pd spent enough time resenting werewolves that I had no problem putting on a show for Liam even if my feelings didn’t

ring true anymore.

“Trust me,” I said, and | tried to muster up as much sincerity as I could,“You don’t need to worry about me. I never wanted any of this -— living with werewolves, having a mate, being Queen. | wanted to go to college, spend time with

my human mom.” Chapter 88

As I spoke, the words felt hollow. Three or four months ago, I would’ve believed them – that having a human life would

be enough for me.

But I knew better now. Iwas done denying the part of me that belonged to this world.

Liam raised his eyebrows, “Is that so? Even after being crowned Queen, you still want to leave?”

“Of course,” I said, “I never belonged in the werewolf world. I’m human. T want to live a human life.”

“And that boy?” Liam asked, “The one who calls himself King? You’d be fine to leave him behind to face my wrath?”

It took everything in me not to cringe at the idea of Griffin facing down Liam, but I managed not to. I had to keep my

true feelings out of my voice and off my face.

“He’s done nothing but try to force me into a role I don’t want,” I said, “I tried to leave, and he just dragged me back. I’ll

be better off without him. I hate him.” There was a bitter taste in my mouth as I talked about Griffin that way, but I

reminded myself that there was no other way. |”)

If I ever wanted to see Griffin again, I had to sell this. Liam was silent as he mulled over my words, and I held my breath.

“Lm glad to hear you feel that way, Clark,” he finally said, and there was Chapter 88

a new glint in his eyes, “It seems we’re on the same page. I’ll have no problem letting you go off to live your sad little

human life.”

He bought it. T think he bought it. Had Liam still not have been standing there, I would’ve jumped for joy.

“And your resentment for that boy,” he continued, “That’s good. That means you’ll have no problem helping me with the

last part of my plan.”

My stomach dropped.

“What do you mean? I thought you were going to let me go,” I said, barely managing to keep the panic out of my voice.

Liam chuckled. “Oh, I will,” he said, “But I still need to kill that troublesome mate of yours, and if I’m to lure him here, I’ll

need you to act as bait.”

“Bait?” I repeated. “Yes, bait,” he said, “If Griffin knows that | have you, he’ll come to negotiate for your freedom. That’s when I’ll kill him, and after that,

you’ll be free to leave this world.”

I should’ve known it wouldn’t be as easy as getting to leave right now. Of

course Liam just wants to use me as bait. Chapter 88

When I didn’t immediately reply, Liam kept talking. “Consider it one final task in the way of your freedom. We’ll discuss

the details as the day comes upon us, but if you hate him as much as you say, then you should have no problem helping

me with this.”

Liam began walking to the door, but just before he left, he turned to look at me one last time. “You should consider

yourself lucky,” he said, and his tone was full of mock sympathy, “The death of a mate incapicitates most werewolves, you

know. Our wolves go insane with the severed bond. But you humans…I’ve heard your too weak to even feel any of the mate bond. You can’t access it, feel it, connect with it like we do. When I kill that mate of yours, you’ll be able to move on with your life without any of those nasty feelings to worry about.” \”)

With that, the heavy door shut behind Liam with a clang and I was left alone in the dark. The thought of Griffin dying, of

being forced to participate in it, made me sick.

His last words rung in my head. Mate bond or not, I’d never be able to just move on with my life if Griffin died.

And Liam is wrong ~ I’ve felt the mate bond before. I gasped, the sound echoing through the empty room. Oh my God.

The mate bond. That’s it. I can access the mate bond.

I remembered the dreams I’d had when Griffin had left the castle, how Id felt the mate bond soothe me one night. Ivan

had told me that it Chapter 88

was possible to access the mate bond when emotions were high enough.

If can access the mate bond, maybe it’s possible I can get some sort of message to Griffin. Maybe I can let him know

what Liam is planning.

The last time I’d accessed the mate bond, it had been an accident. I wasn’t even sure how to go about it or if I’d be able

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with Griffin, but I knew I had to try.

It was my only option right now.