The Alpha King’s Human Mate

“The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of

chivalry than in the good feats of peace.”

–

Sir Thomas More

Lily screamed first.

And then a lot of other people screamed.

There was a lot of ruckus.

The guards who’d been standing near the doors and the corners suddenly swarmed the king’s b*dy or what was left of it. None of them tried to touch or attack

Griffin, although they did watch him with wary eyes. I don’t think any of them.

really knew what to do. I imagine there’s training and protocol for when a rogue or an enemy attacks your King, but what about when your Prince decapitates him?

I didn’t scream.

I didn’t cry.

All at once, a cold sweat broke out over my entire b*dy as if the room had turned to

ice. My b*dy certainly felt like it was frozen I couldn’t move or think the way I wanted to. All I could see was the fallen King’s head and his lifeless eyes.

He beheaded the King.

He beheaded the King.

Oh

my God, he beheaded the King.

Those words ran on an endless loop in my mind as I stood in the same spot, my

feet stuck like glue.

“Clark! Clark! Can you hear me? Clark!”

Someone was trying to grab my attention.

Sebastian. He was suddenly in front of

me, his hands on my shoulders and his blue eyes wide. He looked terrified.

“Clark, are you okay?” I could hear what he was saying but his voice felt distant. and muffled

like someone had plunged me underwater.

God, am I going into shock?

Is that what this is?

Why does it feel like my b*dy is numb right now? I just watched someone get their head chopped off, I should be feeling something!

It took every ounce of strength I had to focus on Sebastian and not retreat into my own head. “Seb,” I choked out and it was barely above a whisper.

“Hey, it’s okay,” he said, “Just keep looking at me. Don’t worry about anything else. – I’ll protect you.”

Protect me?

Protect me from Griffin? 2

Instinctively, my eyes searched the room for the man in question. He was still standing above the remains of his father’s b*dy with long, dark, and bloody claws protruding from one hand. He was staring at his father but not in any kind of terror or horror like you’d expect just dark eyes analyzing the fallen king. Like he was

analyzing his next move. 2

All of this had happened in mere seconds.

the beheading, the screams, Sebastian.

checking on me, and Griffin standing over the b*dy. It was just seconds and it felt

like hours.

And then, those seconds were over.

Griffin’s head snapped up, we made eye contact, and he started to walk toward me.

Oh, God.

My b*dy trembled and Sebastian instantly pushed me behind him and assumed a defensive position.

Griffin paused when he saw the way that Sebastian stood in front of me and his eyes narrowed. “What is this?” he asked and there was a hard edge to his voice.

Had I not lost all the feeling in my limbs and been capable of actually speaking, I would’ve told him that Sebastian was just my brother and that he was only. defending me.

Instead, all I could do was watch helplessly as Sebastian growled defensively.

Griffin’s eyes narrowed even more and he growled back. It was louder, deeper, and it exuded power. Several of the wolves whimpered in response. Even from behind, I could see the way that Sebastian shook at Griffin’s loud growl but he didn’t back.

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

“She’s my sister,” Sebastian said, “I won’t let you hurt her.”@

Griffin paused. “How noble,” he said casually, “But you’ve seen what I do to those who stand in the way of my mate. Back down, cub, or your head will end up next to my father’s.”

No.

Please no.

Something in me broke through the shocked, numb haze I’d been floating in. It couldn’t let Sebastian die protecting me. No, I wouldn’t let his blood end up staining the floor.

“No!” I choked out and I forced myself to move.

No no no. Sebastian can’t die!

My legs felt like stiff cardboard and I stumbled past Sebastian, falling into Griffin’s arms. My b*dy was shaking like a leaf, but he caught me and pulled me into his

chest.

I felt a purr of approval deep in his chest.

The last thing I wanted to do was be anywhere near Griffin but I wasn’t about to let Sebastian die. I had just seen what Griffin was capable of if that meant I had to throw myself at his feet to appease him and spare Sebastian’s life, I’d do it.

“Please don’t hurt him,” I whispered, my face pressed into his shirt, “He’s my brother please don’t.”

I was glad that my face was hidden. It meant that he wouldn’t see how terrified of him I actually was.

“Hush,” Griffin said, and I could feel his bloody hands combing through my hair, “You’re with me. You’re safe. Nob*dy will hurt you.”

I wanted to scream. No not me, you lunatic! My brother! Please don’t hurt my brother!@

“Y-your Majesty,” a distant voice spoke and it sounded like one of the guards. Griffin growled.

“I don’t mean to interrupt,” the guard continued, “B-but what would you have us do with the former King? We’ll need to dispose of his b*dy.” D

Former king.

A terrifying realization dawned on me in that moment.

Griffin was the prince, the sole heir to the throne – and in seconds, he’d eliminated the only thing that stood between him and that crown.

I wasn’t mated to the prince of werewolves anymore.

I was mated to the Alpha King.

No.

No no no.

A wave of dizziness suddenly washed over me and dark spots danced in my vision. I felt my head lull farther into Griffin’s chest – oh God, am I fainting right now? 3

The world went dark. 3