The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 115

ARIA

The heart monitor beeped steadily, pulling me back from that hazy space between exhaustion and sleep. My body felt drained, like I'd run a thousand miles. That's what happens when you channel ancient healing power through your veins.

A soft gasp broke the silence. My eyes snapped open to see Eliana stirring on the bed. Lucas immediately moved in, pressing gentle kisses across her face. A smile spread across her lips as she made a contented sound.

The entire room seemed to exhale with relief. I hadn't even realized how tense everyone had been until that moment.

"Thank god," Gabriel muttered from his post near the door.

Dr. Maya quickly approached the bed, checking Eliana's vitals with practiced efficiency. I tried to stand up from where I'd been sitting in a chair next to Jace, but my knees buckled.

"Whoa, easy there," Jace said, catching me.

"I'm okay. Just tired," I promised him.

I hadn't realized how much energy the healing had taken. I would've hated showing this weakness not long ago. But not now.

"Each vital sign looks normal," Dr. Maya announced, glancing up from her instruments. "Well, normal for a wolf. How do you feel, Eliana?"

Eliana blinked slowly, as if processing the question required immense effort. "I feel good. Stronger, and everything is heightened - my sight, hearing, smell." She winced suddenly. "But my head hurts."

Lucas squeezed her hand, worry crossing his face.

"That's your wolf trying to break through to you," Jace explained calmly. "You need to relax and open your mind. Similar to how you mind-link with Lucas. The headache will stop when you let Gaby in."

I watched Eliana close her eyes, her face tightening with concentration. The same struggle I'd gone through with Sage. That terrifying moment of surrendering control to something foreign inside you.

She'd been human her entire life, just like me. Now we were both something else - caught between worlds, never fully belonging to either one.

Suddenly, Eliana's expression relaxed. Her eyes flew open with wonder.

"It worked," she breathed. "Thank you, Alpha."

Jace nodded, the corner of his mouth lifting. "You're welcome. And welcome to our world and pack as a wolf."

Eliana sat up carefully, accepting Lucas's help. She stepped off the bed and embraced each of us in turn - me, then Jace, Gabriel, and the doctors. When she returned to Lucas, she kissed him deeply, then pulled back to stare at his neck with intensity.

Dr. Jonathan chuckled. "Gaby will keep bugging you until you mark him, Eliana. It's our nature to mark our mate."

The Moon Goddess, who had remained quiet throughout, finally spoke. "And I think that's our cue to leave these two alone."

She gestured for us to exit the room, and we complied. At the doorway, she paused and turned back.

"Jace and Aria, you will see me again for the coronation."

Before anyone could respond, she vanished - not walking away, just ceasing to exist in our space. I'd never get used to that.

JACE

Fuck. Fuck. FUCK. I almost lost her tonight. My hands won't stop shaking.

Carrying Aria through our front door, I didn't bother with the lights. She weighed almost nothing in my arms, her head resting against my chest. She was alive. Safe. But the image of her collapsing after healing Eliana kept replaying in my mind.

I headed straight for our bedroom, cradling her against me.

"I can walk, you know," she murmured, but made no effort to get down.

"I know."

I'd already prepared before we left for the Healing Center. Call it Alpha instinct or just plain fear. The bathroom was ready - lavender bath salts, candles, everything she might need.

Setting her gently on the bathroom counter, I turned on the water. She watched me through half-closed eyes. The circles under them made my chest hurt.

"You're never doing that again," I said, my voice rougher than intended. "I thought I was going to lose you. I've never felt like that before. It took everything in me, and I think a little of the Moon Goddess's help, to hold myself back from stopping it."

Her expression softened. "I'm sorry, Jace."

"Don't be." I helped her undress, trying to keep my hands steady. "I'm probably overreacting. But this was the most scared I've been in my life."

And I meant it. I'd faced down rogue wolves, hunters, rival Alphas - none of it compared to watching Aria risk her life. The human woman who'd become the center of my world. My mate. My Luna.

"I'm still here," she said, touching my face. "I'm not going anywhere."

I stripped down and climbed into the bath with her, pulling her back against my chest. The water embraced us both as she settled against me with a sigh.

"Let me take care of you," I whispered against her hair.

For once, she didn't argue. Maybe too tired, maybe finally understanding that needing someone wasn't weakness. For someone trained to be independent her whole life, accepting help didn't come naturally.

I washed her hair slowly, massaging her scalp with gentle pressure. Her eyes closed as she leaned into my touch. Neither of us spoke - we didn't need to. The rhythm of her heartbeat against my palm told me everything I needed to know.

After washing her body, I wrapped her in a towel, dried her thoroughly, and slipped one of my T-shirts over her head. It swallowed her frame, hanging to mid-thigh.

"Arms up," I instructed softly.

She complied without protest, letting me guide her arms through the sleeves. If the pack could see their fierce Luna now, so vulnerable and trusting, they wouldn't believe it. But this was for me alone.

Carrying her to our bed, I tucked her under the covers before sliding in beside her. She immediately curled against me, her head finding its usual spot on my chest.

"Sleep," I murmured, stroking her back. "I've got you."

"Mmm." She was already drifting off. "Love you."

"Love you more."

I watched her sleep, counting each breath, memorizing the way her features softened in unconsciousness. The Alpha in me wanted to howl at how close I'd come to losing her. My wolf, Phantom, was unusually quiet - probably as shaken as I was.

Only when I was certain she was deeply asleep, safe and whole in my arms, did I allow myself to close my eyes. She was here. She was mine. And I would do whatever necessary to protect her - even from herself.

I pressed a final kiss to her forehead and surrendered to sleep.