The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 118

Chapter123

JACE

The peaceful silence shattered with a deafening boom. Immediately, heart-link connections pushed open in our minds.

"What's happening?" Aria gasped, clutching the blanket to her chest.

Mind-links flooded my head, dozens of frantic voices all at once:

'What's happening?'

'Alpha, did you hear that?'

'What do we do?'

'It hurts!'

The panic and confusion hammered at my mind, and Aria winced in pain beside me. The shared links were overwhelming her untrained human mind, threatening to make her pass out. I needed to act fast.

'STOP! EVERYONE... SILENCE.' I commanded, using my Alpha authority to quiet the chaos.

'Thank you. I know you're frightened, but stay calm. No one fights. Go to the nearest shelter. All guardians, search for threats and report back. I need guardians at the explosion site to help the injured. Get them to the healing center where the doctors will be ready.'

The collective mind-links calmed, replaced with acknowledgments of 'Yes, Alpha.'

I turned to Aria, who looked sick. "Baby, are you okay?"

She nodded weakly. "That was crazy. I never experienced anything like that. Not even during rogue attacks."

"I know, but we need to go," I told her, already gathering our clothes.

We dressed quickly. I shifted into wolf form at the cave entrance, my body transforming as Phantom's instincts merged with mine. Beside me, Aria's body also changed, her wolf form—Sage—emerging with graceful power.

We raced through the forest together, our shared determination to protect our pack driving us forward. I was somewhat surprised by how effortlessly Sage kept pace with Phantom's incredible speed as we flew past trees and jumped over fallen logs.

We reached town in record time, shifting back to human form at the edge of the forest and quickly changing into our clothes before continuing the rest of the way on foot.

'Alpha,' Gabriel's voice connected through our mind-link.

'Do we know what happened?' I asked.

'Yes, an explosive device. Two dead. Three with minor injuries, and one critical.'

My heart sank. 'We're on our way.'

'Alpha...' Gabriel's mind-link hesitated.

'What is it?'

'The two dead... it's a mother and her pup. Her mate was here. He shifted and lost control. I had to subdue him before he hurt anyone else.'

'Damn. You did the right thing. Almost there.'

I broke the connection and slowed slightly so Aria could hear me. "A mother and pup are dead. Gabriel had to subdue her mate."

I felt her body stiffen against my back, her grief immediate and raw.

When we reached the edge of town, I slowed and let Aria dismount. I shifted back to human form, quickly pulling on the clothes I'd tied to my leg. We walked the rest of the way together, the sounds of commotion growing louder with each step.

The scene that greeted us was pure chaos. What had once been a peaceful street now resembled a war zone. Debris scattered everywhere, buildings damaged, blood staining the ground. Two covered bodies lay in the center of it all.

ARIA

Shit. Someone got into our territory and planted a bomb. Killed two wolves including a child. Any death stabs at my heart, but when it's a child? God, I can't even find words for what that does to me.

I walked toward the covered bodies, drawn by some morbid need to witness the tragedy. I knelt beside the smaller form, gently pulling back the cover. My eyes filled instantly when I saw what was left of the little girl. Her small face peaceful despite the horrific damage to her tiny body.

I felt Jace behind me before I saw him. He replaced the cover and pulled me to my feet, wrapping his arms around me.

"Who would do something like this?" I whispered, my voice breaking.

"I don't know, baby. But we'll find out." The deadly promise in his voice sent chills down my spine.

The next few hours passed in a blur of activity. We watched silently as the bodies were removed. Jace told me the mate was sedated at the healing center after Gabriel subdued him. That poor man. I couldn't imagine the pain he must be feeling.

We helped clean up the destruction, speaking with the families of the injured, offering whatever comfort we could. The dead woman's family - her mate's mother and siblings - accepted our condolences with quiet dignity. When Jace promised to cover all funeral expenses, the grandmother broke down, clutching my hands in gratitude.

"You're too kind, Luna," she whispered, using the title I still wasn't comfortable with.

Then came the devastating news - the mate's wolf had given up. After Gabriel subdued him, he'd slipped into a coma and his wolf spirit had abandoned its will to live. Another life lost to this senseless violence.

By the time we returned home, darkness had fallen. Gabriel, Lucas, Eliana, Marcus and Seraphina were waiting for us. Eliana immediately reassured us that Aurora and Atlas were sleeping soundly.

We gathered in the living room, the mood somber as we tried to piece together what had happened.

"It will be difficult to find who's responsible," Marcus said, rubbing his temples. "So many wolves have been arriving for the coronation."

"What about the shops nearby? Do they have surveillance?" I asked, my brain finally functioning again.

Marcus looked surprised. "I don't know if the new owners activated those systems yet. Excellent thought, my Queen."

"Please, Jace hasn't been crowned yet," I groaned.

Seraphina laughed softly. "He will be soon enough. Better get used to it."

The conversation turned to the mate who'd lost his family. Jace confirmed we would cover all funeral expenses, explaining they were one of the poorer families in the pack.

"I fear my intervention may have pushed his wolf to give up," Gabriel said, his voice heavy with guilt.

"No, you did the right thing," Jace assured him. "I know that family. He would have suffered more if he'd hurt someone else. I would have done the same."

As the meeting concluded, Marcus mentioned that Alpha Randall would arrive tomorrow. One by one, our friends departed until only Jace and I remained.

We checked on our children, both sleeping peacefully, unaware of the tragedy that had struck our community. After a hot shower, we collapsed into bed, and Jace pulled me into his arms.

"When you walked over to the bodies, I thought you were going to try to save them," he said, his voice tight with fear.

"They were already gone. Maybe I could have tried, but I don't know how, and I might have killed myself trying. Plus, I promised you I wouldn't do it again."

"I know, but I know you. You hate seeing others in pain."

"I do, but I won't do something that causes you pain. I promise." I curled against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

"Thank you, baby. I love you," he whispered into my hair.

"I love you too, Jace."

We fell into silence, but sleep eluded me. My mind kept returning to that little girl, her mother, the grieving family. Someone had deliberately caused this pain. Someone had invaded our home and shattered our peace. I needed to find whoever was responsible for this

Chapter 124 Chapter124

JACE

The bombing happened days ago but still haunts me. Those two bodies, mother and child, covered with sheets. The blood. The screams. Now here I am in the Alpha's Chamber, trying to focus on today's coronation when all I want is to hunt down whoever planted that bomb.

Today's supposed to be a big day. King and Queen. Sounds weird even thinking it.

I glanced at the papers scattered across my desk, barely seeing the words. My mind kept drifting back to when I first met Aria. A human girl, Gabriel's adopted daughter. Seventeen, fierce, eyes blazing with defiance. Never expected the immediate pull, that destined mate bond snapping into place. The Moon Goddess giving her Sage, turning a human warrior into something extraordinary.

Who'd have thought we'd end up here?

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Come in," I called, straightening in my chair.

Gabriel walked in first, followed by Marcus and Hunter. All three wore formal suits, smiles on their faces.

"Good morning, my King," Marcus said, inclining his head slightly.

I raised an eyebrow, amused. "Drop the 'King' stuff. It's still just Jace."

"Not after today," Marcus reminded me.

"Whatever. Any news about the bombing?" I asked, immediately getting to what mattered.

Gabriel's expression tightened. "Nothing concrete yet. We've sent trackers and scouts. Some wolves volunteered to infiltrate as rogues, see what they can find."

"They understand the risks?" The last thing I needed was more dead pack members.

Gabriel nodded. "They do. That's why they haven't moved yet. Waiting for final instructions."

"Bring them to me in a few days. I want to talk to them personally."

"Yes, Alpha. I'll arrange it," Gabriel said, the old title still coming naturally to him.

We sat and discussed security arrangements until Hunter and Gabriel left to check on coronation preparations. Shortly after, Randall joined Marcus and me. Three Alphas in one room - years ago, this would've ended in bloodshed. Now we sat planning the future together.

"Since you're both here," I said, breaking a moment of silence, "I have something to ask you."

"What can we help with?" Randall asked respectfully.

"You're both respected Alphas. Marcus has stepped down, and I know you're planning to as well, Randall. But I believe you both have years of valuable service left to offer our world."

I leaned forward, placing my palms flat on the desk. "I need advisors. Wolves I can trust who'll do what's best for everyone. I want to ask both of you to join me and some elders as part of a council."

Marcus immediately bowed his head. "It would be a tremendous honor, my King."

"I agree," Randall said. "Thank you for your trust, my King." He bowed deeply.

We talked a while longer before they left to prepare for the ceremony. I was about to head to the preparation room myself when another knock came at the door.

I opened it and froze.

ARIA

Fuck, I'm nervous. Today I become a Queen. Me, a human orphan raised by werewolves. The universe has a twisted sense of humor.

My dress arrived last week, perfect for the ceremony. Eliana, Luna Seraphina, and my grandmother Nina hover around me, making final adjustments. Being born human but given a wolf by the Moon Goddess puts me in this weird middle space. Not fully wolf, not fully human anymore. Sometimes I don't know where I fit.

"You look absolutely stunning," Eliana said, stepping back.

I smiled in thanks, heart hammering in my chest.

Luna Seraphina nodded approvingly. "Eliana's right. You truly look like a queen."

"Thanks," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks warm. Even after all this time, compliments make me uncomfortable.

Aurora burst into the bedroom, twirling to show off her dress, her laughter infectious.

I scooped her up, balancing her on my hip. "Look at you, just like a princess."

She squealed happily, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"Mom, you're so pretty," she said, making my heart swell. She may not be mine by blood, but she's mine in every way that matters.

Eliana snapped a photo, capturing the moment.

"Where's Atlas?" I asked, suddenly remembering my son.

"Don't worry, I've got him covered," Eliana assured me.

We were almost ready to leave when it hit me - a surge of rage so powerful through our bond that I staggered, nearly falling. I gasped, grabbing Luna Seraphina's arm for support.

"Aria?" she asked, concerned.

"Something's wrong. I need to find Jace. Stay here with the kids," I said, already rushing out the door.

Sage stirred within me, responding to my agitation. The dual nature I've struggled to reconcile since the Moon Goddess gave me this gift now seemed unified in purpose - protect my mate.

I hurried through the Ancient Territory's main building, following the corridor to Jace's chamber. His voice carried to me before I reached the door.

"Who the hell do you think you are, showing up here like nothing happened?" he shouted, fury saturating every word.

A woman's voice responded: "Jace, I'm sorry, I—" She tried to explain but got cut off.

"I don't give a fuck if you're sorry, Vanessa. You left. You abandoned our daughter. You broke our mate bond. Now you stand here saying sorry?"

"I was too young, Jace. Not ready to be a mother or an Alpha's mate. Please forgive me. I never stopped loving you."

I froze in the hallway. Vanessa. Aurora's birth mother. Jace's ex-mate. My heart raced, and everything felt off-balance. Five years gone, and she picks today to return?

"Don't start that bullshit, Vanessa. I know everything. You forced a fake mate bond. The Moon Goddess herself told me. Even if you hadn't, you mean nothing to me now. You must know I'm being crowned today, and I have a mate. My true mate. Aria. She actually wants to be Aurora's mother."

"But Jace—" Vanessa tried again.

"Leave, Vanessa. Get out and never set foot on this territory again."

"Jace, please, I heard your so-called mate was just some human foster girl. You can't be serious. Let me prove we still belong together."

I heard the seduction in her tone, and rage flared inside me. I stepped into the doorway just as Jace grabbed Vanessa by the throat, fury blazing in his eyes.

"Never touch me again. You're nothing to me. I love Aria, love the life we've built. I would never betray her. Get out."

"I suggest you listen to him. Or I'll escort you out myself," I said calmly, announcing my presence.

Despite starting as human, with Sage now part of me, I'd rip apart anyone who threatened my family. Human fighter and wolf protector, merged into something uniquely dangerous.

"Who are you?" Vanessa asked haughtily, looking me up and down.

Before I could answer, Jace spoke: "This is my mate, my true mate. And my Queen." The love in his voice nearly melted me where I stood.

Jace walked to my side, kissing my temple tenderly, then turned back to Vanessa.

"These two guardians will escort you off Ancient Territory. Never appear before me again." We watched as the guardians took a struggling Vanessa away.