The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 123

ARIA

I was standing under the shower, thinking about last night. It had been a magical evening, from getting married to Jace to hearing all the wolves call us King and Queen. When the evening was ending, Jace led me deeper into the building, to the room that would have been our bedroom if we had chosen to live here. There Jace had softly undressed me and made love to me, and again this morning, followed by some cuddling.

Steam filled the bathroom as I let the hot water cascade over my shoulders. My body still tingled from Jace's touch. His hands weren't just strong—they were possessive in a way that made me feel safe rather than controlled.

*Queen Aria*. The title still felt foreign, like someone else's clothes I'd borrowed.

I sighed as I heard Jace turning off his shower in the adjoining bathroom. We'd stretched our morning routine as long as possible, but duty called. He had a meeting with the Elders, Alpha Marcus, and Alpha Randall about advisor positions for the King.

The bathroom door opened, releasing a cloud of steam as Jace emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Duty calls," he said, kissing my forehead. "I'll try to make it quick."

"They'll talk for hours," I teased. "Elders always do."

His smile was predatory. "Then I'll have to remind them who's King."

After he left, I dressed in the clothes I'd laid out—simple skinny jeans and a hoodie. Nothing fancy for what I had planned. I checked my phone, confirming Eliana was watching Atlas and Aurora. Perfect. I had some unfinished business to attend to.

---

The morning air felt crisp against my face as I walked across the grounds. Everyone seemed to be sleeping in after yesterday's celebration, which worked in my favor. I didn't need an audience for this.

Gabriel had given me clear directions. The house wasn't far—a modest two-story with blue trim that blended with the others. Stepping inside, I found two guards standing at attention in the entryway.

"My Queen," they said in unison, bowing their heads.

"Hey, guys," I replied with a small smile. They lowered their heads respectfully.

"Is she still here?" I asked.

The taller guard nodded. "Yes, Queen. There's a female guard with her in the room."

"Thanks. I arranged for food to be brought over. I know this assignment pulled you away from the celebration yesterday. But there was plenty left over, so I had some sent for all three of you."

The other guard's face brightened. "Thank you, Queen. We're glad to ensure she didn't disrupt the coronation. They're upstairs, last door on the left." He bowed again.

I climbed the stairs, my heart beating faster with each step. At the door, I paused, taking a deep breath before turning the handle.

Inside, a female guard immediately stood at attention. "My Queen," she said, bowing deeply.

"Hi, thanks for your help. You can head downstairs—I've arranged food for all of you."

As the guard left, I turned my attention to the room's other occupant. Vanessa was already on her feet, her eyes fixed on me with undisguised hatred.

"If you're waiting for me to bow, it's not happening," she said, her voice dripping with contempt.

"That's not why I'm here. Honestly, I don't need anyone bowing or calling me Queen." I kept my voice steady.

"Why am I here?" The question sounded like an accusation.

"Because I asked them to keep you here until I had time to see you..."

"Why?"

"I wanted to talk with you. Clear things up once and for all. I thought about slapping you, but words will be more effective. This time..."

Vanessa smirked. "Do I threaten you that much? I understand if I do."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Oh, honey, no. I'm not threatened by you at all." I let my voice cool. "I just wanted to make sure you understand that you are never, and I mean *never*, to approach Jace or Aurora again."

Her face contorted. "Aurora is my daughter, you stupid bitch."

"Maybe biologically," I replied evenly. "But from the moment you rejected her and left her without a mother, she stopped being yours. If—and only if—Aurora wants to meet you when she's older, we'll help her find you. But that's the only way. Otherwise, stay away from her."

I turned toward the door, ready to leave—my message delivered.

The air shifted behind me.

Survival instinct kicked in as I spun around, grabbing Vanessa's arm mid-strike. A knife gleamed in her hand—likely stolen from her breakfast tray. With my other hand, I seized her wrist and twisted until the blade clattered to the floor.

"Are you insane?" I growled. "Do you actually want to die? You just attacked your Queen."

Vanessa's eyes burned with hatred. "You'll never be my Queen. I should have been Queen, not you."

Footsteps thundered up the stairs as the guards responded to the commotion.

"My Queen!" one called from the doorway.

"Take her to the prison," I ordered. "She just tried to stab me."

"Yes, Queen. Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Get her out of here."

They dragged Vanessa away, her screams and curses echoing down the hallway. I waited until they were gone before leaving the house, my heart still racing from the encounter.

JACE

I was barely listening as the Elders droned on about traditional protocols for selecting advisors. My mind kept drifting to Aria. Our bond was still new, vibrant with every emotion that passed between us.

"Alpha King Jace?" Alpha Marcus's voice pulled me back.

"I apologize," I said, straightening in my chair. "You were saying?"

Elder Silas cleared his throat. "We believe your father's former advisor would be—"

A sudden wave of emotion crashed through our bond—anger, shock, and then a spike of adrenaline that made Phantom stir within me. *Aria*.

I stood abruptly, cutting Elder Silas off mid-sentence. "Meeting adjourned. We'll continue this discussion tomorrow."

"But the traditional selection process—" Elder Thorn began.

"Is less important than my mate's safety," I growled. Phantom's eyes must have flashed through mine because the Elders immediately backed down.

I didn't wait for their response, striding from the room with purpose. I knew Aria had planned to confront Vanessa today. That surge of emotion could only mean trouble.

Phantom paced restlessly beneath my skin. *Our mate is in danger. We must protect.*

I followed the pull of our bond. Then I saw her walking toward me, unharmed but with a storm in her eyes.

I stopped, relief washing over me. "Baby, you okay? I felt your anger."

"I'm fine, but I had Vanessa thrown in prison. She tried to stab me from behind..."

Rage exploded through me, Phantom clawing to break free. "She did WHAT?" The words came out as a growl, deeper than my human voice.

"To be fair, I told her to stay away from you and Aurora. I said unless Aurora wants to meet her when she's older, don't contact her... but yeah, she tried to attack me."

I turned immediately, ready to tear Vanessa apart with my bare hands. Phantom's fury burned in my veins. *Kill the threat to our mate.*

Aria caught my arm, her touch the only thing keeping my wolf at bay.

"Beautiful, you can't expect me to do nothing about this," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "She could have killed you."

"I know, and I don't expect you to do nothing. Just not today, okay? She can wait a day or two."

I studied Aria's face. Even now, after being attacked, she remained calm, composed. My Queen in every way that mattered. "Fine. You win.Let's go home."

I kissed Aria, then took my hand as we walked back toward our house—toward our children.