The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 129

Chapter135

JACE

A knock on my office door pulls me from my thoughts. "Come in," I call out.

Marcus, Hunter, and Lucas enter, taking seats across from me without saying a word. The silence hangs between us until I finally decide to break it.

"What can I help you with today?" I asked.

Marcus nodded toward Lucas, giving him the floor. The tension in Lucas's shoulders was obvious—something was weighing on him.

"Gabriel's health is declining," Lucas said, his voice tight. "The healers don't think he has much time left."

I nodded, already aware of the situation. "I've arranged for Aria to spend time with him. She has Aurora and Eliana helping out too."

"I appreciate that," Lucas said. "And I want you to know that if I need time off—"

"Take whatever you need," I cut in. "Hunter and Marcus can handle the training. Family comes first."

Lucas gave me a grateful look. "Thank you, but right now Aria and the kids need to be with him more than I do."

He paused, exchanging glances with the others before continuing. "There's actually another reason we came to see you today."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"Ever since Gabriel started training Aria and saw her potential, they've shared a dream of him watching her compete. But now..." Lucas's voice trailed off.

"Now you're worried he won't get the chance," I finished for him.

Lucas nodded. "So I had an idea. What if we created a new gathering called the Winter Moon Festival? It would include combat competitions for Alphas, Lunas, Betas, and Chief Guardians from different packs. We could strengthen our alliances against the rogues."

I studied Lucas's face. "You mainly want Gabriel to see Aria compete, don't you?"

"Yes," he admitted without hesitation.

The idea wasn't bad. Our packs needed stronger alliances with the increased rogue attacks. And Aria deserved to show her skills.

"We'll do it," I decided. "It's a good way to show that Ancient Moon Shadow cares for all its members."

Relief washed over Lucas's face. "Thank you, Jace. This means everything."

I smiled. "Aria's going to love this."

The next four hours disappeared into planning. We mapped out competitions, discussed invitations to other packs, and debated locations. Only one problem emerged: no one had ever held a competition specifically for Lunas. Every time it had been proposed, someone had shot it down out of concern for their safety.

"We'll figure it out," I promised as they left. "One way or another."

The house was quiet when I returned home. Paperwork always kept me longer than I wanted. Through the window, I spotted Aria in the backyard with the kids. Aurora was running in circles while Atlas tried to keep up on wobbly legs.

I crossed the yard silently, sitting down behind Aria. "Hey, beautiful."

She jumped slightly, then relaxed when she realized it was me.

Atlas spotted me and immediately held out his arms. "Dada!"

I scooped him up while Aurora came running. "Daddy's home!"

After hugs and kisses, I settled beside Aria, Atlas on my lap and Aurora leaning against my side.

"Lucas came to see me today," I said. "He had an interesting proposal."

Aria turned, her attention caught. "What kind of proposal?"

"We're going to host a new event with competitions for Alphas, Lunas, Betas, and Chief Guardians from different packs."

Her eyebrows raised. "Competitions for Lunas too?"

I nodded. "It'll give you a chance to compete. More importantly, it'll give Gabriel a chance to see you compete. Lucas says that's something you've both wanted for a long time."

She stepped back in astonishment. For a moment, she just stared at me. Then she threw herself into my arms, nearly knocking Atlas off my lap.

"Thank you," she whispered. "You have no idea what this means. I know Gabriel doesn't have much time left, and—"

"Hey," I cut her off gently, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'll do everything I can to make this easier for you. Both of you."

She kissed me—quick but full of emotion—before Aurora demanded to know what was happening.

"Mommy's going to be in a big competition," I explained.

Aurora's eyes lit up. "Like when you fight the bad wolves?"

"Something like that," Aria said, smiling through the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

-

The healing center sent a nurse to help with Gabriel during dinner. Aria wanted to bring food upstairs to his room, but Gabriel insisted on joining us in the hall.

"We have news to share," Aria told him once we were seated.

Gabriel looked expectantly at me. His face was thinner than it had been even a week ago, but his eyes remained sharp and alert.

"We're organizing a party," I explained, detailing the competitions and our goals for the event. "Most importantly, there will be a competition for Lunas."

Gabriel's eyes brightened more with each word. When I finished, he reached across the table to clasp my forearm—a warrior's gesture of respect.

"This sounds incredible," he said. "To see Aria compete..." He trailed off, emotion catching in his throat. "It would mean everything to me."

"We'll make it happen," I promised. "You have my word."

After dinner, the nurse helped Gabriel back to his room. Aria and I tackled the kids' bedtime routine. Bath time was the usual water war, but both Atlas and Aurora fell asleep quickly, tired from playing outside all day.

Back in our bedroom, Aria curled against me as we watched a movie. Her warmth pressed against my side, her breathing slow and steady. Halfway through the film, she fell asleep, her head resting on my chest.

I stroked her hair, thinking about Lucas's face when he talked about Gabriel's health. About the determination in Gabriel's eyes despite his weakening body. About how quickly everything could change.

Aria stirred in her sleep, murmuring something incoherent before settling deeper into my arms. I tightened my hold on her, the weight of my responsibilities pressing down. Alpha. Mate. Father. I had to protect them all.

My wolf stirred inside me. *She fights her own battles. You know this.*

"Doesn't mean I don't want to fight them for her," I whispered into the darkness.

*The enemy isn't always something you can tear apart with your teeth,* Phantom replied.

I closed my eyes, letting the truth of his words sink in. Some battles couldn't be won with strength or speed or teeth. Some battles required patience. Strategy. Time.

And time was the one thing Gabriel didn't have.

I pulled Aria closer, breathing in her scent, and finally joined her in sleep.

Chapter 136 Chapter136

JACE

Making this festival has turned out to be harder than I thought. All the Alphas are all in for having fun and making new alliances, but many of them are against letting the Lunas join in on their own small competition in fighting. So we came up with the idea of making a big meeting with the Alphas and Lunas across our territory.

"Forty-three packs confirmed," Hunter reported, dropping a folder on my desk. "The rest will join remotely."

I nodded, flipping through the pages. "And the Luna competitions?"

Marcus sighed from his chair by the window. "Same resistance. They're fine with everything except letting their mates fight."

"Even after seeing what Aria can do?" I couldn't hide my frustration.

"Especially because of what Aria can do," Lucas cut in. "They're afraid their Lunas won't measure up."

I ran a hand through my hair. Aria deserved this chance. She'd worked too damn hard since getting her wolf spirit, training relentlessly to prove herself worthy. This competition would finally show everyone what she could do—and let Gabriel see her fight before his time ran out.

"What's your suggestion?" I asked Marcus.

"Joint meeting. Tomorrow at 10:30. Let them voice their concerns with their mates present—might shut some of them up."

"Set it up."

-

I watched from the castle battlements as pack after pack arrived. Fifty-six invited, forty-three here in person. The rest would join through video calls. Lucas appeared at my side, standing straight as always.

"Everyone's settled in their rooms," he reported. "Security's in place."

"And your father?"

His jaw tightened. "Better today. Dr. Maya gave him something for the pain. He's determined to attend tonight."

I clapped his shoulder. "Gabriel's the toughest wolf I know."

We both knew that wasn't enough. The disease had spread too far. This festival might be the last major event he'd see.

"It's time," Hunter called from the doorway.

The room fell silent when Aria and I walked in. Hundreds of eyes watching us—some respectful, others calculating. Phantom growled inside me, sensing the challenges hidden behind certain gazes.

Aria walked beside me, head high. Her red dress made it hard to focus on anything else. She'd deliberately left my mark visible on her neck—a clear statement that nobody could miss.

Everyone stood as we reached the front. I stepped onto the platform and faced the crowd.

"Hello everyone, welcome. Please sit down."

They obeyed, all eyes on me.

"First, the queen and I want to wish you all welcome. We all know why this meeting will be held, and it will be tomorrow at 10:30 AM. So I will not say much more for now, because I know many have traveled a long way."

I shifted my tone, making it harder. "Today and tonight, I invite you all to have a good time and rest. If there should be any problem with the rooms, my two Betas will be available along with my Chief Guardian and their mates. Or any of the Omegas assigned to the castle can also help you."

My eyes swept the room. "I will also remind you all, as I know every pack has its own way of doing things, I expect any wolf on my pack grounds to be treated with respect, no matter what rank or age they may have. Any mistreatment of another wolf while being here will be handled. I say this because I have had notices of Omegas being treated poorly when there were visitors here for the coronation."

Several Alphas shifted uncomfortably. Good.

Aria stepped forward, her voice gentler but no less commanding. "I can sense we have a good group of pregnant Lunas here, so I want to remind you all that the Healing Center and doctors are at your service if needed. I can also see a few small pups here, so if anything like a bed, food, or a babysitter is wished for, I have made an arrangement with the she-wolf who runs the Wolf Cub Center for the smaller pups and with the one who runs the older ones, that they will be available along with their staff if needed."

I watched several Lunas visibly relax. Despite starting as a human, Aria understood what mattered to wolves better than most born wolves did.

"I think that was all for now," I concluded. "Dinner will be served here at 6:30 PM. I wish you all a nice and relaxing day until then."

As people started leaving, I spotted Nicholas and Katherine Ravenwood. Their presence added weight to this event.

I caught Lucas's eye and nodded toward the exits. He immediately directed his team to keep the paths clear.

Taking Aria's hand, I guided her through the crowd, stopping to greet everyone personally. I felt her tense when we met wolves who still judged her human origins, but she never showed it. My mate faced every challenge head-on.

"I will never get used to wearing a tie," I growled, ripping the damn thing off as soon as we reached my office.

Aria laughed, sitting on the edge of my desk. That sound always calmed me, no matter how stressful the day.

"Why do you wear it if you don't like it?" she asked, watching me unbutton my collar.

"You don't think people expect me to?"

She shrugged, her dress slipping slightly off one shoulder. "So what. You ARE the king. If you don't like the tie, don't use it. Or only do it at formal events. Either way, it's your decision."

I paused. "You're right."

My eyes traveled over her red dress that hugged every curve perfectly. Her hair was pinned up, showing off my mark on her neck. Just seeing it there drove me crazy.

My wolf pushed against my skin, demanding closeness to his mate. The wild side of me wanted to mark her again, remind everyone in our territory whose scent she carried.

Aria's fingers threaded through my hair, tugging just hard enough to hurt. "Lock the door."

I reached behind me without looking, turning the deadbolt with a satisfying click.

"We have meetings," I reminded her, my hands already finding her waist.

"They can wait," she whispered against my lips.