The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 137

JACE

Training schedules. Guard rotations. Territory patrols. Sometimes being Alpha King means drowning in endless planning instead of actually protecting my pack. Standing here with Lucas and Hunter discussing next week's training routine feels like watching paint dry.

"Let's increase combat training for the newer guardians," I say, rubbing my neck. "After what happened last month—"

A sudden shout explodes through my mind link. Multiple voices screaming at once.

"ROGUES!"

Shit. Not again. My body tenses immediately, Phantom stirring inside me.

I fully open my mind link, connecting with everyone. "Where, and how many?"

Lucas and Hunter stand alert beside me. I sense Aria joining our connection too. Something inside me still flinches knowing she'll want to fight—her warrior spirit crammed into what was once just a human body. The contradiction still amazes me.

"North forest border," one of my guardians answers, panic edging his voice. "Too many to count. Five more guardians just joined us."

No time to waste. "All guardians not on duty, go to the North forest now," I command through the link. "Everyone on patrol, stay extra alert. This could be a distraction."

I turn to Lucas and Hunter. "Let's go."

My bones crack and muscles stretch as I shift, dropping to all fours. The familiar rush of power floods through me. We race toward the northern boundary, cutting through Ancient Moon Shadow territory.

When we arrive, I see my guardian wasn't exaggerating. Dozens of rogues pour through the trees, snarling and attacking our defenders. Blood spatters the ground. More rogues emerge from the shadows every second.

I throw myself into the fight, teeth bared. Beside me, Lucas takes down two rogues in quick succession. Hunter stands back-to-back with another guardian, protecting our flank.

"I'm on my way. Where?" Aria's voice cuts through my thoughts.

My heart freezes. My first instinct screams to keep her away, to protect her. But my Alpha side swells with pride at our Luna's courage. That's my warrior queen.

"North forest border," I answer. "Be careful, baby."

I feel her shift through our bond, her energy surging as she starts running toward us.

A mistake. My momentary distraction costs me. Something slams into my side, throwing me to the ground. Before I can get up, three rogues pounce.

I manage to push one away, but another digs its claws deep into my side, ripping downward. Pain explodes through me. Fuck, that's deep.

Gritting through the agony, I grab the rogue's paw and tear it off me, sending him flying. I kick the third rogue away and struggle to my feet.

Standing upright, I quickly check my wound. Blood soaks my fur. "Shit," I mutter to myself. The gash runs deep, but I'll heal. For now, I need to ignore it.

Another rogue charges. I grab it mid-leap and snap its neck in one fluid motion. The body drops lifeless at my feet.

Scanning the battlefield, I spot a flash of silver fur – Aria. My mate races into the fight, tearing into rogues with surprising speed. Though she hasn't trained much in wolf form, she moves with deadly precision.

Something changes. The fighting slows, then stops. Not just our guardians, but the rogues too. What the hell?

I extend all my senses, suddenly alert. There's a presence approaching – more powerful than any rogue. I turn toward the energy, hackles rising.

"Shift," I tell Phantom. He responds instantly, our body transforming into Primal Wolf form – larger, stronger, deadlier than a regular wolf.

I move toward Aria, who seems oblivious to my approach. Our mate bond feels muffled, blocked somehow. The connection exists but something interferes with it.

"Sage says something's blocking her shift," Phantom informs me. My anger flares. Someone's deliberately targeting my mate.

"Pay attention," I mentally warn Lucas, Hunter and Cal. "Someone with a powerful aura is approaching. Something's blocking my link to Aria and preventing her from shifting."

They don't respond verbally but move closer, forming a protective circle.

The rogues suddenly retreat, melting into the forest. Though they've fled, the powerful presence continues approaching. Aria pads to my side, still in wolf form.

"She still can't shift," Phantom confirms, stoking my rage. Who dares interfere with my mate?

"Stay behind me," I tell Aria. "Whoever this is knows you're weaker in wolf form because you haven't had proper training in it yet."

She nods, and I turn toward the approaching threat.

"Come out instead of being a damn coward!" I shout.

Deep laughter echoes from the trees. "Easy, young king. You might be strong, but I know your weak spot."

A tall, disheveled man steps from the shadows, his eyes fixed on us.

"What do you want?" I demand, though his hungry stare at Aria tells me everything.

"Isn't that obvious?" he smirks. "I want your mate."

"Then all this death was pointless," I growl. "Because I will never let you have her." Behind me, my guardians rumble in agreement.

"Oh, don't worry, I don't want to fuck her," the stranger says casually.

My growl deepens, vibrating through my chest.

"I want her powers, or rather, I want her to use her powers," he continues, eyes never leaving Aria.

"It won't happen," I snarl. "Leave now and I'll let you live."

"I want her to save my son, and then keep her for him," he says, unimpressed by my threat. "If I don't get what I want, I'll kill everyone here – children and elders included. Look around at the damage we've already caused, even to the king himself."

He laughs as Aria whimpers beside me.

"You got lucky this time," I warn. "It won't happen again."

The stranger laughs harder. "Oh, I'm certain it will. Think about my offer. You have until the next full moon – or rather, the day before."

"You'll wait for nothing. Now remove whatever's blocking her and leave," I snarl.

He initiates a mind link with someone, then smiles at Aria. "It's lifted, foster daughter. See you in three weeks." He completely ignores me as he turns and walks away.

I spin around, feeling Aria shift. Since she's changing from wolf form rather than Primal Wolf form, she's now naked. Everyone respectfully turns away.

Ethan, one of our guardians who fought in the Sacred Moonlight Gathering, speaks with his back to us.

"My king, my queen, I know my scent will be on it, but I offer you my shirt for cover until you can get your own clothes." He holds his oversized t-shirt behind him.

I take it and help Aria into it. "Thanks, Ethan. This works for now."

"Anytime, my king," he answers.

"Everyone can turn now," I announce. "Mated wolves, go home to your families. Unmated, I need help collecting our fallen warriors. Bring them to the Alpha's Chamber so their families can attend to them."

"Yes, my king," they all respond.

"Thank you all," I say, then lead Aria, Lucas, Hunter, and Cal back toward the packhouse, my mind racing with questions about the stranger and his mysterious demands..