The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 138

ARIA

God, every muscle in my body screams as we approach the packhouse. The fight with those rogues was brutal—even with Sage's power flowing through me, I'm still adjusting to this whole werewolf thing.

I spot them waiting outside our house—Gabriel, Eliana, Seraphina and the kids. Something tightens in my chest seeing Aurora's worried little face.

Jace's hand squeezes mine as we get closer. His touch anchors me, reminds me I'm not alone in this mess.

Lucas immediately moves to Eliana, kissing her before taking one of the twins. The relief on his face mirrors how I feel—grateful we made it back at all. Seraphina cradles Atlas while Aurora clings to Gabriel's hand, her eyes searching for us.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Aurora breaks free, running toward us. I kneel despite my aching body, wrapping her in my arms as she crashes into me.

"We're okay, sweetie," I whisper, stroking her hair.

Seraphina steps forward, concern etched across her face. "What happened?"

Marcus shakes his head. "It's a long story. We shouldn't talk here."

Jace nods, his voice switching to Alpha mode. "Everyone meet at Ancient Moon Shadow headquarters tonight. We'll prepare beds for the twins there."

Seraphina adjusts Atlas in her arms. "I can take Atlas and Aurora. You two need rest and cleanup time."

I throw her a grateful look. After what we just went through, a moment to breathe feels essential.

Back in our bedroom, I tear off Ethan's borrowed shirt, flinging it into the hallway. The other wolf's scent makes my skin crawl—something I never understood until Sage became part of me.

"Shower. Now." My voice sounds hollow even to me.

In the bathroom, Jace turns on the water while I stare at my reflection. The woman looking back seems split in two—part human, part wolf. Sometimes I don't recognize myself anymore.

Jace pulls me under the hot water, his hands gentle as they wash away blood and dirt. His fingertips trace the fading marks where the Rogue King's claws had cut me.

"Why me?" The question bursts out before I can stop it. "Why does he want me specifically?"

Jace pulls me against his chest, water streaming down our bodies. "Baby, you're special. Someone trying to take you from me isn't surprising. But I won't let it happen."

His words should comfort me, but fear still gnaws at my insides. I wasn't raised for this life. I was just a human girl until the Moon Goddess decided otherwise.

Jace senses my thoughts, his lips finding mine. His kiss grows desperate, hands gripping my waist. I respond instantly, needing to feel something besides fear. We move together under the water, reaffirming our connection in the most primal way.

Clean and dressed, I pull on Jace's hoodie, drowning in his scent. It calms the wolf inside me—Sage seems to settle whenever I'm surrounded by him.

A knock at the door interrupts us. Opening it reveals trays of food waiting outside—prime steaks, potatoes, vegetables.

"Dad?" I reach out through our mind link.

"Yes, little deer." Gabriel's voice fills my head, warm and familiar.

"Thanks for the food."

"Enjoy it."

Jace joins our connection. "Join us, Gabriel."

"I don't want to intrude on you two."

"You won't. Come eat. I want you at the meeting later too."

"I'll be right there."

I smile as we bring the food inside. Even with everything falling apart, these small moments of family ground me.

-

The living room feels too crowded, too tense. Everyone watches Jace expectantly—their king, their protector. Sometimes I forget how much responsibility weighs on his shoulders.

I sit beside him, feeling Sage stir restlessly inside me. She hates being confined, always pushing me toward action. The human part of me wants to think things through; the wolf wants to fight.

"He is who?" I break the silence, needing answers.

Jace exhales slowly. "It's a long story. Simply put, he's the one they call the Rogue King."

"Now he wants...me." Saying it makes it real, terrifying.

"I won't let that happen. I'll never let him take you from me." Jace's voice hardens, Phantom stirring beneath his human form.

Lucas nods firmly. "None of us will let that happen."

My hands clench into fists. "But what if he attacks again? We lost so many today, and you heard what he said. He won't stop." The frustration builds inside me. "And he blocked our link, my ability to shift. I couldn't do anything. How did he do that?"

Marcus leans forward. "I suspect he found a nature witch."

"What? I thought they disappeared. I read they vanished. Everyone believes they no longer exist."

"I always thought they just went into hiding," Marcus explains. "Vampires and werewolves particularly wanted to capture and imprison them for their abilities. I guess that's what he did, or he got lucky and found an unfriendly witch."

"But as long as he can do that—" The implications terrify me.

"I know someone who might help prevent it. If she's still alive." Gabriel's voice breaks through my spiral.

"Dad?"

"I knew her as a child. Her father was a werewolf, her mother a nature witch. Nobody knew except my father and mother. Not even our Alpha. I never told anyone because I was warned how bad it would be if they found out. Her mother stopped using her abilities. But Greta, as we grew up, started showing signs. One day while playing, she accidentally blasted me across the yard with her power. Her parents told everyone they were going to live with her elderly grandparents and left before anyone discovered the truth."

"Do you know where they went?" Marcus asks.

"Not exactly, but close enough. We kept in touch for a while."

Lucas straightens. "I could try finding her. I have Dad's bloodline, she might sense that."

Jace nods. "You're not going alone. Hunter and a guardian you trust will go with you."

"And Eliana, you and the twins stay in the safe room while Lucas is gone," Jace adds.

"Thank you," Eliana says quietly.

"I'll take Ethan," Lucas decides. "He's a good guardian. Loyal."

Jace fixes him with a stern look. "If you find her, tell her everything. Make it very clear we're asking for help. Not forcing her."

Before anyone can respond, a bright, warm glow suddenly fills the living room. We all freeze, watching as a figure materializes in the center of the light.

Chapter 148 Chapter148

ARIA

A moment later, an old woman materialized before us, her white hair pulled back in a braid, wearing simple linen clothes. She smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she stood on the plush carpet between the coffee table and the fireplace.

"I felt an old friend might need my help," she said, looking directly at Gabriel.

Everyone froze. The tension in the living room shot through the roof as we stared at the woman who had just materialized out of thin air. An actual witch? In our home? Great. Because we didn't have enough problems already.

"Greta?" Gabriel says in disbelief. "Is that really you?"

The elderly woman smiled, her face crinkling with genuine warmth. "It's been too long, old friend."

I watched as my adoptive father crossed the living room in three quick strides, navigating around the coffee table, and embraced her. The shock on his face melted into joy, something I hadn't seen since... well, I couldn't remember when.

Jace tensed beside me on the couch. Strange woman appears out of nowhere? Not exactly a normal Tuesday night in the packhouse.

"How did you find us?" Gabriel asked, stepping back but keeping his hands on her shoulders.

Greta touched his cheek affectionately. "A month ago, I found an old photograph and noticed a wolf carving on a tree. It reminded me of you." She paused, her expression turning serious. "I sensed you were ill, but didn't want to intrude. Then last night, I heard a powerful voice telling me an old friend needed help. I knew it was you."

Hunter and Lucas exchanged glances from their positions. I could practically hear their thoughts: Who is this woman?

Gabriel seemed to realize introductions were in order. "Everyone, this is Greta Wildflower, my childhood friend." He turned to her and gestured around the living room. "Greta, this is my family."

One by one, he introduced everyone. "My son Lucas and his mate Eliana. My daughter Aria and her mate Jace, Alpha King of Ancient Moon Shadow. This is Hunter, Jace's Beta. And Beta Marcus with his mate Seraphina."

"The children don't fit in with such a formal setting," he added, gesturing toward the toys scattered in the corner of the living room. "Four little ones."

Greta's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than the others. It wasn't threatening, but I felt exposed, as if she could see straight through me.

"Your wife?" Greta asked, turning back to Gabriel. "Is she around?"

The living room went deadly silent. Gabriel's face darkened as he shook his head slowly. "She was killed a few years ago... by the Rogue King."

"The Rogue King? The same one who just attacked us?"

Gabriel nodded grimly. "I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you from the truth."

White-hot rage exploded inside me. My vision blurred red at the edges. The monster who'd threatened me today was the same one who'd murdered the woman who would've been my mother? I felt something building inside me, a pressure that needed release.

*Aria, breathe.* Jace's voice in my mind was steady, anchoring. *You're losing control.*

Too late. The pressure burst outward. A wave of energy pulsed from me, sending everyone but Jace and Greta to their knees. The family photos on the mantelpiece rattled, and glasses on the coffee table shattered.

"Oh god," I gasped, horrified at what I'd done. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"It's okay," Luna Seraphina said, getting to her feet with Marcus's help. "We understand."

Greta remained standing, studying me with newfound interest. "Interesting," she murmured, a small smile playing on her lips.

*I'll kill him myself,* Jace promised through our mind link. *For Gabriel's wife, for you. We'll make him pay.*

It took hours to calm down. We remained in the living room, where we sat in a semicircle on the couches and armchairs as Greta told her story. The fire crackled in the fireplace, projecting light across the hardwood floors.

"I'm what they call a hybrid," she explained, settling more comfortably in the armchair closest to the fire. "Half werewolf, half Nature Witch. Neither world truly accepted me."

"I thought Nature Witches were just legends," I said from my spot on the sofa, Jace's arm protectively around me.

Greta shook her head. "No, but we're rare. Especially hybrids like me. Many were hunted and killed for being 'abominations.'" Her expression grew distant. "I even found my true mate once. But when he learned what I was, he rejected me. Said he couldn't mate with half a witch."

My heart ached for her. I knew what rejection felt like, being raised human in a werewolf world.

"My family took me into hiding," she continued. "It was the only way to keep me safe."

"About the Rogue King," Hunter interjected from his position leaning against the living room doorway. "We believe he has witch help. Someone blocked our mind links during the attack."

Greta nodded thoughtfully. "That would require powerful magic. Breaking such a spell won't be easy."

"Can you help us?" Marcus asked from the love seat he shared with Luna Seraphina.

Greta hesitated. "The difficulty is that I've been away from a pack since childhood. As a half-wolf, my magic is connected to my wolf nature. Without a pack, a wolf's power weakens." She looked down at the intricate pattern of the area rug beneath her feet. "Truth be told, I've been a rogue myself all these years. Living alone."

My eyes met Jace's across the living room. Without speaking, I knew we were thinking the same thing.

*What do you think?* I asked through our link.

*She could be valuable. Gabriel trusts her.*

*And she might be our only chance against the witch helping the Rogue King.*

Jace nodded subtly. "Greta," he said, voice carrying the weight of his Alpha status. "As Alpha of Ancient Moon Shadow, and with Aria as my Luna, we formally invite you to join our pack."

The living room went silent as everyone turned to stare at him.

"We can offer you Gabriel's empty house," I added quickly.

Greta looked shocked. "That's... incredibly generous. It would be an honor."

"We'll hold a joining ceremony tomorrow," Jace said. "And a welcome dinner."

"If I may," Greta said, "I'll need two or three days after joining to regain my strength. I must connect with the land and nature here." She straightened her shoulders in the armchair. "My power comes from both my wolf and natural elements."

"Take whatever time you need," Jace assured her.

After we finish talking, Marcus and Seraphina offer to show Greta around Gabriel’s house, and they leave together. Eliana and Lucas took the twins and left. The house empties quickly, leaving just Gabriel, Jace, and me to get some much-needed rest.