The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 145

JACE

Finally. After years of terror, that monster would face justice. My hands clenched as I watched them drag him in. Two weeks since we captured him—two weeks since Aria almost died fighting him. The memory of finding her, throat in his grip, still wakes me sweating at night.

The hall buzzed with tension as hundreds of wolves packed inside. I'd never seen so many gathered in one place. On the platform beside me, Aria sat straight-backed despite her healing ribs. She refused painkillers this morning—typical stubborn warrior.

Lucas and Hunter led the procession, flanked by four of our best guardians. Between them, the Rogue King stumbled forward, obviously weakened from the silver and wolfsbane. Good. Let him suffer.

The crowd erupted when they saw him—howls, jeers, and curses filling the air. Parents who'd lost children. Children who'd lost parents. Everyone he'd hurt wanted blood.

I stood, raising my hand for silence. The noise gradually died down.

"Thank you for coming," I began, voice carrying across the hall. "As you know, two weeks ago, the Rogue King attacked our territory. His goal was to kidnap and forcibly take your Queen, my mate, the mother of my children—against her will, using magic to block her connection to me."

Growls rumbled through the crowd. Aria's hand found mine, squeezing tight.

"I recently discovered he also personally murdered my mate's adoptive father's partner, Bree, years ago. But today is primarily about his crimes against your Queen."

I paused, controlling the rage threatening to overwhelm me.

"The Rogue King ordered the attack that killed my parents years ago. I know there are countless other crimes he planned or personally committed."

My eyes found Gabriel in the front row. His jaw clenched tight, eyes never leaving the man who'd taken Bree from him.

"During the attack, your Queen fought against his rogues while I hunted down and killed his nature witch. Your Queen beat him severely, making his capture easy. Since then, he's been held in our silver containment facility, sedated with wolfsbane."

I looked down at the pathetic figure kneeling between the guardians.

"Your Queen could have killed him. But as your King and Queen, we wanted fairness, giving those who wished a chance to see him judged according to his crimes."

I nodded to Elder Silas, who rose from his seat at the adjacent platform. His weathered face remained impassive, but I knew how personal this was for him too. The Rogue King had killed his grandson decades ago.

"For the past week," Silas announced, "the Elders have gathered records of all attacks, kidnappings, and killings confirmed to be planned or executed by the Rogue King over the past ten to fifteen years."

A murmur ran through the crowd.

"We have documented 738 cases linked to the Rogue King."

The hall fell silent. Even I hadn't expected that number.

"If we were to impose no punishment, it would be a crime and betrayal to every victim and their loved ones. We also know that if he were sentenced but left alive, everyone would fear his eventual escape. Therefore, out of respect for every victim and for everyone's safety, we sentence the Rogue King to death."

The crowd erupted again, this time in approval. Aria's grip tightened on my hand.

"The execution," Silas continued once the noise subsided, "will be carried out tomorrow by the King's Chief Guardian and will be public."

I rose again, feeling the weight of every eye in the room.

"Those who wish to stay can remain in your arranged accommodations. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. The execution will take place at the arena at 10 AM tomorrow. All visitors are welcome to explore our Ancient Moon Shadow territory."

The Rogue King finally raised his head, eyes meeting mine with pure hatred. I stared back, refusing to show any reaction. He wasn't worth it.

"Take him back to his cell," I ordered.

As Lucas and Hunter led him away, I placed my hand on Aria's back, helping her stand. The movement still clearly pained her, though she tried to hide it.

"Let's go home," I murmured.

Our living room felt too quiet after the intensity of the trial. Aria sank onto the couch beside me, while Marcus and Seraphina took seats across from us. Gabriel sat in the armchair, staring at nothing.

The silence stretched until Aria broke it.

"I can't believe it's finally ending, after he terrorized this land and these wolves for so long."

Seraphina nodded. "It's unbelievable, really."

Gabriel's hands trembled slightly. "Hard to believe after all these years, I'll finally get justice for Bree."

"Yes," Marcus agreed, "tomorrow many will get justice for everything he's done. This is the new era we'll live in."

"Yes," I said, thinking of the future ahead. "Next, we'll hold the Winter Moon Festival. It'll be a good time to be happy and celebrate."

Aria leaned against me, exhaustion evident in her face. With so many wolves from outside Ancient Moon Shadow territory here, we'd decided to stay home tonight, spending time with the kids and enjoying family time.

Atlas had fallen asleep hours ago, and Aurora was playing quietly in the corner with her toys. For all the violence in our world, we tried to give our children something different.

I caught Aria watching our daughter, tears threatening in her eyes. I knew what she was thinking—how close we'd come to losing everything.

"Tomorrow it ends," I whispered, pulling her closer. "For good."

We all retired early, preparing for what tomorrow would bring. As I held Aria against me that night, her breathing finally evening out in sleep, I stared at the ceiling.

Tomorrow, a chapter would close. The Rogue King would pay for his crimes. Gabriel would get his chance at vengeance. Our territory would be safer.

But even with the monster's death, some wounds wouldn't heal. Some nightmares wouldn't fade. Some losses couldn't be undone.

I pulled Aria closer, careful of her ribs, and eventually drifted into an uneasy sleep.