The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 146

ARIA

I'd barely slept, tossing between nightmares of the attack and memories of the trial. The bed felt empty despite having slept alone my whole life before Jace. He'd left before dawn to handle final preparations.

Nine-fifteen already. Gabriel should've been downstairs ages ago.

"Gabriel?" I shouted up the stairs, tightening my jacket. Nothing.

The house felt creepy-quiet without Aurora's laughter. Thank god Eliana took her for the day—a four-year-old doesn't need to see someone's heart getting torn out.

I headed upstairs and knocked on Gabriel's door. No answer.

"Gabriel? We're gonna be late."

I pushed the door open and found him still in pajamas, slumped in his old chair by the window. He held a silver frame, staring at it.

"You're not even dressed," I said, failing to hide my frustration.

Gabriel looked up, exhaustion carved into his face. "Can't do it today, kiddo."

I knelt beside him. "What's wrong?"

"Just... empty." He tapped his chest. "Seven years waiting for this, and now I don't have the strength to finish it."

The photo was of Bree, my adoptive mother. Her laugh frozen in time, head thrown back in sunshine.

"She was beautiful," I said.

Gabriel nodded, tracing the frame. "Most beautiful woman ever. First saw her in a meadow. Walked straight into a tree 'cause I couldn't stop staring." A faint smile appeared. "She laughed, came to check on me. The moment she touched me..."

"The bond," I said.

"Yeah. Instant. Unbreakable." His eyes found mine. "You have her strength. Not her blood, but her spirit. The way you fight for what matters."

I squeezed his hand. "She'd be proud of you. For raising me. For everything."

His face darkened. "Seven years waiting to avenge her. Dreaming of killing him myself." His hand trembled. "Now I'm too broken."

"You're not broken," I insisted. "You're human."

He gave me a dry look. "Not technically."

"You know what I mean."

Gabriel sighed. "Taking a life changes you, even when justified. I've done it in battle. But execution is different. Colder." He looked at me. "I don't want that for you either."

"Let me contact Jace," I said.

Gabriel nodded, closing his eyes. I placed my hand on his, focusing on my connection with Jace, using Gabriel's stronger abilities.

Jace?

His response warmed my mind. Aria. Everything okay?

Gabriel can't do it. The weight's too much.

I understand. Tell him not to worry. I'll handle it.

We'll be there soon.

Waiting for you, baby.

The connection faded. Gabriel opened his eyes.

"Jace will do it," I told him.

Relief washed over his face. "That boy's a good Alpha. A good man."

I helped him dress, ignoring how his hands shook. This past year had aged him terribly. Maybe after today, he could start healing.

The forest path to the arena seemed longer than usual, Gabriel leaning on my arm. Pack members nodded respectfully as we passed, all heading in the same direction. The mood was solemn, almost sacred.

"Never thought I'd see every wolf in the territory gathered in one place," Gabriel murmured.

Hundreds had come, not just our pack but wolves from territories all around – witnesses to the end of a reign of terror.

The arena came into view, a circular stone structure built into the mountainside. Guards recognized us immediately, ushering us through a side entrance to the elevated seating area reserved for pack leadership and honored guests.

Jace waited at the edge of the arena, powerful and commanding. His eyes found mine instantly, softening. As we approached, he pulled me into a tight embrace, kissing me with unexpected intensity before turning to Gabriel.

"I understand," he said, clasping Gabriel's arm. "It should be an Alpha's burden anyway."

Gabriel nodded gratefully.

Jace leaned close to my ear. "After this is done, I have something important to announce. Something good, to balance today's darkness."

Before I could ask what he meant, a horn sounded. Jace squeezed my hand and strode toward the center of the arena.

The crowd fell silent as the Alpha took his position. In the middle stood an ancient silver-wood cross, embedded with restraints designed to hold even the strongest werewolf. The morning sun glinted off the silver chains.

Jace's voice carried easily across the arena. "Members of Ancient Moon Shadow and honored guests. Today we witness justice for countless victims." He paused, eyes finding Gabriel. "Our former Chief Guardian, who has waited seven years for this moment, is unable to perform the execution due to injury. As Alpha, I will carry out this duty in his place."

Another horn blast, and the crowd parted. Hunter led the procession, followed by Lucas and six guards surrounding a chained figure – the Rogue King. Even diminished by captivity, he radiated malice. The guards forced him to the cross, securing his limbs with silver chains.

I felt Gabriel tense beside me. His nemesis, the murderer of his true mate, stood before us at last.

Jace approached the bound prisoner. "As is our custom, you may speak final words."

The Rogue King's eyes swept over the crowd before finding me. His lips curled into a sneer. "Death to all royals!" he snarled, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Death to Kings and Queens!"

A rumble of anger rose from the crowd. Gabriel's hand gripped mine painfully tight.

Jace waited for silence, his face impassive. "As the Alpha King, I have sworn to protect our people. Today, I fulfill that oath."

In one fluid motion, Jace shifted partially – not fully transforming, but allowing his wolf, Phantom, enough control to sharpen his features, strengthen his muscles. With precise brutality, he thrust his hand into the Rogue King's chest.

For a heartbeat, time froze. Then Jace withdrew his hand, the still-beating heart clutched in his fingers.

The arena fell silent. The Rogue King's body slumped against the restraints, eyes empty. Seven years of terror, ended in seconds.

Then the crowd erupted in cheers and howls of relief. Gabriel sagged against me, tears streaming down his weathered face. "It's done," he whispered. "She can rest now."

Jace disposed of the heart in a prepared silver container, wiping his hands before walking toward us. The crowd gradually quieted, anticipating his words.

"Today marks the end of a dark chapter," Jace announced, his voice steady. "Tonight, when the moon rises, we will honor those we've lost. I've prepared memorial lanterns for all. Write the names of those taken by the Rogue King, and we will release them together, sending our messages to the sky."

The crowd murmured approval. Gabriel nodded beside me, somehow looking older and younger at the same time.

"King and Queen forever!" someone shouted from the crowd.

The cry was taken up, echoing through the arena. "King and Queen forever!"