The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 148

JACE

The lanterns disappeared into the night sky, taking pieces of our grief with them. The weight on my shoulders felt lighter for the first time in weeks. Not gone, but manageable.

I watched Aria walk toward me across the clearing, her face streaked with tears she didn't bother to hide. Another reason I loved her—she never pretended to be stronger than she was. Her strength came from admitting when things hurt.

Greta sat in the common room, an ancient leather-bound book open on her lap. She looked up at our entrance and immediately rose to her feet, spine straightening.

"At ease," I said, raising my hand. "You've earned the right to relax tonight."

She nodded but remained standing. "King. Queen."

"Were the children any trouble?" Aria asked, dropping her jacket on the back of a chair.

"No trouble." Greta closed her book. "Aurora fell asleep watching that wolf cartoon she loves. Atlas woke once around sunset. I changed him and gave him the bottle you prepared." Her eyes found mine, something unreadable flickering there. "He's quite special, your son."

The way she said it sent a chill up my spine. "Special how?"

"He's powerful. Extraordinarily so." Greta's voice dropped. "When I held him, I had to fight the urge to put him down and bow."

The room went silent. Gabriel and Lucas exchanged glances. Eliana's mouth fell open.

"You felt compelled to submit to a baby?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Greta nodded solemnly. "I've lived ninety-seven years and felt the presence of eleven Alphas. None commanded submission like your son—not even you, King."

Aria stepped forward, eyes wide. "Did resisting hurt you?"

"No. Once I placed him on the changing table, the feeling stopped." Greta tilted her head. "I believe it's because he doesn't recognize me as anything but pack."

"But you're certain it was his power as a king you felt?" I pressed.

"Unmistakable." No hesitation in her voice. "The power of command."

Aria's hand found mine, squeezing hard. "How is that possible? That power comes from one's wolf spirit. Atlas is still so young.."

Greta considered this. "What I sensed wasn't typical. It was unified—primal werewolf and human combined, but not yet connected to Atlas's conscious mind." She spread her hands. "It seems to exist primarily for protection at this stage."

Relief washed over Aria's face. "So it won't hurt him?"

"No, Queen."

I nodded slowly. "We've felt unusual connections with Atlas, but assumed it was parental bonding and perhaps the marks of royal bloodline."

"He will be more powerful than any King in our history," Greta said with certainty.

My chest swelled with pride before my brain caught up. If what Greta said was true, Atlas would face challenges none of us could imagine.

"I could place a moonlight shield around him," Greta offered. "It would subdue his wolf nature enough to prevent accidental displays of power over other children or pack members. But it would leave sufficient strength for his wolf spirit to protect him if needed."

I don't like this, Aria's voice filled my mind. What if we're interfering with something natural?

We should wait, I replied. Give Atlas and his wolf spirit a chance. The Moon Goddess gave him this spirit for a reason.

But what if he hurts other pups? Anxiety colored her thoughts. What if he accidentally forces them to submit? I don't want him branded a tyrant before he can even speak.

If that happens, I'll personally ask Greta for help. I promise.

Gabriel cleared his throat. "If I may, King." He waited for my nod before continuing. "In the old stories, kings were born, not made. Their power emerged naturally at the right time. Interfering with that process..." He shook his head. "Could be dangerous."

I turned to Greta. "We appreciate your counsel, but for now, we'll wait and observe. No moonlight shield."

Her eyes widened briefly, but she nodded. "As you wish, King. I remain at your service."

Lucas and Eliana excused themselves, heading to their quarters. Gabriel kissed Aria's forehead before following.

Once alone, Aria collapsed onto the couch. "Kings, Alphas, now this. Why can't our son just be a baby for a while?"

I sat beside her, pulling her close. "He is a baby. We'll make sure of it."

"But if Greta's right—"

"Then we'll handle it when the time comes. Not before."

She nodded against my chest, but tension remained in her shoulders.

We checked on Aurora first. She slept sprawled across her bed, stuffed wolf clutched to her chest. My heart ached with love for my fierce little girl.

The nursery was bathed in soft moonlight when we entered. Atlas lay on his back, tiny fists beside his head, chest rising and falling in peaceful rhythm.

"He looks so normal," Aria whispered. "So innocent."

"He is innocent." I wrapped my arm around her waist. "Whatever power he has, it doesn't change who he is."

We stood watching him for several minutes before Aria yawned.

"Go to bed," I said softly. "I'll be there soon."

She hesitated, then nodded, pressing a kiss to my cheek before slipping out.

Alone with my son, I studied his face. What destiny had the Moon Goddess planned for him? What burdens would he carry?

I reached down to touch his cheek. The moment my fingers made contact, his eyes snapped open—not the unfocused gaze of a newborn, but sharp, alert. Knowing.

For a heartbeat, they flashed gold.

My breath caught. I blinked, and they were normal again—the blue-gray of all newborns.

Had I imagined it?

Atlas stared up at me, his expression strangely solemn for one so young. Then his face crumpled, and he began to cry—the normal, healthy wail of a baby who wanted attention.

I picked him up, cradling him against my chest. "Shh, it's okay. Daddy's here."

His crying stopped almost instantly. As I rocked him, his tiny hand grasped my finger with surprising strength.

"I'll protect you," I whispered into his downy hair. "Whatever comes, whatever you become. I promise."

But as I laid him back in his crib, now sleeping soundly again, a cold certainty settled in my gut. I wasn't making that promise to Atlas.

I was making it to the world that would face him.