The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 151

ARIA

God, I needed this run. Just me, my thoughts, and the burn in my lungs. No one watching, no one judging. These morning escapes kept me sane. No "Queen this" or "Your Majesty that." Out here, my human side could breathe, even as my wolf senses tracked every scent on the breeze.

I slowed to a walk as I neared the forest exit, stretching my arms above my head. The Moon Shadow territory sprawled before me, the massive packhouse visible in the distance. Another day of the Winter Moon Festival ahead. Another day of proving myself—not just as Queen, but as someone who belonged here despite my human blood.

Three women emerged from a side path, huddled together in conversation. When they spotted me, they immediately bowed their heads.

"Queen Aria," they murmured in unison.

I waved my hand dismissively. "Please, stand up straight. No need for that." The formality still felt foreign—a reminder of how far I'd come from my small-town human life.

The tallest one—sandy-haired with strong arms—spoke first. "We don't mean to disturb your morning, Queen Aria."

"You're not disturbing anything," I assured them. "And seriously, you don't need to bow every time. Stand proud." Had I ever truly stood proud as a human? Before the wolf blood mingled with mine?

They exchanged glances, straightening their postures.

"We're heading to train," the shortest one explained. "One of the pack members showed us to the training ground."

I nodded. "Great. Get some good practice in. The Luna competition tomorrow will be tough."

"Will you be competing, Queen Aria?" the third one asked, then immediately looked like she regretted the question.

"Of course." I grinned, hiding the flash of insecurity. "Wouldn't miss it for anything." Let them wonder if my human past made me weaker. Tomorrow they'd see.

They looked stunned. I was used to that reaction—the surprise that the Alpha King's mate would participate alongside everyone else. As if being Queen meant I should sit pretty in a corner. Or perhaps their shock came from knowing what I once was—a fragile human who had transformed into something else entirely.

"Good luck with your training," I called over my shoulder, already heading toward home.

I heard the rhythmic thumps of Jace's workout before I even opened our front door. Typical. While I ran, he lifted weights. Our morning routines as different as our origins—him born to this world, me thrust into it.

After a quick shower, I headed straight to the kitchen. Pancake batter mixed, coffee brewing. The familiar motions centered me, pushed away the pre-competition jitters. This, at least, was something I'd carried from my human life—cooking instead of hunting raw meat like some of the more traditional wolves preferred.

Aurora's room was still dark when I peeked in. Both kids sprawled across their beds, dead to the world. I smiled, sitting gently on Aurora's bed.

"Princess," I whispered, brushing hair from her face. "Time to get up."

She grumbled something unintelligible, burrowing deeper into her blankets.

"Pancakes," I singsonged. That did it. One eye cracked open.

"With chocolate chips?" she mumbled.

"Maybe. If you get dressed quickly."

She was up in seconds. I moved to Atlas's crib, where he was already stirring.

"Hey, little man." I lifted him, his warm weight familiar against my hip. "Ready for breakfast?"

He rubbed sleepy eyes with pudgy fists. Would my children ever struggle with identity the way I did? Or would they grow up proud of both sides of their heritage?

Twenty minutes later, both kids were dressed and I carried Atlas toward the workout room. Jace had just emerged, towel around his neck, skin glistening.

"Breakfast's ready," I announced.

His face softened as he took Atlas from me, planting a kiss on my lips. "Morning, beautiful." He never saw me as less—my humanity had never mattered to him, even when it still mattered to me.

"Ewww!" Aurora squealed from behind me, covering her eyes dramatically.

Jace laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Morning to you too, princess."

We settled around the kitchen table, the normalcy of it striking me. How strange that this had become my life—breakfast with the Alpha King of the Ancient Moon Shadow and our children.

Gabriel's arrival interrupted my thoughts. He entered without knocking, as usual.

"Something smells good," he announced, pulling up a chair.

I slid a plate of pancakes his way. "Help yourself."

His movements were stiffer today, which showed his condition was deteriorating. But I knew better than to mention it in front of everyone.

"Today's the Alpha competition, right?" Gabriel asked between bites.

Jace nodded. "I'll fight the winner, as defending champion."

"And tomorrow is the Luna competition," I added, unable to keep the excitement from my voice. My chance to prove that even with human origins, I belonged among the wolves.

"First one ever," Gabriel noted, pride evident in his eyes. "You're making history, little deer." His old nickname for me—from before the change. A reminder of what I once was.

"Thanks to Jace allowing it," I said, squeezing my mate's hand.

Jace shook his head. "I just removed an outdated restriction. The Queens earned this themselves."

"I'm glad I lived to see it," Gabriel said quietly.

I swallowed hard. "Me too, Dad."

JACE

We walked through the corridor toward the royal viewing box, the roar of the crowd growing louder with each step. The guardians took position as we entered our seats—the last to arrive, as tradition dictated.

The crowd fell silent. Showtime.

I walked to the center of the arena, turning slowly to take in the packed stands. Not just Alphas and Lunas, but pack members from territories far and wide had made the journey for the Winter Moon Festival.

"Welcome to the first day of competition," I announced, my voice carrying across the arena. "Today, our Alphas will test their strength against one another. My guardians and Chief Guardian will oversee each match. As you know, the winner earns the right to challenge me."

I paused, letting the words sink in.

"Enjoy yourselves. Let the competition begin!"

Back at Aria's side, I watched the first competitors enter. Two Alphas from smaller packs circled each other, one clearly outmatched. The fight ended quickly—exactly as expected.

The first four matches finished within an hour. Efficient. Clean. Boring.

Then things got interesting. Blood splattered across the sand as two veteran Alphas tore into each other, neither willing to yield. The crowd grew wilder with each match, the scent of excitement and blood filling the air.

Five hours in, Lucas appeared in the arena center.

"Attention! We've reached the semi-finals. Four competitors remain. The winners of these next two matches will face each other in the final round."

Nicholas Ravenwood entered first—Marcus's son, his stance mirroring his father's perfectly. His opponent, an older Alpha with scars covering his arms, looked calm and deadly. The fight dragged on, brutal and technical. Nicholas took serious damage but ultimately prevailed.

The second semi-final brought Dylan Warren to the arena. Gabriel's training showed in every move he made. Another spectacular battle, ending exactly as I predicted—with Dylan's victory.

Lucas returned to announce a two-hour break before the finals. The crowd dispersed, buzzing with excitement.

Chapter 162 Chapter162

ARIA

God, this break is taking forever. The stands of the Ancient Arena buzzed with excitement as people returned to their seats, but all I felt was this nervous energy ready to explode.

"Shouldn't they be back by now?" I whispered, scanning the crowd.

Jace chuckled beside me, his warm hand covering my knee, stopping my fidgeting. "Patience. They're getting ready."

"I'm sorry, I know I'm not acting very Luna-like right now," I muttered, embarrassed by my obvious excitement. Jace laughed softly.

"Maybe not, but you're adorable," he whispered back, planting a quick kiss on my lips.

Heat rushed to my cheeks, not just from his kiss, but from the eyes I felt watching us. Even after all this time as Luna, public displays of affection still made me self-conscious.

The arena horn blared, silencing the crowd. Lucas walked to the center of the ring, followed by two warriors – Dylan Warren from the Black Forest Pack and Nicholas Ravenwood from the Ravenwood Pack. Both looked refreshed despite the short break.

Lucas raised his hand, waiting for complete silence before speaking. "Welcome back, everyone! Our two warriors are ready, and the winner will have the chance to challenge our Alpha King. They've both expressed willingness to try, though they've also admitted they might get their asses handed to them."

Laughter erupted throughout the arena. Even I couldn't help smiling. Lucas waited for the noise to die down.

"Today's contenders are: Alpha Dylan Warren from the Black Forest Pack and Nicholas Ravenwood from Ravenwood Pack. Both are formidable fighters, though relatively new as Alphas. This match has slightly different rules, allowing transformation into wolf form. The fight continues until one yields or is incapacitated. Enjoy the match!"

Lucas left the arena floor, leaving the two competitors waiting for the signal. Beside me, Marcus and Jace spoke in low tones.

"This should be an interesting fight," Marcus said with a smile.

"Indeed. Dylan was trained by Gabriel from childhood, while Nicholas had your guidance," Jace responded.

"Thank goodness someone was there for Dylan when his father wasn't," Marcus commented, and we all nodded in agreement.

Gabriel sat on my other side, his voice low but firm. "I only did what his father should have done. I'm just glad my influence was strong enough to prevent him from becoming like his father."

Everyone silently agreed. Richard Warren's reputation among the packs was notorious, especially his hostility toward humans. But his son Dylan was different, largely thanks to Gabriel's guidance.

The signal sounded. Both warriors instantly tensed. They bowed to each other respectfully, then stepped back, assuming fighting stances. The tension in the air was palpable.

Dylan attacked first, his speed astonishing as he closed the distance in a heartbeat. Nicholas barely dodged the first strike but caught Dylan's back kick square in the chest, stumbling backward without falling. The crowd gasped in appreciation.

"Gabriel taught him well," Jace commented, clearly impressed by Dylan's performance.

The two began circling each other, probing for weaknesses. Dylan struck again, launching three consecutive punches at Nicholas's face, but Nicholas was ready this time. He blocked quickly, grabbed Dylan's arm, and used the momentum to throw him to the ground.

Dylan hit the sand with a thud, dust rising around him. The crowd held its breath, but unexpectedly, both warriors laughed. Their friendship was infectious, and the audience laughed along with them.

Time passed as the warriors continued to exchange blows. Every attack, every defense, showcased their exceptional skill. Forty-five minutes in, sweat soaked their clothes, their movements noticeably slower.

"They're tiring," Gabriel observed, eyes fixed on the arena.

"Yes, it won't be much longer. But what a match it's been," Marcus said, and we all agreed before focusing back on the fight.

I felt Jace tense beside me, his hand unconsciously clenching. Following his gaze, I saw Dylan barely evade a heavy blow from Nicholas, looking increasingly strained.

JACE

I watched the two warriors intently, already sensing how this would end. Dylan was younger, but Nicholas more experienced. Still, I noticed Dylan conserving energy, his breathing rapid but more controlled than his opponent's.

They circled each other again, carefully looking for openings. Both knew the next exchange could decide everything.

Nicholas lost patience first, launching a ferocious attack. His movements were a blur of kicks and punches, so fast the crowd gasped. But Dylan remained composed, blocking most of the strikes.

It was a trap.

Nicholas's assault looked fierce but was draining his last reserves. When his attack slowed slightly, Dylan seized the opportunity, grabbing Nicholas's arm.

I stood up, knowing the decisive moment had arrived. Dylan suddenly exerted force, throwing Nicholas over his shoulder. Both men crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. The stands erupted in shouts.

Nicholas wasn't done. He struggled fiercely, trying his best to break free, but Dylan knew exactly what he was doing. Nicholas managed to wrench an arm loose and aimed a desperate strike at Dylan's face. Dylan was faster, ducking under the blow. Within seconds, he had Nicholas in a headlock, arm wrapped tight around his neck.

Nicholas thrashed violently, his face reddening with effort. Dylan only tightened his grip, his muscles straining as Nicholas's movements gradually weakened. The crowd went silent, watching the final moments of the battle. Nicholas's struggles slowed, then stopped altogether as consciousness left him.

Once certain Nicholas was out, Dylan carefully laid him on the ground and immediately checked his pulse. Satisfied his opponent was merely unconscious, Dylan rose to his feet, fatigue evident in every movement.

The arena exploded with cheers. Even Marcus was on his feet applauding, pride evident in his face despite his son's defeat. Dr. Jonathan rushed to Nicholas's side, administering something that quickly brought him back to consciousness.

"What a fight! I've never seen anything like it. Simply amazing," Lucas announced, his voice barely audible over the crowd's enthusiasm.

Nicholas, now back on his feet though unsteady, approached Dylan. Without hesitation, he embraced his opponent in a warrior's hug that drew even louder cheers from the spectators.

"We all witnessed an incredible battle today," Lucas proclaimed, raising Dylan's arm high in the air. "I officially declare Alpha Dylan Warren the winner!"