The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 156

ARIA

It has been six months since we had the Winter Moon Festival, and Atlas is turning one soon. And Aurora already had her sixth birthday. Time goes so fast and a lot has happened this year. Not only am I nineteen now, but Jace and I have been mates for more than a year.

I sit by the window in our bedroom, watching the sunset paint shadows across the Moon Shadow territory. My mind wanders to Gabriel, my adoptive father, lying in his bed across the grounds. Each day he grows weaker, his skin grayer. His wolf disappeared completely last week — the final sign that the end approaches.

The thought of losing him terrifies me. But watching him suffer? That might be worse.

I press my palm against the cool glass. Gabriel trained me, protected me, loved me when no one else would. He took in a human child and raised her as his own. Now I watch helplessly as silver poison eats him from the inside out.

Jace is busy with pack matters tonight. Aurora and Atlas are asleep. For once, I have time alone with my thoughts, and they're darker than I'd like to admit.

I need air. Space to breathe without feeling like I'm drowning.

The path to Moonlight Falls is burned into my memory. I could walk it blindfolded. The cascade thunders ahead, the sound growing louder with each step. When I reach the rocky outcropping, I sit, letting the spray cool my face.

Above me, the full moon hangs impossibly bright. Its silver light catches on the water, creating thousands of dancing reflections. Here, I can almost pretend everything is normal. That Gabriel isn't dying. That my heart isn't breaking.

"It will be alright."

The voice startles me. Rich and feminine, powerful enough to be heard over the rushing water. I jump to my feet, spinning toward the sound.

She stands on the water's surface, glowing with silver light. The Moon Goddess herself, more beautiful and terrifying than any description could capture. I drop to one knee immediately, head bowed.

"Moon Goddess."

"Stand up, my queen."

I rise slowly, heart hammering. "Can I serve you in some way?"

Her smile is gentle but ancient. "First, I come to comfort you, child. But I also have a message for your King."

The Goddess steps forward, gliding across the water to stand before me on the rock. "I know you love your father. I know you wish his suffering would end."

My throat tightens. "He's in so much pain."

"Gabriel is a brave and good man. He has served me well." She touches my cheek, her fingers cool as moonlight. "I agree that his suffering should end. Take three days to say goodbye. After that, I will give him peace."

Tears spill down my cheeks before I can stop them. Relief and grief tangle inside me. "I... thank you. I don't know what else to say."

"No need for apologies. I understand your heart."

I wipe my eyes, gathering myself. "Thank you, Moon Goddess. You've shown us your care once again." I hesitate. "You mentioned a message for Jace?"

"Yes." The Goddess folds her hands before her. "I am the Goddess of the Moon, and all werewolves and wolf-kind are my children."

"You know of Lisa and Anthony?"

The question catches me off guard. "She's the Goddess of Night, and he's the God of Darkness. Right?"

"Yes, exactly. Very good, Aria."

"What do we need to know about them?"

The Goddess's expression turns grave. "Both werewolves and vampires are my children, though they've been at odds for centuries."

"There was a war between them long ago," I recall from Gabriel's lessons.

"Yes, until the ancient wolf Alpha and vampire lord from your legends signed a peace treaty. It has held for generations."

Her gaze drifts to the moon's reflection in the falls. "Two months ago, the vampire lord was killed by someone in his inner circle. The new lord who took the throne hates the treaty and its laws."

Cold fear trickles down my spine. "What does this mean? What's the connection to Lisa and Anthony?"

"Lisa and I have never been friends — more like rivals. When she saw the old vampire lord killed and the hatred burning in the new lord's heart, she crafted a plan. She offered help to win his trust."

"Help him? How? If vampires have two gods on their side, how can we possibly face them? We can't win."

The Goddess shakes her head. "Lisa and Anthony do support the vampires, but no god is allowed to help directly. If we do, the other gods would become angry. They would strip us of our divine power, and we would cease to exist as gods. So Lisa and Anthony aren't that foolish. But they will continue to tell the vampires how to act, fueling the new lord's hatred."

My mind races with implications. "What about the other gods? Can't they stop this?"

"They could, but they won't. They'd say that as long as the war remains between your two species, it isn't their battle."

The reality sinks in slowly, crushing in its weight. "So we're alone."

"You are not alone, child." The Goddess's voice strengthens. "I still have ways I can help, and I will."

I nod firmly. "I need to tell Jace about this immediately."

"Bring him here tomorrow. I have an idea that might help."

"I will. Tomorrow, same time as tonight?"

"Yes, that would be best."

I bow deeply. "Thank you, Moon Goddess."

Her form begins to shimmer, fading into the moonlight. "Until then, child."

And then she's gone, leaving only the sound of rushing water.

I don't wait. I can't. Vampires. War. Gods taking sides. And Gabriel...

The forest blurs around me as I run, branches whipping my face. My lungs burn, but I push harder. Jace needs to know everything. Now.

My thoughts spin wildly. A war with vampires would devastate us. Especially with Gabriel so weak and other packs still recovering from last year's battles. And if gods are involved...

The packhouse comes into view, lights glowing in our bedroom window. Jace is waiting, probably wondering where I've been.

I burst through the door, gasping for breath. Jace looks up from his desk, alarm crossing his face.

"Aria? What's wrong?"

"The Moon Goddess came to me," I pant, gripping the doorframe. "She's going to help Gabriel pass peacefully."

Jace crosses the room in three strides, pulling me against him. "That's... that's good news. Isn't it?"

I push back, meeting his eyes. "There's more. So much more."

His expression hardens, sensing my fear. "Tell me."

"The vampires are coming for us. And they have gods on their side."