The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 164

ARIA

Our car was destroyed. I ran home with Jace and the guardians, keeping up with the vehicle carrying the rescued women. Jace had already shifted back to human form with his clothes on. Thankfully, Moon Shadow territory has enchanted clothes stands in key locations. Running naked through the woods would've been embarrassing.

"Everyone okay?" I called out, scanning our group as we approached the Pack House. My muscles ached from the fight, but nothing felt broken.

Jace pulled me against him, his arms tight around my waist. His lips found mine in a desperate kiss that told me exactly how worried he'd been.

"Don't scare me like that again," he murmured against my mouth.

"No promises." I pressed my forehead against his chest, breathing in his scent. "But I'll try."

The rescued women emerged from the car, five pairs of anxious eyes taking in their new surroundings. They huddled together, uncertain and afraid.

I approached them, making my movements slow and non-threatening. "First, I want to make sure you're all okay. We have several pack members who will take you to safe accommodations and show you the shelter areas. The guardians will bring your belongings, and Dr. Maya will come check on you. If you need anything, press the star button on any phone to reach the Chief Guardian. He'll help you with whatever you need."

The oldest woman - Elsie - stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly. "Thank you, Queen Aria. We're sorry about your guardians."

"They did their duty," I said softly. "Now it's time for you to rest and recover."

The designated pack members arrived to escort them. I watched until they disappeared inside, then turned back toward the Pack House. My heart raced when I saw who waited on the steps.

Lucas stood there with Eliana beside him. Greta and Luna Seraphina each held one of my children. Aurora spotted me first, her little face lighting up.

"Mommy!" she screamed, breaking free from Eliana's grasp and racing down the steps. I knelt, opening my arms just in time as she barreled into me.

"My little princess," I whispered, hugging her tight. Her small body trembled against mine, her arms locked around my neck.

I transferred Aurora to Jace's waiting arms, then crossed to Luna Seraphina. Atlas reached for me immediately, his chubby hands grasping at the air.

"There's my little warrior," I said, taking him from Luna Seraphina. He snuggled against my chest, already half-asleep despite the commotion.

The pack members dispersed to their posts, leaving just our family on the steps. Jace placed his free hand on my lower back, guiding me inside. Home. Finally.

The simple meal I threw together disappeared quickly. Nobody talked much - we were all exhausted from the day's events. Even Aurora seemed subdued, her usual chatter reduced to sleepy mumbles as she pushed food around her plate.

"Bath time, princess," I announced, standing to clear the plates. "Then story time."

She perked up slightly. "The wolf princess story?"

"Of course."

Bath time went smoothly, both kids too tired to protest. Atlas dozed in my arms as I sang a lullaby, the same one my adoptive mother used to sing to me. Aurora insisted on her own song too, refusing to close her eyes until I'd finished all three verses of her favorite.

I kissed their foreheads, tucked blankets around tiny bodies, and slipped out of their room. Exhaustion hit me like a physical weight. Every muscle ached, every movement requiring conscious effort.

When I entered our bedroom, Jace was already running a bath. Steam filled the bathroom, fogging the mirror. He turned, eyes darkening as they roamed over me.

"Come here," he said, voice dropping to that tone that never failed to send shivers down my spine.

I went to him, drawn by invisible threads that had connected us from the first moment we met. His fingers tugged at my shirt, lifting it over my head. I winced slightly as the movement pulled at bruised muscles.

Jace frowned, examining the darkening marks on my ribs. "You're hurt."

"Just bruises. Nothing serious."

He helped me into the warm water, then stripped and joined me. The large tub easily accommodated us both. He positioned me between his legs, my back against his chest, and began washing my hair with gentle hands.

"You scared me today," he admitted, massaging my scalp. "When I felt your fear through our bond..."

"I knew you'd come," I assured him, leaning into his touch. "You always do."

His hands moved lower, checking each bruise, each scratch. I returned the favor, my fingers tracing the defined muscles of his chest, shoulders, arms. We washed away the day's battle, replacing fear and adrenaline with something warmer, safer.

When the water cooled, Jace lifted me out, wrapping a towel around us both. His mouth found mine, more insistent this time. Need replaced tenderness, want overshadowing care.

We barely made it to the bed.

JACE

Her skin feels like fire beneath my hands. Every time we do this, I'm amazed at how perfectly she fits against me. My Luna, my mate, my queen. Mine.

I drag my mouth down her neck, finding the spot where I marked her. She arches against me, a gasp escaping her lips. The sound drives me crazy, pushing me to the edge of control.

She's always so responsive, meeting each thrust with equal force. Sometimes I forget how strong she is - this woman who stands barely to my shoulder, whose body seems so fragile compared to mine. But there's nothing fragile about Aria Silverbrook. She's survived things that would break most wolves.

"Jace," she whispers, my name a prayer on her lips. Her hands clutch at my shoulders, nails biting into skin.

I press my forehead against hers, watching her eyes cloud with pleasure. This connection - it's more than physical. It's souls recognizing each other across space and time.

When we're both spent, I gather her against me, her head resting on my chest. Her breathing slows, matching mine. These quiet moments after - they're almost as precious as what came before.

"I've decided to cancel the Sacred Moonlight Gathering this year," I say, running my fingers through her hair. "With the vampire attack..."

"It's the right call," she agrees, tracing patterns on my chest. "The packs will understand."

She tells me more about her travels, places she visited, people she met. Her voice grows softer when she mentions the gravesite she visited.

"You know," she says suddenly, "I'm an orphan now."

The words hit me hard. Gabriel's death left a hole in all our lives, but especially hers. He wasn't just her adoptive father - he was her mentor, her guide, the man who taught her to survive in our world.

"You're not alone," I remind her, tightening my arms around her. "You'll never be alone again."

She nods against my chest. "You're right. I'm not alone."

We lie in comfortable silence for a while, just existing together in the darkness. Her breath becomes more rhythmic as sleep claims her.

"I love you, baby," I whisper, kissing the top of her head.

"I love you too," she murmurs, already half-asleep.