The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 165

ARIA

I've been back home for a week now, and damn, the place is packed. Almost all the wolf packs have gathered here at new Moon Shadow territory. More houses keep popping up daily, but with so many wolves working together, construction moves fast. We keep most packs in their own areas, but also have mixed zones—especially for pregnant females and elders.

Jace worried that having too many Alphas in one place would cause problems. Thankfully, they all accepted him as their King, basically turning us into one massive pack. I'm guessing we have between forty and sixty thousand wolves here now. Good thing our forests and valleys are huge.

One of the better parts about all this? Seeing new mates find each other. Nothing beats watching that moment when two wolves realize they're meant for each other.

I was walking through one of the newly built areas when I heard shouting. A group of teenage boys—maybe fourteen to sixteen years old—were gathered in a circle, yelling and kicking at something on the ground.

"What are you kicking?" I demanded, moving closer.

As I approached, I saw they were kicking a boy. My blood boiled instantly.

"Stop that right now!" My voice cut through their noise, sharp as a blade.

They froze, backing away. One of the older boys stepped forward, chin jutting out defiantly.

"Ma'am, he's nothing. Just a rogue who came with our pack. He doesn't belong here."

I crossed my arms, keeping my voice deadly calm. "Has he hurt anyone?"

Silence. They exchanged nervous glances.

"Answer me. Has he hurt anyone?"

The older boy shifted uncomfortably. "No, ma'am, but he shouldn't be here."

Before I could respond, a deep voice called out, "What's happening here?"

I turned to see a tall man approaching—clearly an Alpha by the way he carried himself. The teenagers straightened up immediately, fear flashing across their faces.

"Are these children from your pack, Alpha?" I asked.

He bowed his head respectfully. "My Queen, I'm Alpha Steven. Yes, this is my son Tyson."

The teenagers' eyes widened at the word "Queen." Guess they didn't know who they were dealing with.

"They tell me this boy is a rogue who came with your pack," I said, gesturing to the child still huddled on the ground.

Alpha Steven tensed. "Yes, my Queen. We found him alone on our way here. His parents were killed by other rogues. I couldn't leave such a young child to fend for himself."

"You did the right thing," I said. "But these children were bullying and kicking him. I don't like that. If your pack has taken him in, I expect him to be treated like everyone else."

Steven turned to his son, anger flashing in his eyes. "Didn't I tell you to leave him alone?"

"But Dad—" Tyson started.

"Shut your mouth and go home." Steven's voice dropped dangerously low. "I never intended for him to be mistreated. Leave. All of you. Now."

The teenagers scattered. I turned to the boy on the ground, moving to sit beside him, but Steven stepped forward.

"My Queen, please be careful. He may be just a boy, but he's still a rogue."

I ignored the warning and sat down anyway. The boy couldn't be more than twelve, small and thin with dirt smudged across his face.

"Hello there," I said gently.

"Hello," he whispered, not meeting my eyes.

"How old are you?"

"Eleven, my Queen."

"Are you okay?" A stupid question, but I needed to start somewhere.

He nodded silently. I glanced up at Steven.

"What are your plans for him?"

Steven sighed. "I wanted to find him a home, my Queen. But no one in my pack is willing. They're afraid because of...everything that's happened. I was planning to take him to the Healing Center, see if someone there could help."

I nodded. "I'll take him there myself. I'll handle this."

"Are you sure, my Queen?"

"Yes. I appreciate what you've tried to do, Alpha. But I might have better luck."

Steven smiled, relief washing over his face. "Yes, you might. That's fine. I apologize again for my son's behavior. His mother, my Luna, was killed by a rogue. Otherwise, I would have taken the boy in myself, but I just can't."

"I understand. I'm sorry for your loss."

I turned back to the boy. "Do you have a name?"

He nodded. "Andrew."

"Hi Andrew. I'm Aria. Can you be a good boy and thank Alpha Steven for bringing you here, then come with me?"

I stood up, and Andrew followed suit, turning to Steven.

"Thank you, Alpha Steven."

The Alpha smiled, ruffling Andrew's hair. "You're welcome, child. I'm sorry I couldn't find you a home, but I believe Queen Aria will. Be good, okay?"

Andrew nodded, and I took his small hand in mine. As we walked toward the Healing Center, I felt his fingers tighten around mine.

"Where are we going?" he asked quietly.

"Somewhere safe," I promised. "The people there will help you."

"Then what happens?"

I stopped, kneeling down to his level. "What would you like to happen, Andrew?"

His eyes finally met mine, filled with a mixture of hope and fear that made my chest ache.

"I want a family again," he whispered.

Something shifted inside me. I recognized that look—I'd worn it myself once. The longing for somewhere to belong, someone to care.

"Then that's what we'll find you," I said, surprising myself with how certain I felt.

We continued walking, and I noticed his limp. Those bastards had hurt him worse than I thought. Anger flared again, hot and protective.

"The Healing Center isn't far," I assured him. "Dr. Maya will make sure you're okay."

"Are you...really the Queen?" he asked suddenly.

I smiled. "I am. My mate Jace is the King."

Looking into Andrew, I saw my past self. That lonely, lost look—I'd worn it for years. Once, I was just like him—abandoned among strangers in an unfamiliar pack. I'd hidden in corners, watching every step, afraid of everyone. Any kindness might turn to cruelty in a heartbeat. I learned to disappear, to move like a ghost among wolves who belonged.

Those first weeks in Black Forest territory haunted me—the suspicious looks, the whispers when they thought I couldn't hear. "Human," they'd say, like it was something dirty.

So I wanted to do everything I could to help this child.