The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 166

ARIA

 

I guided Andrew toward the entrance, trying to ignore the strange pulsing heat under my skin. The Center buzzed with activity - injured guardians waiting, mothers with sick pups, nurses rushing between rooms.

 

Dr. Maya approached us immediately. "Good morning, my queen," she said, then looked at Andrew with a gentle smile. "And who might this be?"

 

I squeezed Andrew's shoulder reassuringly. "This is Andrew. One of the packs found him on their way here." I lowered my voice. "His parents were killed by rogue werewolves."

 

Dr. Maya knelt to Andrew's level. "Hello there, Andrew."

 

The boy half-hid behind me, watching her cautiously.

 

"I'll take him for examination," Dr. Maya said, rising. "He can stay with us temporarily while we find something more permanent."

 

Relief washed through me. "Thank you, Maya. That sounds perfect."

 

I turned to Andrew, who watched me with wary eyes. "You're safe here, Andrew. Maya is my mate's cousin. She's a good person and will make sure you're taken care of."

 

He studied my face, then nodded. "Okay." He wrapped his arms around my waist in a quick hug. "Thank you for helping me."

 

Something twisted in my chest. I watched as Dr. Maya led him away, strangely reluctant to leave, but I knew he was in good hands.

 

---

 

What the hell was wrong with me today? My entire body felt wrong. Too hot, then too cold. Restless. Uncomfortable. Every step I took away from the Healing Center felt directionless until suddenly, I knew exactly where I needed to go.

 

Jace. I needed Jace.

 

My feet carried me toward the training grounds without conscious decision. No logical reason explained it - just a visceral need to be near him, as if proximity would make everything better.

 

I spotted him immediately among the group of Alphas. Jace stood with Lucas, Hunter, and Alpha Randall, discussing tactics with focused intensity.

 

His head snapped up before I could decide whether to approach. Something dark and primal flashed across his face as he broke away from the group, striding toward me with purpose.

 

"Jace, I—"

 

He cut me off with a possessive kiss. A warning growl rumbled from his chest, directed not at me but at the other Alphas who had turned toward us.

 

"We need to get you home," he said, his voice carrying unmistakable Alpha command. "Now."

 

"I just wanted to see you," I said, confused as the world seemed to tilt. "I've felt weird all morning."

 

Jace's eyes had darkened, Phantom clearly close to the surface. "You've been surrounded by crowds, which probably masked it. But here, with mostly Alphas and warriors around..."

 

"Masked what? I don't understand."

 

He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me against him. "You're feeling my moon song, little one," he explained roughly. "I'm entering heat. You shouldn't be able to feel it, but our bond is unusually strong." He glanced around, jaw tense. "You haven't fully entered it yet, or you wouldn't be this calm. But we can already scent the change in you, though it's not very strong yet."

 

Shock and fear punched through me. "No," I whispered, "not now, not with everything else happening—"

 

"We'll get through this together," Jace assured me, pressing his forehead against mine. "Don't be afraid." His voice dropped as he whispered, "Moon song doesn't necessarily mean you'll get pregnant, but if you do, we'll face that together too, I promise. But right now, I really need to get you home."

 

---

 

Jace lifted me into his arms the moment we were out of sight. I heard him say something to Hunter, but couldn't focus enough to catch the words. The foreign heat crawling through my veins intensified with each passing minute.

 

He carried me straight to our bedroom, placing me gently on our bed.

 

"I'll get you food and water," he said, voice strained. "And I'll make arrangements for Aurora and Atlas. You should rest. Maybe take a bath—it might help with the discomfort."

 

I nodded, increasingly disoriented. "Okay."

 

After he left, I sat alone, lost and uncertain. As a human raised among werewolves, I only knew about moon songs in theory. Books and overheard conversations were my only references. Now I was supposedly experiencing one? Through Jace? How was that even possible?

 

My thoughts scattered when the door opened and Luna Seraphina entered, concern etched on her face.

 

"My dear girl," she said softly.

 

Something inside me broke at her gentle tone. Tears spilled over before I could stop them.

 

"This can't happen," I said, voice cracking. "Not now." I looked up at her, terror gripping me. "I can't get pregnant now. We're about to face a war. The timing couldn't be worse. It's too dangerous."

 

Seraphina sat beside me, pulling me into a motherly embrace. "I know this is frightening, Aria. But you won't necessarily get pregnant. Female wolves often go through moon songs without conceiving."

 

She stroked my hair. "This is why Jace asked me to come. Being near him would accelerate the heat, and he understands why you're afraid."

 

"What do I do?" I asked, feeling completely adrift.

 

"Jace will stay with Hunter, Aurora, and the little ones at our home," she explained. "I'll remain here with you. All doors are closed and locked. I'll help you through the pain. Dr. Maya and Greta will assist however they can." Her expression turned serious. "It will be difficult. You'll feel pain, and when your craving for your mate goes unsatisfied, the pain will intensify. But I'll be right here to help you."

 

"Where's Jace?" Panic flared in my chest.

 

"He's already gone," Seraphina said gently. "You can reach him through mind link. He'll remain in your consciousness."

 

I nodded, already feeling strangely empty knowing he had left. "Thank you," I whispered. "For being here."

 

When Seraphina stepped away, I lay back and reached for Jace through our mental connection.

 

*I'm sorry,* I projected, guilt washing through me.

 

His response came immediately, warm and steady. *Don't be, little one. I understand. I know why you're scared.*

 

His love flowed through our connection, intense enough to make my chest ache. Despite my fear, I felt surrounded by his presence even in his physical absence.

 

Then the first real wave hit me—a surge of heat and need that wasn't entirely mine but felt as though it was. I gasped, curling into myself.

 

*It's starting,* I managed to tell him.

 

Through our bond, I felt his answering surge of protectiveness mingled with frustration at being unable to reach me physically.

 

*I should be there,* he growled.

 

*No,* I insisted, even as another wave washed over me. *We can't risk it. Not now.*

 

But as the shared sensations intensified, I wondered if I'd made the right choice after all.

Chapter 178 Chapter178

ARIA

It has been two days, and I'm lying in my bed, only in my underwear, sweating because my body is burning from inside. The fever makes everything worse. My muscles ache. My skin feels raw. The sheets stick to my body no matter how much I move.

This shouldn't be happening to me. I'm human. But Sage, the wolf spirit the Moon Goddess gave me, decided I needed to suffer through this heat cycle anyway. Great gift. Thanks a lot.

Seraphina has been bringing me herb tea and cold cloths for two days. She tries to help, but nothing works for long. The burning always comes back stronger. Each time it returns, it's like someone turned up the heat another notch.

I chose this pain. I could have been with Jace. But getting pregnant now? With vampires planning war? No way. I need to be ready to fight, to protect my family. My pack. I can't be sidelined with a pregnancy when everything I care about might be destroyed.

Still, in the darkest moments of night, when the burning keeps me awake, I wonder if I made the right choice. Being apart from him makes this worse. My body screams for him. Sage howls inside me, demanding her mate.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts. Seraphina enters with another cloth.

"Are you awake?" she asks softly.

"It's burning," I whisper, barely able to speak. "Inside me. Feels like moonlight burning through my veins." My skin is red, unnaturally hot. Another reminder that I'm not fully human anymore, not really wolf either. Caught between worlds even in my suffering.

Seraphina approaches with a bowl of ice mixed with herbs. "This might help. Maya prepared it with cooling herbs."

I take a spoonful. The coolness feels amazing for three seconds before the burning returns worse than before. My veins feel full of fire now. I wonder if this is what transformation feels like for born wolves. Do they burn like this when they shift? How does anyone survive this?

I can't stop the sob that escapes. "I can't do this anymore. It's too much." Tears leak from my eyes. "I'm only human. How am I supposed to handle this?"

Then I feel him. Jace reaches for me through our bond, his presence wrapping around my mind. Even from a distance, he senses my pain. Our connection, the one thing about all this wolf business that I never regret.

'*Aria, little one, you can do this. We'll get through this together.*'

'*I can't*,' I respond, trying to hide how much it hurts. '*This is too hard for a human.*'

'*Little one,*' his voice breaks slightly, '*say the word and I'll come. Phantom wants you too.*'

'*But the risks. What if I get pregnant? What about the Blood Moon?*'

'*I know*,' he answers. '*But we'll figure it out. We always do. I hate seeing you hurt.*'

'*I can do this*,' I insist, though I'm not sure anymore. '*I must. I'm sorry.*'

'*It's okay, little one.*'

'*I love you, Jace.*'

'*I love you too.*'

When our connection fades, I curl up tight and cry. Not just from pain, but because I miss him. Because Sage paces restlessly inside me, uncomfortable and angry. The wolf part of me doesn't understand why we're separating ourselves from our mate when he could make this better.

"Damn vampires," I curse into my pillow. "Stupid human prejudice." If only my two worlds could stop fighting, could exist together peacefully. If only I didn't have to choose between being a mother and being a protector. Between happiness and duty.

I roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling. Another wave hits me, stronger than before. I bite my lip until I taste blood, refusing to scream. I won't break. I survived being orphaned. Survived vampires. I can survive this too.

But gods, it hurts.

JACE

For two days, I've stayed at the Pack House with Aurora. My daughter's laughter distracts me from Aria's suffering. Barely. Phantom won't stop growling, demanding we go to our mate. But I respect her decision, no matter how much it hurts us both.

Every time I feel her pain through our bond, I nearly lose my resolve. The wolf in me doesn't understand why we don't go to her. Phantom paces inside me, angry and frustrated. My skin feels too tight. My temper shorter than usual.

"Daddy, look!" Aurora's voice pulls me back. She sits on the floor holding up a wolf doll. "He looks just like Phantom!"

I smile, grateful for the moment of peace. "He certainly does."

"When will Aria come back?" Aurora asks, hugging the doll. "I miss her."

"Soon," I tell her, though I have no idea when this heat will pass. "She's not feeling well right now."

Aurora frowns. "Can't you make her better? You always make my tummy better when it hurts."

If only it were that simple. I reach out to ruffle her hair, about to explain, when I feel the pressure of an incoming mind link. Marcus connects with my thoughts.

'*My King?*'

'*Marcus, what is it?*' Something must be wrong. Marcus knows not to interrupt my time with Aurora unless necessary.

'*Alpha Randall and I found two female bodies with bite marks while patrolling,*' he says slowly. '*They're human women. They were naked.*'

My body tenses immediately. '*Damn. Where are you? I'll come now. I need someone to watch Aurora.*'

'*Eliana is already coming, my King. Lucas mind-linked her.*'

'*Good. Where are you?*'

'*The Healing Center.*'

'*I'll be there soon.*'

A knock at the door, and Eliana enters with her medical bag. "I came quickly," she says.

"Thank you," I nod. "Aurora, I need to go. Eliana will stay with you."

My daughter watches me leave, innocent and unaware of the danger growing around us. I hate leaving her, but as King, I have no choice. One more burden of leadership.

The Healing Center is busy when I arrive. Marcus and Alpha Randall stand with a human woman I don't know.

"What's happening?" I ask immediately. "What actions are being taken?"

The woman turns. "I'm Dr. Iris. Two healers are examining the bodies. This wasn't a normal attack. One woman has a strange mark on her neck."

"Lucas," I command, "mind-link all nearby Alphas. They should check for missing pack members or humans." Lucas leaves to do this.

Randall frowns. "Could they be from the border town? Why hasn't anyone reported them missing?"

"Even if they're from there, they were left on our territory as a threat," I say. "No female - wolf or human - deserves this treatment."

The examination room door opens. Two healers step out looking grim.

"My King," one says, "both humans have multiple bite marks - old and new - but not from werewolves. They show signs of abuse. One was pregnant recently, but the baby is gone."

Chapter 179 Chapter179

JACE

Phantom roars inside me, matching my rage. My wolf hates violence against females and pups more than anything. It triggers something primal in us, something beyond reasoning.

"Damn it. Thank you. You may go."

I stand straighter, feeling my eyes shift to Phantom's gold. The wolf rises close to the surface, ready to hunt, to protect, to kill if necessary.

"I'm issuing a King command. No females walk alone near our borders, including pups. Only tell the Alphas what happened. They decide what to share with their packs. Send trackers to find scents. We meet with the Alphas now."

Then I leave.

-

I am looking at the Alphas, who are all waiting to find out what I want to say, and I know what I am about to tell them will create some chaos.

"Two female bodies were discovered beyond our borders," I announce, keeping my voice steady. Inside, I'm seething. These bastards crossed a line. "Beta Marcus and Alpha Randall, found them while patrolling."

The room stays quiet. Everyone's staring at me. Waiting.

"Two bodies, both with multiple vampire bite marks and signs of sexual assault," I continue, forcing myself to soften my tone. "One showed evidence of recent childbirth. She still carried her mate's mark."

Whispers spread through the room. One Alpha raises his hand. "Do we know who they are, my King? Did the mark have a name?"

"No," I shake my head. "There was no name on the mark. She may have been an Omega." I pause, making sure they all hear my next words. "But I don't care what rank she held, or if they were rogues. No werewolf, male or female, deserves such treatment."

The Alphas nod. At least we agree on this. Sometimes these meetings feel pointless, but not today.

"I've doubled patrols," I tell them. "For safety, no children, elders, or non-warrior females are to go beyond the second defensive line. The forest close to our main defenses remains open, but only if their Alpha ensures their safety or they're accompanied by at least two warriors."

More nodding. I scan their faces, making sure they get it. This isn't a suggestion.

"As for others, remind your pack members not to run alone. Always in pairs or groups."

"Makes sense," one Alpha comments, others mumbling agreement.

When the meeting ends and the Alphas leave, I stay with Hunter, Lucas, Marcus, and Randall. My shoulders drop. Being King is exhausting sometimes.

"I want warriors on the streets," I tell them. "It will frighten people, might cause problems, but I need to prevent that if possible."

They nod. No questions, no arguments. This is why I keep these men close.

"I'll handle it now," Lucas says and leaves.

As I walk toward the Pack House, Lucas catches up to me.

"I'll personally strengthen the patrols," he says. "Would it be possible to move Eliana and the twins into the Pack House? I'd feel better knowing they're safe there."

"Of course," I answer immediately. "I'll arrange it now." Then an idea hits me. "In fact, I know there are female wolves raising children alone after losing their mates. The Pack House is large with many rooms. Let's offer them safety there as well."

Lucas looks relieved. "Good idea. I'll spread the word. Thank you."

"No, thank you. You gave me the idea. Now go, see to it."

Back in my office, I've barely sat down when the air shimmers. Shit. I stand quickly, bowing as the Moon Goddess appears.

"Moon Goddess," I say.

"Hello, child," she replies.

Her expression is serious. My stomach drops. When a goddess looks worried, we're all screwed.

"I bring two messages," she says directly. "First, you must go to your mate and help her through her heat. Yes, I know why you're staying away, but if you don't go, the heat will kill her. She is the Queen; her heat is ten times more intense than a Luna's. Her body cannot withstand it."

My heart nearly stops. Kill her? Aria could die because I thought I was protecting her? Damn it!

"Second," she continues, "war is coming. They are moving. I have done everything I can to seek help to stop this, but I have failed. They will be here in less than a month. So prepare yourself—this is another reason you need to help your mate."

Double shit. "Thank you for telling me," I manage to say. "I'll make sure everything is handled."

She smiles slightly before fading away. I'm alone with terrifying news and no time to process it.

For a moment, my brain just stops. Then everything kicks in at once. I rush out of the Pack House, connecting with people through mind links.

To Eliana: *Stay with the children.*

To Seraphina: *Lock up the house and leave. I'm on my way.*

Then I run. My mate could die because I was trying to do the right thing. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

The house is quiet when I arrive. I enter quickly, hit by Aria's scent. Phantom roars inside me, fighting for control. For once, I agree with him completely. Our mate needs us.

I reopen the blinds, then climb the stairs. Halfway up, Aria crashes into me—naked, burning hot.

"Aria, little one. I know we—" I start.

"The Moon Goddess," she interrupts, her voice rough. "She let me hear when she spoke to you." Her hands tear at my shirt, ripping it apart.

Something primal takes over. I grab her head and kiss her roughly, pinning her against the wall. She unfastens my pants, and they fall. I step out of them.

I break the kiss to look at her, seeing her desperate need. Then I enter her completely in one powerful thrust.

"Jace," she moans my name.

I growl, instincts taking over. My senses dominate everything as I move within her, powerful and fast. Her first release comes quickly, and she cries out.

I don't stop, continuing to help my mate. I drive her to climax twice more, and when she reaches her fourth peak, I growl deeply and release inside her.

Aria whimpers, her body relaxing slightly. I kiss her, holding her tightly.

"I promise you, everything will be fine," I whisper. She nods weakly.

"I need you," she whimpers.

I carry her down the remaining stairs, setting her to face the wall. I brush her hair aside, kissing her neck, trailing to her shoulder, gently biting her skin. She moans softly.

"I'm here, my love," I whisper. One arm wraps around her waist while my other hand captures both of hers, and I enter her again from behind.

Aria moans as I move slowly. I release her hands to cup her chin, turning her head for a deep kiss. She moans into my mouth as she climaxes again, and I growl softly.

I increase my pace and force, drawing deeper moans from her. I'm losing control as both I and Phantom feel our desire for our mate. I thrust harder, feeling Aria respond with pleasure.