The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 178

AURORA

Mom rushed in, alarm on her face. "What happened?"

Dad barely glanced at her. "Our son just beat another wolf half to death."

"You didn't hear what they said about Aurora, Dad," Atlas's voice shook with emotion.

"I don't care what they said! You're the future king! You can't lose control and put pack members in the healing center!"

Atlas straightened, defiance hardening his features. "If you think I'll stand by while they call your daughter a 'defective bloodline stain' and 'soulless breeding hole,' saying she's only good for 'servicing real wolves during full moons,' you're wrong. I'd rather face elder execution than let ANYONE desecrate my sister and Carter blood that way."

The transformation on my parents' faces happened in an instant—shock dissolving into deadly rage.

"He said... what... exactly?" Dad's voice turned terrifyingly quiet.

As Atlas repeated every vile word verbatim, I watched Mom's hands curl into white-knuckled fists. Dad's eyes flickered with blue fire—Phantom pushing forward.

Something shifted in that moment. The shame and humiliation lifted, replaced by something entirely unexpected. For the first time since this nightmare began, I didn't feel broken. I felt protected.

Dad reached for my hand, his grip fierce and secure.

Mom's hand trembled as she reached for me. "Aurora, sweetheart, are those the things they've been saying about you?"

I couldn't meet her eyes. The shame crawled back, burning my cheeks. Dad still held my hand, his grip protective rather than comforting.

"Atlas," Mom said, her voice strained. "You said 'they' - what did you mean?"

Atlas ran a hand through his hair. "Most pack members are decent. They feel sorry for her. But others—mostly younger wolves—they're cruel. They say horrible things when they think no one's listening."

"Like today," Dad said. It wasn't a question.

Atlas nodded. "Yeah. Like today."

Dad turned to him. "What you did was still wrong. You can't make pack members afraid of you. Go to your room. I'll come up soon."

As Atlas left, Dad's eyes softened when they returned to me. "Why didn't you tell us, Aurora?"

I stared at my hands. "I didn't want to cause trouble. Didn't want to be a problem."

Mom sat beside me, her eyes filling with tears. "We would have protected you."

"I know." My voice came out small. "I just... I know everyone already whispers about the princess without a wolf. I didn't want to make it worse."

Mom pulled me into her arms, and I felt her tears on my shoulder. "Oh, baby."

"Mom, please don't cry." I patted her back awkwardly. "It's not your fault."

"It's not yours either," she whispered fiercely.

I rested my head on her shoulder. "I'm just broken," I mumbled.

Mom pulled back, her hands gripping my shoulders. "You are not broken, do you hear me? You are one of the most beautiful, kind-hearted people in this pack. Your father and I are proud of who you are."

"Your mother's right," Dad said, his voice rough with emotion. "We don't care that you don't have a wolf spirit. We love you exactly as you are, just as much as we love your brother and sisters."

"We're going to put a stop to this," Mom said firmly. "No one in this pack gets treated as less than. Ever."

I wiped my eyes. "That's partly why I want to leave. Why I need to find her."

Dad's jaw tightened. "I've been trying to locate her. It hasn't been easy, but the last anyone heard, she went to Italy. Apparently, she didn't like how cold it was where she had been staying."

This tiny piece of information felt enormous. "Italy," I repeated. "That gives me somewhere to start."

"You're not going alone," Mom said immediately.

I squared my shoulders. "I need to do this myself."

Dad and Mom exchanged looks. I recognized it—their silent communication that happened when they were having an entire conversation without words.

Dad sighed. "Fine. But we need an agreement. You call us every three days so we know you're safe."

I nodded.

"And you promise to tell us if you need help," he added.

"I promise."

Mom brushed my hair back. "Go rest now. We'll figure out travel arrangements tomorrow."

"Thank you," I said, standing. I hugged each of them tightly before leaving Dad's office.

Back in my quarters, I sat at my desk and started a list of things I'd need: 2-3 changes of clothes, a map, bank card, a couple of blankets, a family photo, an extra pair of shoes, and my phone. The list was short but practical. I didn't need much.

Exhaustion hit me suddenly. The emotional drain of the afternoon weighed on me like physical pain. I lay down on my bed, not intending to sleep, just to rest my eyes for a moment.

*Sweetheart, dinner's ready.* Mom's voice in my head startled me awake.

*Coming,* I answered, rolling off the bed. I splashed water on my face and headed to my parents' home.

I was surprised to see Uncle Lucas and Aunt Eliana there with my cousins, along with Marcus, Katherine, Dad's Beta, and his daughter Annabelle. The dining room buzzed with conversation.

"Aurora!" Uncle Lucas smiled, pulling out a chair for me. "Heard you're planning a trip."

"News travels fast," I muttered, taking the seat.

Aunt Eliana reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "Have you figured out where you're starting your search?"

"Italy," I replied, filling my plate with roast beef. "That's where she was last seen, apparently."

Dad cleared his throat. "Princess, Marcus and Katherine have a proposal for you."

I looked at them curiously.

Katherine smiled warmly. "Marcus and I have wanted to vacation in Italy for years. So, how would you feel if we spent some time in Italy while you're there? Just so you know there's someone nearby if you need help? We won't join your search—just stay in Milan for a few weeks, enjoy the city. If you're not ready to come home when we leave, that's fine too."

I considered this. Having backup without them hovering seemed reasonable. It would also ease Mom and Dad's worries. "That's actually a good idea. Thank you."

Atlas entered the dining room, his eyes downcast as he took his seat beside me.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I pulled him into a hug. "Don't be. Thank you for standing up for me."

He hugged me back fiercely, relief evident in his face.

I noticed the twins were unusually quiet, avoiding my gaze. I'd talk to them tomorrow.

After dinner, I returned to my quarters, exhaustion taking over again. I fell into bed fully clothed, too tired to change. Despite everything, I felt hopeful that things would work out. For the first time in years, I had a direction, a purpose beyond just surviving each day's reminders of what I lacked.

My hand went to the small family photo on my nightstand—Mom, Dad, Atlas, the twins, and me. We were smiling, a real family. No matter what happened with my birth mother, I had this. I had them.

I closed my eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.