The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 187

AURORA

Lawrence stood a few feet away, his broad shoulders silhouetted against the sky.

"Yes," he admitted, his dark eyes never leaving mine. "I needed to make sure you were safe."

"Why were you hiding?" I asked.

Lawrence shifted his weight, his jaw tightening. "I wasn't sure. I was..." He paused, exhaling slowly. "I was afraid. You're the Ancient Moon Shadow King's daughter, and I'm just an orphan. I can barely call myself a warrior."

My gaze drifted past him to the two dead werewolves on the ground—the ones who had tried to attack me. The third one had run off, probably to nurse his wounds and his wounded pride.

"I think you make a great warrior," I said, nodding toward the bodies.

His lips quirked up slightly. "You're welcome."

The night air felt heavy between us. I drew in a deep breath, preparing myself for what I needed to say—the truth that had caused my previous mate to reject me with disgust. My hands trembled slightly. This was it. The moment that would determine whether I'd face another crushing rejection or perhaps find acceptance.

"I don't have a wolf spirit," I said quietly, the words barely audible. My heart pounded so hard I was sure he could hear it. The same words that had made Romeo look at me with revulsion.

Lawrence's expression didn't change. "I know. I could smell it."

My heart contracted painfully in my chest. Here it comes. The disgust. The disappointment. "I know I'm not an ideal mate—"

"Stop," he interrupted, his voice firm. He stepped closer, his eyes intense. "I've waited for you for seven years, almost eight, my true mate. I don't care if you have a wolf spirit or not." His gaze traveled over my face as if memorizing every feature. "And from what I've seen, you fight well enough without one."

Tears welled in my eyes, blurring my vision. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Everyone except my family sees me as broken and useless. My first true mate rejected me because of it." My voice cracked on the last words, the memory still painfully fresh.

"I told you, I'm nothing. I have nothing to give you except myself and my skills." His hand reached up as if to touch my face but stopped inches away, uncertain.

I couldn't help the small smile that formed on my lips. Was he really worried that I would reject him?

Our eyes locked, and something electric passed between us. Without thinking, Lawrence leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine again. I responded immediately, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. His arms encircled my waist, lifting me slightly off the ground.

He backed me toward the alley wall, our bodies pressed together. A small moan escaped my mouth. The sensation of being so close to him made my head spin.

Lawrence suddenly pulled back, his breathing ragged. "I know we need to stop. Not here, not now."

I nodded, my own breathing uneven, face flushed with heat. "I was about to find somewhere to stay for the night. Let's do that and talk tomorrow."

"Agreed," Lawrence said, reluctantly stepping back, his eyes still dark with desire.

***

Morning light woke me at the inn. My muscles ached. Last night was intense—the attack, meeting Lawrence, finding out he was my true mate.

He accepted me.

This thought kept coming back. He didn't reject me—he was actually worried I'd reject him. Remembering his uncertainty made me feel tender toward him. I smiled. I didn't care if he was an orphan or had no rank in the pack. What mattered was that he saw my defect and still wanted me.

My phone chimed twice. I grabbed it from the nightstand, hoping it wasn't bad news.

A message from my father: [Little princess, we haven't heard from you and I sensed something happened. Are you alright?]

I typed back quickly: [Good morning, Dad. I arrived in town very late last night and was finding temporary accommodation. Some things happened, but I'm fine, I promise.]

My phone immediately rang. Dad's face appeared on the screen. His expression was tight with worry, his eyes searching my face for any sign of distress.

"Dad, I'm okay," I said as soon as I answered.

"What happened?" His voice was tense with worry.

"Some wolves from this territory tried to attack me. I was distracted. I've had this weird feeling for days and was trying to find somewhere safe when it happened." I kept my tone calm, not wanting him to worry more than necessary.

Dad cursed, a sound I rarely heard from him. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, Dad, I'm fine. Someone helped me, Dad." I hesitated, heart racing at what I was about to share.

My mother's voice joined the call. "Are you okay, baby?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine," I assured her, seeing her concerned face appear next to Dad's.

I took a deep breath, nervousness fluttering in my stomach. "Mom, Dad?... I found my true mate."

Silence stretched for a moment before Dad responded. "You mean your actual true mate?"

"Yes," I confirmed, twisting a strand of hair around my finger anxiously. "I've had this strange pulling feeling for days but never saw him. He was avoiding me because I'm the King's daughter. He's an Omega wolf from Alpha Leonard's pack. He's been following me for days. Last night he saved me."

Dad remained silent, his expression unreadable.

"Oh, it sounds like you've had quite a few days," Mom said, her voice soft. "I assume he hasn't rejected you?"

"I don't think he will. He was worried I would reject him," I explained, heart warming at the memory. "But Mom, even if he's an Omega or from Italy, I can't reject him." I couldn't keep the desperation from my voice.

"Of course not," Mom reassured me, her smile gentle. "I'm sure everything will work out. We love you no matter what. Your father does too, he's just a bit shocked."

I laughed softly at that, glancing at Dad's still-frozen expression.

Finally, Dad spoke, his voice rough with emotion. "Little princess, thank him for us for helping you. And you know what happened in the past. How my great-grandmother was forced apart from her true mate because he wasn't worthy in her father's eyes. That will never happen here. We want you happy, whoever your mate is."

Relief washed through me, so intense I had to blink back tears. "Thank you, Dad."

"Do you know much about him?" Mom asked, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

"Not really," I admitted. "Just that he's an orphan."

"Poor boy, all alone," Mom said softly, compassion filling her voice. "That might mean he'd be willing to move back with you if you wanted to come home."

"We'd understand if you wanted to stay there too," Dad added, surprising me. "It's a difficult choice."

"We'll support whatever you decide," Mom assured me, placing her hand on Dad's shoulder.

We talked for a few more minutes before ending the call. I headed to the bathroom for a shower, not knowing when I'd have the chance again, my mind spinning with possibilities.