The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 190

AURORA

I've been walking with Lawrence for almost five hours now. My legs hurt, but talking with him makes the journey easier. We discovered we both love music and reading in quiet places.

"I found this hidden spot in the woods back home," I tell him. "Dad never lets anyone disturb me when I'm there with a book."

"I have a similar place," Lawrence says. "A small clearing near a stream where no one goes."

"What kind of music do you like?" I ask, trying to ignore the growing blisters on my heels.

"Classical mostly. Mozart, Beethoven. The complex patterns help me think." He glances at me. "You?"

"Everything honestly. Atlas - my brother - says I have terrible taste because I'll listen to pop one minute and death metal the next."

Lawrence laughs, the sound warming me despite my exhaustion. "No judgment here."

I'm about to respond when Lawrence suddenly grabs my arm and pulls me down into tall grass alongside the road. His finger presses against his lips, signaling me to stay quiet. My heart pounds as I hear claws and footsteps approaching on the road.

"What happened?" a deep voice asks.

"Alpha, two warriors were killed yesterday. Their bodies were found in an alley. The third escaped, badly injured," someone responds.

"Did he say who did it?" This must be Alpha Charles.

"He said they encountered a strange female. Her scent was like a werewolf but apparently without a wolf form. Since she had no mate mark, they decided to 'have some fun.' Suddenly a wolf appeared and killed his two companions. He ran."

My stomach twists. They're talking about us. About what those men tried to do to me. My hands start shaking as the memory flashes back - their hands grabbing me, tearing my clothes. Bile rises in my throat.

"You say he's badly injured. From the wolf?"

"From the girl, Alpha."

Alpha Charles laughs darkly. "That explains the angry call I received this morning from the Ancient Moon Shadow King. I promised his daughter safe passage through my territory. Those idiots attacked her. As for the wolf, I don't know who it was and don't care. Bury those fools and give the survivor a warning."

"What about the girl and the wolf?"

"Leave them alone. I can't afford war with the Ancient Moon Shadow King. Other Alphas would join him." He pauses. "Tell everyone that if they start tracking them, they'll be punished... Don't bother me again with someone else's stupidity."

After they leave, Lawrence helps me up. "That was close."

"Why didn't Alpha Charles smell us?" I ask, confused.

"Rumors say his senses are weak. Seems the rumors are true... We need to leave this place quickly."

"Agreed."

Lawrence takes my hand and we hurry toward Massa. The journey feels endless, each step more painful than the last. When we finally arrive, my feet are screaming.

"You're limping," Lawrence notices, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I'm fine," I lie, not wanting to seem weak.

We find a small inn in the human district. Lawrence requests a room with two beds, his voice authoritative but respectful. The old woman behind the counter doesn't question us.

"You should rest. I'll keep watch," he insists once we're in the room.

"Lawrence, we only have about three and a half hours to sleep. You need rest too."

"I'll sleep on the train. You rest now."

I nod and climb into bed, falling asleep almost instantly.

LAWRENCE

I sit against the wall, watching her. Aurora sleeps peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each breath. My wolf growls inside me, urging me to stay alert. Every sound makes my ears twitch, but I keep my eyes on her.

Those men who tried to hurt her deserved worse than they got. If Alpha Charles had decided to hunt us, I would've fought the entire pack to protect her. No one touches my mate.

I study her face, memorizing every detail. The slight curve of her lips, her long eyelashes resting against her cheeks. She's royalty - a princess - and I'm nothing but an orphaned warrior. Yet fate chose us for each other. The universe has a strange sense of humor.

The hours pass slowly. My eyelids grow heavy, but I force them open. For her, I'd give up everything - my territory, everything I know - to follow her to America. Before meeting her, I never believed in true mates. Now I can't imagine life without her.

When it's time, I approach the bed. "Beautiful, time to wake up."

"Mmm," she mumbles.

"The train leaves in just over an hour. We need to go."

Aurora's eyes snap open. "Good morning," she says with a smile.

"Good morning, beautiful." She blushes, and I can't help smiling back.

After she gets ready, we leave the inn. The owner isn't awake yet, so I leave a thank-you note with some money. The morning air is crisp, birds just beginning their songs as we walk to the station.

"Lawrence," Aurora says suddenly, "thank you for watching over me last night."

Her gratitude catches me off-guard. "You don't need to thank me."

"I do though. You could've slept, but you didn't."

I shrug, uncomfortable with praise. "Let's get those train tickets."

At the train station, we buy food from a shop before boarding. The car is nearly empty except for a young woman with two little girls - werewolves, by their scent.

"Rest, Lawrence. You're tired," Aurora tells me.

I nod. "Wake me if you need anything." I kiss her and lean back, closing my eyes.

The train's movement wakes me. Aurora isn't in her seat - she's sitting across from us, beside one of the little girls, sharing our food with them.

I watch silently. Aurora's face shows such kindness as the mother thanks her repeatedly.

"Don't thank me. I couldn't watch them go hungry," Aurora says softly.

"Everything happened so fast. I didn't have time to pack food," the woman explains, her hands trembling as she helps her younger daughter eat.

"Where are you going?" Aurora asks.

"South, to relatives. I must protect them..." her voice shakes. "He went crazy because I couldn't give him a son. He took my newborn, he..." She stops, unable to continue.

"I'm sorry... You're doing the right thing, protecting your daughters," Aurora comforts her.

The woman nods, tears shimmering in her eyes.

"What are your names?" Aurora asks the girls. The older one, maybe six, whispers something that makes Aurora smile genuinely.

Aurora notices I'm awake and returns to my side. "They were hungry," she explains simply.

I kiss her, my heart swelling with admiration. "You're amazing," I whisper. She blushes again, and my pulse speeds up.