The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 193

LAWRENCE

The plane had just landed, and my hands wouldn't stop shaking. Aurora slept beside me, her face peaceful despite everything she'd been through. I brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, careful not to wake her. Her scent had changed slightly - less stressed, but still tinged with the acrid smell of emotional pain.

Rocky paced restlessly in my mind. *King coming. Stay strong.*

*Easy for you to say,* I thought back. *What if he hates me? What if he thinks I'm not good enough?* My wolf's confidence didn't translate to the human side of me that was sweating bullets.

The door to the plane opened, and my heartbeat kicked into overdrive. I squared my shoulders, ready to face whatever came through that door. A tall man entered, his presence immediately filling the cabin with an Alpha's power. King Jace Carter. Aurora's father. The ruler of the Ancient Moon Shadow.

Shit. I was so not ready for this. Every scar on my body seemed to burn under his scrutiny, each one a testament to battles I'd fought alone, with no pack behind me.

He nodded to Beta Marcus first. "Marcus, Seraphina. Good to have you home and thank you for cutting your trip short."

Marcus bowed slightly. "My king, we are happy we could help."

The King's eyes moved to Aurora, and his expression transformed. The power and authority melted away, replaced by the concern of a father. He approached, kneeling down to see her better. "My sweet princess," he whispered.

Aurora shifted in her sleep, turning her head. The movement exposed my mark on her neck. My heart sank. Here it comes - the rage of an Alpha father.

But instead of anger, King Jace looked at me with... acceptance?

"Welcome to the Ancient Moon Shadow, Lawrence. However the situation is right now, we are happy that you are here."

I bowed deeply, my throat dry. "Thank you, my king."

"It's just Jace, Lawrence. You are family now."

Family? I nearly choked but managed to nod. This powerful Alpha was treating me - a nobody, an orphan with nothing but scars and a stubborn wolf - as if I belonged here. The concept was so foreign I could barely process it.

"Let us get home," he said, carefully lifting Aurora into his arms.

Outside the plane, a woman waited, her scent a mixture of worry and relief. Queen Aria. Her eyes fixed on Aurora as Jace descended the stairs.

"Oh, my sweet girl. Is she still sleeping?" she asked, reaching out to touch Aurora's face with a tenderness that made my chest ache.

Jace nodded. "Yes. I've arranged for Dr. Maya and Dr. Jonathan to meet us at home."

Then she turned to me, and I braced myself for judgment. Instead, she smiled warmly. "You must be Lawrence. It's good to finally meet you, and thank you for letting us know what happened." She pulled me into a hug.

I tensed, expecting King Jace to growl at another male touching his mate. But he just smiled. These people defied every expectation I had about werewolf royalty. Where was the arrogance? The suspicion? The demands for proof of my worthiness?

"I knew she needed her family," I explained, my voice steadier now. "I could feel her go into this coma sort of sleep. Alpha Alexander's doctor said it was probably her wolf trying to protect her."

Queen Aria nodded. "Yes, that's what our doctor said, too, given her history of being hurt."

We headed to a large SUV, and Jace insisted I sit next to Aurora while he drove. I felt completely out of place - a vagabond warrior sitting in the back while the King of werewolves played chauffeur. I kept waiting for someone to tell me there had been a mistake, that I should know my place.

As we traveled, I noticed Aurora's breathing changing. "I think she's not sleeping as deeply now," I said. "Being near her family must be helping." I brushed my fingers against hers, taking comfort in the soft pulse at her wrist.

We drove through a small town, and in the distance, I spotted what appeared to be a castle. But we turned onto a road heading elsewhere. Of course they wouldn't live in the actual castle. They'd have a regular home too.

The "regular home" turned out to be a massive wooden structure that somehow still felt warm rather than imposing. When we stopped, Jace got out and opened my door.

"I will carry her in," he said. I stepped aside without argument. This was her father, after all.

As I exited the car, the front door of the house burst open. Three teenagers rushed out - a boy who looked exactly like a younger Jace and two identical girls. Aurora's siblings.

They stopped short when they saw Aurora in their father's arms, their faces transforming from excitement to concern. The boy clenched his fists, his eyes darting to me with protective suspicion. The girls huddled together, whispering and watching anxiously.

"Calm down," Jace told them gently. "Let's get to her bed, and let Maya and Jonathan have a look at her. Then you can be with her." They nodded and moved aside.

Inside, more pack members waited. Jace greeted them briefly, then nodded to two people who I assumed were the doctors.

He turned to me, then looked at Queen Aria. "Aria, my love. We pulled Lawrence here without any of his stuff. Can I get you to get clothes and whatever else needs to be brought here to him?"

"Yes, I will, and then I will join you," she replied, then turned to me with a gentle smile. "What size clothes do you use, my boy? And is there anything you prefer?"

"The size is XXL. Jeans and shirts are fine, and maybe something to train in. But I can get that later," I added quickly, not wanting to be a burden.

Queen Aria's smile widened. "I will get some for you; I know how you warriors are." King Jace chuckled at that.

We started toward the stairs when Jace turned to me. "Lawrence, you come with us."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I had expected to be shown to some guest quarters, kept away from their family spaces until I proved myself worthy.

Seeing my hesitation, Jace explained, "You are her mate. I might be her father and a king, but not even I can keep you away from your mate. You will be properly introduced to everyone later, when we have this under control."

Relief flooded through me. "Yes, thank you. I am coming."

I followed Jace and Queen Aria up the stairs, down a hallway, until we reached a door. Aurora's room. I stepped inside, my heart pounding with equal parts terror and gratitude. These people had accepted me without question.

I would guard her with every breath in my body.