The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 210

JACE

The plane's wheels had barely touched the ground when I made the decision. "We shift," I ordered Lawrence and Marcus. "Faster than the car."

We grabbed our clothes, moving to a secluded area near the airstrip. Within moments, three massive wolves sprinted across the vast, open terrain—my silver-backed black form leading, Lawrence's dark brown wolf surprisingly swift behind me, and Marcus's gray form bringing up the rear. The wind carried the scent of blood and smoke. My territory was bleeding.

Most disturbing was the silence. No mind links from my pack members reached me—no warriors reporting, no Beta updating the situation. Nothing. In a pack as large as mine, the mental void was terrifying.

*Aria!* I called through our mind link, desperation bleeding into my mental voice.

Silence stretched for heartbeats that felt like hours.

*Aria!* I tried again.

*Jace.* Her voice finally came, exhausted and strained.

Relief flooded me. *Where are you?*

*Healing Center. Tending to the wounded.*

*The children?* My pace quickened, paws digging deeper into the earth.

*The twins are with me. Aurora is with Atlas. He got her into the safe room.*

My son. Protecting his sister. *Atlas?*

*Intruders broke into the house. He was fighting them when Aurora reached the safe room.*

*Is he okay?*

*He's injured but standing. Hurry, Jace.*

We could now see the Healing Center's outline in the distance. Phantom, my wolf, pushed harder, sensing my mate and pups were in danger. Lawrence and Marcus kept pace, their determination matching mine.

We burst through the doors, shifting back to human form. Medical staff were prepared, handing us clothes immediately. Lawrence didn't even fully dress before asking, "Aurora? Where is she?"

A young healer pointed down the hall. "Dr. Maya is examining her. For safety."

Lawrence bolted in that direction, barely acknowledging the answer. Marcus followed the guidance of another healer toward the injured warriors' section.

"My King," a healer approached me. "The Queen is helping with the wounded. Seraphina is assisting her."

I nodded, quickly making my way through corridors filled with injured pack members. The scent of blood, antiseptic, and fear saturated the air. Phantom growled inside me, rage building at the sight of our people suffering.

Then I saw her—Aria, her clothes stained with blood, hands moving efficiently as she bandaged a young warrior's arm. Our eyes met across the room, and for a moment, everything else faded. She was alive. Safe.

I pulled her into my arms, feeling her heartbeat against mine. She smelled of blood and herbs, but underneath was her scent—home, safety, mine.

"How many?" I asked, my voice rough as I surveyed the room filled with wounded.

"Over fifty pack members injured," Aria said softly. "The attack was completely unexpected. They disguised themselves as visitors and entered our territory." She took a deep breath. "Twenty-three dead. Eleven civilians, not warriors. Five pups under fifteen."

I sank into a chair. Pups? Murdered in my territory? Never in my reign had pups been targeted. Phantom roared inside me, rage and grief tangled together.

I looked up, sensing Aria had more to tell me.

"James..." she continued, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry. He sacrificed himself trying to get members to safety. Silver bullet to the chest. The attackers had weapons—guns, crossbows—all coated with wolfsbane."

James. Hunter's brother. My Beta since Hunter's death. My friend since childhood. Gone.

I closed my eyes, lowering my head. For a moment, I couldn't speak. Couldn't process the reality that James—loyal, steady James—was dead.

Years of shared battles, late-night strategy sessions, and unwavering loyalty. He'd stood by me through every crisis, every decision. Now that steady presence, that familiar voice offering counsel, was silenced forever. I'd failed Hunter once. Now I'd failed his brother too.

"Where is his body?" My voice sounded hollow.

Aria took my hand, leading me to a quieter room where James had been placed. His family surrounded him—his mother, father, and younger brother. His mother looked up when I entered, immediately standing to embrace me, tears soaking my shirt.

"I'm sorry," I said, the words inadequate. "I'm sorrier that I wasn't here."

His father shook his head, one arm around his wife. "No, please don't blame yourself, King. They used dishonorable methods. Even if you'd been present, you might have faced the same danger. We all knew, as warriors, sacrifice could come."

"I'll personally handle all funeral arrangements," I promised. "Everyone will know he and all who died today will be remembered forever."

In the Healing Center's main hall, I saw Aurora with Lawrence, Atlas trailing behind them. My son's body was covered in healing cuts and bruises, but his eyes were clear and determined.

"Father," Atlas said, "Lucas is rebuilding our defenses. The twins, Eliana, and their children are together and safe."

I embraced him, pride surging through me despite the day's horrors. "I'm proud of you, son. You showed true courage today."

Lawrence and Aurora assured me she was unharmed. Lawrence requested that Aurora return home with Aria while he helped Lucas strengthen our defenses. Aurora initially protested, but relented when I supported his suggestion.

We found Lucas, who visibly relaxed seeing us arrive. "Thank the Moon Goddess," he said. "The attackers retreated, but they inflicted heavy damage to our eastern boundary."

"How many were there?" I asked.

"At least thirty," Lucas replied. "Well-coordinated. They knew our patrol schedules."

I clenched my teeth. Someone had provided information about our security measures.

---

Hours later, we finally returned home. Lawrence, Marcus, and Lucas entered through the front door, with Seraphina close behind.

"We've regained control," I said, kissing Aria. "We can rest for a few hours."

"Then sit and eat," Aria said. "Tell us what happened in France. Despite this chaos, you look relatively calm, so I assume everything worked out there."

We gathered around the table, explaining everything—Charles's accusations proven false, the DNA test confirming the boy wasn't Lawrence's. But today's attack overshadowed this victory.

Looking at my family's faces, fierce vigilance flooded my body. This was everything—my mate, my children, my pack. Today, someone had dared kill on my territory, including innocent pups.

I gripped Aria's hand under the table, my jaw clenched so hard my teeth might crack. They would pay for this attack. Every last one of them. I swore it as King, as father, as mate.

My eyes met Aria's. Her gaze held the same determination.