The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 220

AURORA

I cradled Anthony against my chest, feeling his tiny heart beating as I gazed at his sleeping face. One year. My baby boy was turning one year old tomorrow, and my brother Atlas would be nineteen. Last year, everything had been such a mess—kidnapping, forced labor, nearly losing everyone I loved. We hadn't been able to properly celebrate anything.

Not this time. This year would be different.

"You're thinking too hard again," Lawrence said, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. He kissed the back of my neck, right where his mark sat, sending shivers down my spine.

"Just planning," I replied, leaning back against his chest. "This morning we'll celebrate with Mom and Dad, then the big party at the castle for Atlas in the evening."

Lawrence's lips brushed my ear. "Atlas doesn't know Leonard and Alexander are coming, does he?"

"No. Dad invited them. They've been working together this past year." I carefully placed Anthony in his crib, tucking his favorite wolf plush beside him. His dark hair—so much like Lawrence's—fell across his forehead, and I gently brushed it back. Every time I looked at him, my heart felt too big for my chest. "Speaking of visits, remember when we went to see their territories six months ago? I thought Atlas was going to lose his mind with all those meetings."

"The True King has responsibilities," Lawrence said with a chuckle. "Lucky for him, he has you as a sister."

I turned in his arms. "And for now, he can nap before we head out." I reached up to touch his face. "We have two hours before we need to be at my parents'."

Lawrence's eyes darkened, his hands sliding down to my hips. "Two hours, hm? Whatever shall we do with all that time?"

Before I could answer, he'd lifted me into his arms and carried me to our bedroom. My pulse quickened as he set me down on the bathroom counter, his hands already working at my clothes.

"Someone's eager," I teased, tugging at his shirt.

"For you? Always." His voice dropped to that low growl that made my insides turn to liquid. Rocky, his wolf, was close to the surface, I could tell by the gold flecks in Lawrence's eyes.

He stripped my clothes off piece by piece, his eyes never leaving mine. I did the same to him, my fingers tracing the scars on his chest—each one a reminder of everything he'd survived before finding me.

"I'm going to take you right here," he growled against my neck. "Until you scream my name and feel me release inside you."

"God, yes," I moaned, wrapping my legs around his waist.

Lawrence's grip tightened on my thighs, fingers digging into my skin with delicious pressure. His mouth found mine, hot and demanding, as he pushed inside me with a force that made me gasp. Each thrust drove me higher, my body arching to meet his, desperate for more.

"Lawrence," I panted, my head falling back as he hit that perfect spot inside me. "Don't stop—"

The bathroom filled with our moans and growls as we moved together, lost in each other. He buried his face in my neck, teeth grazing my mark, sending electric pulses through my body. I could feel Rocky's presence in his movements, wild and possessive. When I cried out his name, digging my nails into his shoulders hard enough to draw blood, he followed me over the edge with a growl that was pure wolf.

We ended up in the shower afterward, where he took me again, gentler this time, my legs trembling around his waist as hot water cascaded over our bodies. Our marks glowed under the hot water, the supernatural bond between us humming with satisfaction.

"I love you," I whispered against his chest.

"And I love you, more than anything."

-

After dressing and waking Anthony, we walked to my parents' house. Anthony babbled happily in my arms, pointing at birds and trees along the way. Lawrence caught my gaze and smiled, both of us still amazed that we'd created something so perfect together.

Atlas opened the door before we could knock, his face lighting up at the sight of his nephew.

"There's my favorite little man," he said, taking Anthony from my arms.

The living room was already full—Dad and Mom, Marcus and Seraphina, Lucas and Eliana with their kids, and Greta who'd be watching Anthony tonight.

I hugged Atlas. "Happy early birthday, little brother."

"Thanks, sis." His smile seemed forced. "And happy birthday to my nephew. I'll never forget this birthday, that's for sure." The laugh that followed didn't reach his eyes.

While everyone fussed over Anthony, I pulled Atlas aside. "What's wrong?"

He shook his head. "I'll be fine."

"Atlas."

He sighed, glancing toward the forest beyond the window. "I think... I think I can feel my true mate. I'll know tonight."

I squeezed his hand, smiling. "But that's wonderful! If last year hadn't been such a disaster, we would've had this party then."

"Yeah, maybe." He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure I'm ready for a mate. It complicates things."

"How so?"

"In all of wolf history, there have only been two other True Kings. Neither had true mates, so no heirs." He lowered his voice. "Dad's been teaching me about the responsibility, but with a mate? Someone I'd have to protect while protecting everyone else?" He shook his head. "I'm barely nineteen."

I nodded. "And now you're feeling something. That must be scary."

"You'll be a great King, little brother. Everyone knows it. Maybe the Moon Goddess knows you need your true mate beside you, not just Lawrence as your Beta. And being True King doesn't mean your power automatically goes to your kids."

His shoulders relaxed. "You're right, sis. Thanks."

"No problem. Look at me—no Primal blood and I'm doing just fine." I hugged him, feeling his wolf Luke settle inside him.

The afternoon passed in laughter and stories. Mom had baked a traditional wolf-clan birthday cake, decorated with moons and wolves. Dad regaled everyone with stories of Atlas's childhood antics, while Marcus and Lucas debated the best hunting techniques. By the time we left, Greta was already setting up Anthony's portable crib for the night.

Lawrence and I went home to change for the party. As I slipped into my formal Pack dress, I couldn't help worrying about Atlas. I hoped his true mate would be kind, would understand the responsibility of Primal blood, and wouldn't be blinded by the fact he was the True King.

I remembered how complicated it had been when Lawrence and I first met. Atlas deserved an easier path.