The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 222

AURORA

I watched in awe as my brother Atlas stood up from his seat. Two proud Alphas immediately dropped to one knee before him. Then another. And another. Soon, every Alpha in the room knelt with their heads bowed. My throat tightened. This wasn't just my little brother anymore—this was the True King.

"Rise, all of you, please," Atlas commanded. His voice carried across the hall with an authority that made my skin prickle.

The Alphas obeyed instantly. My baby brother, the same kid who used to steal cookies from the kitchen and hide under my bed during thunderstorms, now commanded the most powerful werewolves in the world with just a few words. Dad looked like he might burst with pride.

Atlas moved to the podium, standing tall and confident. "Since I was eight years old, I've known I would one day become King of the werewolf world. I was taught to fight, to protect, and to make wise decisions." He paused, a small smile breaking through. "The last one is still a work in progress, as my family will tell you." The hall erupted in laughter.

His expression turned serious. "Despite my sometimes impulsive actions, I've always tried to learn from the wisdom of my parents." He nodded toward them, and Mom squeezed Dad's hand.

"Last year, I was captured by a cruel Alpha who hungered for power and wanted to harm innocents," Atlas continued. "When I watched this man force my sister Aurora into labor and then threaten to use her newborn child for his own gain, my transformation happened."

I shivered at the memory. The pain, the fear, Charles's cruel eyes as he took my baby.

"To save my sister and her child, the ancient Lycan blood in my veins awakened. I transformed completely for the first time. The power of the True King was unleashed, and every werewolf in the world felt it."

The room fell silent. I remembered the terrifying sight of Atlas transformed—massive, primal, unstoppable.

"I apologize for any distress this may have caused. Controlling this power takes time," Atlas said solemnly. "I promise to be a just King. I will not tolerate unnecessary feuds and hatred between packs." He straightened his shoulders. "With these words, I wish you all a pleasant evening and peaceful future."

Silence hung for a moment, then the hall exploded with applause and cheers.

Atlas returned to his seat beside me, but suddenly froze. "True mate," he whispered.

My eyes followed his gaze across the room, and my heart sank to my feet. No. Not her. Anyone but her.

Tina Reed—Romeo's sister—was staring back at Atlas, her eyes wide with recognition. She was Atlas's age, but I remembered her all too well. She'd been there when Romeo rejected me, had helped him torment me when my wolf didn't come.

She stood eagerly and walked toward Atlas. Romeo followed close behind. Dad growled softly when Romeo approached.

Tina reached Atlas, practically shouting, "True mate!" She touched his arm possessively.

Atlas went rigid. His face turned completely blank. Not a muscle moved.

*I can't.* His voice filled our family's mind link. *I can't accept her, can't let someone who treated our family so cruelly into our home. I can't do it. Even her touch makes me want to vomit.*

Mom's voice was gentle in response. *This is your decision, son. We love you the same no matter what you choose.* Dad's agreement followed.

*Atlas, don't do this because of me,* I pleaded.

*It's not entirely because of you,* he responded, looking at me. *But I don't know how to trust someone who did those things.* I nodded, understanding.

Atlas turned to Tina, who was smiling, trying to move closer.

"When my sister was eighteen," Atlas began loudly, "she didn't immediately get her wolf. You helped your brother, her true mate, bully her, beat her. When she was in the woods, naked, trying to shift again and again, you filmed her. You shared that video, laughed at her, and filmed again when your worthless brother rejected her. Everyone saw."

The room went deadly quiet. My face burned with the memory.

"You thought it was funny," Atlas growled. "You cared about nothing but your own entertainment."

Tina's face paled. "I-I was young then."

"My King," Romeo interrupted, "she is your true mate."

"Silence," Atlas commanded.

He turned back to Tina. "I promised myself I would never hurt anyone the way your brother hurt females. But I could never trust you."

Atlas's voice rose, filling the hall. "I, Atlas Carter, True King of the werewolf world, son of the American king and queen of the werewolves, reject you, Tina Reed, as my true mate, my Queen, and the mother of any future children I might have. I will never willingly touch you."

Tina collapsed in agony, the pain of rejection overwhelming her. Her brother caught her before she hit the floor.

Atlas stood over them, his eyes cold and unflinching. Not a single regret showed on his face.

The hall remained so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat. I felt Lawrence's hand tighten around mine, and I leaned into his strength. My throat closed up with emotions—pride for my brother's courage, sadness for the pain rejection caused, and shock at witnessing something so rare.

Tina's whimpers broke the silence. She clutched at her chest, her face contorted in agony. "Please," she gasped, "you can't reject me. We're meant to be together."

Atlas stepped back. "Your actions had consequences. This is one of them."

Romeo's face darkened with rage. "You can't do this! The Moon Goddess—"

"Gave me the power to choose," Atlas cut him off. "Just as she gave you the power to choose my sister, and you rejected her. How does it feel now?"

Dad stood up beside Atlas, his Alpha aura radiating protective fury. Mom joined him, her usually gentle eyes hard as stone. I felt my own anger bubbling up as I stood too. Lawrence rose beside me, his posture screaming challenge at Romeo.

"You'll regret this," Romeo hissed at Atlas.

My brother didn't flinch. "No. I won't."

Whispers raced through the hall. This kind of rejection was almost unheard of—especially from the True King.