The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 234

ATLAS

I still couldn't believe I'd rejected Tina as my true mate. The memory of her crumpling to the floor still flashed in my mind, but I felt no regret—only relief. How could the Moon Goddess pair me with someone who had tormented my sister so cruelly? Even thinking about her made my skin crawl.

The grand hall buzzed with conversations and the mingled scents of dozens of packs. Lawrence stood beside me, his new Primal Wolf power radiating subtly. Having him as my Beta meant I could actually sleep sometimes without worrying the entire wolf world would collapse.

I'd been shaking hands and nodding politely for hours, playing my role as the True King. My jaw hurt from forced smiles. Every Alpha wanted to discuss territory or treaties or hunting rights. Honestly, I just wanted to run in the forest as Luke, feel the earth under my paws instead of these ridiculous formal shoes.

Suddenly Luke jerked to attention in my mind, his presence sharpening.

*What is it?* I asked him silently.

*I don't know,* he responded, his mental voice tense. *Something's coming.*

That's when I heard it—the most beautiful voice I'd ever encountered, saying: "Maddie, Beta." The words were spoken with what had to be the cutest accent I'd ever heard.

I turned toward the source, and my heart nearly stopped. Standing next to Lawrence was a girl with the most striking green eyes I'd ever seen. Her long black hair was braided down her back, interwoven with tiny silver threads that caught the light. Her soft lips curved into a shy smile, revealing a small dimple on her right cheek. She wore a simple blue dress that contrasted perfectly with her pale skin, and she carried herself with a quiet dignity I rarely saw in someone so young.

"Atlas, this is Alpha Louis from France and his daughter," Lawrence said.

I straightened my shoulders, trying to look composed while Luke was practically howling inside my head. My palms felt sweaty, and my heartbeat thundered in my ears—reactions I hadn't experienced since I was a pup. "Welcome to Ancient Moon Shadow territory, Alpha Louis," I managed to say.

"Thank you for having us, my King," Louis replied, bowing slightly. "This is my daughter Maddie. She is not yet eighteen."

Not yet eighteen. I should have felt disappointed, but all I could think was how perfectly her features were arranged—the gentle curve of her cheek, the sparkle in her emerald eyes, the way her hands fidgeted nervously with the silver bracelet on her wrist. The scent of wildflowers and fresh rain clung to her, making me want to lean closer.

What the hell was happening to me? I'd just rejected my true mate, and now I was staring at this girl like she was the moon itself. Luke was unusually alert, his attention fixed entirely on her.

*She smells like wildflowers and honey,* he whispered in my mind. *And something else... something that feels like home.*

*She's too young,* I reminded him, though the thought brought an unexpected pang of disappointment.

Throughout the evening, I found my gaze constantly drifting back to her. She moved with grace among the crowd, her smile genuine and warm. At one point, I watched her rush to help an elderly she-wolf who had nearly fallen, supporting her gently and guiding her to a seat. Her hands moved with confidence as she checked the elder's balance, whispering something that made the old wolf smile.

"She has a kind heart," I murmured to myself. "She seems very compassionate. I hope her future brings her everything she deserves."

My father's hand on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. "Atlas, it's time," he said, nodding toward the front of the room.

I stood and addressed the gathering, thanking everyone for coming and their continued support. "For those interested, I'll be running in the forest before retiring for the night," I concluded, earning applause from the crowd.

"Well done, son," my father said with pride in his voice.

Aurora hugged me tightly. "Happy birthday, little brother," she whispered, and I felt a warmth spread through my chest. My family always grounded me when the weight of being King threatened to pull me under.

After the formal part of the evening ended, I excused myself and headed for the forest. Once alone, I shifted into Luke, feeling the familiar rush as my bones reshaped and fur spread across my skin. We ran through the trees, dodging other wolves who tried to catch a glimpse of me. Eventually, we reached the top of the waterfall, where we could look down at the moonlit waters below.

That's when I saw her again. Maddie approached the lake alone, glancing around nervously before removing her clothes. My breath caught—I knew I should turn away, but I couldn't. She was perfect in every way, her skin pale under the moonlight, her movements graceful as she slipped into the water. The moonlight reflected off the ripples around her, creating a halo effect that made her seem almost magical. Her hair, now free from its braid, flowed down her back like a dark waterfall.

*This is wrong,* I told myself. *But God, she's beautiful. I can't look away. Everything about her is perfect.*

When she finally dressed and left, I ran back toward the castle, my mind filled with confusing thoughts. I'd rejected Tina Reed without a second of regret, yet here I was captivated by this seventeen-year-old French girl. Her features, especially those green eyes that seemed to hold ancient wisdom, haunted me. And her scent—it called to me in ways I couldn't explain, making my chest ache with longing.

*Your mother wasn't yet eighteen when your father met her and felt she was his true mate,* Luke reminded me as we approached the castle, our paws silent on the forest floor. *Age means little when souls connect.*

*How did he know?* I asked, jumping over a fallen log.

*I think he just knew,* Luke replied. *I'm sorry about Tina.*

*Don't be. She wasn't worthy of us... who knows, maybe Maddie is our second chance.*

*But she's going back to France tomorrow. That's far from here.*

*I know we'll see her again,* Luke assured me with unusual confidence, his certainty warming me from within.

When I returned to my private wing of the castle, I found a message from Gina through our mind link.

*My King... would you like some company tonight?* she asked, her meaning clear.

*Thank you for your concern, dear, but not tonight. I'd like some time alone,* I replied gently. Gina was a good girl. She deserved happiness, even if I couldn't offer her the true mate connection.

As I entered my room, I noticed something on the floor—a moonflower and a small note. Picking it up, I read: "Happy birthday, my King."

I recognized Maddie's scent on the paper immediately, and something stirred deep in my chest. Maybe Luke was right. Maybe this was our second chance.

I clutched the note to my heart and smiled.