The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 262

ATLAS

I followed Alpha Dylan through the darkened corridor that led to the silver containment facility. The walls gleamed with a dull metallic sheen—silver embedded in the structure to weaken any captive werewolf. Lawrence walked silently beside me, his face a mask of concentration.

"We've been at it for two hours," Alpha Dylan said, frustration evident in his voice. "He refuses to talk."

Through the small window in the door, I could see the rogue wolf. He sat slumped in a silver-lined chair, wrists bound with silver cuffs. Even from here, I could smell the burned flesh where the silver touched his skin.

"I can make him comply," I said, "but I need everyone else to leave the cell."

Alpha Dylan hesitated, exchanging a glance with Lawrence.

"You sure?" Lawrence asked quietly.

I nodded. "I won't kill him."

"Fine," Alpha Dylan said, unlocking the door. "Be careful. He's desperate, and desperate wolves are unpredictable."

The cell door closed behind me with a heavy clang. The captive lifted his head, eyes widening slightly when he recognized me. Good. Fear would make this easier.

"You know who I am," I stated, moving closer.

The rogue spat on the floor. "The King's little prince. Come to do Daddy's dirty work?"

I remained calm, circling him slowly. "Tell me what I want to know, and you'll avoid pain you've never imagined."

He laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the small space. "Go to hell."

"Wrong answer."

I drew in a deep breath, focusing my energy. This wasn't something I enjoyed, but for Maddie's safety, I would do whatever necessary. I released my aura carefully, directing it toward him while making sure not to damage his wolf's soul. I wasn't a monster.

The effect was immediate. His body went rigid, muscles straining against invisible pressure. He gasped, unable to breathe properly as my power crushed against him.

"Stop..." he wheezed after nearly a minute. "Please stop. I'll tell you! I'll talk. Please stop."

I pulled back my power, watching him slump in relief.

"Who sent you?" I demanded.

His eyes darted to the door, then back to me. "I can't... they'll kill me."

"I'll kill you slower if you don't speak," I countered coldly.

The rogue swallowed hard. "They want to weaken you. They're interested in your mate and your mother—the gifts they have."

My blood ran cold. "What about their gifts?"

"Your mother has abilities. So does your mate. They want to use those abilities against you."

"Who's they?" I growled, feeling Luke stir within me.

"I don't know the leader's name," he insisted. "We communicate through mind links established by our witch."

"Your witch?"

"A human. Natural-born. She cast spells on all of us. When we're captured, the link severs to protect the others."

I reached out through my senses, probing deeper, connecting with his wolf. The creature was afraid, cowering in the recesses of the man's mind. I could tell it wasn't lying.

"How many more attacks are planned?" I asked.

"Many," he admitted. "They're gathering forces. They know about your mate's ability to control growth. They want her—not to kill her, but to use her."

My jaw clenched. "They won't touch her."

I stepped back, having learned what I needed. Lawrence entered immediately, as if he'd been listening at the door.

"Get everything you can from him about numbers and locations," I instructed. "I need to speak with Alpha Dylan."

I found Alpha Dylan waiting in his office, his expression grim.

"Did he talk?" he asked.

"Yes. They're after Maddie and her abilities." My voice was hard. "They know she can control growth—make things flourish. They want to use her power against us."

Alpha Dylan cursed under his breath. "The ancient texts I showed you yesterday—they mention wolves with earth-connection abilities. If they get those texts..."

"We need to leave," I said firmly. "Now. Within the hour. Have your vehicles prepared."

"But—"

"They could attack again any moment. We need those scrolls and books safely back in my territory." I was already formulating plans. "Pack only what's essential. The texts are the priority."

Lawrence entered, closing the door behind him. "He knows very little about their numbers or locations. Their witch keeps them compartmentalized. Each cell only knows about itself."

I nodded. "Smart. Makes it harder to take down the whole organization if one is captured."

"What's our move?" Lawrence asked.

I turned to him, decision made. "We're leaving. Now. Get everything packed in the cars."

Alpha Dylan looked concerned. "Are you sure immediate departure is wise? My warriors could escort you tomorrow after proper rest."

"No time," I replied. "If they've breached your borders once, they can do it again. And next time, they might come in force."

I helped Lawrence gather the ancient texts, carefully wrapping each scroll and book in protective cloth. These contained knowledge about abilities like Maddie's—knowledge that in the wrong hands could be devastating.

Outside, our vehicles were already being loaded. I approached Alpha Dylan, who stood watching the preparations.

"Thank you for your help, my King," he said with a slight bow.

"Thank you for the texts and your hospitality," I replied. "Try to get more information from that rogue about their leader's identity."

"I will," he promised.

As the last bags were loaded, I suddenly remembered the small girl I'd rescued during the attack. "What about the pup, the girl Alyssa? What will happen to her?"

Alpha Dylan's expression darkened. "I'm not sure. Her father was a traitor who tried to kill me. His wolf turned on him instead. Her mother, his mate, took her own life afterward."

"The pack doesn't accept her?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"I've done my best for her, ordered that no one mistreat her. But the pack members don't like her. They look down on her, even if they don't say it to her face."

I considered this for a moment. No child deserved to grow up unwanted, surrounded by resentment.

"Perhaps she'd be better away from a pack that dislikes her," I suggested. "She could grow up with other orphans in our territory."

Alpha Dylan's relief was visible. "I would be grateful. Speak with your parents. If they agree, I'll bring her myself."

"I'll contact you," I said, extending my hand.

He clasped it firmly. "Safe journey, King Atlas."

I climbed into the SUV where Lawrence waited behind the wheel, my mind already racing ahead to Maddie and home. Whatever threat was coming, we would face it together.

"Let's go home," I told Lawrence, buckling my seatbelt as the engine roared to life.