The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 263

ATLAS

I sat in the passenger seat, watching the landscape blur past, my mind still on Alpha Dylan's gratitude and the small orphan girl, Alyssa. We'd been driving for hours now, and home was still about an hour away.

Lawrence kept glancing at me, obviously wanting to ask something but hesitating.

"What is it?" I finally asked, turning toward him.

"The girl—Alyssa. You seem concerned about her."

I nodded, staring back out the window. "I felt something when I rescued her. A connection of sorts."

"What kind of connection?"

"I sense she'll be important to our family somehow. If my intuition is right, I want her somewhere safe."

Lawrence nodded without further questions. That's what made him an excellent Beta—he trusted my judgment even when I couldn't fully explain it.

"That's good to know," he said simply.

The road ahead curved through dense forest. Something caught my attention—a flash of movement among the trees. I sat up straighter, focusing my enhanced senses. Not an animal. A person. Pale as death.

"Shit, vampires," I muttered, reaching between our seats for the metal box we kept there. I flipped it open, revealing two guns loaded with special bullets, and handed one to Lawrence.

"How many?" he asked, his voice steady despite the tension I could smell coming from him.

"Too many," I replied, scanning the trees. "Way too many."

I closed my eyes and focused, reaching for my father's mind.

*Dad!*

A moment's pause before his response. *Atlas?*

*We're about an hour from home. Vampires are closing in. A lot of them.*

My father's alarm hit me instantly. *Damn. Keep driving. We'll come for you.*

"Step on it," I told Lawrence, who immediately accelerated.

We hadn't gone half a mile when a large group of vampires appeared on the road ahead. Lawrence slammed on the brakes, the car skidding to a halt. We were completely surrounded by hundreds of pale figures.

"Fuck," Lawrence breathed.

"Get ready," I said, opening my door. "I'll shift if necessary."

We stepped out of the car, guns ready. The vampires made no move to attack, which was unusual. I kept my senses heightened, ready to shift at the first sign of aggression.

An older vampire stepped forward from the crowd, hands raised in surrender.

"We come in peace," he said, his voice carrying a slight accent. "Please tell the warriors coming for you not to attack."

*Dad, don't attack, but be ready,* I sent through our link.

*Are you sure?* My father's concern was palpable.

*No, but do it anyway.*

"Who are you?" I demanded of the vampire.

He bowed slightly. "I am Victor, the Vampire King of America."

"Obviously you know who I am," I replied coldly. "You say you come in peace. Why surround us?"

Victor's face remained expressionless. "I wanted to ensure you would listen rather than attack immediately."

"Fine, I'm listening."

Victor stepped closer. "You are not just the King of werewolves, you are the King of the entire supernatural world. Werewolves, vampires, elves, witches. All races."

"I know that," I said evenly. "I also know not all races will submit. I know how a vampire killed the last King of Kings. After he saved them."

Victor's expression hardened. "I know our history, and I know the vampire who killed him was executed. I know this because I carried out the execution myself. After his death, I took the throne."

"What do you want from me?" I asked, feeling Luke stir restlessly within me.

"An alliance," Victor said. "To prove my sincerity, I'll share information I have."

"What information?"

"Numbers. The clans working with that werewolf. And other things, things we've never seen before."

A furious howl echoed through the forest—my father's Lycan form announcing his arrival. I could feel his rage through our bond.

*Dad, don't attack. I'll explain... trust me.*

There was a moment's hesitation. *You're sure?*

*Yes.*

The howling stopped. I turned back to Victor. "You can bring five of your people. The rest stay here."

Victor shook his head. "I only need two. I choose to trust you."

He spoke in a language I didn't understand, giving orders to his followers. All but two vampires melted back into the forest.

My father appeared at the edge of the clearing with dozens of warriors. He was in human form now, dressed in hastily pulled-on clothes. He gave me a nod, acknowledging my decision.

"There's an unoccupied house where we can talk," I told Victor, watching him carefully.

We drove the remaining distance to my family's compound. Victor and his companions followed in another car. My father, Lawrence and I waited as Victor stepped out of his vehicle.

"There's an uninhabited house here," I said, gesturing toward my grandfather's old place. "We can talk there."

Victor nodded, following without question. I noticed he wasn't scanning his surroundings or looking for escape routes. That eased my mind slightly. Maybe he was telling the truth.

"I come in peace," Victor said as we walked. "That is my promise. I have never been an enemy to werewolves."

He paused, looking distant. "In fact, I once had a werewolf mate. She was the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I loved and accepted her."

"You said 'once'?" I asked.

"Yes, once. She was killed."

Victor's face darkened with centuries-old pain. "My clan leader hated werewolves. While I was away on a mission, they mistreated her. When I killed a vampire who tried to rape her, my leader killed her while I was too injured to save her."

His voice was flat but filled with ancient rage. "After I healed, I left. I planned. And I killed them one by one until they were all gone."

"Atlas!"

I turned to see Maddie running toward me, her face lighting up. Everything else faded away as she threw herself into my arms. I held her tightly, momentarily forgetting everything else.

"I need to go in," I murmured against her hair.

"I want to come with you," she said immediately.

"Alright, but stay by my side."

Inside, everyone was already seated around the table. Victor stood when we entered. He approached us, then bowed deeply to Maddie.

"My Princess, it is an honor to meet you. I am Victor, the Vampire King of America."

My respect for him increased. He had recognized her status immediately.

"Hello, Victor," Maddie replied cautiously.

My father's voice cut through the room. "Now tell us everything."

Victor explained how one of his men had been approached by a rogue werewolf whose leader wanted to meet him.

"He plans to create hybrids from supernaturals with special abilities," Victor said. "Blessed werewolves, witches with extraordinary magical power, elves, and gifted vampires."

Maddie tensed beside me. I felt her fear through our bond.

"Who is this werewolf?" my father demanded.

"He calls himself Magnus, King of the Rogues," Victor replied. "I've heard some wolves say he was once an Alpha, and he's larger than others."

"Did he mention specific targets?"

Victor looked at Maddie. A growl erupted from my chest.