The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 265

MADDIE

Two days ago, my heart nearly stopped when I saw Atlas returning with three vampires following him. I'd rushed toward him before even noticing them—talk about embarrassing. But something weird happened: I didn't feel scared. Maybe it was because Jace and Atlas stayed so calm, or maybe because the vampires themselves seemed... polite? One of them—Victor, the Vampire King—actually seemed nervous talking to us.

Still, hearing about the Rogue King's plans made my blood run cold. Creating hybrids by force? Taking gifted supernatural beings? I couldn't stop thinking about it even now. Every shadow in the castle suddenly seemed threatening, every unfamiliar face a potential enemy. How could I sleep knowing someone might be hunting people like me?

*Your coronation preparations begin tomorrow,* Aria's voice had echoed in my mind yesterday through our telepathic link. *We'll start planning everything.*

God, my coronation. The thought made my palms sweat and my mouth go dry.

"Will I be a good queen?" I whispered to my reflection this morning, fixing my hair for probably the fifth time. "Will I make King Atlas proud? What if I embarrass him in front of the entire supernatural world?"

I'd barely slept, worrying about everything. Coronation. Queenship. Responsibility.

Now, walking beside Aria toward the pack tailor's workshop, I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"I'm terrified," I blurted out. "The coronation, becoming queen, being a good queen so Atlas can be proud to have me by his side. I'm not a warrior, Aria. I barely have any fighting skills."

Aria squeezed my hand. "You were chosen by the Moon Goddess, not by Atlas alone. He fell in love with you, not some warrior queen."

"But he needs someone who can fight alongside him," I argued, thinking of the battles that might lie ahead.

"He also needs someone with a big heart who can support his pack when he needs to fight. Someone who takes care of his family, who spreads happiness and love." She smiled warmly at me. "You've already done that with your big heart, spreading happiness and love."

My shoulders relaxed slightly. "You're right. Thank you."

When we arrived at the tailor's workshop, I was surprised to see my mom, Julie, Gina, and Aurora already waiting. Aria had arranged a "girls' day" for us.

"Surprise!" Aurora hugged me tightly. "We're designing your coronation dress!"

The next few hours flew by in a blur of fabric swatches, sketches, and laughter. We settled on deep red with gold moon patterns, representing the Ancient Moon Shadow Pack's colors. The tailor took my measurements, asking me to return a week before the ceremony for a fitting.

"You'll look stunning," Mom said, tears in her eyes. "My little girl, a queen."

After the fitting, Aria invited everyone to lunch at a cozy restaurant nearby. While eating, she told us about her work establishing support groups for wolves who'd lost their mates.

"It's reduced the number of deaths from grief and broken mind-links significantly," she explained.

Then she turned to me. "Is there something you're passionate about, Maddie?"

I exchanged glances with Julie. "Julie and I used to spend time helping the lone wolf pups have fun, teaching them music and pack art traditions."

"Perfect," Aria beamed. "The elder wolf running our orphanage is retiring. Would you two be interested in taking over?"

"Yes!" Julie and I answered simultaneously, excitement bubbling in my chest. Finally, something I could do well!

Aria nodded. "There's a new pup arriving from my old pack, Black Forest, in a few days. Alpha Dylan is concerned for her safety because of how her parents died."

By evening, I was exhausted but happy as I returned to the castle. Mom had gone home, and Julie and Gina had returned to their quarters. I entered our chambers, looking forward to seeing Atlas later.

But something was wrong.

A woman I'd never seen before was rummaging through Atlas's desk.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

She froze, then turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she assessed me.

*Be careful,* Lily warned in my mind. *She smells like a rogue. And there's something... wrong about her.*

*Call Luke and Atlas through the mind-link,* I instructed Lily silently, trying to appear calmer than I felt. Where were the guards? How had she gotten past them?

"Just a staff member, Your Highness," the woman said smoothly, her smile never reaching her eyes.

My eyes narrowed. No one addressed me that way.

"Why are you going through my mate's desk?" I asked, keeping my voice steady despite my racing heart.

"The King sent me to get something," she lied, shifting nervously, hands twitching at her sides.

*They're coming,* Lily confirmed. *Just keep her talking.*

I relaxed slightly. "Don't lie to me. He would have told me through our mind-link."

Her demeanor changed instantly. "Where are they?" she snarled, all pretense gone.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I stood my ground even as fear crept up my spine.

She stepped closer. "Give me the scrolls and the book," she growled, looking like an angry wolf ready to pounce.

"They're not here," I answered calmly, praying Atlas would arrive soon.

The woman started shifting slowly, her teeth elongating into sharp fangs.

The door burst open. Luke charged in, his enormous Primal Wolf form filling the doorway. He let out a dangerous growl, positioning himself between me and the rogue.

The rogue whimpered, frozen under Luke's powerful Alpha aura.

Jace, Aria, and Lawrence rushed in behind him. Aria checked me quickly for injuries, her hands gentle but her eyes fierce.

"You dare enter the core territory of Ancient Moon Shadow Pack and threaten my true mate?" Luke's voice boomed with rage that made the walls seem to vibrate.

Under his powerful aura, the rogue confessed: "The Rogue King, the only true King, wants the scrolls and the book. He can awaken the ancient bloodlines and restore balance to our world."

Luke scoffed. "Your so-called King is nothing but a deceiver. A power-hungry wolf wanting to use ancient powers for himself. His plans would destroy the Moon Goddess's balance."

"You lie!" the rogue screamed, spittle flying from her mouth.

"No, I don't," came Atlas's voice as Luke shifted back to human form and Atlas took control. "It's because of greed and lies that you're like this."

The rogue screamed at Atlas, who walked past her toward me and Aria. He thanked his mother before pulling me into a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered, guilt heavy in his voice. "I'll assign some guardian warriors to this area. You won't be unprotected again."

"It's not your fault she found her way in," I murmured, kissing him softly and feeling the warm link between true mates wash over me. Despite the danger, in his arms, I finally felt safe.