The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 269

ATLAS

I received confirmation that Maddie had safely entered the protected room, and I took a deep breath, my shoulders slightly relaxing.

*Damn, at least she's safe. I hope everyone else has made it to the shelter too.*

Our warriors were positioned according to plan, forming defensive formations around the boundary lines. I dispatched several elite teams of warriors and trackers to ensure rogues wouldn't ambush our territory from other directions.

Shit, they're here.

The group of rogue wolves appeared at the edge of the distant tree line, moving in packs, even more numerous than our intelligence had predicted. But what surprised me most was their leader, Magnus. He walked at the front with a leisurely pace, as if merely attending a friendly gathering.

"Ready," I commanded the warriors beside me in a low voice. I felt Luke stirring inside me, eager for battle, his bloodlust mixing with my own anger.

The rogues stopped about fifty yards from us. Magnus broke into an unsettling grin, his canines already elongated, glistening with saliva.

"Ah, the royal members, what an honor to see you," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "The mighty Jace and his precious son Atlas. How touching that you both came to greet me."

My father stepped forward, his voice calm but filled with authority: "Why are you here, Magnus?"

Magnus feigned surprise, spreading his arms wide in mock innocence: "I see the Vampire King Victor is also here, so I'm certain you know what I want."

"What you want defies the Moon Goddess's will and is extremely cruel," my father responded. "You cannot force wolves to live lives they don't want."

The smile disappeared from Magnus's face, replaced by a sneer that revealed his true nature: "True mates? That's nothing but the Moon Goddess's joke. How many wolves suffer from rejection? How many wolves wish for death after losing their mates? I've seen wolves driven to madness, to suicide. Where was your precious Goddess then?"

"So your solution is forced hybridization? Especially targeting gifted hybrids?" my father countered, his voice hard as stone. "This violates the Moon Goddess's will."

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain. I tried to contact Maddie through our mind link, but felt nothing.

Lawrence responded: "Aurora says everyone is fine."

My father's expression grew tense: "I can't contact your mother either."

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest, as if someone was trying to sever my soul bond with Maddie. Luke thrashed wildly inside me, howling in rage at the violation. I noticed my father's face also showing discomfort, Phantom restless within him.

*What are they doing? If they've hurt Maddie...*

"What are you doing?" I demanded of Magnus harshly, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. Every warrior around me tensed, ready to attack at my command.

Magnus pretended innocence, touching his chest in mock hurt: "Me? I'm just standing here talking to you, my King."

I noticed Victor quietly dispatching two vampire guards. Their movements were nearly imperceptible, but my enhanced senses detected them melting into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.

Good, at least the Vampire King is on our side. We'll need every ally we can get if this turns ugly.*

MADDIE

"Atlas, please don't shut me out," I tried calling through our mind link, but received nothing but hollow echoes.

I could feel he was still alive, but couldn't sense his presence. The feeling was terrifying, like losing part of my body. My heart raced painfully against my ribs, and cold sweat broke out across my forehead. Lily howled in desperation inside me, searching frantically for her mate.

Aurora paced nervously beside me: "Atlas and dad can't feel us anymore."

Eliana huddled with the cubs in the corner, her face pale with worry. The little ones sensed the tension, whimpering softly. Seraphina stood guard by the door, every muscle tense, ready to defend us if needed.

"What's happening? Are they under attack?" I asked, my voice trembling despite my efforts to appear calm.

Just then, I suddenly felt a shock, as if someone was forcibly trying to sever my soul bond with Atlas. Pain radiated from my mark, and I couldn't help but gasp. It felt like someone was trying to carve out part of my soul with a dull knife. I doubled over, clutching my neck where Atlas had marked me.

"Someone is trying to cut our mate bonds," Aria frowned, her hand pressed against her own mark, her knuckles white from the pressure. Her usually composed face contorted with pain.

Greta Wildflower stood up from the corner of the room: "Yes, I can feel it. Some ancient witchcraft. Dark magic that hasn't been used in centuries. It bears the signature of blood sacrifice."

She walked to our center, her eyes glowing with determination: "Form a circle, hold my hands. Let your wolves connect with me. Quickly, before the bonds weaken further."

We did as instructed, forming a tight circle around Greta. I could feel Lily whimpering inside me, desperate to reconnect with Luke. Greta closed her eyes and began chanting in a language I'd never heard before. The words seemed to vibrate in the air, ancient and powerful. As she chanted, I felt warm energy flowing through my body, gradually counteracting the severing sensation. My mark began to glow faintly through my clothing.

Through Greta's witchcraft, I could faintly sense Aria, Lily, Luke, and Jace's presence. Their emotions washed over me - anger, determination, fear, and love all intermingled. Then, suddenly, Atlas's mind reconnected with mine, the familiar warmth rushing back like a tidal wave.

"I can feel him!" I almost wept with joy, my legs weakening with relief. The connection felt stronger than before, pulsing with renewed energy.

Greta's voice remained calm, though beads of sweat formed on her brow: "I've created a moonlight shield around your minds. They can't sever your connections anymore. The shield will hold as long as I maintain it. Their witch will feel the backlash of their failed spell."

Through the restored connection, I could hear Magnus's voice. His tone shifted from proud to annoyed.

"How is this possible?" he growled, fury evident in every syllable. "The spell should have worked!"

I heard Jace laugh: "Rogues aren't the only ones who know witches. Did you really think we wouldn't be prepared?"

"Hah, take that, stupid rogues," I muttered to myself, a small smile of victory creeping across my face despite the danger. The other women in the room visibly relaxed as they too felt their connections restore.

*Indeed.* Atlas chuckled in my thoughts, the sound sending warmth through my heart. *Stay safe, little one. This isn't over yet. We'll make them regret ever threatening what's ours.*