The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 30

"How long have you been standing there?" I whispered.

"Long enough," he answered. "She's never taken to anyone the way she's taken to you."

The space between us seemed electrically charged. I needed to leave before I did something stupid.

"I should go. Gabriel will wonder where I am."

Jace stepped aside to let me pass, but as I reached the hallway, he spoke again.

"She's not the only one who feels the emptiness when you're gone," he said, his voice barely audible.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.

JACE

"What are you really asking of me, Jace?" Aria whispered, not turning around.

Shit. I hadn't meant to say that out loud. The words just slipped out watching her with Aurora. My brain was working overtime trying to figure out how to answer without scaring her off.

"I'm asking..." I started, then stopped. Be honest, but not too honest. Don't mention mates. Not yet. "I'm asking for you to give us a chance. Me and you."

She turned slowly to face me, her expression guarded. "Us? There's an 'us' now?"

"There could be," I said, keeping my voice low to avoid waking Aurora. "If you want there to be."

Aria glanced back at my sleeping daughter, then at me. "It's complicated, Jace. You're the Alpha. I'm human. And Aurora..."

"Aurora adores you," I finished for her. "And I..."

The words caught in my throat. Phantom urged me forward. *Tell her.*

"You what?" she pressed.

"I think about you. More than I should," I admitted. "More than is probably wise for either of us."

She looked down at her hands. "I should really go. Gabriel will be waiting."

"Stay," I found myself saying. "Just for dinner. Aurora will want to see you when she wakes up."

Aria hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. Just for dinner."

We ate in comfortable silence in my private quarters, occasionally checking on Aurora. The normalcy of it—sharing a meal, talking softly about pack matters, her asking questions about Moon Shadow traditions—felt right in a way I hadn't experienced since becoming Alpha.

When night fell, Aurora woke briefly, took some medicine, then drifted back to sleep with Aria humming softly beside her. I watched from the doorway, something in my chest tightening at the sight.

I followed her up, lingering in the hallway until she emerged from Aurora's room. When she spotted me, she froze.

"Jace, I—"

That was all I let her say. I'd spent days imagining her lips, remembering the taste of her from our shower. I couldn't wait another second.

I cradled her face between my hands and kissed her before she could finish her sentence. For a terrifying heartbeat, she didn't respond. Then her lips began moving against mine, soft and hesitant at first, then with growing hunger.

I backed her against the wall, caging her between my arms. Her small frame fit perfectly against me. I nipped at her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open. When she complied, my tongue slid against hers, exploring and claiming.

A soft moan escaped her throat. The sound shattered my self-control. My hands left the wall, running down her sides to grip her waist. In one smooth motion, I lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around my hips instantly, her hands diving into my hair, pulling me closer.

We broke apart, both gasping for air. Her pupils were dilated, her breath coming in quick pants. I breathed deeply, catching the scent of her arousal. Phantom surged forward, nearly breaking through my restraint.

"I've wanted to do that since the moment I first saw you," I murmured, pressing another quick kiss to her lips.

"Jace, we need to talk about what I saw," she whispered.

"I've never touched Scarlett in any way beyond pack business," I said firmly. "She caught me off guard that day. The only reason she could was because I was distracted thinking about you." I looked directly into her eyes. "Since Aurora's mother left, I haven't been with anyone seriously. You're not just another female to pass the time with, Aria. I genuinely care about you."

I watched emotions play across her face. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears that she blinked away stubbornly.

"I don't want you to cry," I said, stroking her cheek. "I want you to be happy. Here. With Aurora and me."

"It's not that simple," she said. "I'm just a human in a world of werewolves."

"You're Aria Silverbrook," I corrected. "And I've never met anyone like you."

She offered, "You barely know me."

"I want to change that."

She bit her lip, considering. "What happens if I find my soulmate someday?"

If she only knew. The irony of her question made me want to laugh and growl at the same time. But telling her now would only overwhelm her.

"Then you decide," I said seriously. "I'd never stand in the way of that."

She studied me for a long moment before surprising me by leaning forward to initiate another kiss. This one was softer, exploring rather than desperate.

Her legs tightened around my waist as I carried her down the hall to my bedroom. We fell onto the bed, her beneath me, her hands roaming across my chest and arms. I kissed along her jaw to her ear, nipping gently at the lobe before trailing down her neck.

When I reached the spot where my mark would one day rest, I paused, breathing in her scent. Phantom rumbled with satisfaction. *Soon,* I promised him. *When she's ready.*

Her hands traced the lines of muscle on my back, her touch sending electricity through my skin. I could feel her heart racing against mine, her breathing quick and shallow.

"We don't have to do anything you're not ready for," I assured her, pulling back slightly to gauge her reaction.

"I know," she whispered. "I trust you, Jace."

Those simple words hit me harder than any declaration of love could have. Trust from Aria didn't come easily. She'd been raised by warriors, taught to question, to be cautious. Yet here she was, opening herself to me.

I kissed her deeply, pouring my unspoken feelings into that kiss. Soon she would know what she meant to me, but tonight was about wanting her for herself.

As night deepened, we explored each other boldly, discovering what brought pleasure. Her beauty left me speechless. Those soft sounds drove me wild—sweet and genuine. Every touch ignited something primal in me.

Chapter 31 Chapter31

ARIA

What am I doing? Seriously, what am I doing right now? I'm in Jace Carter's bedroom. The Alpha's private quarters. On his bed. This is insane.

Lying on the fur-covered bed, my pulse raced with excitement. If anyone found out where I was, all hell would break loose.

"I know," I whispered, looking up at Jace. "I trust you."

The words surprised even me. Trust didn't come easily when you grew up human in a werewolf world.

Jace's eyes darkened at my words. He lowered his head to kiss me deeply, his body warm and solid above mine. His hands traced my sides, sending electric currents through my skin. Every touch felt like it awakened something primal inside me.

He pulled back slightly. "You're sure about this?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. His lips found mine again, more demanding this time. His kiss traveled to my neck, then my collarbone, each touch making me shiver. I hadn't expected things to go this far tonight, but I didn't want to stop.

My fingers explored the hard planes of his chest, feeling his muscles tense beneath my touch. He let out a low, satisfied growl that vibrated through my entire body.

"You're beautiful, little one," he murmured, his gaze intense and focused only on me.

I turned my head, embarrassed by his attention, but he gently guided my face back toward him. Those eyes seemed to see straight through me, past all my defenses. No one had ever looked at me like that before.

His kiss deepened, more passionate than any we'd shared. His hands slid down my sides to my hips, pulling me closer against him. I arched my back instinctively, wanting to eliminate any space between us.

Jace cupped my face in his hands, trailing kisses along my jaw and neck. Each one sent tremors through my body. "You don't know how long I've wanted this," he said between kisses, his voice rough with desire.

His fingers threaded through my hair, massaging my scalp while his other hand explored the curves of my body. I melted into his embrace, but a question kept nagging at me.

"Jace, why me?" I finally asked.

His expression turned serious yet tender. "You awakened something in me I thought I'd lost."

"What?" I pressed, my breathing quickening as his lips found my earlobe, gently nipping at the sensitive spot.

A moment of hesitation crossed his face. "I'll tell you when the time is right."

"Okay." I nodded, not wanting to break this moment with complicated questions. What was happening between us felt too good to ruin.

His palm slid across my chest, causing me to shudder with pleasure. I moved closer, craving more of his touch. Our lips met again in a deeper, more urgent kiss. My arms wrapped around his broad shoulders, feeling every subtle movement of his powerful body.

JACE

Her body quaked against mine, skin scorching under my greedy fingers as I traced relentless circles over her clit. Each stroke ignited my blood, shredding my restraint with every shudder she gave. Her moans—raw, breathy, and laced with desperation—fucked with my head, driving me to the edge of sanity.

"God, you're so fucking wet," I rasped, teeth scraping her neck, nipping her racing pulse. "I could devour you all night."

"Don't you dare stop," she panted, voice thick with need, her hips grinding into my hand. "Keep going, Jace."

I locked onto her face, drinking in every twitch of pleasure—her parted lips, her flushed cheeks, her eyes blazing with lust that sent my cock throbbing. This girl was unraveling me, and she didn't even know it.

"You're gonna come soon, aren't you?" I growled, my voice ragged, barely holding it together.

She nodded, frantic, her hips bucking harder. "Faster. Fuck, faster."

I didn't hesitate, speeding up, pressing harder, my fingers slick with her heat. Her breath hitched, her back arched, pushing her tits closer. I couldn't resist—my free hand found her nipple, pinching it tight, rolling it until she gasped. Every moan, every squirm, cranked my desire higher, my cock straining painfully against my jeans.

"Jace!" she cried, her voice cracking, raw with want. "Right there—don't stop!"

"Come for me, Aria," I demanded, my lips brushing her ear, hot and urgent. "Let me feel you fall apart. Now."

Her eyes burned into mine, dark with hunger, holding me captive. When she shattered, her pussy clenching around my fingers, her scream of my name nearly made me lose it right there. I kept moving, drawing out every pulse, every tremor, until she was a trembling mess in my arms.

I crushed her against my chest, her heartbeat hammering against my skin. Her scent—sweet, musky, pure sex—filled my lungs, making it impossible to let go. My cock ached, begging for release, but I wanted her pleasure more than my own.

"I need you again," I said, voice hoarse, desperate. "I'm fucking addicted to you."

She looked up, still gasping, her lips swollen from my kisses. "That was… unreal."

"Stay," I urged, gripping her tighter, my tone rougher than I meant. "I want to fuck you until you can't think straight."

Her eyes flickered—lust battling reason. "I can't. Gabriel will know I'm gone."

"Then let him," I said, softer now, my arms tightening just a little. "I want everyone to know you're mine."

"We gotta play this smart," she shot back, already slipping from my hold, her skin glistening with sweat. "This thing between us—it's too fucking intense."

"When?" I demanded, my voice low, urgent. "When can I have you again?"

A devious grin spread across her lips. "Tomorrow. Training grounds."

I raised an eyebrow, my cock twitching at the thought. "You think I can just spar with you after this? After feeling you come on my hand?"

"Who said anything about sparring?" she teased. She leaned in, her breath hot against my lips. "There's that locked room behind the equipment shed. Just you, me, and no interruptions."

I grabbed her wrist, yanking her back for a bruising kiss that left us both reeling. My tongue claimed hers, tasting her need, her heat. "You better be there."

"Don't make me wait," she fired back, her eyes flashing as she pulled free.

The door clicked shut, and I collapsed onto my bed, the sheets still warm from her body, her scent clinging to every inch of me. My cock throbbed, unsatisfied, but it was her—her moans, her taste—that consumed me. I fisted the sheets, fighting the urge to chase her down and drag her back.