The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 32

"What a sweet little girl," she said, her voice sickly sweet. "She's adorable."

Aurora stared up at her. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Laura smiled down at her. "I came to meet your daddy. He's very special."

A growl rumbled in my throat before I could stop it. Aurora's face scrunched up, but she surprised me with her next words.

"My daddy likes Aria," she announced, grabbing Aria's leg. "Not you."

I couldn't hide my smile as Laura's expression shifted from confident to shocked. Aria blushed deep red, clearly embarrassed.

ARIA

"I had no idea about any of this," Jace explained, his voice urgent. "They'll be gone tomorrow, I promise. We'll talk tonight."

I studied his face, searching for any hint of deception. Yesterday's overheard conversation still burned in my mind.

"Jace," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yesterday, when Alpha Warren's messengers came... I heard part of your conversation."

His expression immediately shifted to concern. "What did you hear?"

"Something about my price being too high, like I was just merchandise." I couldn't hide the hurt in my voice. "Am I just a bargaining chip to you?"

Jace stepped closer, holding my face gently. "Aria, you only heard part of it. I said your price was too high because you're priceless. I told them I'd never trade you for anything they offered. You're not for sale."

The sincerity in his voice tightened my chest. "Really?"

"Really." His thumb brushed my cheek. "You're not a bargaining chip. You're everything to me."

Relief washed over me as I finally saw the concern in his eyes. "I trust you," I said.

"Aria! Come quick!" Aurora's voice interrupted my thoughts. She tugged at my hand, pointing excitedly toward the clearing decorated with moons and stars. When she spotted her birthday setup, she squealed and ran toward Jace.

"Daddy! I love the decorations!" She jumped into his strong arms.

"Happy birthday, princess." Jace kissed her forehead and smiled, but his eyes found mine over Aurora's head, still holding that promise he'd just made. "Thank Aria—she arranged everything for you."

As pack members gathered, Jace raised his hand. Everyone fell silent, drawn to their Alpha's natural authority.

"Thank you for coming to celebrate Aurora's day," he said simply.

I stood by the refreshment table, handing out drinks and snacks to the wolf pups. Jace came closer, his fingers brushing against the back of my hand. The contact made my heart race, but this time it wasn't just attraction—it was the warmth of knowing he'd chosen me over political convenience. He looked at me with that slight smile that made my knees weak.

God, I was falling for an Alpha werewolf—the most powerful, dangerous person in the pack. But maybe, just maybe, he was falling too.

"I have a surprise!" I announced, walking to the center of the clearing. This was my special gift to Aurora—the one I'd promised her.

When I began to sing the first notes, the entire area fell silent. I started with "Baby Shark," Aurora's favorite. The wolf pups were immediately drawn in, sitting on the grass in front of me, eyes shining with wonder.

I continued with "Wheels on the Bus," then "Old MacDonald Had a Farm." The pups started singing along, while the adults stopped their conversations to listen.

When I looked up, my gaze met Jace's. He stood at the back of the crowd, arms crossed, watching intently. Our eyes locked as if we were the only two people in the world. After our conversation, everything felt different—deeper, more real.

My voice naturally transitioned to "If You're Happy and You Know It." Jace smiled, and my heart tumbled in my chest. Damn, I loved his smile. And now I knew it was genuine, not just part of some elaborate game.

When I finished, Aurora bounded over, her eyes filled with admiration. "Another one! Please, Aria!"

I shook my head, smiling. "Not tonight, princess. But I'll dance and sing with you all."

The wolf pups cheered as we formed a circle, holding hands for the traditional Moon Shadow dance. Aurora insisted I carry her, so I lifted her high, making her giggle with her face flushed from excitement.

After setting Aurora down, I noticed Jace in deep conversation with three visitors—surely the guests Gabriel had mentioned. Hunter, his Beta, stood beside him, listening with a serious expression. My stomach clenched as I recognized them from yesterday—Alpha Warren's messengers.

Suddenly, a strange feeling crawled up my spine. I glanced toward the forest edge as some instinct told me something was approaching. At first, I thought it might be pack warriors on patrol, but my gut screamed danger.

I scanned the tree line. Rogue wolves never approach pack celebrations unless desperate or sent deliberately. My eyes darted to Warren's messengers. Their timing and this threat felt too coincidental.

Jace was deep in conversation with Alpha Samuel about a potential alliance between their two packs, while everyone else remained immersed in the joyful atmosphere of the celebration.

Lucas appeared at my side, his expression concerned. "You okay? You look weird."

I didn't answer. My attention was pulled toward the forest edge beyond the celebration area. The shadows between the trees seemed to shift unnaturally.

Then I saw it—a blur of movement too fast for human eyes, but somehow my senses tracked it perfectly. A rogue wolf, lean and feral, bursting from the tree line and heading straight for the children's area.

Aurora and another young pup were closest to the danger, completely unaware. No warriors had noticed yet, all focused on the celebration.

I moved without thinking, my body reacting with a speed that surprised even me. In three strides, I reached the pup, grabbing Aurora with one arm and the other pup with my free hand.

"Get down!" I shouted, pushing the pups behind me just as the rogue wolf lunged.

I spun to face the attack, dropping into the defensive stance Gabriel had drilled into me for years. The wolf's eyes gleamed with feral hatred, foam dripping from its jaws. This wasn't a normal wolf.

As it sailed through the air toward me, I braced for impact. Its massive weight slammed into me, claws raking across my back. White-hot pain tore through my body as its claws shredded my skin. I bit back a scream, focusing instead on keeping my footing.

With a strength I didn't know I possessed, I shoved the pups further away. "Run! Now!"

The wolf circled back, ready for another strike. I could feel warm blood soaking through my shirt, running down my back in rivulets. Despite the pain, I pivoted to face the animal, my training kicking in.

As it lunged again, I channeled every lesson Gabriel had taught me about fighting larger opponents. I waited until the last possible second, then dropped and spun, my leg extending in a powerful kick that caught the wolf under its jaw.

The impact sent it flying backward, but I knew it wouldn't stay down. I struggled to my feet, positioning myself between the wolf and the pups, who hadn't fled far enough.

Suddenly, a dark blur shot past me. Jace. His rage was palpable as he reached the rogue wolf in two powerful strides. Without shifting, he grabbed the animal by its throat, lifting it off the ground with one hand.

"You attacked the wrong person," he growled.

The crack of vertebrae breaking echoed across the suddenly silent clearing. Jace dropped the lifeless body, rushing to my side as my knees finally gave out.

"Aria! Hold on."

The last thing I remembered was being swept into strong arms, a familiar scent wrapping around me as darkness stole my consciousness.