The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 38

To my surprise, Aria leaned forward and pressed her lips gently against mine. I responded immediately, one hand cupping her cheek softly.

When we broke apart, she was smiling. "Thank you for telling me this, Jace."

My heart raced. She hadn't run away. She was still here, in my arms.

"Gabriel and the elders are planning the blood moon celebration," I said, "the entire pack will attend."

Aria sat up straighter, her eyes shining with excitement. "I want to help. Can I be involved in the preparations?"

Her enthusiasm made me smile. "Of course. They'd welcome any ideas you have."

Watching her eyes light up with excitement, I couldn't help thinking: she would make a perfect Luna. My Luna.

"Jace," she turned serious suddenly, "that voice during my unconsciousness... she mentioned transformation. But I'm human. Humans don't transform."

My heart skipped a beat. "You're sure she used that word? 'Transformation'?"

"Absolutely certain. She said when the time for transformation comes, I would need your and Phantom's strength. That doesn't make sense, does it?"

I gripped her hand, my mind racing. "Aria, your wounds healed too quickly, fast enough to shock even Eliana. That's not normal human recovery."

"What do you think it means?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling.

"I don't know," I answered honestly, "but on the night of the blood moon, we might find out."

Aria's gaze turned inward, as if searching for truth within herself. "What if I'm not who I think I am? What if my entire life has been built on a lie?"

One thought consumed me: if Aria wasn't just human, as the prophecy suggested, the blood moon could change everything.

"Jace," she whispered, breaking the silence. "That day when I crossed into your territory... you acted strange. You knew something then, didn't you?"

I tensed. How much should I tell her? The moment she'd entered Moon Shadow territory, Phantom had recognized her immediately. My true mate. But did she need that burden now, on top of everything else?

"I sensed something special about you," I admitted carefully. "Phantom reacted to your presence in a way I'd never experienced before."

"Is that why you accepted Gabriel's family so quickly?"

"Partly," I said. "But Gabriel saved my life once, years ago. I respected him and Bree both."

Aurora stirred beside Aria, mumbling something in her sleep before settling again. Aria smiled down at her, brushing a strand of hair from my daughter's face with such tenderness it made my chest ache.

"She loves you," I said quietly.

"I love her too," Aria replied, surprising me with her candidness. "From the first moment I saw her. It doesn't make sense, does it? We barely knew each other."

"Some connections transcend logic," I said, allowing myself to stroke her cheek. "Some bonds are written in our souls."

She leaned into my touch, eyes closing briefly. "I should be terrified by everything you've told me. About who you are, about the prophecy, about what might happen to me. But I'm not."

"What do you feel?" I asked, heart hammering in my chest.

"Like I'm finally where I belong." Her eyes met mine, honest and unguarded. "Like everything in my life – losing my parents, being raised by Gabriel, coming here – was leading me to this moment. To you."

Phantom surged forward at her words, nearly breaking through my control.

"Whatever happens, Aria," I promised, "whatever we discover about you on the blood moon, you won't face it alone. I'll be there. We'll face it together."

She nodded, then nestled back against my chest.

ARIA

As sunlight filtered through the curtains, I noticed Gabriel, Lucas, and Eliana standing near the doorway of Jace's bedroom. Great. Just what I needed - an audience while I was in Jace's bed wearing nothing but one of his t-shirts.

"She's awake," Gabriel said, stepping forward. His face showed relief, not the anger or disappointment I expected. "How are you feeling, little deer?"

"Still sore from the rogue wolf attack," I mumbled, trying to sit up. "But better than I should."

Jace helped me adjust the pillows behind my back, his hand lingering on my shoulder.

I waited for Gabriel to say it was time for me to come home, that I'd imposed on the Alpha's hospitality long enough. Instead, he surprised me.

"I'm glad to see you recovering," he said. "And that you've found your place here."

Lucas and Eliana excused themselves, leaving with knowing smiles. Gabriel stayed behind, and Jace stood.

"I'll give you two some privacy," Jace said, gently lifting Aurora. "I need to check on pack business anyway."

When they left, Gabriel pulled a chair beside the bed. The conversation I'd been dreading was about to happen.

*Several hours earlier*

"Why are you allowing this?" I asked Gabriel. "I've been staying in the Alpha's private quarters. People will talk."

"People always talk," Gabriel replied calmly. "The question is whether their opinions matter more than what you feel."

I looked down at my hands. "What I feel is complicated."

"Is it?" Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "You've been glowing since you started spending time with Jace and Aurora."

"He's the Alpha. I'm human. It's not that simple."

Gabriel sighed. "Aria, I've watched you grow into a remarkable young woman. You've always been different - stronger, more intuitive than most humans. The connection you have with Jace... it's special."

"But what if it's just temporary?" I asked, voicing my deepest fear. "What if he decides he needs a proper Luna? A werewolf who can give him wolf cubs?"

"Not all destined pairs are wolf and wolf," Gabriel said quietly. "Sometimes the universe has different plans."

"You wouldn't oppose it? If I chose him?"

Gabriel squeezed my hand. "If Jace makes you happy and treats you well, you have my blessing."

I teared up as he hugged me. For once, I felt understood.

"Remember when you were seven?" Gabriel said. "You couldn't shift but ran with the wolf pups all day anyway."

I smiled. "You made me hot chocolate after and said I had the heart of a wolf."

"And I meant it," he said, brushing hair from my face. "You've always belonged here because you're brave and loyal."

"I was afraid you'd be disappointed that I'm staying here," I admitted.

"Home isn't always a place, sometimes it's a person," Gabriel said warmly. "If your heart is with Jace now, that doesn't weaken our bond."

"You're not making me come home?" I asked directly.

He shook his head. "You're almost eighteen, old enough to decide. But do you really want to be here with him?"

"Yes," I answered without hesitation. "When I'm with Jace and Aurora, it feels right. It feels like home."

Gabriel nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Then stay. Just be careful with your heart. And remember who you are - human or not, you're strong in ways most wolves never understand."

After Gabriel left, I thought about everything since fleeing Black Forest. Warren's unwanted advances seemed like a lifetime ago. Now I was in a new pack, recovering from protecting Aurora, and possibly falling for the Alpha.

Jace was different from any man I'd known. Powerful but gentle. He respected my boundaries. When he looked at me, I felt valued, not hunted.

I admired his tenderness with Aurora, his protection of the pack, even his struggle to control Phantom. It showed his character.

Though just a human raised by werewolves—unable to shift or mindlink—I'd found something unexpected here: belonging.