The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 43

ARIA

I woke to Jace's gentle touch on my face, his smile greeting me as I opened my eyes. We exchanged soft morning words before he asked how I was feeling.

"Weird but good," I admitted. "I feel more complete somehow. With you, there's this safety I can't explain."

Jace nodded, mentioning how special our soul binding ritual had been. When he noticed my thoughtful expression, he asked what was on my mind.

I marveled at how quickly everything had changed—yesterday just his daughter's friend, today his mate. He believed fate had planned this all along, waiting for the right moment for us to find each other. We agreed to make the official announcement at the next moon ceremony.

His expression then shifted to concern about my physical wellbeing after our night together. I assured him I was fine, just a little tender. Hours later, after another intimate encounter, we finally rose to prepare for the day.

Jace told me he would announce me as his destined mate to the Moon Shadow Pack today. We agreed I'd move my remaining things here into his closet—our closet now.

Aurora had spent the night at Gabriel's place. They wanted to give us privacy. I chose my deep green leather pants and a cream-colored linen top that Jace particularly liked. He wanted everyone to see I belonged to him so all the single men in the pack would know to keep their distance.

Standing in front of the mirror, I couldn't help staring at the mark on my neck. I'd never seen anything like it.

First, it wasn't the usual blue or brown but glowed with silver light. Even the mark on Jace's neck had been ordinary dark before I marked him last night. Now both our marks shimmered silver.

Second, it was larger and more detailed, showing two wolves—one jet black, the other silvery white as moonlight. Between the wolves were two shadowy human figures embracing under a full moon.

I had no idea what it meant, but I felt a strange pride seeing it.

-

Hand in hand, we walked downstairs into the spacious dining hall. Jace never let go. The hall was packed with more pack members than usual, all watching us intently as we entered.

We approached the central table where Gabriel, Lucas, Eliana, Aurora, and Hunter's family sat. Jace pulled out my chair, and I whispered, "Everyone's staring."

Jace glanced around then looked back at me with a mischievous grin. He pulled me up from my chair. "Let's give them something worth staring at."

Then he kissed me passionately in front of everyone. The hall erupted in cheers and whistles. When he finally released me and helped me back to my seat, my face burned.

"Good morning, everyone," Jace stood, his voice commanding attention. "Thank you for last night's Blood Moon celebration. I'm sure everyone had an extraordinary evening. As you know, at midnight Aria turned eighteen. I'm proud to announce that this beautiful woman beside me is my destined mate, given to me by the Moon Goddess herself."

More cheers erupted, so loud that even the guards patrolling the mountain could probably hear.

"I'm happy to tell you she has accepted me as her mate, and we've completed our soul binding ceremony. We will hold the official Moon Shadow Pack ceremony at the next full moon." Jace's announcement brought even more cheers.

Jace insisted on getting my breakfast from the buffet table. Gabriel stood up and hugged me on his way to get his food. Lucas and Eliana did the same, with Eliana excitedly hugging me tight enough to make me laugh.

After breakfast, Elder Thorn approached with unusual anxiety, insisting on speaking with us before my training session. We reluctantly agreed.

Jace carried Aurora while holding my hand as we went upstairs to her room.

"Princess, Daddy needs to tell you something important. Can you listen carefully?" He placed Aurora on the bed, and we sat down with her.

"Yes, Daddy," she answered, snuggling against me.

"Do you know what destined mates are, Princess?" he asked, and Aurora nodded.

"Well, last night, Daddy and Aria discovered we're destined mates. Do you know what that means?" Aurora seemed to understand because she squealed and jumped up to hug me.

"It means Aria will never leave us!" she exclaimed happily.

"Yes, that's right. It also means Aria will be living with us," Jace told her. She squealed again, hugging me first, then Jace.

"Will you be my mommy?" she asked me.

JACE

Holy shit. This is actually happening. I held my breath when Aurora hit Aria with the mommy question. Talk about putting someone on the spot. My kid has no filter and perfect timing as usual.

I watched Aria's face, my pulse racing with worry. What if she's not ready for this? What if it's too much too soon? Damn it, Aurora, we should've talked about this first.

But then Aria's expression softened into something so pure it made my chest ache.

"If it makes you happy, then yes, I would love to be your mommy," she said, her voice catching a little.

Aurora burst into tears – the happy kind. "I asked the Moon Goddess to give me a mommy. She listened!"

"I'm right here, princess," Aria promised, pulling Aurora close. "I won't leave you. I promise."

That's it. I'm done. My girls together like this? Forget Alpha composure. I wrapped my arms around both of them, fighting the lump in my throat. "We're going to be a family. Taking care of each other."

The moment was fucking perfect. Everything I'd given up hoping for was right here in my arms.

After comforting Aurora, we took her to the Wolf Cub Center. She skipped ahead of us, telling everyone who would listen that Aria was her mommy now. The pride in her voice made my chest tighten.

"She's happy," Aria whispered, squeezing my hand.

"We all are," I replied, kissing her temple.

Back at headquarters, four elders waited in my chamber. Their expressions told me this wouldn't be pleasant.

I sat down, gesturing for Aria to take the seat beside me. She positioned herself with the formal dignity befitting the Alpha's mate at an official council meeting.

"You insisted on this meeting. Explain," I said directly.

Elder Thorn cleared his throat. "Alpha, remember what we told you about the Blood Moon?"

"Yes. We completed our soul binding under it. Phantom won't fully awaken until the next full moon."

Elder Kemp nodded. "That's not why we called you here." He turned to Aria. "You cannot train for the upcoming period."

I felt her stiffen. My protective instincts flared immediately.

"Elders," Aria spoke firmly, "I may be the Alpha's mate, but I'm Gabriel's trained warrior. I won't stop training. I'll stand with Jace to protect our family and pack."

"Aria is right," I supported her. "Her abilities exceed most warriors. I would never demand she stop training."

The elders exchanged uncomfortable glances before Elder Thorn's wife stepped forward. "What they failed to tell you is that completing a soul binding under the Blood Moon carries a 99% chance of pregnancy. Even when one partner is human."

Silence fell. I stared at her, stunned. Aria went completely still beside me.