The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 66

JACE

I had been here for days, together with Gabriel. And we had not seen as much as a shadow of their old Alpha. Richard Warren was rumored to arrive today, and I couldn't shake this knot in my gut. The bastard who had tried to force my mate—my Aria—to be his Luna when she was too young to even present as a wolf. My blood boiled just thinking about it.

"I won't let her leave my sight," I muttered to myself as I adjusted my tie in the mirror. "Not because she's pregnant, but because she's mine. I'll do anything to protect her. Even if it means dealing with an annoyed pregnant mate."

Phantom rumbled in agreement inside me.

The door to the bathroom opened, and Aria stepped out wearing nothing but her underwear. My breath caught. Even with her stomach showing her pregnancy, she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. The silver sheen of her skin—the gift from the Moon Goddess—seemed to glow even in the dim light of our room.

She caught me staring and smiled. "Enjoying the view?"

"Always," I replied, watching as she slipped into her evening dress—a deep forest green that hugged her curves perfectly.

"Can you zip me up?" she asked, turning her back to me.

I moved behind her, slowly sliding the zipper up. When I finished, I couldn't resist pressing my lips against the mark on her neck—my mark. The one that bonded us together. She let out a soft moan that shot straight through me.

She turned to face me, her eyes dark with desire. "We don't have time," she whispered.

"I know," I said, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'll wait until after dinner."

She nodded, then looked down at her stomach. "I'm starting to show."

The pride that surged through me was overwhelming. My child. Our child. Growing inside her.

"You're halfway through your pregnancy. I'd be worried if you weren't showing," I said with a smile.

Her expression turned serious. "Sage is anxious. She says she feels trouble coming."

Phantom stirred restlessly inside me. "Phantom feels it too. That's why I mind-linked your father. Made sure they're all close by. I won't leave your side. I promise."

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed me again. "Let's get this over with."

---

I adjusted my suit jacket one last time before offering Aria my arm. We walked through the expansive halls of the Ravenwood Pack headquarters, nodding at various pack members we passed. Gabriel and Lucas were already waiting for us near the double doors leading to the banquet hall, standing at attention like the warriors they were.

"All clear?" I asked Gabriel quietly.

He nodded. "For now. Be careful in there."

When we reached the doors, two Omega wolves stood ready to open them. At our approach, they bowed their heads in respect.

"Ready?" I asked Aria.

She straightened her shoulders and raised her chin, every inch the Luna she was born to be. "Ready."

The doors swung open, and an Omega announced our arrival through a microphone.

"Alpha Jace and Luna Aria."

All eyes turned to us as we entered the grand hall. I kept Aria close to my side as we made our way through the crowd, nodding and exchanging brief greetings with various pack members. At the reception desk, I provided our names, and an Omega led us to our assigned table.

Alpha Marcus Ravenwood, Luna Seraphina, and their two children—Nicholas and Katherine—were already seated. We exchanged respectful bows.

"Alpha Marcus, Luna Seraphina," I said formally, pulling out Aria's chair for her.

"Alpha Jace, Luna Aria. Welcome," Marcus replied, gesturing to the empty seats. "Please, sit. Luna, take the weight off your feet."

I tensed slightly at the mention of Aria's condition. Even well-intended remarks about her pregnancy made me protective.

"Alpha, Luna. It's an honor to meet you," Aria said, sitting down with grace.

Luna Seraphina smiled warmly. "Alpha Jace and Luna Aria. We're delighted you could join us."

I settled beside Aria, keeping her hand in mine under the table. The conversation flowed easily enough—Nicholas and I discussed territory matters and upcoming challenges, while Aria engaged with Seraphina and Katherine.

From the snippets I caught, they were asking about Aria's pregnancy. I kept one ear on their conversation while discussing security arrangements with Marcus and Nicholas. Alpha business never stopped, especially not at gatherings like this.

"Your warriors performed admirably in last year's competition," Marcus noted. "Will you be entering the same team this year?"

"Not entirely," I replied. "We have some new talent eager to prove themselves."

As we talked, the hall filled with more pack members. Soon, Alpha Marcus rose to address everyone, welcoming us all to the gathering. The Omegas began serving the meal, starting with appetizer platters filled with delicate finger foods.

"The main course is served buffet-style," Marcus explained, gesturing to the tables being set up nearby. "Shall we get food for our Lunas?"

I nodded, turning to Aria. "Stay here and chat with Luna Seraphina. I'll bring you a plate."

"Don't forget extra meat," she reminded me with a smile. "Your son is always hungry."

The pride that surged through me at her words was indescribable. My son. Our future Alpha.

I squeezed her hand before standing up to follow Marcus to the buffet tables. Nicholas joined us, and we fell into conversation about pack politics while selecting food for our mates.

---

ARIA

I watched Jace walk away with Alpha Marcus and Nicholas, already missing his presence beside me. Sage, my wolf, stirred restlessly within me.

"You're expecting a boy?" Luna Seraphina asked, bringing my attention back to our conversation.

"Yes," I replied, instinctively placing a hand on my rounded belly. "We found out last month."

"Are you excited about becoming a mother?" she asked.

The question made me smile. "I already am a mother. Jace's daughter Aurora is as much mine as she is his. I'll never understand how her birth mother Vanessa could leave her. I've welcomed her into my life and my heart, and having this baby won't change how much I love that beautiful little girl."

Seraphina's expression softened. "Alpha Marcus had a daughter when I found him. A sweet little girl whose mother died in childbirth. But to me, she was my first child. She found her mate when a Spanish pack visited. She lives there now."

I nodded, understanding the bittersweet feeling of watching a child find their place in the world.

As Seraphina continued talking, a strange sensation crept up my spine. The hairs on my neck stood on end. Someone was watching me—no, staring at me. The intensity of their gaze felt like physical pressure against my skin.

I tried to ignore it, to continue my conversation with Seraphina, but my discomfort must have shown on my face.

"Luna, is everything alright?" she asked.

"Yes," I assured her, forcing a smile. "I just feel like someone's watching me. Probably just my imagination."

Luna Seraphina's eyes narrowed slightly as she scanned the room. Her gaze stopped somewhere behind me, and her expression hardened almost imperceptibly.

"Perhaps you're not imagining things," she whispered.

Her words sent a chill through me. Before I could stop myself, I turned to follow her line of sight.

Across the room, sitting at a table with his son Dylan, was Alpha Richard Warren. His eyes were fixed on me with an intensity that made my stomach turn. The hunger in his gaze was unmistakable—possessive, obsessive, burning. It wasn't the look of a man who had moved on. It was the stare of a predator who had found his prey again.

And I was trapped in his sights.