The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 68

JACE

I watched Warren grab Aria's arm and my blood instantly boiled. This son of a bitch dared to touch my mate, my Luna, my pregnant mate. Phantom roared inside me, desperate to break free and tear him apart. I could feel my nails lengthening, transforming into claws. Not now. Not here.

"Take your hand off my mate. Now." I commanded, my voice low and dangerous.

Warren released her as if burned. Though he bowed his head slightly, I could see rebellion flickering in his eyes. He wanted to resist but my Alpha compulsion overpowered him.

Aria immediately walked to me, and I pulled her into my arms, carefully examining her arm.

"Are you okay?" I asked through our mind link.

"I'm fine," she responded, but I could feel the pain radiating from her arm.

This bastard hurt her. I stared at Warren, threat unmistakable in my eyes. Marcus and his son both nodded and smiled at Aria, showing their support.

Marcus broke the tense atmosphere. "Luna Aria. My mate and daughter are at our table. I'm sure they're waiting for you. I just told the warriors at the door to let your father in."

Aria looked up at me, and I nodded in agreement.

"Don't worry, baby. I'll be right there," I said gently.

She nodded, then walked toward our table, leaving me to deal with this piece of shit.

As I watched Aria leave, I turned to Warren, making sure she was far enough away not to hear our conversation. I could barely contain my growl.

"Listen Warren, stay away from my mate. Don't try to approach her again. I know your story and why her family fled your pack. Don't think I don't know what a goddamn piece of shit you are."

Warren's mouth curved into an unsettling smile. "Be careful with a special mate like that, Carter. You never know what accidents might happen."

His words nearly sent Phantom over the edge. I felt my teeth sharpen and my fingers begin to transform into claws. I moved closer to Warren, my voice barely audible to anyone but him.

"If you come near her again, I'll start with your fingers, cutting them off one by one, then your toes, slowly removing each part of your body, finally that thing between your legs, and then I'll dig out your heart. This isn't a threat. It's a promise."

Warren's expression changed, obviously questioning whether to take my words seriously. I stared directly into his eyes, making sure he understood I meant every word. My eyes reflected dangerous intent, and Warren instinctively stepped back.

"She's my mate, my Luna, carrying my child. Touch her again, and you're dead."

Walking away from Warren, I noticed my hands had returned to normal. Fuck, I almost lost control. Phantom raged inside me, wanting to emerge, wanting to transform into Primal Wolf form to tear Warren apart with his own hands. I took a deep breath, suppressing Phantom's urge.

I returned to the table where Aria sat, Gabriel already standing beside her, protecting her. I crouched in front of Aria, taking both her hands in mine, examining the bruise forming on her arm where Warren had grabbed her. Phantom finally began to quiet down since we were close to Aria, our true mate.

"Are you okay, baby?" I asked softly, concern filling my voice.

"I'm fine, really," Aria answered, but I could tell she was lying. Her arm must be hurting.

"I'm sorry I left you alone," I said, pressing my lips to her fingers, guilt washing over me.

"Jace, don't. Stop blaming yourself. If not tonight, he would have found another time and way to approach me. This isn't your fault." Aria stroked my face with her other hand.

She always did this, always tried to make me feel better even when she was the one hurting. I sat beside her, one arm protectively around her shoulders. Gabriel stood behind us, eyes scanning the room, watchful for any move Warren might make.

"Did he hurt you?" I asked, my gaze falling on the red mark on her arm.

"It just hurts a little, nothing serious," she answered, but I knew she was downplaying her injury.

I nodded to Gabriel, who immediately understood my meaning. Since Aria and I had mated, I'd developed a good relationship with her adoptive father. He was a warrior worthy of respect and one of the most important people in Aria's life.

"I'll keep my eyes on Warren," Gabriel told me through mind link. "Won't let him near her again."

For the next hour, we forced ourselves through normal social interactions. Gabriel stood by Aria's side like a bodyguard, never leaving her. I could sense her exhaustion; pregnancy had reduced her stamina.

"You're tired," I said, not a question.

"A little," she admitted, "but I'm okay."

"We should head back." I insisted, looking at her pale face.

She didn't argue, which told me she was more exhausted than she let on.

Lucas and Eliana came over to say goodbye, telling us they were heading back to their room. Lucas looked at his sister, then nodded to me. I knew he was worried about her too.

"Take care of her," he said quietly, his gaze filled with brotherly concern.

"Always," I promised.

An hour later, we said our goodbyes to Alpha Marcus and Luna Seraphina. They nodded understandingly, and Marcus's expression told me he would handle the Warren problem.

On the way back to our room, Aria was practically leaning against me. I wrapped my arm around her waist, supporting her weight.

"I'm sorry this happened," I said, guilt surging through me again.

"Don't apologize, this isn't your fault," she insisted. "I just need some rest."

Once in our room, I helped her lie down on the bed, gently stroking her belly, feeling the presence of our child. Phantom rumbled low in my mind, wanting to protect his mate and unborn pup.

Gabriel returned to the training area, staying in the barracks with the other warriors. He assured me he would have people monitoring Warren's every move.

After helping Aria change into her nightclothes, I lay beside her, pulling her into my arms. She fell asleep quickly, but sleep evaded me. I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything that had happened tonight.

Warren's threat, the bruise on Aria's arm, her exhausted face. All because I hadn't protected her better. But that was okay, because from now on, I would make sure no one could hurt her. Even if that meant making good on my promise to Warren.

My mate, my Luna, the mother of my unborn child. I would protect them at all costs. Anyone who dared touch them would pay the price. That was my promise as an Alpha, as a mate, as a father.