The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 72

JACE

That bastard Warren. I seethed watching him stare at Aria from across the arena.

I felt Aria squeeze my hand harder. Her pulse quickened. She'd read his lips too.

"Let's get out of here," I said, turning her away from Warren's glare.

I glanced back over my shoulder. Warren's eyes hadn't left Aria. My wolf, Phantom, snarled inside me. *Want to tear him apart. Protect our mate.*

*Not now*, I responded. *Soon.*

The competition thrilled us. Aria's excitement ignited joy I'd forgotten existed. Her cheering for our pack members reminded me why we gather: unity, celebration, and tradition.

"That female competitor was incredible," Aria said as we walked toward our temporary quarters. "Next year, I want to enter."

I raised my eyebrows. "You do?"

"Don't give me that look," she warned. "I know I'm human, I've been training. I can keep up. Even though I have my wolf now, I still want to compete as a human and defeat the other werewolves with my own skills."

I studied her determined face and made a silent promise. As long as she wasn't carrying our child, she could compete in any event she wanted. The old-fashioned Alphas might disapprove, but traditions changed. They had to.

"Actually," I said, "I've been thinking about adding a combat event specifically for Lunas."

Her eyes lit up. "Seriously?"

"The Sacred Moonlight Gathering needs to evolve. Female werewolves have always been fighters too—we've just forgotten to honor that."

I stopped walking and pulled her close, inhaling her scent. "I need to call an emergency Alpha meeting about what happened today. Warren crossed a line."

"I'm coming with you," she said immediately.

"No." When her face hardened, I added, "Not because you can't handle it. Because I need you safe. Warren will be watching for any opportunity."

She frowned but nodded. "Fine. But I want details later."

I kissed her forehead. "Every word."

I spotted Lucas across the arena, already heading our way. "Lucas will stay with you, along with Conner. I'll take Gabriel to the meeting."

"My dad's going?"

"We need his testimony. He knows Warren better than anyone."

Alpha Marcus's council chamber was ancient, carved directly into the mountainside centuries ago. Torches cast long shadows across stone walls covered with pack history. The massive round table dominated the center, carved from a single redwood tree that had fallen during the first Blood Moon.

Gabriel and I entered together. Ten Alphas had already arrived, some with their sons or future successors. The air crackled with power. So much Alpha energy in one room made my wolf restless.

Alpha Marcus stood as we entered. "Brother," he said, clasping my forearm in the traditional greeting.

"Brother," I responded. "Thank you for hosting on such short notice."

He nodded solemnly. "When an Alpha calls, we answer." His eyes shifted to Gabriel. "Welcome, warrior."

Marcus took his place at the head of the table. "Brothers, we gather at the request of Alpha Jace Carter. The Moon Shadow Pack seeks counsel and justice."

I remained standing. "I thank each of you for coming. Time is a precious resource for any Alpha, and I don't take your presence lightly."

The faces around the table were serious, attentive. These were the leaders of the strongest packs in the region. Their decisions shaped our world.

"Five years ago," I began, "my former mate, Vanessa Wintercrest, refused the bonding mark and abandoned our daughter, Aurora."

Several Alphas nodded. They knew this part of my story.

"I swore to focus solely on leading my pack and raising my daughter. Then Aria Silverbrook entered my territory with her father and brother." I glanced at Gabriel beside me. "I recognized her immediately as my true mate."

Murmurs spread around the table. True mates were rare. Sacred.

"Aria came to Moon Shadow Pack seeking asylum. Her former Alpha, Richard Warren of the Black Forest Pack, has been trying to force her to become his Luna against her will."

Alpha Donovan from the Eastern Ridge Pack leaned forward. "The human girl? She's your true mate?"

"Yes." My voice hardened. "And she's under my protection."

I explained how Aria's adoptive mother had originally been from the Moon Shadow Pack before marrying a werewolf, how Gabriel had saved her as a child after Silver Blade Hunters killed her parents.

"Warren has been hunting her. Today, his warriors attacked one of my pack members during the competition. But that's not all." I looked each Alpha in the eye. "I have evidence that Warren has been collaborating with Silver Blade Hunters."

The room erupted. Allying with hunters was the ultimate betrayal.

"Gabriel," I said, "tell them what you know."

Gabriel stood, his warrior stance never faltering despite the intimidating audience. "I am Gabriel Silverbrook, Aria's adoptive father and Chief Guardian of the Moon Shadow Pack."

He described how both he and Warren had lost their mates in the same hunter attack years ago. "The loss broke something in Warren. He became obsessed with power, with control."

Gabriel's voice remained steady as he detailed Warren's increasingly erratic behavior—forcing younger females into unwanted matches, even rumors of wolves who disappeared after defying him.

"He approached me one night," Gabriel continued. "Offered me the position of Chief Guardian in his pack in exchange for my daughter." His face tensed. "When I refused, he began stalking her. Watching our home. Following her when she left the territory."

Alpha Marcus's eyes narrowed. "These are serious accusations."

"His son, Dylan, is nothing like him," Gabriel added. "The boy has a good heart. He's tried to temper his father's actions, but Warren's control is absolute."

Questions came from around the table. Gabriel answered each one, his testimony unwavering.

Alpha Marcus tapped the table three times. The chamber door opened, and three Elders entered. I recognized Elder Oak, the oldest and most authoritative elder in Marcus’s pack, his ancient face grave.

"The Elders unable to travel have joined through mind link," Marcus announced. "All present will hear our decision."

The discussion lasted thirty minutes. Every Alpha contributed. Evidence was weighed. Precedents considered. My hands gripped the edge of the table, knuckles white.

Finally, Marcus spoke. "The Council of Alphas, with Elder approval, has reached a decision." His voice echoed in the chamber. "Richard Warren is hereby stripped of his title as Alpha of the Black Forest Pack. His leadership rights are revoked."

I exhaled slowly. It was the right decision, but implementing it would be complicated.

"How will this be enforced?" asked Alpha Blackwood of the Northern Peaks.

I stepped forward. "Though I wish to participate, I recognize that my personal involvement could be seen as a true mate dispute rather than pack justice."

The other Alphas nodded in understanding.

"I propose that Alpha Marcus and Alpha Donovan, along with the Elder Council, oversee the transition of power to Dylan Warren." I looked around the table. "Clean. Official. Undisputed."

Agreement rumbled through the chamber. Alpha Marcus stood. "Then it is decided. We move at dawn."

The cabin at the Ravenwood Pack was quiet when I returned. The meeting had run into the night, the moon high overhead by the time we finished.

I opened the door quietly, expecting Aria to be awake, demanding answers. Instead, she was curled on the bed, fast asleep.

Tenderness flooded my chest. She looked peaceful. Safe. Wearing one of my shirts, her scent mingled with mine.

I stripped down and slid into bed beside her. She stirred slightly as I pulled her against my chest.

*Ours now*, Phantom growled contentedly inside me. *Forever.*

I pressed my face into her hair. Warren would never touch her. The decision had been made. By morning, he would no longer be an Alpha.

I closed my eyes, letting Aria's steady heartbeat lull me toward sleep. Little did I know that trouble was about to come crashing down on us.