The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 74

JACE

Aria's face turns bright red. I can't help but laugh, pulling her against me.

"Don't worry, baby," I whisper, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I don't mind them knowing how much you love me."

"Jace!" She smacks my chest, but she's fighting a smile.

I help her into a chair, then head to the buffet tables. When I return, they're deep in conversation about today's Sacred Moonlight Gathering events.

Gabriel explains the competitions to the women. "First comes the running event, then tracking. Combat isn't until tomorrow."

I sit beside Aria, watching her eyes light up as Gabriel details each event. She's fascinated, hanging on every word. Eliana looks equally excited.

*Next year,* I think, watching my pregnant mate's enthusiasm. *Next year she'll compete.* Maybe I'll even push for a women's division. Hell, Aria could outfight half the men here.

After breakfast, we head toward the ancient arena for good seats.

"Alpha Jace!"

We turn to see Alpha Marcus Ravenwood approaching with Alpha Randall Blackthorn and Alpha Warren in tow. Marcus and Randall greet us warmly. Warren just glares, hatred burning in his eyes.

Marcus notices the tension. "Warren," he says sharply, drawing the man's attention away from us.

We watch silently as the three Alphas head toward Marcus's council chambers. Warren's shoulders are stiff, his movements jerky with anger. He knows what's coming.

"Let's go," I tell my group, leading them toward the arena. "The show's about to begin."

ALPHA MARCUS RAVENWOOD

Shit. This wasn't how I planned to start the Sacred Gathering.

I'd been Alpha of the Ravenwood Pack for twenty-five years. Seen plenty of drama. But Jace Carter with a human girl? That was new. I'd gotten his urgent message last night, something about Warren from Black Forest Pack causing trouble. Now seeing them together, I understood why.

They walked out of the hall looking cozy. Too cozy. The girl smelled human but had Jace's scent all over her. No official mark, which was something at least.

Ten Alphas crowded my chamber. Many traveled far for the gathering.

I called this meeting about Jace Carter's claims. The Moon Shadow Pack Alpha stood before us, young but respected.

Jace accused Richard Warren of abusing his power as Black Forest Pack Alpha. Warren tried to claim Aria Silverbrook, Jace's intended mate. Aria was a human girl adopted by Gabriel Silverbrook, who fled Warren's Pack.

Worse, Jace said Warren had killed wolves who opposed him. This broke our Sacred Laws against taking lives outside formal challenge. The room went silent.

Alpha Randall asked for proof. Jace had refugees ready to testify.

After heated debate, I made my decision.

The Council would hear testimony. If guilty, Warren's son Dylan would become Alpha. Elder Oak and I would investigate. Sacred Laws had been broken. This was beyond normal Pack business.

We found Richard Warren by the ancient training grounds, watching young warriors throw each other around. Real helpful, that guy. His son was nowhere in sight.

"Alpha Warren," I called out, making sure my voice carried.

He turned slowly, smirking. "Marcus. Didn't expect to see you away from your hosting duties."

"Sacred Moonlight Gathering is more than fights and feasts," I said evenly. "The Council requests your presence."

His eyes narrowed. "What for?"

"Your son should attend too," Elder Oak added, ignoring Warren's question.

Warren's face tensed. "Dylan's supervising training exercises. He'll join us when he's done."

"I'll find him," my Beta offered, but Warren raised his hand.

"Not necessary. He knows his responsibilities."

I studied Warren's face. He was hiding something. "Council chamber. Ten minutes."

We were escorting Warren back when we ran into Jace and Aria. The reaction was instant. Warren went rigid, zeroing in on the human girl like she was prey.

When he noticed Jace's scent on her, Warren's face twisted with rage. His fingers curled into claws, a growl building in his throat.

"Alpha Richard Warren?" I cut in sharply, pulling his attention back.

He blinked, but that murderous look didn't completely leave his eyes.

I nodded to Jace and Aria before continuing toward the Council chamber. The girl stepped closer to Jace as we passed. Smart. Even with her limited human senses, she knew she was in danger.

Five Elder wolves sat waiting when we entered the Council chamber. Old bastards in their ceremonial robes with Pack symbols all over them. They stood and bowed, which we answered with nods before taking seats on stone chairs carved with our Pack marks.

Warren scanned the room like he expected an ambush. "Will someone explain this summons? It violates Pack autonomy."

"We'll wait for your son," I said calmly. "Won't be long."

Sure enough, Dylan Warren walked in minutes later. Unlike his father, the kid had manners. Bowed to each Elder and Alpha.

"Sorry for the delay, honored Alphas and Elders," Dylan said clearly. "Had to handle something with our young warriors."

"No apology needed," I told him. "Good to see someone focused on their Pack's future."

Dylan bowed again before sitting beside his father. You could practically see the tension crackling between them.

I stood up, positioning myself in the moonlight streaming through the ceiling. Little theatrical, maybe, but this job requires some showmanship.

"Thanks for coming during the Gathering," I said. "This isn't a social call. We've got issues that go beyond what one Pack can handle alone."

Warren narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, Marcus?" Deliberately left off my title. Dick move.

Dylan tensed beside him, clearly embarrassed by his father's disrespect.

"Jace Carter brought serious allegations to us. The Council gathered the ten strongest Alphas to hear him out." I kept my voice cold. "He says you abused your position. Planned to force-mark Gabriel Silverbrook's human girl. And wolves who entered your quarters have disappeared.."

Warren jumped up. "Bullshit! You're judging me on gossip? I never forced anyone. That human girl Aria was into me. She wanted it."

"Father, stop lying." Dylan's words silenced the room. "Aria never wanted you. You couldn't handle rejection."

The chief Elder turned to Dylan. "Why haven't you reported this?"

"My father's Alpha command," Dylan answered. "But it doesn't work in here."

"That's the chamber's magic," I explained. "No Alpha command blocks truth here."

"Bottom line," I continued, "after hearing everything, the ten Alphas voted to transfer Black Forest Pack's leadership to Dylan."

Warren's eyes flashed gold. "No way! My Pack is MINE! What happens there is nobody's business!"

"Usually we'd agree," I said calmly. "But when you threaten peace between Packs, especially trying to steal another Alpha's mate, we step in.

Warren spun toward the door, but Elder Council members blocked his exit. He turned back, baring his fangs.

"Move!" he snarled. Barely sounded human anymore.

"You know what happens if you defy the Sacred Gathering," I warned him. "Take it voluntarily or we do this the hard way."

Warren lunged at me. Poor choice. The Elders were ready, had him pinned to the floor in seconds.

"Do it now," I ordered. The Elders pulled out ritual daggers with ancient runes carved in them, glinting in the moonlight. An old Elder looked at Dylan.

"Dylan Warren, are you ready to take responsibility for Black Forest Pack and its future?"

Dylan met the Elder's eyes straight on. "Yes, honored Elder. By the Moon Goddess, I swear to lead Black Forest Pack according to our ancient traditions and justice."

The Elder nodded. "Good." Then turned to Warren, still struggling against the restraints.