The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 84

JACE

I can't stop pacing. My fists are clenched so tight my knuckles are turning white. Phantom is clawing at my insides, desperate to get out, to hunt, to kill whoever took her.

"She can't just disappear!" I roar, slamming my fist against the wall. The concrete cracks under the impact. "She was right here. RIGHT HERE!"

Gabriel stands nearby, trying to keep it together, but I can smell his fear. The other warriors keep their distance. Smart move - I'm barely holding on right now.

"I felt her until after the fight ended," I say, struggling to control my breathing. "Then nothing. Phantom can't sense her. We can't sense Sage either."

Lucas steps forward cautiously. "We'll find her, Jace. We'll organize search parties."

Before I can respond, Alpha Marcus approaches with a tablet. His expression is grim.

"Alpha Jace, I've reviewed the security footage," he says. "I think you need to see this."

I snatch the tablet, scanning the screen. The video shows a man with his back to the camera, carrying what appears to be an unconscious woman. My jaw clenches when I recognize Aria's clothes. Someone's taken my mate. My pregnant mate.

"Can you see his face?" I demand.

Marcus swipes to another angle. "Only partial view, but look at the back of his neck."

Cal and Ethan move closer to see the screen. Cal's eyes widen.

"Wait, isn't that Ryan Ravencroft's tattoo?" Cal asks, pointing to a mark on the man's neck.

"Ryan?" Marcus frowns.

"A member of our pack," I explain, my voice dangerously low. That little weasel. I knew he was trouble.

Marcus nods. "When I checked with my warriors at the entrance gate, he identified himself as a Moon Shadow Pack member. Here's more footage from another camera."

The new video shows a clearer image of the man's profile. There's no doubt now - it's Ryan Ravencroft.

I turn to Gabriel. "Call home. Find out how long he's been gone, and check on Scarlett too."

"Yes, Alpha," Gabriel responds, immediately pulling out his phone.

"If you need warriors, don't hesitate to ask," Marcus offers. "You can borrow as many as necessary."

"Thank you, Alpha," I reply, my mind racing through scenarios, none of them good. If they've hurt her or our baby, there won't be enough left of them to bury.

Gabriel returns minutes later, his expression grave. "Hunter says Ryan and Scarlett disappeared about a day after we left. Their parents claimed they went on a trip with your permission."

"They never got permission from me," I snarl. "They couldn't have planned this alone. They must have had help. I'd bet anything former Alpha Warren is involved."

"We'll find her," Gabriel assures me, determination hardening his features. "We have to."

"We will," I vow, my voice dropping to a whisper. "I promise I'll find her. And when I do, I'll tear everyone involved to pieces."

I close my eyes, concentrating on our mate bond, sending my thoughts across the distance separating us: Don't worry, baby. Phantom and I will find you. We'll bring you home.

ARIA

The walls of my prison are thick stone, probably underground somewhere. One small window near the ceiling lets in barely enough light to see. No bars on it—it's too small for escape. This place wasn't built as a prison. Maybe an old cellar or storage room converted for their purposes.

I pull at the chains again, harder this time. They're secured to metal rings embedded in the stone floor. Whoever set this up knew what they were doing.

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupts my concentration. A smaller door opens, and a young boy enters, carrying a tray of food. He's thin, with dark circles under his eyes. He looks terrified.

"Hello," I say softly, trying not to scare him further.

"Master told me to bring you food," he whispers, his voice barely audible. His hands shake so badly the water in the cup sloshes over the sides.

"Thank you. But my hands are bound. I don't know how I'll eat." I gesture toward the chains.

"Master said I need to feed you." His hands tremble as he sets the tray down. "I'm supposed to... to help you."

"Did they put anything in the food?" I ask, studying his face for any signs of deception.

"No. I made it myself and brought it straight here." He seems sincere, his eyes direct despite his fear.

"Thank you. I promise I won't hurt you. Don't be afraid of me."

He nods hesitantly, then kneels beside me with the tray. There's some kind of stew, bread, and water. Nothing fancy, but my stomach growls at the sight. I haven't eaten since before Jace's fight with Marcus.

"What's your name?" I ask as he carefully brings a spoonful of stew to my mouth.

"Kyle," he whispers, watching the door nervously.

"I'm Aria."

"I know who you are," he says. "They talk about you all the time."

For fifteen minutes, he helps me eat. Between bites, I learn his story. His parents were killed by Warren six months ago when they accidentally discovered his hideout while hiking. Warren kept Kyle alive to work for him—cooking, cleaning, running errands. The boy only learned about werewolves after seeing Warren shift during one of his rages.

"They hurt you too?" I ask, noticing faded bruises on his arms.

Kyle nods, not meeting my eyes. "When I don't work fast enough."

Anger flares inside me. A child. They're abusing a child.

"They said you'd be scary and mean," Kyle says suddenly. "That you'd try to trick me. But you're not like that at all."

"Thank you for saying that. The food was good, Kyle. You don't have to be afraid of me. I'll make sure you get out of here. I promise."

Hope flickers in his eyes for just a moment. "If that could happen, thank you."

"It will. I promise it will. Hold on."

After Kyle leaves, taking the tray with him, I settle back against the wall. The food helps clear my head. I focus inward, searching for Sage.

Sage? Are you there?

Silence at first, then a faint stirring in my mind. I concentrate harder, pushing through the remnants of the wolfsbane.

*Sage?*

*I'm here,* her voice sounds weak, distant, but definitely there.

*It's good to hear you. I was worried.*

*I reached Phantom,* she says, her mental voice growing stronger. They're searching for us. When I'm stronger, they'll find us.

My heart leaps. *Can I reach Jace?*

*Maybe. Try.*

I focus on our mate bond, visualizing it as a golden thread connecting us across the distance. Nothing happens at first. I try again, concentrating harder, picturing Jace's face, remembering his touch, his scent, his voice.

Hours pass. The small window darkens as night falls. I drift in and out of sleep, exhaustion taking its toll. The baby moves less now—sleeping, I hope. I curl up as much as the chains allow, trying to stay warm.

Later, as I'm drifting toward sleep, a voice cuts through my mind.

*Ria? Baby, can you hear me?*

I jolt fully awake. *Jace, I hear you.*

*I'm coming, baby. I'll find you, I promise.* His voice is strained, desperate.

*Hurry, please.* I fight back tears. *He wants me to reject you, accept him as my chosen mate. If I don't, he'll kill our baby.*

*I'll find you soon, baby. I can feel you getting closer. Don't give up, please.*

*I won't.* I project as much certainty as I can muster.

*Stay strong, Ria. You'll be safe in my arms soon.*

*See you soon.*

*See you soon, baby.*

The connection closes, but hope floods through me. They're coming for me. For us. I just need to survive until then.