The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 86

Chapter88

JACE

When the car pulled up to the Ravenwood Pack, I wasn't surprised to see the welcoming committee. Alpha Marcus Ravenwood stood front and center, flanked by at least five other Alphas and their mates. News traveled fast in wolf circles.

"Here we go," I muttered, opening the door.

Gabriel exited first, taking position by the car door as I helped Aria out. Her legs trembled under her weight, but she refused to show weakness in front of the other packs. Pride surged through me at her strength.

"Luna Aria," Alpha Marcus said, stepping forward with a respectful nod. His eyes swept over her, noting the bruises on her face and arms. "Alpha Jace. We're relieved to see your return."

The others murmured agreements. Alpha Marcus's mate approached, her face a mask of concern. "If there's anything—"

"My mate needs rest," I interrupted, keeping my voice even but firm. "And a doctor. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."

Marcus straightened, understanding the dismissal. "Of course. I've arranged for our pack physician to await you in your quarters. Your pack's doctor, Dr. Maya, can't come right now due to health reasons."

A younger Alpha stepped forward. "We heard about Warren—"

"Tomorrow," I repeated, tightening my arm around Aria, who leaned heavier against me with each passing second.

They all nodded, backing away as I guided Aria toward our temporary quarters. I heard Gabriel exchange a few quiet words with Marcus before following us.

Our room felt cold despite the fire crackling in the stone hearth. I settled Aria on the bed, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "I'll run some water for you."

Her hand caught mine. "Don't go far."

"Never," I promised, heading to the adjoining bathroom.

I turned the water on in the large tub, testing the temperature. Not too hot—Aria's body was still in shock. As steam filled the small room, I slammed my fist against the wall. Crack. Phantom growled inside me, still bloodthirsty despite Warren's death.

*Not enough,* he rumbled. *Traitors remain unpunished.*

A soft knock interrupted me. I shut off the water and went back. There was a middle-aged woman at our door, carrying a medical bag.

"Alpha Jace," she said with a bow of her head. "I'm the pack doctor, sent by Alpha Marcus."

I blocked the doorway. "You know why you're here?"

She met my eyes directly. "To examine your mate and ensure her pregnancy remains stable after trauma."

I stepped aside. "She's on the bed."

The doctor approached Aria with a gentle smile. "Luna Aria. I understand you've been through an ordeal. With your permission, I'd like to examine you and make sure both you and your baby are well."

"Yes," Aria whispered, her eyes flicking to me.

I moved closer. "I prepared a bath. Would that help before the examination?"

The doctor nodded. "Excellent idea. I can help clean her up and check for any injuries at the same time."

Something in my expression must have shown my reluctance to leave Aria with a stranger, because the doctor added, "Alpha, perhaps you'd like to wait outside while I help your mate bathe? She might need a woman's touch right now."

Every instinct screamed at me to stay, but Aria's slight nod convinced me. "I'll be right outside the door. Call if you need me."

I stepped out, taking position against the wall beside our door. An hour passed, filled with quiet murmurs and occasional splashes of water. I clenched and unclenched my fists, counting seconds.

*Jace? Can you come in now?*

Aria's voice in my head had me moving before I'd consciously registered it. Inside, I found her propped up against pillows, dressed in a clean nightgown. The doctor was unpacking an ultrasound machine beside the bed.

"Sorry," I said, taking Aria's hand. "I wanted to give you space."

"I know," she whispered. "But I need you here."

I sat beside her, our fingers intertwined. "Always. Nothing changes that."

The doctor cleared her throat. "I'm going to perform an ultrasound now. I need to check that the baby hasn't been affected by recent events."

Aria's grip tightened. I kissed her knuckles, keeping my eyes on hers. "Our little one is strong. Just like his mother."

The doctor spread cold gel on Aria's stomach, then pressed the wand against her skin. The room filled with a rapid whooshing sound—our baby's heartbeat. Strong and steady.

"Good strong heartbeat," the doctor confirmed, pointing to the screen. "Look here—head, spine, limbs. Everything appears normal."

Aria released a shaky breath, tears gathering in her eyes. "I was so afraid—"

"The baby is well-protected inside you," the doctor explained, moving the wand to show different angles. "Since there was no direct abdominal trauma, your little one remains perfectly safe."

I swallowed hard, relief making me lightheaded. "Can she travel? We need to return home in a few days."

"Yes, but with precautions," the doctor replied, wiping the gel from the machine. "Plenty of rest, minimal stress, and frequent breaks during the journey."

She packed up her equipment, gave Aria some vitamin supplements, and promised to return tomorrow for another check. As she left, I murmured my thanks.

When we were alone, I carefully wiped the remaining gel from Aria's stomach with a warm cloth. My fingers lingered over the slight swell where our child grew.

"Don't leave me again," Aria whispered, clutching my wrist.

"I won't," I promised, setting the cloth aside. "Just need to update Lucas and make sure security is tight."

"Hold me first," she said, her voice breaking. "Please."

I hesitated, studying her face. "Are you sure you want to be touched right now?"

Her expression crumbled. "I need to feel safe again. I need you."

I carefully gathered her against my chest, mindful of her bruises. She buried her face in my neck, her tears hot against my skin. I stroked her hair, murmuring reassurances. "You're safe now. No one will hurt you again. I swear it."

Her crying gradually subsided until her breathing evened out in sleep. Still, I held her, unwilling to break contact even for a moment.

I mindlinked Lucas. Told him Aria was sleeping and the baby was okay. Guards were posted outside our door. Scarlett and her accomplices had been caught and would face judgment when we returned home.

Sleep wouldn't come as I stared at the ceiling. Aria's soft whimpers reminded me of her ordeal, and rage still boiled beneath my surface.

We failed her, I told Phantom, guilt consuming me.

I pushed my strength to Sage, Phantom explained. That's how she protected Aria and our pup.

We've never done that before, I replied, surprised.

We are born to be king and queen, Phantom said simply. Our connection is stronger than ordinary mates.

The Moon Goddess had given me time to consider becoming king of all werewolves. She'd asked me to think about accepting my royal bloodline and the responsibility that came with it.

I had resisted this destiny for months, worried about what it would mean for our pack, for Aria, for our children. But after nearly losing her, after seeing what evil could do when unchecked, my path became clear.

We need to take the crown, I decided firmly.

It's a choice for all four of us, Phantom reminded me.

I know. But I'm ready now.

The truth settled into my bones. This was who I was meant to be. Not today. Not tomorrow. But someday, I would accept the crown and the duty that came with it.

I would protect our kind. I would build something better for our children.

For the first time since learning of my royal lineage, I didn't fight against it. I embraced it.

The Moon Goddess had chosen me for a reason. It was time I accepted why.

Chapter 89 Chapter89

ARIA

The room's quiet except for Jace's footsteps on the creaking floorboards. I wake up sore, watching him head to the bathroom shirtless. Even after everything, he's still my anchor.

"Morning, Luna," he says, noticing I'm awake. He crosses the room quickly, kissing my forehead. His warm lips linger just enough to make my skin tingle.

"Morning," I mumble, voice scratchy. When I try to sit up, my muscles protest. Jace steadies me immediately.

"Easy," he murmurs, touching my cheek.

Before I can argue, he picks me up effortlessly. I'm weightless in his arms, head against his chest, his heartbeat steady and comforting. "Jace, I can walk," I say without conviction.

"Not today," he replies gently but firmly. "Let me take care of you."

He carries me to the steamy bathroom where the tub's already filled. Setting me on the counter, his hands stay on my hips like he's afraid I'll disappear. His eyes search mine, revealing everything he can't say—yesterday's violence, his fear of losing me—all raw and unspoken.

"You don't have to do this," I whisper, my fingers brushing his wrist.

"I want to," he says simply, and there's no arguing with that.

His hands move to the hem of my T-shirt, the one I slept in, oversized and smelling faintly of him. He pauses, waiting for my nod. I give it, and he lifts the fabric slowly, careful not to jostle my bruises. The cool air hits my skin, and I shiver. He kneels, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my sweatpants. His movements are deliberate, reverent, as he slides them down, leaving me in just my underwear.

He pauses again, his hands resting on my thighs. Then, slowly, he leans forward and presses a kiss to the slight swell of my stomach. Our pup. The gesture is so tender it steals my breath. His lips linger, warm against my skin, and I feel the prickle of tears. "Jace," I whisper, my voice breaking.

He looks up, his expression fierce yet soft. "I'll never touch you in a way you don't want, Aria. You set the boundaries. Always." His voice is a vow, each word heavy with promise. "But I need you to know—I'm still drawn to you. Every part of you. That hasn't changed."

I reach for him, my fingers threading through his hair. "I know," I say, and I mean it. His love, his desire—it's a constant, a fire that never dims, even when I'm falling apart.

He hooks his fingers into my underwear, sliding them down with the same care. I'm bare before him now, vulnerable in a way that should terrify me but doesn't. Not with him. He stands, lifting me again, and lowers me into the warm water. The heat soaks into my aching muscles, and I sigh, sinking deeper.

"I'll give you some space," he says, stepping back.

"No." The word comes out sharper than I mean it to. I grab his hand, my fingers tight around his. "Stay. Please."

His eyes soften, and he nods. Without a word, he strips off his pants and climbs into the tub behind me, the water sloshing as he settles. His chest is warm against my back, his arms circling me loosely. I lean into him, my head resting against his shoulder. His presence is a shield, a reminder that I'm safe.

"You make me feel… whole," I say. "Even after everything."

His arms tighten slightly, and he presses a kiss to my temple. "You have no idea what that means to me," he murmurs. "You're my home, Aria."

He reaches for a sponge, dipping it into the water before running it gently over my shoulders. The motion is slow, deliberate, each stroke a quiet promise. I close my eyes, letting myself sink into the moment. His hands are steady, careful not to press too hard on my bruises. He washes my arms, my back, my legs, and I feel cherished in a way I can't put into words.

When he's done, he sets the sponge aside and pulls me closer, my back flush against his chest. His hands rest over my stomach, protective, and I cover them with my own. "You, Aurora, and our little wolf pup," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "You're everything. More than the Pack. More than being Alpha. More than anything."

I turn my head, meeting his gaze. His eyes are fierce, burning with a love that makes my chest ache. "You'll never lose me," I tell him, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. "I'm yours, Jace. Always."

"You're all I've ever wanted," he says.

He leans down, his lips brushing the mark on my neck—the bite that binds us, a claim that's as much a part of me as my own heartbeat. His teeth graze the sensitive skin, and a jolt of pleasure shoots through me, sharp and overwhelming. I gasp, my fingers digging into his arms. He pauses, checking, always checking.

"Don't stop," I breathe, and that's all he needs.

His kisses deepen, slow and deliberate, each one stoking the fire between us. His hands move with purpose, exploring, but always mindful of my limits. I turn in his arms, the water sloshing around us, and straddle his lap. His breath catches, and I see the hunger in his eyes, tempered by restraint. He's holding back, letting me lead.

I kiss him, hard, pouring everything into it—my fear, my love, my need. He responds in kind, his hands gripping my hips, anchoring me. We move together, the world narrowing to just us, the heat of the water, the press of his skin against mine. He's gentle, attentive, every touch a question, every response a vow. When we finally pull apart, breathless, I rest my forehead against his, my heart racing.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice rough but soft.

"More than okay," I say, smiling despite the ache in my chest. "You make everything better."

He chuckles, the sound low and warm, and kisses me again, softer this time. We stay like that for a while, wrapped in each other, the water cooling around us.

Eventually, he shifts, breaking the silence. "The Sacred Moonlight Assembly closes today," he says, his tone careful. "I'd understand if you want to sit it out. I can have Eliana and Lucas stay with you."

I shake my head, sitting up straighter. "I want to go. I want to see you and the Moonshadow Pack win this. You've worked too hard for me to miss it."

His expression softens, pride flickering in his eyes. "You're the best Luna this Pack has seen in centuries," he says, and the weight of his words settles over me, warm and steady.

"Then let's make sure I look the part," I say, managing a small smile.

He helps me out of the tub, wrapping me in a thick towel. His hands gently dry my skin, careful around my bruises. He grabs another towel for my hair, patiently working through the tangles. I watch him in the mirror and feel my confidence returning. I'm still me. Still his.

He gets the red sundress I picked for today. Simple, flowing, perfect for the warm weather. I slip it on, feeling the soft fabric against my skin. Looking in the mirror, I see how it hugs my curves with the slight swell of my stomach just visible. Jace stands behind me, hands on my shoulders.

"You're beautiful," he says, his eyes never leaving mine. I blush furiously, my ears turning bright red. The intensity of his gaze makes my heart race beneath my skin.