The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King Chapter 99

JACE

Finally home. The familiar scent of our territory hit me the moment we crossed the border. Damn, it felt good.

I scrubbed the dirt and blood from the mission off my skin. The scratches still stung, but they'd heal before morning. More importantly, we'd succeeded. The alliance with Marcus Ravenwood's pack was secured. Worth the effort, but damn, I'd missed home.

*Home*. Not just this building, but them. My Aria. My Aurora. My pack.

After dressing, I found them in Aurora's room. Aurora had Aria trapped in some elaborate game involving stuffed wolves and tea parties. When Aurora spotted me, she immediately demanded I join them.

"Daddy! You have to be the big bad wolf!" She thrust a black plush wolf at me.

"The big bad wolf, huh?" I laughed, settling beside them on the floor. "I thought I was the good wolf."

Aurora rolled her eyes dramatically. "In THIS story, you're the bad wolf. But don't worry, you become good at the end."

"Whew, that's a relief," I said, making the wolf pounce toward Aurora's unicorn toy.

Aria caught my eye, smiling. That smile hit me right in the chest. Every damn time.

After Aurora finally crashed for her nap, exhausted from playing, Aria and I escaped to our room.

"You really okay?" she asked, examining my arms where the scratches had already faded to pink lines.

"Never better," I said, pulling her close. The feel of her in my arms settled something in me. Always did. "I heard you started planning a support group for wolves who've lost mates?"

She nodded. "Caleb barely speaks. Thomas and Jennifer are struggling. There must be others who need this too."

My amazing, compassionate mate. Even as the only human in our pack, she understood what our people needed sometimes better than I did.

"It's brilliant," I told her. "We'll make it happen."

The next two days were ours alone. No pack business. No politics. Just family time.

We spent hours at the Pup Center, finishing preparations for its opening. Aurora raced around "helping," which mostly meant creating messes for us to clean up. But seeing her excitement made every moment worth it.

We spent a day at Moonlight Lake, where Aurora insisted on swimming despite the chill. Aria laughed when I tossed our daughter in the air, Aurora squealing with delight each time. Later, we built a fire and roasted marshmallows as the sun set.

Those two days were exactly what we all needed. Just us. Just family.

Morning came too quickly. Reality couldn't wait any longer.

"You'll be meeting with Eric and Diana - Scarlett's parents today?" Aria asked over breakfast, keeping her voice low while Aurora chattered to her stuffed wolf at the other end of the table.

I nodded. "They'll ask for mercy. I can't give it."

"I know." Her hand covered mine briefly. She understood the weight of leadership. The burden of justice. One of countless reasons I loved her.

After breakfast, I kissed them both and headed to my office.

Hunter arrived minutes after I called him through our mind link.

"You handled things well while I was gone," I said.

He stood stiffly, hands clasped behind his back. "I should have watched Ryan and Scarlett more closely."

"This isn't on you. The only ones to blame are them, not you."

Hunter nodded, but I could tell he still blamed himself. I'd need to address that later.

"I need to see Eric and Diana."

Fifteen minutes later, they entered my office. Both bowed deeply, fear evident in every movement.

"Eric, Diana, please sit."

They perched on the edge of their chairs, waiting for me to speak.

"I know why you're here," I said. No point dragging this out. "And I can't give you what you want."

Diana's eyes welled with tears. "Alpha, we understand they did wrong. But please spare our children."

Eric leaned forward. "They're young, Alpha. They made terrible mistakes, but—"

"They betrayed this pack," I interrupted, keeping my voice steady. "They conspired to harm my mate, the Luna of this pack. That's not a mistake. That's treason."

Diana began sobbing. Eric put his arm around her.

"I'm sorry, truly. But I can't compromise on this."

I meant it. Their pain hit me hard. As a father, I couldn't imagine their agony. But as Alpha, I had no choice.

"If after this you don't wish to remain with Moon Shadow, I'll help you find another pack."

Eric looked up, surprise evident on his face. "You would do that?"

"Yes. You aren't responsible for their actions."

Eric swallowed hard. "We understand, Alpha. We may accept your offer to relocate."

"I'll provide whatever assistance you need." I stood, signaling the meeting's end. "I'm addressing the pack at noon. The sentence will be carried out tomorrow. You have until then to say goodbye."

After they left, I contacted Gabriel through our mind link.

*Ryan and Scarlett's parents just left after begging for their lives. I told them they have today to say goodbye. I need extra guards. Make sure they don't escape.*

Gabriel's response came immediately. *I'll add four more guards. I'll take the night shift myself.*

*Good. Thank you.*

I turned to Hunter. "Gather the pack at the training grounds at noon. At least one person from each family."

He nodded and left.

As noon approached, I found Aria and Aurora in our quarters. I'd arranged for five guards plus Lucas to stay with them during the announcement.

"You don't need to come," I told Aria, kissing her forehead.

"I know." She smiled, squeezing my hand. "Go. Do what you need to do."

I walked to the training grounds, my mind heavy with what needed to be said. Several hundred pack members had gathered, falling silent as I stepped onto the small platform.

"Hello everyone. I've called you here because there are several matters I need to share."

"Welcome home, Alpha!" Several voices called out.

I nodded my thanks. "First, I'm pleased to tell you we were victorious at the Sacred Moonlight Gathering."

Cheers erupted. I waited for them to quiet.

"During the event, the Moon Goddess herself appeared. She has expressed her wish for Luna Aria and me to be crowned King and Queen of wolves. We have accepted this honor."

Murmurs of awe spread through the crowd.

"The coronation will take place in three months. Until then, we'll need to prepare for the ceremonies and the influx of pack leaders who will attend."

I paused, bracing myself for the harder news.

"Now to a more difficult matter. As some of you know, Ryan and Scarlett are being held in our dungeons."

The crowd grew tense, waiting.

"During the Gathering, they conspired with Aria's former Alpha to kidnap her. Their intent was to harm her and force her to reject our mate bond."

Angry shouts filled the air. I raised my hand for silence.

"But your Luna is strong. We brought her home safely."

More shouts, this time approving. I waited again.

"Ryan and Scarlett committed treason against this pack. The punishment for such a crime is death. I will carry out the sentence tomorrow."

Dead silence fell over the grounds. Not a whisper, not a movement.

"I want to make one thing clear. I do not blame Eric and Diana for their children's actions. I don't want anyone in this pack holding them responsible. Is that understood?"

Heads nodded throughout the crowd.

"That's all. You're dismissed."